A Grinch’s Guide to Christmas: 14 Tips to Boost Your Spirit This Season

We get it. The holidays aren’t everyone’s cup of egg nog. They can be stressful, expensive, wasteful, and the music…sigh. Heck, you may not even celebrate any holidays at all! If you’re feeling grinchy-er than normal this holiday season, we’ve got some tips to help you stay jolly.

Avoid Stress

If the thought of cooking all day is enough to jingle your bells right off their bobtails (what the heck are bobtails, anyway?), look into having someone else do all the cooking. Many restaurants and caterers offer Christmas dinner service for not much more than you would spend buying all the supplies yourself. Some even have same-day pick up, so all you’ll have to do with the delicious food is eat it. Someone will still have to do the dishes, though. Sorry.

It’s not always easy at this busy time of year, but try to make sleep a priority. The more rested you are, the better you can deal with outside stresses. If you have trouble sleeping, try a natural sleep aid like white noise, a sleep mask or aromatherapy.

Everyone knows that exercise reduces stress, so between office parties and gift wrapping, sneaking in a workout can really help ease the pressure. Bonus – the gym is almost empty around the holidays. Not a fan of the gym? Most home workouts only require a yoga mat and hand weights to start.

Some people would rather eat tinsel than go to the mall around the holidays, but there’s really no reason to step into retail hell when you can you now get gifts online for everyone on your list. LondonDrugs.com has a huge selection of everything you’ll need for the holidays, and you won’t even need to change out of your jammies to get it.

Don’t Overspend

Give homemade gifts – if you’re a motivated home cook, make a big batch of cookies or preserves and wrap them up in cute gift packages, for much, much less than buying gifts.

Give gifts of service – This could include shovelling the sidewalk for elderly relatives, running an errand for a friend, or cooking dinner for a busy parent. Babysitting services are always appreciated, too!

Set a family spending limit of $10 or $20 per person to avoid overspending. It will challenge everyone to be creative with their gift giving, and avoid bad feelings. Or, if everyone is on board, do a Secret Santa gift exchange instead of gifts for everyone. That way, you can spend a little money on one really thoughtful gift instead of lots of money on many smaller, cheaper gifts.

 

Reduce Waste

Instead of disposable gift wrap, make the wrapping a useful part of the gift; put cookies in a flower pot or hide jewelry in a new pair of socks.

Be selective when deciding how many holiday cards to send. If you don’t want to send cards at all, choose a few people you’d like to connect with, grab some stationary paper and a great pen and write a letter instead for a touching surprise.

Plug your indoor and outdoor lights into timers for energy savings and peace of mind while you’re away.

 

I Don’t Celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah

If you don’t celebrate the holidays, you probably already do this – hit up your favourite Chinese restaurant! Most are open on Christmas holidays, and it’s a fun and delicious December tradition.

Movie theatres are also often open on Christmas Day, at least for a matinee, so grab some popcorn and settle in. If you’d rather hibernate, here is a list of fun and entertaining holiday movies that aren’t It’s a Wonderful Life: Die Hard & Die Hard 2, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, Scrooged, Trading Places, Batman Returns, Brazil, Gremlins, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and 200 Cigarettes. (What’s your favourite?)

Start your own, brand new tradition! Take your cue from Seinfeld – George’s father Frank Costanza invented Festivus so he could reject all the commercial and religious aspects of Christmas but still maintain a family tradition. If you like the sound of it, you’ll need a Festivus pole, meatloaf on a bed of lettuce for dinner, and some space in the living room for the Feats of Strength. Don’t forget the Airing of Grievances!

Oh, and about that Christmas music…here’s a great Spotify playlist called “Christmas Songs (For People Who Hate Christmas Music)” to help ease the burden of  hearing that Mariah Carey song for the 27,346th time.

https://open.spotify.com/user/apartmenttherapy/playlist/3WNjwOfGVL28Aro3VUCAAH

May your heart grow three sizes this holiday season!

Get Prepared for Winter With These Survival Essentials

Winter Survival Guide - London Drugs

Despite our habit of complaining about them, we Canadians actually love our winters. In fact, we’re proud of them. They’re wonderful for curling up at home, visiting family and friends, and playing in the snow.

But our winter has a dark side, with the risk of power outages, frostbite, vehicle mishaps, and more. As with any danger, the key to survival is good preparation. Here are some helpful checklists for winter safety indoors, outdoors, and on the road. They’ll help you survive a Canadian winter in style.

