This year we pledge to correspond more, you know, the old fashioned way.

Assisting in the art of the communiqué is Parchment Post, a quarterly delivery service (six-month subscription $55 USD) of seasonally appropriate stationary. Every three months a parcel arrives containing pretty, witty cards made by passionate paper geeks from Texas to Toronto.

Now all we need are some new Faber Castell pens and a quick workshop in handwriting. —Athena Tsavliris 

www.parchmentpost.com

Yes, you love your movie popcorn but why not try having an affair with the theatre? Here are our favourite productions hitting Toronto’s stages this month:

Cruel and Tender
Still gutted at having missed its presentation of Red before the holidays, I’m determined to catch Canadian Stage’s Cruel and Tender when it arrives at the Bluma Appel theatre. In it, Atom Egoyan not only directs his wife for the first time on stage but also brings to life Martin Crimp’s provocative and timely story of love, war and ego. Opens January 21 (Tickets from $35).

Kim’s Convenience
A play many years in the making, Soulpepper is presenting the Fringe Festival winner Kim’s Convenience written by Ins Choi and directed by Weyni Mengesha. Set in a Regent Park convenience store owned and run by Mr. Kim since the 1980s, this story of a patriarch watching his children grow up and pursue their dreams is said to be both hilarious and touching. Opens January 12 (Tickets from $51).

The Golden Dragon
Something of a mystery set in a bustling restaurant, it appears the dinner guests and kitchen staff at The Golden Dragon may all have something to hide. Tarragon Theatre presents the Canadian premiere of The Golden Dragon on January 10 (Tickets from $24).

Penny Plain
For a taste of something dark and a little different, check out Penny Plain at The Factory Theatre. Described as an “end of the world romance,” the story of Penny Plain is told as only theatre artist Ronnie Burkett can tell it… through marionettes. Opens January 20 (Tickets from $38). —Julie Whelan

As 2011 comes to an end our editors share their New Year's traditions, superstitions and resolutions:

It’s a Greek tradition that finding the hidden coin inside the vasilopita brings good luck and happiness in the coming year. Serano Bakery in Greektown bakes dozens and dozens of the sweet bread. The best part is watching everyone dig through it in the hopes of finding the silver. From $8, Serano Bakery, 830 Pape Ave., Toronto, 416-462-2735, www.seranobakery.com —Athena Tsavliris

There is an old superstition that says luck, love and prosperity will come to those who dance in the open air on New Year’s Day. A group of friends and I plan on performing a jubilant jig on January 1st in the field across from my apartment. I’m going to keep it up and dance through 2012 when the mood strikes especially when no one is watching. — Jaelyn Molyneux, Calgary editor

Since this is my last post as the Montreal Editor, I’d just like to take the opportunity to thank you all for reading and wish you a very happy New Year! Keep exploring Montreal and enjoying all this great city has to offer!  —Jennifer Nachshen, Montreal editor

This blog post, Top Five Regrets of the Dying, really moved me recently. The top regrets included not letting oneself be happier, and not spending enough time with their kids. No one wished they had made more money, or had been more successful. As a result, my New Year’s resolution is not to do ANY more work on Sundays. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg, Vancouver fashion editor

Thirty cookbooks and counting, and I only cook, um, maybe once a month. That’s not counting quick lunches, but still… embarrassing. My resolution is to prepare one delicious dinner a week, with a little help from my friends Ferran, Thomas, Heston, Tony, Eric, David, Jamie, Julia, Vikram….— Anya Georgijevic, Vancouver beauty editor

Every year, I set goals, write them down and post them above my desk so they can literally hang over my head all year long. Top of my list for 2012? Go whale-watching. —Kelsey Dundon, Vancouver lifestyle editor

My grandparents used to take care of us kids when my parents when out on the town to celebrate New Year's Eve. Every year right before midnight my grandfather would open the back door to "let the old year out" and then open the front door to "let the new year in". For old time's sake and as a little ode to my amazing grandfather I still do this every year. —Kelsey Mulyk, Managing editor

