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Christmas is about so much more than just gifts, but it’s hard to beat the joyous feeling of finding the perfect present for someone. A little bit of thought and some local sourcing will help, but I’ve rounded up my top five Island-crafted items to spark your gift-giving creativity this holiday season.

1. Saltspring Soapworks

New for Holiday 2011 are the lavender and rose product packs, bursting with sumptuous treats for the body. Anything lavender has me instantly hooked and this trio of gentle soap, bubble bath and body souffle will return the lustre to winter-weary skin. An added bonus? The eco-friendly glass packaging is kind to the earth.

You can find Saltspring Soapworks online or in Victoria, Duncan and on Saltspring Island.

2. Knit Together In Love

When the weather outside is frightful, bundling up is so delightful. Scarves, mittens and toques are de rigueur on Vancouver Island, and there’s no fuzzier feeling than a handmade knit. A number of artisans on the Island specialize in different knit styles, but for those with more experience, considering picking up unique yarn and weave something wonderful.

My pick? Try Campbell River’s Needle & Arts Centre or Knits by the Sea in Tofino for inspiration.

3. Toast the Ones You Love

Vancouver Island is a hotbed for crafting bitter brews, magnificent merlots and now a number of spirits. For the discerning palate on your gift list, consider picking up something locally-produced that anyone would be proud to serve on a festive occasion.

Combined with notes of hazelnut and hints of spice, the Left Coast Hemp Vodka from Victoria Spirits is a can’t-miss.

4. Think Pawsitive

Everyone knows one. There’s bound to be an animal lover in your life and what better way to honour that than by making a donation in their name. The BC-SPCA’s Pawsitive Gifts initiative is a little way to make a big difference with ideas such as a Dog Health Check for $40 or Critter Care for just $10 to help hamsters, guinea pigs and other little ones.

The BC-SPCA has branches in Campbell River, the Comox Valley, Alberni-Clayoquat, Parksville-Qualicum, Nanaimo, Saltspring Island, the Cowichan Valley and Victoria. Visit your local branch to purchase a Pawsitive Gift today.

5. Heritage for the Holidays

Vancouver Island’s vibrant and rich First Nations history is still very much alive today, thanks in part to the artisans who have long held on to their culture’s traditions. Gifts range from hand-carved jewelry and sculpture to paintings and storybooks for children.

When I’m in the Comox Valley, I love to stop into the I-Hos Gallery. You’ll find pieces from many Island-based artists all under one roof.

Wrap It Up

Finding the perfect gift is half the battle. Wrapping it beautifully can also be a challenge. Victoria-based designer, Jenn Playford, created Furochic. A reusable cloth gift wrap based on the Japanese tradition of origami, Furochic avoids the landfill by replacing traditional paper with vibrant patterns and colours.

Happy Shopping!

Disclaimer: I was not paid, expected or compensated to endorse any of these businesses or products. They’re simply my picks based on what’s fun, versatile and local for the holiday season!

There is perhaps no Vancouver Island-based artist that is more cherished than Emily Carr. More than 60 years after her death, her art is still revered, sought-after and cherished by both British Columbians and by the global art scene. Her whimsical paintings and illustrations, directly influenced by the rugged beauty of BC, capture our Province in ways no one has before or since.

Known for its spectacular mural displays, the seaside town of Chemainus recently announced plans to commemorate “Klee Wyck” (as Emily was known in Uclulet) with the world’s first “MuralSculpture”. Combining two mediums – in this case sculpture with a mural – this installation will measure an astounding 45-feet-high and 20-feet-wide.

Karl Schultz, manager, coordinator, and originator of the project, enthuses: “This is the first time something like this has been attempted to our knowledge. There will be many challenges, of which building the structure and body will be the most mind-boggling.”

Charlie Johnston of Winnipeg and First Nations carver Dennis Nyce are partnering up with Schultz to creat this unique tribute, incorporating steel fiber cement and artifacts from the Ucluelet area. The MuralSculpture is expected to make its debut in late 2012.

All Canadians will have the opportunity to be part of this historic project. For as little as a minimum $5 donation, contributors can have his or her name placed onto the back of the sculpture. Families can even create their own family donation tree where each family member will be linked together. To find out how you can be included in this piece of history, visit Emily Carr Monument online.

One of my most-loved childhood memories at Christmastime was venturing out to Merville to choose and chop the perfect tree for our family’s living room. Though it may be tempting to visit your local grocery store or home building centre to pick up a pre-cut tree, not much can replace the magic of a visit to a Christmas tree farm.

Photo: Fernridge Christmas Tree Forest

The British Columbia Christmas Tree Council has a comprehensive website that includes a handy farm search tool. Their site even includes a list of the Top 10 Vancouver Island Christmas tree farms from Campbell River to Saanichton.