In The Home…

Blackout Basics: Home is the coziest place to be during winter. Until there’s a power outage, that is. That’s when you’ll need three days of food and water, a first-aid kit, a battery-powered or crank-powered radio, candles, flashlights, and a few board games to pass the time, too.

Fire Logs: When waiting out cold snaps and nasty colds alike, a roaring fire makes your home into a sanctuary. But maintaining a woodpile can be impractical. Luckily, artificial logs burn for hours. No fireplace? You can fake it with an electric version or a portable space heater instead.  

A Generator: During prolonged blackouts, a generator can power all your survival essentials, like the heaters we mentioned before and so much more. Just keep it full of fuel and stored away. Even if you never need to use it, it’s great to know it’s there. 

On The Road…

Large Flashlight: If your car is stuck or can’t be driven safely, you might need to flag down assistance or head for nearby help on foot. In those cases, you’ll be glad to have a large, very bright flashlight to ensure you’re easily seen. 

Quality Scraper & Shovel: Don’t be forced to push snow around with your boot or use the old credit card window-cleaning trick this winter. Get a full-sized shovel and a quality scraper, instead. You’ll thank yourself later.

A GPS Tracker: Planning a long winter car trip? There’s a good chance you’ll leave cellular reception far behind. So it’s always smart to let someone know where you’re headed. Even better? Give them the ability to track you via satellite

And Out In The Snow.

Warming Pads: Being outdoors is exhilarating in the wintertime. But before long, your fingers and toes will start to smart. Or worse, they’ll become numb. Keep the fun going with heating pads for your hands and feet.

Insulated Drink Container: Canadians know the only thing better than a warm drink at home is one outdoors. If you’re headed out beyond the coffee shops (difficult in Canada, we know), a quality insulated container, like this one from Thermos, will save the day.

Phone Charger: You’ve been out all day taking and sharing pictures of your winter fun when you suddenly realize your battery is getting low. Sound familiar? For safety and convenience, carry a pocket-sized phone charger wherever you go. 

For more advice on winterizing your home, yourself, or your car, speak to an LD Expert today, or visit London Drugs in-store and online.

Stay safe and enjoy the winter, everyone!

8 Unexpected Waffle Iron Recipes

Eight Tasty Treats You Can Make In Your Waffle Iron (That Aren’t Waffles)

We know we don’t have to say it–waffle irons are great! Who doesn’t love a fresh, fluffy waffle hot off the iron for Sunday breakfast? A waffle iron makes a great gift, and if you’re married, chances are you received one as a wedding present. (Thanks, Aunt Linda!). But, let’s face it, they’re not exactly a frequently used item. That’s about to change, because we’ve got eight delicious recipes that will bring your waffle iron into regular kitchen rotation.

  1. Margherita Pizza

Unexpected Waffle Iron Recipes

Yes, it looks a bit funny, but your mouth will thank you for the wells of extra savoury sauce and gooey cheese. Plus, the waffle maker doubles as an oven for baking the crust to perfection, and a broiler for melting the cheese. 

[Find the recipe at The Food Network]

  1. Cinnamon RollsUnexpected Waffle Iron Recipes

These mouth-watering morsels are relatively simple to make, and can be made in less time than it takes to make dinner. Bonus: your house will smell amazing afterwards.

[Find the recipe at Creations by Kara]

Easy Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas

Quesadillas are a satisfying, kid-friendly and easy dinner choice, but they’re never quite the same at home as the more authentic ones from a restaurant. The professional secret to perfect quesadillas is cooking them right on a griddle. Well, guess what a waffle iron is—a tiny, hatched griddle. A grid-dle!

[Find the recipe at Souffle Bombay]

  1. S’mores. Yes, s’mores.

Unexpected Waffle Iron Recipes

Don’t have a campfire handy? You’re in luck, because these warm, sweet and decadent treats can be waffled! (Yes, we just used waffle as a verb. Sorry. Not sorry.)

[Find the recipe at Pinch of Yum]

  1. Bacon-Stuffed Waffle Sticks

Unexpected Waffle Iron Recipes

Okay, okay these are technically waffles. But, they look so sensational, we had to include them on this list. Take the opportunity to experiment with the dips—maple syrup, Nutella, peanut butter, whipped cream…the possibilities are delicious.

[Find the recipe at The Gunny Sack]

  1. Waffled Falafels

Unexpected Waffle Iron Recipes

Yes, it’s true—you can make healthy, vegetarian things in your waffle maker, too! These are super easy, even healthier than traditional, deep-fried falafels, and the best part is saying the name of this recipe out loud. Waffled falafels. Waffled falafels. We can’t stop. 

