christmas Archives - Page 3 of 4

Bringing in the Christmas Cheer with Your Best Friend: 5 Tips for Great Christmas Dog Photos

It’s that special time of the year again, a chance to get together with our friends and families and celebrate the festive season. But for pet owners, family does not just include those with two legs. Your four-legged bundles of joy are just as much a part of the family, and deserve a spot next to you in Christmas photos. Here are some quick tips to help ensure that your best friend looks just as good as everyone else in your pictures this year!

1. Winners are grinners – Get them active to get their best smiles!

Olympus E-M1 Mark II w/ M.Zuiko 45mm F1.2 PRO

A dog’s smile is one of the happiest things in the world! Make sure you can get those smiles by taking your pup out for a quick run before you start taking pictures. Five to 10 minutes of play or a brisk walk should suffice, but don’t overdo it, otherwise as soon as you start taking photos, they will want to lie down and rest. (It still might look cute though!)

Olympus PEN-F w/ M.Zuiko 25mm F1.8

2. Get down to their level to get their best angle

Olympus E-M10 Mark III w/ M.Zuiko 45mm F1.8

While it may be much simpler to take a photo of your puppy from eye height – this angle is not overly flattering for your pup. Getting down to their level will make them look less diminutive, and help to fill up your frame. The smaller the pup, the lower you are going to need to get. Mirrorless cameras from London Drugs such as the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III with tilting touchscreens, or cameras with articulating screens will help you get your camera lower while putting less strain on your back.

Olympus E-M10 Mark III w/ M.Zuiko 45mm F1.8

3. Portrait lenses will make your pup look stunning

Olympus E-M10 Mark III w/ M.Zuiko 45mm F1.8

By changing your lens, you can really make your pup pop in your images. Portrait lenses help to isolate your subject. This means that while your subject will be in focus, everything around them will be blurred and will not distract from the focus of the image – even if there are other things in the image such as people. Just remember to always try to focus on the eyes or the nose!

Olympus’ 45mm f1.8 portrait lens is a great value choice that combines razor sharp optics and pleasing blur to make your subject stand out in the image. For DSLRs, a portrait lens between 50mm to 85mm would also be ideal. London Drugs has a wide range of portrait lenses to ensure that all your family members look stunning this festive season!

Olympus E-M1 Mark III w/ M.Zuiko 45mm F1.8

4. Shoot at the right time of the day for photographing people and pets

Olympus PEN-F w/ M.Zuiko 45mm F1.2 PRO

Like everything in life, some moments are better than others for maximizing your photo opportunities. Same thing goes for taking photos of your pets! If the weather is fine, there are two times of the day ideal for taking great pet photos: two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset. At these times of the day, the light is more pleasant and there are less harsh shadows. The bonus is that the closer you are to sunrise and sunset, the more golden the light, which can give a feeling of warmth and happiness!

Olympus PEN-F w/ M.Zuiko 45mm F1.2 PRO

5. Keep their attention – Treats are the key!

Olympus PEN-F w/ M.Zuiko 25mm F1.8

We all love good food at this time of year; so does your pup, and they will be extra keen to let you know, so use that to your advantage! Hold a treat in your hand just above the lens when you are about to take a photo. This way, your dog is paying attention to the food and ensures that they are looking near the camera. Just don’t forget to pick up some treats in the pet food section next time you’re at London Drugs before Christmas.

Olympus E-M1 Mark iI w/ M.Zuiko 45mm F1.8

Whether you are thinking about buying a new camera, or a new lens, your London Drugs photo specialist will be able to show you exactly what you need for the best Christmas pictures of your pup. Also, don’t forget that you can print those photos and gift them! To get started on your own personalized gifts, just visit our London Drugs Photolab online, in-store or simply download our London Drugs Photolab App for iOS and Android.

Merry Christmas!

2018 Holiday Gift Guide: Cool Finds for the Trend Seekers in Your Life

We all have friends and family who love to stay on top of the latest gadgets and trends. In some ways, this makes them easy to shop for, if you know what’s trending. But what if you don’t? Well, you check out this holiday gift guide and let us help you! London Drugs has all the hottest gifts to keep you and your loved ones on trend.

For the Serenity Seekers

Aromatherapy diffusers are all the rage, and they make great gifts during this busy and potentially stressful time of year. Show your gift recipient how much they mean to you with an Ellia Soothe Aroma Diffuser or the adorable Coastal Cactus diffuser.