There's nothing better than curling up with a good book, our editors share their favourite reads:

Will Ferguson’s Canadian Pie serves up slice-of-life stories the humour writer has collected throughout his career, all of which confirm we live in a delightfully quirky country. $32 at Shelf Life Books, 100, 1302 Fourth St. S.W., Calgary, 403-265-1033, www.shelflifebooks.ca — Jaelyn Molyneux, Calgary editor

Watership Down is one of my favourite books. My husband read it recently and he was enamoured. It is the beautiful story of a group of rabbits running away to start a new life, and a perfect feel-good-make-me-smile novel. $9.98 at www.amazon.ca —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg, Vancouver fashion editor

For some spine-tingling spookiness pick up Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children ($14.43), peppered with vintage photographs for a multi-sensorial reading experience. At www.amazon.ca —Jennifer Nachshen, Montreal editor

If you read one book over the holidays, let it be Téa Obreht’s debut novel, The Tiger’s Wife. What a beautifully written book from a young author with startling talent. $12.27 at www.amazon.ca —Athena Tsavliris, Toronto editor

Of the several books published on Coco Chanel just this year, Intimate Chanel gives us an unprecedented glimpse into her private life, thanks to Chanel’s grandniece and only living relative, who opened the family archives to the author. Through family photographs, correspondence, gifts from her friends and lovers, the book has a voyeuristic feel, like rummaging through someone’s secret drawers. In this case, it’s “Auntie Coco’s.”  $42.64 at www.amazon.ca — Anya Georgijevic, Vancouver beauty editor

I really loved Jeffrey Eugenides’s last book, Middlesex, so I’m going to spend some quality time with my couch this holiday and power through his just-published tome The Marriage Plot. $24.31 at www.amazon.ca —Kelsey Dundon, Vancouver lifestyle editor

For a seriously good cry nothing beats the tragic romance of The Time Traveler's Wife by Audery Niffenegger. Make sure you have ample Kleenex, a cozy blanket and glass (or bottle?) of red wine while you wallow in the delicious sadness of this beautifully written novel. $15.88 at www.amazon.ca —Kelsey Mulyk, Managing editor

Over the holidays there is nothing quite as indulgent as spending an afternoon watching your favourite movie, our editors share their top picks:

The Future
The Future begins with a thirty-something couple adopting an injured cat and continues through 30 days of questioning mortality, the need for attention and profound loneliness, all told through the poetic mind of writer/director/ star Miranda July. $34.95 at www.amazon.ca —Jaelyn Molyneux, Calgary editor

Lord of the Rings trilogy
The Christmas tradition I look forward to the most is my annual viewing of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I always opt for the extended version, and it takes me a few days to watch since I usually fall asleep a couple times. There is nothing better than lounging on the sofa watching good looking, burly guys riding horses and saving Middle Earth. $68.99 for the Special Extended Edition Trilogy at www.amazon.ca. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg, Vancouver fashion editor

Jersey Shore
I’m only slightly ashamed of my addiction to Jersey Shore, but I’ll break open the boxed wine to enjoy the gang’s pre-rehab antics in Italy from Season Four. $19.99 at  www.amazon.ca —Jennifer Nachshen, Montreal editor

Age of Innocence
Martin Scorsese may be best known for his dark, brooding crime dramas, but this adaptation of Edith Wharton's 1920 Pulitzer Prize-winning, melancholy, yet cleverly funny novel about New York's high society is just as complex. “Period drama?” he’ll ask. “It’s Martin Scorsese,” you’ll explain.  $9.49 at www.amazon.ca — Anya Georgijevic, Vancouver beauty editor

Baz Luhrman’s Romeo + Juliet
I can’t wait to grab my girlfriends and reminisce about a time when “Love Fool” was all over the radio, Claire Danes looked all of 14, and Leo was like ohmigod so cute. $16.98 at www.chapters.indigo.ca —Kelsey Dundon, Vancouver lifestyle editor

