May it be your best and brightest one yet.
(badkids beware)
xoxo
Tag Archives: Christmas
Tibb’s Eve
23 Dec
Here in Newfoundland, December 23 is known as Tibb’s Eve, a day for visiting friends and getting tipsy. On “Christmas Eve” Eve, you start pretty early in the evening dropping in on various gatherings/kitchen parties. There’s lots of music and drink and general excitement for the coming holiday but mostly, it’s an excuse to drink and that’s exactly how the celebration of Tibb’s Eve came to be.
An excerpt from the Southern Gazette’s interview with Dr. Phil Hiscock of Memorial University’s Folklore Department on the origin of Tibb’s Eve:
Because Christmas Eve was still a part of Advent, and that observance was almost as sober as Lent, Dr. Hiscock indicated most traditional Christians would never consider taking a nip before Christmas Day prior to World War Two, which was even then perhaps a little early.
As he explained it, sometime around World War Two, people along the south coast began to associate Dec. 23 with the phrase ‘Tibb’s Eve’ and deemed it the first occasion it was acceptable to have a few Christmas tipples.
So if you feel the urge to have a few drinks tonight, just tell people you’re celebrating Tibb’s Eve and get on the go.
holiday hangover
27 Dec
Step One:
I am taking all the chocolate in my house and putting it into the freezer. I’m too much of a fiend to throw it away but everyone knows frozen chocolate tastes rotten. And I am eating nothing but vegetables and whole grains from now until forever.
Number Two:
I am spending three hours at the gym or however long it takes for my legs to turn to jello and my body to not feel like a beached whale.
C:
I will clean my house spotless and throw out every shred of wrapping paper and nicely organize my unwrapped gifts under the three.
TFGIF: It’s Christmas Eve!
24 Dec
It’s Christmas Eve!
Here’s to family, friends, presents, wine, turkey, fireplaces, TV movies, candle light, fuzzy slippers, chocolate, snowfall, more wine and warm wishes. But most of all, here’s to You.
Cheers and Merry Christmas! (keep those chimneys clear for Santa)
Love,
Stokes xoxo
(all images via weheartit.com)
Buzz. Your girlfriend. Woof.
24 Dec
I love me a good Christmas movie. There are so many to choose from this time of year but I try to fit in all my favourites. Here are some of the flicks I make a point to watch – let me know if I’m missing any classics!
1. One Magic Christmas
This movie is a Stokes Family Favourite. Watching it as an adult, I find it pretty messed up that Santa would test a woman’s spirit of Christmas by killing off her husband and kids but that’s the 80s for ya! Bonus points for the awesome trip to the North Pole and the ending that makes me cry every. time.
2. The Muppets Christmas Carol
We know all the words to the songs in this movie and the Ghost of Christmas Present is the coolest (Come in! And know me better, man). Plus, Michael Caine as scrooge. No brainer.
Another classic from my childhood. The little brother is my favourite. When they’re both laying on the fake snow at the bottom of the Santa slide? And when Ralphy says the F word (Only I didn’t say fudge. I said THE word) – best.
4. Elf
This is a risky pick as the movie isn’t that old but it instantly earned a place on my top five holiday movie list. It’s got James Caan, Will Ferrel, Zooey Deschanel, Amy Sedaris, Mary Steenberger (who also starred in One Magic Christmas) and featured the voice of Leon Redbone as the Snowman. This movie does no wrong in my books. Syrup on everything. Yes PLEASE.
5. Beautiful Girls
If you haven’t seen this movie, close this window and find somewhere to watch it on-line immediately. It’s my most favourite “coming home for Christmas” movie of ever. It also has a place on my favourite movies of all time list. Featuring two of the greatest film monologues since Jack Nicholson in The Witches of Eastwick (Models and Rosy O’Donnell’s superb feminist rant) and a stunning teenage Natalie Portman, the only other thing you could ask for is Matt Dillon. Oh wait. He’s in it too.
So that’s my top five. Thoughts? Fury? Applause? Other notable flicks I watch over Christmas:
- Grumpy Old Men (my Poppy’s favourite movie)
- Home Alone
- White Christmas
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (original)
- Rudolph and the Island of Lost Toys
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (so obvious and really should be in my top 5)
a christmas miracle
22 Dec
Christmas is all about family, friends and spending time with the ones you love, right? Well I’ve had something extraordinary happen to me and I’m so excited to share it with you guys.
Earlier this week I sent my Mom a cookie recipe a girl in my office had forwarded around. She replied, and mentioned that one of the names in the original email was the same as her cousin’s daughter. I quickly skimmed the email and answered briskly, being busy at the office and all. She wrote back the following day, insisting that she thought the girl in the email was, in fact her cousin’s daughter.
And here’s where it gets special: This girl is a great friend of mine at work. We bonded shortly after I started working there last June and have shared a lot about our lives with each other. I felt instantly at ease with her.
So as you’ve probably guessed, my Mom was right. I went over to my friends desk and asked her Mom’s name, when she answered I immediately squealed “Oh my god. I think we’re cousins!”. Totally catching her off guard, of course. I had to explain that our Nannies(both living) are sisters. We quickly left the office as emotions were running high and spent the remainder of the day talking about family members. She has fond memories of my dear Auntie Anne and expressed her love for my Nanny and Poppy (her Uncle Bill and Aunt Minnie). Amazing!
Why didn’t we know before? Well, her family lived in Ontario and mine in Newfoundland. Our Moms kept in touch but our families never met. The fact that we wound up working in the same office, becoming good friends all the while being blood cousins was a complete coincidence.