[Find the recipe at The Food Network]

  1. Spicy Tuna Melt

Unexpected Waffle Iron Recipes

This comfort food classic is perfect for a quick lunch, and the spicy dash of hot sauce gives it an extra kick. We love the sound of this particular recipe, but honestly, any sandwich that would go in a panini press works great in a waffle maker. Kitchen space saver!

[Find the recipe at The Weary Chef]

  1. Brownies A La Mode

Unexpected Waffle Iron RecipesWhat’s everyone’s favourite part of a pan of brownies? The edges, right? Well, waffle iron brownies, with their crispy outsides and soft insides, offers the promise of all edges, all the time. They also take a fraction of the time to make than baking in the oven. Top them with rich, vanilla ice cream, and you’ve basically won at life.  

Need a great waffle maker to help you master these delicious creations? Check out the Cuisinart Vertical Waffle Maker or the Chefman Volcano Waffle Maker. Either one will help you create delicious waffle-y treats.

Well, what are you waiting for? Get waffling!

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for DIYers

It’s less than a month until Christmas. Still working on your holiday shopping? We’ve got you covered!

Leading up to December 25, we’re posting holiday gift guides for everyone on your list. We have already shared guides for the home cook, kids (and parents), and techies. Today’s guide is all about the DIYer!

What do you get for someone who likes to make things? Buying a scarf for a knitter or a nice planter for someone who works with ceramics can seem a waste. Instead, give them what they love best—tools or supplies to make something themselves!

Here’s our guide to buying a cool crafty present for the DIYer on your list.

1. Build their Tool Box

 

 

DIYers love new tools. Not only will they expand their range of projects, but new tools are sometimes just inspiring in and of themselves—opening up a whole new world of possibilities.

DIY Gift Guide

Help the DIYers in your life build their ultimate tool box with a glue gun, an X-Acto knife, and a screwdriver with multiple bits. These long nose pliers are perfect for making jewelry, and a tape measure will be useful no matter the project. An adjustable wrench means they’ve always got the right size. Scissors are necessary for just about any DIY project. And a multitool means they can carry it all with them and be ready for anything.

2. Grow their Garden

 

 

It’s not really the right season for gardening, but don’t let that stop you. There are plenty of great presents for DIY plant lovers that you can still find at this time of year, like garden gloves and a gorgeous green watering can. They’ll be great in the spring for outdoor use, but they can be used with indoor plants as well.

DIY Gift Guide

We’ve got plenty of great planters that will look lovely on a beautiful plant stand. And this Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners hand soap and hand cream duo will remind your DIYer that you care about them and their well being. No cracked skin here!

3. Sew So Well

 

 

Sewing is such a handy skill. Sewers can make clothes, create curtains, upgrade their bed with a new duvet cover, mend fabric, fashion their own duffle bags and totes–the list is almost unending. It’s perfect for upgrading one’s home or wardrobe with big or small projects and is a life skill that everyone should have.

https://www.londondrugs.com/home-and-lifestyle/appliances/small-appliances/irons-garment-steamers-and-sewing-machines/sewing-machines-and-attachments/

Make sewing easier for your DIY friend with a new sewing machine. If they’ve already got one they love, then think about supplemental sewing tools like a new iron, fabric scissors, a seam ripper, or a hand sewing kit.

4. Perfect Preserving

 

 

Who doesn’t love some delicious homemade jellies and jams? You can certainly make some yourself for excellent Christmas gifts (check out our guide to canning and preserving for tips and recipes!), but for the DIYer on your list, you’ll want to be giving them supplies.

DIY Gift Guide

A canning kit complete with a funnel, jar lifter and lid lifter, as well as glass canning jars and lids, is a great gift for someone who’s looking to expand their DIY ways into food preservation (it’s a special order item, so be sure to get this one early!). It’s not just for jam; canning is perfect for pickling too! Preserving food via canning is both a science and an art, which is just what crafty folks love.

For more gift-giving advice for the DIYer on your list, speak to an LD Expert today. To make a purchase, visit London Drugs in-store and online. We’ll be back in a few days with a gift guide for music lovers. See you then!

See all of our 2017 Holiday Gift Guides here:

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids (and Parents)

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for Techies

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for the Home Cook 

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for Music Lovers

December Book of the Month

 

Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
In 1843, Grace Marks was convicted for her involvement in the vicious murders of her employer, Thomas Kinnear, and Nancy Montgomery, his housekeeper and mistress. Some believe Grace is innocent; others think her evil or insane. Now serving a life sentence, Grace claims to have no memory of the murders. Was Grace a femme fatale – or a weak and unwilling victim of circumstances?