Though some folks may opt for the fake, plastic variety, there are plenty of reasons to bring a real tree into your home. Justin Smallbridge, a researcher with The David Suzuki Foundation, makes an argument for real trees:

“For the most part, they are grown and sold locally, produce oxygen and remove carbon dioxide for 10 to 12 years before being cut,” he states. “[They] are fully recyclable, provide habitat and, once cut, are replaced with at least two more seedlings.”

Read on if you’re not convinced.

As beautiful as they are, real Christmas trees require constant maintenance in order to maintain safety in the home. Water your tree daily, use only no-heat LED lights, keep it away from vents or other heat source and make sure your tree lights are turned off when you’re not home. Click here for more safety trips.

Vancouver Island skiers and snowboarders are only nine sleeps away from their first taste of powder in the 2011/2012 season at Mount Washington Alpine Resort!

Photo: Mount Washington Alpine Resort

With the lifts set to start spinning on Friday, December 2nd, this season will prove to be nothing short of another epic year under the resort’s belt toque.

The 2011/2012 season is especially exciting for newcomers to winter recreation as the learning slopes have been overhauled with a $3-million-dollar facelift. Not only has the classic green chair been moved, the resort installed a magic carpet for beginners, making the process much easier for grasshoppers both young and old. Director of Operations, Don Sharpe, is pumped to bring this new technology to the Island’s mountain: “With the combination of new ski and snowboard technology which makes turning easier and our new Easy Acres learning area, there’ll be no better time to learn to slide on snow than this winter.”

If that’s not enough, Mount Washington has amped up the alpine experience in other areas of the mountain…

• Starting December 15th, Sunday nights are being added to the Night Skiing program
• The Gold Rush Glades welcomes The Miner and Midas, two new black diamond runs
• The Vancouver Island Mountain Centre opens in December – this Olympic legacy includes meeting rooms, weight-training facilities and accommodations and is the brainchild of the Vancouver Island Mountain Sports Society
• Two new Street Bars, a Kicker Box, a Flat Deck, and a Rainbow Deck have been added to the Stomping Ground terrain park

If the anticipation of the upcoming season has you on pins and needles, keep an eye on the mountain’s snowcams to stay up-to-date on what you can expect on December 2nd!

Mount Washington Alpine Resort is located high above the Comox Valley at 1 Strathcona Parkway. You can phone them toll-free at 1-888-231-1499 or locally at 250-338-1386. For more information, check out the resort on Facebook, Twitter or at their official website.

Kris Kringle’s bells will soon be jingling once again at the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa in Victoria. The family-friendly resort’s Starlight Cinema series is set to return for the holiday season.

Photo: Delta Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa

Grab a thermos of hot cocoa, your fuzziest blanket and your favourite cuddle buddy and head to Victoria’s waterfront. Beloved Christmas movies will be showing under the stars throughout December at the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa.

Miracle on 34th Street – December 6th

White Christmas – December 7th

The Grinch – December 13th

Home Alone – December 14th

A Christmas Carol – December 20th

It’s A Wonderful Life – December 21st

Showtime is at 6:00 p.m. each evening. This event is free for all but donations to Santa’s Anonymous are warmly appreciated.

If you’d like to make a night of it, you can also take advantage of special Christmas rates from $99 per night – use code “XCA” when booking online! For more information on this event, visit Starlight Cinema online.

In recent years, a global shift has encouraged us to eat close to home as well as spend our money close to home. This sentiment rings especially true at a time of year when many people are snapping up gifts left and right to give to loved ones.

The snowy village of Cumberland is continuing its support of this movement with it’s annual Christmas in the Village event. Locals in the Comox Valley are being challenged to keep their dollars in their own back yard this year by patronizing the incredible shops that have helped shape the community. Merchants will be selling everything from handmade crafts and wine to sweet treats and those hard-to-find stocking stuffers.

Photo: The Village of Cumberland Chamber of Commerce

This initiative is kicked off on December 3rd with the Cumberland WinterFair, followed by a sackful of events leading up to Christmas Eve. Not only does this provide a fantastic way to keep local dollars in the community, but it’s also a fun way to get your Christmas shopping done while enjoying the beauty of the Comox Valley’s mountainside village!

For more information on Christmas in the Village, visit the group’s Facebook event page. You can also visit the Cumberland Chamber of Commerce event page for information on this and other local events.

Strolling through my neighbourhood, I’ve noticed that my neighbours are slowly stringing up Christmas lights in preparation for the festivus season. Meanwhile, the hard-working volunteer elves at Milner Gardens & Woodland in Qualicum Beach are putting the final touches on their annual Christmas Magic display, set to kick off during the first week of December.

