Raise a glass! Our editor share their favourite holiday wines:

Pfaffenheim Gewurztraminer is a mouthful to say but the French wine is floral and fruity and pairs nicely with Thai takeout making for a perfect night in. $18.49 at Kensington Wine Market, 1257 Kensington Rd. N.W., Calgary, 403-283-8000, www.kensingtonwinemarket.com —Jaelyn Molyneux, Calgary editor

Moving from London back to Vancouver meant that my favourite wines (usually from Spain) were suddenly a lot more expensive. The Rioja Crianza from Campo Viejo is a good staple when you don’t want to spend much money, it is oaky, fruity, and rich (all the things I hate in a white wine but love in a red.) $14.99 from BC Liquor Stores. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg, Vancouver fashion editor

For a sparkler that won’t set you back, we love Sieur d'Arques Première bulle Blanquette de Limoux mousseux (2008) ($17.55). It’s the perfect girly sipper, from the pretty pink label to the fruity bubbles. At selected SAQ locations.  —Jennifer Nachshen, Montreal editor

As a rare girl that doesn’t like Champagne, I always make sure to stock up on riesling, which can feel just as festive and taste just as sweet. This one by Tantalus is my personal favourite: very floral with strong hints of both apple and pear. Its full-bodied, yet breezy palette makes it a great companion for any celebration. $22.90 at Village VQA Wines.—Anya Georgijevic, Vancouver beauty editor

Cedar Creek Riesling 2010 ($17.90)  I’m a seafood-aholic and this light, bright riesling goes beautifully with almost anything from the ocean. —Kelsey Dundon, Vancouver lifestyle editor

Outis Etna is a fabulous wine that we discovered at Terroni. According to Max Stefanelli who runs the L.A. outpost, this ruby red is best paired with meats and caponata. $16 per glass, $74 per bottle at Terroni, 720 Queen St. W., Toronto, 416-504-1992, www.terroni.com —Athena Tsavliris, Toronto editor

After living in Argentina, I figure you can't ever go wrong with malbec. The full-bodied flavour and richness of the Andeluna Malbec pairs perfectly with nights spent reminiscing around the fire with old friends. $25 at Firefly Wines, 2857 Cambie St., Vancouver, 604-875-3325, www.fireflyfinewinesandales.com —Kelsey Mulyk, Managing editor

Bear Flag's smooth red blend wins points on several counts: a female winemaker, a highly drinkable blend oozing vanilla and cherry, an accessible price point, and an illustrated label by an emerging artist (because, yes, packaging counts!) $ 12.99 at BC Liquor Stores. —Sarah Bancroft, Editor-in-chief

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

Ever wonder what items our editors can't live without? Today Athena Tsavliris, our Toronto editor shares hers:

I wear two types of shoes, vertiginously high heels or flat as pancake ballerinas. I must own 20 pairs of French Sole flats. Sadly, they're not available in Toronto anymore so when I'm in London I buy in bulk.

Since becoming a mum, my beauty routine has become fast and simple. I use a few favourites from Pure & Simple, Weleda’s body oils  and the fig or jasmine shower gel from Korres. I rarely wear polish, but when I do my nails are poppy red.

Few things are more delicious to me than freshly baked bread and salty butter. I buy a loaf from the Harbord Bakery almost daily. The bagels, biscuits and cinnamon buns are hard to resist too.

Fresh cut flowers and scented candles are another indulgence. I’m looking forward to filling vases with crimson Amaryllis. Ever since I discovered the Cire Trudon shop in Paris, I’ve been buying the Moroccan Mint Tea candle. It’s expensive, but it lasts and my home smells like a souk.

There are certain shops in the city that I can’t walk into without buying something. Good Egg in Kensington Market is one. I just bought this gorgeous Russel Wright pitcher for my mother-in-law’s birthday and I’m tempted to buy another one for myself! —Athena Tsavliris

Ever wonder what items our editors can't live without? All week long they'll be sharing their favourite things. Today Katherine Holland, our Toronto contributor, shares hers:

Scarlett Empress Lipstick from NARS
The perfect matte shade for fall. And just about the best lipstick I’ve found. For those who like to spend their days sampling the finest burgundy’s. $30 at www.nars.ca

The Breville Line of Housewares
From the Convection Toaster Oven to the Single Cup Brewer, the Breville line totally changed my life. I know that is an absolutely revolting thing to say, but it’s true. Hot single-serving brewed coffee in 10 seconds, and cupcakes straight from the toaster. I wait for no frosting. At Williams Sonoma, www.williams-sonoma.ca

Caroline Neron Jewellery
Okay , maybe I wait for "some" frosting. I’d be willing to wait for a bauble from CN to ship to me from Montreal, let’s say.  Her jewellery is almost as sweet as her voice. A lovely balance of rock and roll meets hippie, and luxury meets practicality.  Could you ask for more from a necklace? Look for her stores arriving in Toronto come January. Currently coveting.