Reviews
After watching the miniseries I was left wanting to know more about Grace marks and Dr. Simon Jordan. The book did not disappoint, although Margaret Atwood admits this is fiction based on fact, I found being able to read some of the letters and news articles written about Grace made it feel more real. – Review by Amy Lynne

Book of the Month
Every month we will be featuring a new book to be showcased in our Book of the Month. Staff members and friends will be reading the book and posting their reviews. We’d love to hear what you thought of these books as well. Post your comments and let us know. Alias Grace is available at London Drugs along with many other great titles and is on sale for the month of December.

 

10 Genius Kitchen Gadgets for the Clever Chef

These days, there is no end to the amount of gadgets out there, especially for the kitchen. Let’s face it, not all of them are useful, and they end up taking up precious space in your kitchen. To save you some trouble, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite, affordable and genius kitchen gadgets, whether you want to up your own kitchen game, or surprise your favourite home chef.

Gotham Steel Bacon BonanzaGenius Kitchen Gadgets

Many chefs swear by cooking bacon in the oven. It reduces the fat, eliminates stovetop splatter, and guarantees a perfectly crispy result. The Bacon Bonanza makes cooking bacon in the oven even easier: the non-stick rack spaces up to 12 pieces of bacon perfectly, the non-stick pan catches the grease for easy cleanup, and both are dishwasher safe.

PL8 Fresh Herb Saver

Genius Kitchen Gadgets

Fresh herbs are a key ingredient to taking the quality of your home cooking up a notch. But unless you’ve got your own fresh herb garden, store-bought herbs don’t last very long in the fridge. This simple little item will add life to your fresh herbs so you can use them again and again, and save you the sadness of watching them wilt in your fridge. Its compact size fits easily in any fridge door. Works for saving asparagus, too!

Zipstrip Herb Stripper

Genius Kitchen Gadgets

Now that you have all of these fresh herbs just sitting around, you’ve got to use them! This little gem will save you loads of time; it easily strips, collects and measures herbs all in one step. Four separate sized holes fit any variety and size of woody, stemmed herbs (such as rosemary, thyme and tarragon) and the bowl easily catches the leaves and simply measures your portion.

Brooklyn Brownie Copper Pan

Genius Kitchen Gadgets

What’s the best part of a pan of brownies? The corners, of course! This time-saving brownie pan will give you 18 perfectly portioned corner pieces every time. The durable, non-stick surface allows you to mix the batter right inside the pan, no pre-greasing required. The slicer insert slides right out when the brownies are done, with no arguments about who gets the corners.

Ove Glove

Genius Kitchen Gadgets

Traditional oven mitts are awkward and bulky, and who hasn’t burned themselves on the oven using a tea towel? Never fear, because the Ove Glove is here to save your precious fingertips. Three layers of insulation protects from heat, flame and steam up to 540℉, and the five fingers with silicone grip will have you nimbly dashing around your baking and barbecuing like the kitchen hero that you are.

One Stop Chop Cutting Board

If you’re obsessed with keeping your cooking space neat and tidy through the dinner-making process, have we got the gadget for you. This beautiful bamboo cutting board hides secret, tidy prep drawers underneath to store your ingredients until you’re ready to use them, making room on your cutting board in the process. Aahh…satisfying, isn’t it?

Genius Kitchen Gadgets

Joseph Joseph Adjustable Rolling Pin

Genius Kitchen Gadgets

 

So, you like precision, do you? Oh, we’re gonna get precise. Any good baker knows that winging it is a recipe for disaster, especially when it comes to making the perfect dough. That’s why the always-inventive Joseph Joseph gave bakers this ingenious rolling pin that measures the thickness of the dough while you roll it. Simply attach one of three included sets of discs to the pin for rolling thicknesses of 3/8”, 1/4″ and 1/16”. There are also measurements etched into the barrel help you roll sheets of dough to exact widths. Guesswork, you’ve met your match.

Soda Stream Source Soda Maker

Genius Kitchen Gadgets

If you’re trying to kick the sugary drink habit, the Soda Stream makes healthy, carbonated beverages at home, right on your countertop. Have your beverage your way with customizable carbonation settings, and optional low-sugar, natural flavours. Voted Best New Product in 2016 by Canadian Living, this handy, compact gadget will save you money on your grocery bill, and save hundreds of plastic bottles and cans from going into the waste cycle.