Add in some essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or Fight It, the perfect combination of oils to ward off colds.

For the Beauties

If you want to really pamper someone, the La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum Kit or the Biotherm Skin Oxygen Holiday Set will get their skin hydrated and glowing for the new year.

For the Coffee Connoisseurs

The latest coffee makers from Braun and Russell Hobbs are sleek, stylish, and equipped with the newest technology to brew coffee quicker. Who wants to wait for their morning cup?

The Braun Digital Touch Screen Coffee Maker brews 12 cups in under 10 minutes and tracks freshness using a digital indicator. This Russell Hobbs 8-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker uses advanced technology for full flavour extraction and features a permanent gold-tone filter and self-cleaning function, reducing waste.

For the Health and Fitness Buffs

For your uber-healthy friends and fam, the Ninja Mega Kitchen System has everything one needs for eating healthily. The 2-horsepower motor connects with a 72oz blender jar, 8-cup food processor bowl, or two single serve cups for juice or smoothies on the go.

The latest version in the Fitbit Charge series continues to track overall health, workouts, and sleep while adding call alerts, text notifications, and updates from favourite apps.

For the Sound Hounds

With many hopping on the smart home train, why not get your trendy friends and family started with the Sony Smart Speaker? Not only is it voice controlled with the built-in Google Assistant, it’s also got touch-free gesture control.

For a more traditional sound system option, the Klipsch Multiroom Speaker with Play-Fi has a gorgeous mid-century modern look paired with modern sound technologies.

For the Snap Happy

GoPro cameras are perfect for capturing Instagrammable adventures in the mountains, and the DJI Spark drone makes those beautiful aerial shots possible.

The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6’s selfie mode and selfie mirror produce perfect selfies you can treasure forever.

For the Tech Savvy

Finally, the two big items this year for the trend seekers on your list should be the Apple Watch Series 4 and the iPhone XR. The latest versions of these tech must-haves have just gotten better.

The Apple Watch has automated workout detection and advanced health features, and the built-in cellular functionality means you don’t need to have your phone on you to take phone calls and messages!

The iPhone XR sports the most advanced LCD screen in the cellular marketplace, an incredible new camera, and has the option to support dual SIM cards. It’s no wonder they were both on Oprah’s Favourite Things list this year!

We’ve got all kinds of gifts for all kinds of gifters. Need more holiday gift help? Check out londondrugs.com for more great gift ideas.

2018 Holiday Gift Guide: Hot Gifts for Kids of Every Age

Christmas is coming! Time to start making your list and checking it twice. Christmas is such a magical time for children, so it’s important to choose the right toys and gifts for them. Don’t worry, London Drugs has got you covered with the hottest gift for kids as well as a few other toys you might not have considered.

For Kids Aged 0-3

Your little one will be ahead of the class with the Mega Bloks 123 Counting Bus Set and 123 Learning Train, which feature big printed numbers on the blocks so kids can learn to count while building a friendly train or bus.

The Mega Bloks ABC Train offers a similar, engaging opportunity to learn the alphabet during play time.

For children who just want some fun, the Mega Bloks First Racers Fast Tracks Racing Rig and Block Builders Fire Truck Rescue encourage hands-on play and tons of excitement!

Some things never go out of style, like My Little Pony and friendship. The My Little Pony Celebration Castle offers both in an adorable purple playset. What’s more fun than a dance party with Pinkie Pie and StarSong in a spinning castle turret?

For Kids Aged 3-5

L.O.L. Surprise dolls are the gift that keeps on giving, since each one of them offers seven layers of surprises, including which doll you get. These highly collectible toys even make use of the sphere they’re packaged in, which become a doll display or purse carrying case. Go big with the L.O.L. Glam Glitter Surprise dolls!

Your child can join Paw Patrol favourites Marshall, Skye, and Zuma in amazing adventures with the Paw Patrol Fire Truck Set. With a ladder, siren, mini hose and water cannon (that actually launches three included projectiles!), the Paw Patrol is off to the rescue.

For Kids Aged 5-8

Fingerlings, the adorable animatronic toys that cling to your fingers, were so popular last year that people were selling counterfeit versions to meet the demand. This year you’ll want to get the Fingerlings from the Untamed Dinos set: Blaze, Fury, Razor, Stealth, Scratch, Ripsaw, Tracker, and IronJaw. Or grab the Untamed Jailbreak set with an exclusive T-Rex! The Glitter Panda Fingerlings are popular this year too.