Photo: Milner Gardens & Woodland

This family-friendly event promises to spread holiday cheer amongst twinkling lights in this display of over 50,000 lights. Milner Gardens’ Executive Director, Geoff Ball, boasts that the volunteers are “tirelessly working together to create a magical Christmas event… it’s a great way to share the special magic of the gardens all decorated in old fashioned Christmas splendour.”

Visitors to Milner will be delighted with storytelling, the teddy bear cottage, lively musicians and daily visits from Santa Claus. The teahouse will also be open, serving up delicious delectables, including their famous scones with Devonshire cream.

Christmas Magic is open on the following dates: December 2 – 4, 9 – 11 and 16 – 21, 2011. Gates open from 5 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and admission is by donation. Because some pathways can be dark, it’s a good idea to bring a flashlight. Milner Gardens & Woodland is located at 2179 West Island Highway in Qualicum Beach. For more information, visit Milner Gardens online, on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

With the countdown to the kick-off of the 2011/2012 ski and snowboard season well underway, Mount Washington is presenting a movie night to get you amped. At various locations across Vancouver Island, mountain staff will be on hand to screen The Art of Flight – this year’s most talked-about snowboard film.

Look for the Mount Washington movie night crew in the following Vancouver Island cities:

• Nanaimo – Wednesday, November 16
  Malaspina Theatre, Vancouver Island University
  Tickets can be purchased at Alternative Groove, 201 – 6750 Island Highway North
• Campbell River – Thursday, November 17
  Timberline Secondary School Auditorium
  Tickets can be purchased at Boardwalk Skate Shop, 986A Shoppers Row
• Courtenay – Friday, November 18
  Stan Hagen Theatre, North Island College
  Tickets can be purchased at Blue Toque Sporting Goods, 120 B 5th Street
• Victoria – Wednesday, November 23
  Club 9ONE9
  Tickets can be purchased at Vancouver Island Brewery, 2330 Government Street and Sanction Boardshop, 506 Herald Street

All shows start at 7:00 p.m. sharp. Tickets should be purchased in advance and your $10 ticket includes admission to the film as well as a midweek 2-for-1 lift pass to be used during the upcoming season!

Mount Washington Alpine Resort opens on December 9th for the 2011/2012 ski and snowboard season. For more information on this and other mountain events, log on to their Events Calendar.

When I was a little girl, there was a quaint bakery – complete with wood paneling and tufted vinyl seats – on 5th Street in Courtenay. It has long since closed its doors, but at the height of its popularity, visits to the Courtenay Bakery were a frequent part of my childhood.

Photo: Omid Tavallai on Flickr

My dad would bring my brother and I to the Courtenay Bakery for an after-school treat at least once a week, usually in the company of our grandparents. With my nose pressed firmly against the glass, I’d marvel at the never-ending treats before always settling on my favourite: a glass of milk and a sugar-and-cinnamon donut.

Whether it was our visits to the Courtenay Bakery or helping my mom make apple crisp in the kitchen, a love of all things baking was instilled in me from an early age. I’ve long been able to whip up a batch of chewy, gooey cookies off the top of my head and no recipe is ever too intimidating for me to give my best shot to.

Sometimes there is no gift that’s more appreciated than food – especially food of the baked variety. I often tote cupcakes, pie or other delicate delights when visiting friends or to offer a token of thanks. In recent years it’s gotten to the point where my baked goods are requested, so I’ve decided to take my love of baking one step further. After much encouragement from a few much-loved friends and family, I’ve started to offer my baked goods in a more “official” capacity.

I want to proudly present my newest side project: West Coast Cakery – an easy way to get your mitts on my home-baked cookies, cupcakes, pies and cakes. It’s my style of baking with my style of branding. All orders can be customized, made organic or sugar-free and yes… I’m currently taking Christmas orders for within the Comox Valley!

For all the details and information on what to order and how to order it, please visit my Facebook page and “like” West Coast Cakery. You can also follow my updates on Twitter!

/shameless plug

With drizzly, windy Autumn days comes the desire to head indoors where it’s toasty and warm. Few things are as soothing as fluffy robes, crackling fires and steaming tea. The Grotto Spa at Parksville’s Tigh-Na-Mara is one of my favourite escapes and they’re offering up a chance to experience it for yourself with their upcoming Open House.

Join the Grotto Spa on Thursday, November 24th between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. for a luxe event that’s not to be missed. The evening features:

• Mini treatments provided by the Grotto’s incredible staff
• Make-up and product applications
• Signature drinks and tapas from the Tree Top Grill
• Door prizes and give-aways
• Some take-home swag for lucky attendees

There’s no cost to attend but you must RSVP and the spots are filling up fast. To secure your spot, e-mail the Grotto Spa and be sure to follow their updates on Twitter.