Crock-Pot Express 8-in-1 Crock Multicooker

Genius Kitchen Gadgets

This is not your mother’s Crock-Pot. This insanely useful appliance is the new rock star of the small appliance world for people who love to cook, and even people who don’t. This multi-cooker does the job of a slow cooker, electric pressure cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, sauté/browning pan, and warming pot. It’s a single appliance that does the job of seven! And we don’t know about you, but we definitely don’t have the space in our humble kitchens to store all seven of those appliances. Whether you want to prep your meal in the morning and cook all day, or have a fast healthy home-cooked meal in under an hour–this one-pot wonder does it all!

I Could Eat A T-Rex Pasta Measuring Tool

Genius Kitchen Gadgets
No matter how long you’ve been cooking, you’ll likely never be able to eyeball the perfect portion of pasta. A pasta measuring tool is essential to any cook’s tool kit, so why not make it fun, too? This adorable tool helps you portion pasta for a kid, woman, man or a visiting T-Rex. Warning: approach hungry T-Rex with care, and don’t make any sudden movements.

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids (and Parents)

We’ve got just over a month until Christmas. Time to get your shopping sorted!

Starting with last week’s Holiday Gift Guide for the Home Cook, we’re posting gift guides every week until Christmas. Each will be aimed at different groups and include gift ideas from stocking stuffers to show stoppers.

 

This week, our guide has gift suggestions for all the kids in your life that parents won’t mind playing with either! Whether you’re a parent yourself, or you’re buying presents for other kids and parents in your life, London Drugs has plenty of ideas and options.

Board Games are Big Again

Board games have gotten incredibly popular over the last few years. Board game cafes and bars in Calgary and Vancouver can attest to their popularity! Board games are tried and true, and (actually) fun for the whole family. They make great gifts, but choosing between the hundreds of games available can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to help!

Modern board games range from serious strategy games like Ticket to Ride or Settlers of Catan to classics with a twist like NHL-OPOLY. Strategy games tend to be better for older kids, but Dixit is good for kids three and up while still being super fun. Pandemic is a cooperative game, teaching valuable lessons about collaboration while players work together to save the world. Kids and parents alike will appreciate learning new games.

Gift Guide for Kids - Monopoly Deal

Or, you can give the parents in your life some classics from their childhood to share with their own kids, like Twister or Battleship. Monopoly Deal is a great new version of an old classic that is quick to play and won’t cause any family feuds!

Tech Toys

While board games are great, video games are really the modern classic. This year’s ultimate gift is the Nintendo Switch, especially bundled with Super Mario Odyssey. The Switch can be a home gaming system, or a portable device kids can continue playing on for those long car rides.

Gift Guide for Kids - Super Mario Odyssey

Image via Nintendo.com

If the kid on your list is into computers, teach them the basics of programming with this cool programmable robot.

Gift Guide for Kids - WowWee programmable robot

Image via WowWee.com

iPads are incredibly versatile techie gifts, good for young and older kids alike. They’ve got YouTube and Netflix for watching kids shows, tons of easy-to-learn games, and they make it easier to connect with family through FaceTime. There’s nothing better for grandparents, aunts, and uncles than a video chat with excited kids on Christmas morning!

Kid Crafts

For families wanting less screen time, crafty gifts are endlessly fun. Scientifically minded kids will be into these Cool Science Experiments, ranging from invisible ink to lava lamps to hoverboards.

Those who love to draw will appreciate a fresh set of pencil crayons. Pair them with a sketchbook to make a complete drawing kit.

Colouring books are always fun and relaxing. Give them a colouring book with their favourite movie characters (be it Minions or Spider-Man) or opt for beautiful shapes or animals and let the recipient tell their own stories with colour.

Lego

As frustrating as stepping on those tiny pieces can be, Lego is a classic toy for a reason. Get fancy sets for older kids, like this Star Wars Resistance X-Wing, or go back to basics with a  classic creativity set. You can make anything with Lego.Gift Guide for Kids - Star Wars X-wing lego

Personalized Presents

Personalized presents are great for kids—they love seeing pictures of themselves and their family! The PhotoLab can put your family photos on just about anything, but some particularly good gifts are personalized mugs, ornaments, and puzzles.

 

For more gift-giving advice for the kids (and parents) on your list, speak to an LD Expert today. To make a purchase, visit London Drugs in-store and online.

We’ll be back soon with a top gift guide for techies. See you then!

See all of our 2017 Holiday Gift Guides here:

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for Techies

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for the DIYer

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for Music Lovers

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for the Home Cook 

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