Pomsies are kind of like furry Fingerlings. These soft fuzzy toys are interactive, like Fingerlings, but they can clip on to a backpack, wrist, clothes or wherever you child wants. With up to 50 different reactions, your child will never tire of their cute new friend!

If your child likes Pomsies, they’ll love Squeezamals. These round, plush toys are even cuter, with giant sparkling eyes and sweet smiles. Think stuffed animals, but super squishy and tons of fun.

For Kids Aged 8-11

Older kids are a little more dextrous, so they’ll do well with toys that involve more pieces as well as those that stimulate them intellectually. The Ideal Street Magic Wizard set is a great gift for your budding magician, with supplies and instructions for over a hundred different magic tricks. Your child will be enthralled for all of Christmas break!

Another great hands-on toy is the LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall. This set includes a buildable Great Hall and tower, complete with house tables and banners, fireplace and food, as well as 10 minifigures of everyone’s favourite characters. Grindelwald’s Escape LEGO set is a great complement to this, and it ties in nicely with the latest Fantastic Beasts film.

Board games are still popular gifts this year, including favourites like Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan, Codenames, Pandemic, and Trouble.

For Kids Aged 12-15

Video games are still the hottest gifts for tweens and teens, especially Fortnite, currently the most popular video game in the world. For kids new to video games, grab the Fortnite Double Helix Bundle that comes with the game and a Nintendo Switch console. If they’re already playing Fortnite, give them the new Deep Freeze bundle available for PS4, Xbox One, or the Switch.

Funko POP toys are big hits with this age group too! Try the Star Wars Wobblers with bobble heads, the Rock Candy Marvel superheroes, or the Marvel Captain America set with two classic Funko POPs and two pocket POP keychains.

We’ve got all kinds of gifts for all kinds of gifters. Need more holiday gift help? Shop our selection of toys for other great gift ideas.

7 Tech Gadgets to Reduce Holiday Stress

With Christmas right around the corner… there’s no time to stress! The holiday season inspires joy, excitement, and family comfort. What’s not to love about spending quality time with the most important people in your life, sipping warm drinks by the fireplace and decorating your home?

Unfortunately, we can easily find ourselves feeling a little overwhelmed with office parties, gift exchanges, family reunions and our kids’ school events. No matter how many commitments are booked into your calendar, there never seems to be quite enough time to get anything done – let alone finish Christmas shopping!

Thankfully, we have the tech to help make everyone’s life just a little easier – including your own!

Get into the festive spirit this winter and check out the following 7 tech gadgets that are bound to eliminate some of your holiday stress, while also making great gifts for friends, coworkers and family!

Nest Learning Thermostat

A thermostat may seem like a strange gift to pick up for the holidays, but trust us, the Nest Learning Thermostat is well worth it. Particularly useful during the chilly Canadian winters, this remote-controlled tech gadget can be used right from your smartphone, tablet or laptop through WiFi connectivity. With energy-saving options, safety alerts, and automatic adjustments from your personal energy history, just think – no more coming home to a frigid home, and no more waking up in the middle of the night to adjust the heat!

iQ Keychain Power Bank

A fantastic option for stocking stuffers, the IQ Keychain Power Bank is a necessity for busy, on-the-go people who use their portable technology on a day-to-day basis. The keychain feature makes this power bank easily accessible and always within reach when in need. For those days where you forget to charge your phone, or your laptop runs out of battery, simply plug into the IQ Keychain without the stress of finding an available power outlet in public.

TouCan Hands Free Can Opener

Opening cans with faulty (and often painful!) can openers can be the bane of your existence, especially when in a hurry and with a hungry family to feed. Another great stocking stuffer option (perhaps for the cook in your life, or for anyone with joint pain) the TouCan Hands Free Can Opener makes opening cans of all shapes and sizes completely effortless. With just a push of the button, anyone can seamlessly prepare their meals, without the mess and frustration.

Belkin Wireless Charging Pad

If you’ve been thinking about picking up a charging pad, now is the time! More than ever, we’re glued to our phones and tablets for personal as well as work use throughout the day, making it easy to run out of battery life. The hassle of finding (let alone de-tangling!) the large amount of mismatched chargers you need could give anyone a headache. Thankfully, the Belkin Wireless Charging Pad provides a quick solution to this everyday stress. After a long day at work, place your smartphone, tablet or powerbank (no need to remove any cases!) within the charging ring, and enjoy the luxury of cordless freedom.