Midnight Recovery Concentrate from Kiehl’s
When I’m out on all-day shoots, I actually find myself daydreaming about the moment before bed when I can put this potion on my face. Packed with essential oils, the smell drifts you off to sleep, and you wake up with an even complexion. Don’t be fooled by the ‘oil’ component, because it wears beautifully under makeup as well. From $34 at www.kiehls.com

Almond Milk Lattes from The Mascot
So you're lactose intolerant, and now SOY is supposed to be bad for you too? No need to bid farewell to lattes, because Toronto coffee joint The Mascot has your back. Delicious almond milk lattes, OMG cupcakes and custom Biltmore hats to lust over while you sip. Go no further than 1267 Queen St. W. —Katherine Holland

We asked our editors to share their favourite places to shop online:

Revolve
My husband (admittedly a bit of a clotheshorse) has just discovered Revolve and now there's no going back. These trousers from Closed shipped for free and fit him perfectly. Here's hoping he gets his Christmas shopping done so efficiently!  —Sarah Bancroft, Editor-in-chief

Room in Order
When I lived in London, childless and fancy free, I surfed shoe porn on luxury etailers, but nowadays it's all about ways to make my life easier. Room in Order, who's tagline is "Organize, Declutter & Simplify", provides solutions for my current, less glamorous life: stylish dishracks, modern storage boxes, slick coat hooks and fancy white boards. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg, Vancouver Fashion Editor

Etsy
Etsy is the besty! The virtual home of thousands of artists and artisans, it’s filled with unique pieces that are made with love and shipped right to your door. Like those from Canada’s own Scout & Catalogue, whose beachy, bohemian pieces would look great under my tree. —Kelsey Dundon, Vancouver Lifestyle Editor

Sophie’s Closet
This finely-curated jewellery destination offers the best costume baubles from both present and past, from hip and studded Edie Borgo, to glamorous and glitzy Erickson Beamon, to rare and timeless vintage like Chanel and Dior.  —Anya Georgijevic, Vancouver Beauty Editor

Foley + Corinna
I'm picky when it comes to bags. I like 'em simple and clean but in the current sea of designer handbags there are often way too many chains, buckles and other extras. Enter Foley + Corinna. Their streamlined clutches and dream totes have me continuously scheming up ways to justify one more bag in my closet.—Kelsey Mulyk, Managing Editor

Modcloth
Sure you can get yourself a lovely fabric frock on Modcloth.com. Vintage inspired, of course, and from designers including Betsey Johnson, Cheap Monday and Skinkfunk. You can even vote on whether a design should go into production at the Be The Buyer tab. But ’tis the season to give so click on the gifts tab and peruse the fashion, accessory, home décor and novelty items categorized by person, price or interest. —Jaelyn Molyneux, Calgary Editor

Present & Correct
I’m a total paper geek, with drawers jammed full of letterpress, notepads, post cards and ephemera. Present & Correct is a newly discovered playground of mine with more fabulous paper goods than a girl like me could ever imagine. Only my very special friends get vintage glitter on their xmas cards though. —Athena Tsavliris, Toronto Editor

Paris Couture Antiques
Everything on this site is incredible. I am always particularly taken by the jewellery section, but for quirky antique Parisian finds- there is no competition. For the creepy crowns alone, you need to take a look for yourself… —Katherine Holland, Toronto Contributor

Ibrilo
Though we love gifts we can wrap in a bow, we turn to ibrilo for unique experiences we can share with those we love, like a 3-hour brunch workshop ($75) with Olive & Gourmando, an upside-down yoga workshop at Naada Yoga ($99), or personal styling featuring local designers from BeSleek ($450). Big things come in no packages.
—Jennifer Nachshen, Montreal Editor