Bill Cunningham New York
The Christmas holidays can be crazy, but if I finally get to watch the Bill Cunningham doc in a quiet room with leftover turkey and trimmings, I’ll be very chuffed. $23.99 at www.amazon.ca —Athena Tsavliris, Toronto editor

Amélie
This beautiful French film (shot in Paris) takes you along on a quirky love story just perfect for a snowy day. You'll want to practice your French on your sweetie after watching this adorable film.  $15.68 at www.amazon.ca —Kelsey Mulyk, Managing editor

After too many boozy eggnogs, party guests are prone to plonking their drinks anywhere.

Save the alabaster tabletops and hand out these neat coasters ($40) from Toronto’s National DesignCollective.

Each one is an outline of a Canadian city, laser cut into birch plywood. And the removable and reusable wooden backing means you can hang them on a wall when eggnog season is over. —Athena Tsavliris

At Good Egg, 267 Augusta Ave., Toronto, 416- 593-4663, www.goodegg.ca

Our Holiday gifts to you this year are our free iPhone apps for Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal so you can be in the know when you're on the go.

If you want to outshine your best frenemies in the who’s-hottest-at-the-hottest-hotspot game, there’s an app for that.

If you’re at the mall and you want to know if you should opt for a poncho, a parka, or a poncho-parka, there’s an app for that.

And if when your best client swoops in for an unexpected visit and a knock-their-socks restaurant is a must, there’s even an app for that.

With the new Vitamin Daily iPhone app, our editors’ intel will always be at your fingertips – our daily doses, editors’ diary updates, even muppet makeup tips. And, like the daily dose in your inbox, it’s free!

Click the icon to download it now.

Who’s our dream dinner party guest this merry season? Gordon Ramsay and Gloria Steinem would be a treat, but we’re adding a place card for Natalie Maclean.

The penny-pinching sommelier’s latest book Unquenchable ($18.77) is full of tipsy travel tales in search of affordably delicious vino. We love her unstuffy advice: drop an ice-cube in rosé that’s too warm, get good value on wine from regions where our dollar is strong (like Argentina), low-alcohol Australian vintages pair well with Sunday night dinner (they make you less sleepy), and do not fear the twist- top! (It’s everywhere and quicker to open).

Would Gordon and Gloria approve? A few glasses of decent plonk and we doubt we’ll care. —Marianne Wisenthal

Available in eBook or hardcover at www.amazon.ca
Get Natalie’s fabulously free food-pairing app here.

Where else but The Bay can you find kettles and Katrantzou under one roof? From fur traders and settlers to the sartorial playground that it is today (have you not been to The Room yet?) our venerable department store has come a long way, baby.

In this fabulous book ($65), The Hudson Bay Company teams up with Assouline to share stories dating back to its founding in 1670. Bonnie Brooks (CEO & President) initiated the book while Vanity Fair’s Graydon Carter wrote the foreword.

With its striped cover, this iconic tome is a major nod to tradition, heritage and Canadian cool. —Athena Tsavliris

www.assouline.com

If you're a girl-adult who goes to bridal showers drunk, loathes pastel with a superhuman passion and wonders whatever happened to, like, dating: someone wrote you a book.

The generally acclaimed debut novel from Jennifer Close, Girls in White Dress, isn't as (terrible word alert) chick-litty as you'd think. Sure, the cosmopolitan one-liners can feel lifted from a certain '90s HBO show. But her interconnected short stories, tracing familiar patterns of post-graduate ennui and reluctant maturity among New York twenty-somethings, have a welcome and sardonic honesty. There's a dark thread in all the air-light dresses, seen by Close as more economic burden than feminine pleasure. If you tug a little, it unravels a hard knowing: happiness doesn't get easier, and getting older sometimes just feels like getting less young.

This isn't a beach read, but a transitional one, for girls between seasons. —Sarah Nicole Prickett