Global Data SIM Card

Visiting family or friends over the holidays, and travelling outside of your designated carrier zone? Know anyone who travels frequently overseas, and could benefit from some extra coverage? Look no further! Pick up the AOW Global Data SIM Card for yourself or as a gift and enjoy 4G LTE access to over 90 countries across the globe. Choose from hourly plans, by day, or by storage, and pre-schedule before you leave. The Global Data SIM Card is compatible with any unlocked smartphone, and will not only save you the effort of finding secure WiFi, but allows you to stay connected with loved ones via apps without daunting roaming fees.

London Drugs Rechargeable Wine Opener

If you don’t need one of these in your kitchen cupboard, guaranteed you know someone who does! Just like opening a can, grappling with a tricky cork can result in nicked fingers, compromised wine and most likely a bad mood. Avoid the fuss and save your energy with the London Drugs Rechargeable Wine Opener. This sleek electric opener can be easily recharged when needed, and makes a great gift for any wine connoisseur.

Ring Wi-Fi Video Doorbell

Ordered your Christmas gifts online and anxious for them to be delivered to your door? More often than not, you won’t be home mid-day to receive your parcels. With the Ring Wi-Fi Video Doorbell, there’s no need to rush home to see if your packages have arrived! With wide angled HD video and instant alerts straight to your phone, this futuristic doorbell can also act as a security monitor, alerting you of what’s going on outside without having to be at home! Great for families with children, the doorbell also offers a safe way for kids to see who’s at the door without having to answer it.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Santa to Visit Seniors Across Western Canada This Year

Well, maybe not the real Santa, but seniors across Western Canada will receive a little extra holiday cheer this year, thanks to London Drugs’ very first chain-wide Christmas campaign.

With Stocking Stuffers for Seniors, London Drugs stores across Western Canada are partnering with hundreds of low-income, assisted living, or palliative care homes and organizations to help make this year’s holidays brighter for seniors living in our communities.

Stocking Stuffers for Seniors was developed as a way to connect London Drugs’ generous customers to local seniors during the busy holiday season. Many seniors do not have family or loved ones they can celebrate the holidays with, so Stocking Stuffers for Seniors will provide a gift or needed item, along with a visit from a friendly face during an often lonely time of the year.

The program concept originated in BC’s Okanagan then expanded to Edmonton, where they had the initial goal to help 40 inner-city seniors and ended up helping over 400. The next year, 2,000 people received gifts, and this year, Edmonton alone will support over 4,000 seniors. With the generosity of our communities, imagine what we could do across all of our communities.

To support Stocking Stuffers for Seniors, visit your local London Drugs store from now until December 11. Simply go to the Stocking Stuffers for Seniors Christmas Tree and take a personalized tag from a local senior, purchase or bring in the new, unwrapped items listed on the tag, then drop everything off at the London Drugs Customer Service Counter where you picked up the tag. Santa and his volunteer elves will deliver all personalized gifts in time for Christmas!

10 POPULAR GIFTS FOR SENIORS

– Blankets or throws
– Slippers or socks
– Candy and chocolate
– Coffee or travel mugs
– Warm clothes such as gloves or scarves
– Paper products such as paper towels and tissues
– Gift cards for groceries and toiletries
– Books or magazines
– Board games or puzzles
– Kitchen essentials

For extra Christmas cheer – include a personalized Christmas card with your gift!

Be sure to check out our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages to see how your gifts made the season a bit brighter for seniors in your community.

1. Winners are grinners – Get them active to get their best smiles!

2. Get down to their level to get their best angle

3. Portrait lenses will make your pup look stunning

4. Shoot at the right time of the day for photographing people and pets

5. Keep their attention – Treats are the key!

For the Serenity Seekers

For the Beauties

For the Coffee Connoisseurs

For the Health and Fitness Buffs

For the Sound Hounds

For the Snap Happy

For the Tech Savvy

For Kids Aged 0-3

For Kids Aged 3-5

For Kids Aged 5-8

For Kids Aged 8-11

For Kids Aged 12-15

1. Build their Tool Box

2. Grow their Garden

3. Sew So Well

4. Perfect Preserving

Board Games are Big Again

Tech Toys

Kid Crafts

Lego

Personalized Presents

10 POPULAR GIFTS FOR SENIORS

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