I’m so overwhelmed and excited to get to know my cousin and her family better. For someone who has ZERO family here in Toronto, this is a very special discovery. I feel so blessed and am certain that somehow, this was meant to happen. Not to get all new-agey on you guys but look what my Susan Miller horoscope predicted for Dec. 21:
The eclipse of December 21 could bring an unexpected trip or news from afar. All sorts of relatives, including aunts, uncles, siblings, and cousins, will be on your mind, and one relative may make big news.
Un.Real.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Best of the Internets: Holiday Gift Guide Part Two
21 DecOK I know this comes a little late with Christmas being on Friday and all. But if you’re like me, you still obsessively look for cool presents even after everyone on your list is bought for.
These “Full Of” journals from Montreal graphic designer Audrée Lapierre are wicked awesome. They include both official languages and are smartly sectioned. I would go for the Dream Journal since (and this is common knowledge among those who know me) my dreams are amazing/fucked. The Wine one is cool too. Buy online. About 30 bucks.
I love Sonja Ahler’s bunny creations. Made from repurposed sweaters, they sleep in egg cups and tiny socks. Just looking at them makes me want to curl up and close my eyes. You can also get beautiful prints of the resting rabbits that would look incred in a nursery – in case you have prego friends on your shopping list. Buy online or from a number of places in Toronto. I recently spotted them at Hawk Eyes on Roncey. The range in price but they ‘aint cheap.
This is a beautiful book of vintage cocktail recipes. The cover is waterproof too so you can keep it in your bar area without worrying about it getting wrecked. Love all the glassware too. Get at any good bookstore for 50 bucks.
I long for a drawer of perfect PJs and negligees. I’d have somewhere to put those pretty sachets of lavender, at least. But, alas, these long legs get shortchanged by most PJ bottoms and it’s hard to find classic lingerie that isn’t trashy and of good material for what I can afford. I love everything at Club Monaco right now (cashmere tanks, silky slips and gauzy shorts) and Anthropologie has some good comfy options too. All sorts of prices but this is a gift you give with intention. (wink)
I live and die for the kind of belly laughs David Cross gives me. Best. Gift. Ever.
santa, please
16 DecEtsy overwhelms me so when an item catches my eye enough for me to browse someone’s whole profile it means it’s either really good or really bizarre. The case with The Blue Balloon falls into the former. I want evvvverything…
Nut Brown Hare locket (in honour of my Poppy)
Best of the Internets: Holiday Gift Guide Part One
13 DecLast year I posted links to my favourite gift guides, remember?
This year I’m going to pick from the best of those and throw in a couple things I like too. Gift buying is maybe one of my favourite things to do. I love the feeling of finding that perfect something and wrapping it in anticipation of the gift-getter’s reaction. I like it better than getting gifts myself, no kidding. So here’s what I’m thinking your pals/loved ones might like too:
This awesome book is also a blog. Get this for the funny man in your life who could maybe use a little more inventory (big UPs for Newfie joke mentions). About $10 at your bookstore and perfect for a stocking
Another man-perfect stocking stuffer are these whiskey stones. You freeze them and they’ll cool his (or her!) drink without diluting it with that pesky water stuff. Buy them for about $20 from La Merceria in Toronto or online
I’m in love with these calendars from The Wild Unknown. This one has a set of song lyrics for every month but they also do musician portraits, feathers and hawks & bunnies (adorable). Buy this for your main squeeze – $30 online.
I don’t know if there’s anyone these prints wouldn’t be a great gift for. Seriously HINT. I want. But would also be amazing for the cool kid you want to plant the travel seed in early. $60 for the big print and $30 for small (each city) for sale at Blancucha on Etsy
I’ve been a Catbird fan for some time now – I love teeny, delicate rings and they do them well. These alphabet rings would be cute for a friend or sister or even as a gift to yourself. Wear one or stack a couple – depends on how deep your pockets get. $88 each plus shipping, natch.
How awesome is this Cat City scratching post for muffins? Finally, a cat toy that doesn’t look stupid in your house (right??!). You can order this gem online for $40
More cat gifts!! These little huts are amazing – cat’s love to pretend like they live in caves – plus, they’ll look cool in your place. Bonus! Also, they’re cheeeap – $24 – and made by Canadian’s (Montreal Designers). Go. Get.
This Outdoor Living wall by Wooly Pockets is perfect for your condo-dwelling friends and family (ahem). Easy to mount, plant and care for, they would also be a cool gift for your Dad who loves to garden and misses it in the winter. Buy online here for only $34 each.
Not feeling my picks? Check out these other awesome gift guides and check back later this week for Part Two!
all that glimmers…
1 DecI am a Christmas fiend. As in one of those people who regress to un-suppressed childhood glee from December 1 – 27. I love picking out presents, making Christmas cards, cooking warm and filling meals, stocking up on sweets and, especially, filling my liquor cabinet with anything and everything to contribute to my overall merriment.
A little whiskey, copious amounts of red wine, irish cream and (this should come as no surprise) vodka! Which is why when I saw the new holiday bottle for Absolut, I knew I had to but it on prominent display in my soon-to-be pillaged collection.
So pretty right? It would make a prefect hostess gift too. Get it while you can – limited holiday edition and all.
In honour of its beauty (and in homage to the notable society snapper George Pimentel as the brand recently toasted him with a swank retrospective at the Carlu in Toronto) I present your new favourite holiday drink recipe:
The Glimmer
- Combine equal amounts Absolut Glimmer and Goldschlager
- Shake with ice
- Rub half an orange over the inside of a chilled martini glass
- Pour in Vodka mixture and add a dash of lemon-lime soda (7-Up or Sprite)
- Garnish with fresh orange peel
And the perfect glass to pour it in. Cheers!
