A little variation on an old classic:

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the condo
Not a creature was sleeping…so get to bed pronto!
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
Ok, so it’s a gas fireplace, but the Whole Foods cookies were there.

The children were nestled in their Ikea bunk beds
While visions of iPhones danced in their heads
And Mamma in her La Perla and Pa in his Jockeys
Were “discussing” (again) appropriate times to watch hockey

When out on the sidewalk there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my Eames rocker to see what was the matter
Away to the window I flew like a flash
No shutters to open because we don’t have the cash

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
Gave the luster of midday to the objects below
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a Fiat 500 and 8 guys chugging beer.

Merry Christmas from everyone at Vitamin Daily!

As we squeeze one more glass of champers out of 2010, here are a few things you can do before the clock strikes midnight to make 2011 the best yet. Cheers to another great year.

Animal Crackers
We’re usually in the Swiss Alps, where local tradition is to stroke a pig’s snout for good luck on New Year’s Eve. This year we’re in Toronto so maybe I’ll dress up in a ball gown and take my family out for bacon sandwiches. Ha, ha, Happy New Year.
Athena Tsavliris, Toronto editor

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the sparkliest of them all?
They say that you should always take a look in the mirror before you leave the house and remove one accessory. Since my New Year’s resolution for this year is to accessorize more (I tend to stay simple with my diamond studs), I’m going to add one. Maybe two. Watch out!
Jennifer Nachshen, Montreal editor (English edition)

Return to Sender
The Babylonians were the first to make a New Year’s resolution and this is what it was: return anything borrowed from a friend in the previous year.
Tonya Albulet, Western Sales Manager

Go With the Flow
As one of my yoga instructors often says: “You’ll never be as young as you are this very second.” So instead of resolutions that are restricting, this year is about celebrating life and all its frivolity. And if this means, shopping more, drinking more wine or eating another cookie, try to enjoy every moment, every bite and every sip because it will never be exactly like it is in that moment.
Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor

The Three P's: Pajamas, Postcards, Positivity
Tradition: "Party Top Pajama Bottoms" party. The photos taken from the waist up make it appear everyone dressed up, but from the waist down it’s all comfort. Makes stumbling into bed that much easier at the end of the night.
Resolution: Send more postcards, for no particular reason, to the people I love.
Superstition:  The surest way to ensure a happy new year is to fix my thoughts on something positive the moment the clock strikes 12.
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

Fathers, husbands, brothers – blokes can be tricky to shop for. We’ve taken the stress out of the season with a few last minute ideas that are sure to please.

If the lad in your life loves a good brewski, why not sign him to the Canadian Beer Club? By next Christmas he’ll have tried dozens of the most exotic beers from Australia, India, Canada, United States, Belgium and England. He’ll also have a gut the size of Germany! 12 beers delivered at $44 per month, www.beerclub.ca

How about an old-school, handmade maple sleigh ($170) for the guy who refuses to grow up. Fits four adults, and that includes you! Allow 48 hrs shipping time. www.mountainboysleds.com

His man-den just got comfier with a giant Fatboy beanbag ($298) in it. Find local retailers at www.fatboycanada.com

For the modern dandy, how about a shopping expedition to British clothier Oliver Spencer? His new Queen West outpost is a fashion hound’s dream. www.oliverspencer.co.uk

If he hasn’t gotten rid of his Movember yet, send him to Truefitt and Hill for some royal pampering (hot lather shave, $47). www.truefittandhill.ca

Between thank you cards, birth announcements, and the holidays, you might as well be running a small publishing business from your dining room.

And the golden rule of small business? Outsource!

The gals at Vancouver's Haute Note offer new photo cards for Christmas (we love this subtly retro Collage design) with your precious family snaps ($55/25 cards).  

Because Facebook can't be propped on the mantle. 

View styles and place orders at www.hautenote.ca

Decorating the house for Halloween needn’t be a headache. Just put your heads together.

A couple of Crystal Heads that is. The premium vodka brand owned by Dan Aykroyd and made in Newfoundland multitasks. The super smooth spirit within spikes the punch and the skull-shaped glass bottle you’re left with displays your candy corn in a goth way.

It’s a graveyard smash.

$54.99, find retailers here.

It doesn’t matter what you roast this Thanksgiving, drown it in gravy, and everyone will be happy. Here, Mika Bareket, Good Egg owner and gravy-whisker extraordinaire, shares her foolproof recipe.


Pan Gravy
 


Remove your perfectly roasted bird or roast from the pan to rest. Skim all the fat from the pan, leaving behind a scant tablespoon or two. Place pan over a low heat. Shake in a tablespoon of flour for a thick gravy, none for a jus. Whisk constantly for a minute or two, lifting all the caramelized goodies from the pan as you go. Add a cup or two of hot chicken stock. Keep cooking, whisking, and humming quietly to yourself until it reaches a consistency that you approve of. Dip a hunk of bread into the gravy to test saltiness. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Keep hot (you may need to reheat mid-meal) and pour liberally over everything, including dessert.
 


Mika Bareket, based on Alice Waters, Nigel Slater, Delia Smith, and Diana Henry’s recipes.  

Hot Cross Buns ordered?

Baskets assembled?

Husband’s bunny costume picked up from the cleaners? (Don’t laugh, Ben Affleck has one.)

Now how about dinner decor?

Cotton yarn, glue and balloons are all you need to make these jaunty decorative eggs, and, alas, there will be no need to hide them.

Okay hubby, hop to it!

For step-by-step instructions, click here.

Left it to the last minute? Tommy Smythe, Sarah Richardson's fabulously stylish sidekick, is here with a sack full of gift ideas that'll make you more popular than Santa:

One-size-fits all: gifts that everyone wants/needs


The Flip Video Camcorder. It’s great for everyone, whether they’re three or 83.

On a budget

Vintage magazines from eBay. Issues of Gourmet and House and Garden are my favourites. Gift them individually or wrap them around a bottle of wine (with a ribbon) as a unique hostess gift.


Money no object


Cartier Tank watch. It’s a timeless classic (the vintage versions are better quality than the new ones).


Feeling crafty – some quick homespun favourites


Food only! Everyone can use it and it won't end up in a garage sale.


Feeling charitable – The gift that keeps on giving


Around the holidays I look to give to charities that provide food and shelter. Go local too; these are the people you pass on the street every day. Charity begins at home.
 


Merry Christmas!

Herewith, our top 5 picks for gifts for the gals, from save to splurge.

Dazzlingly over-the-top, amaryllis are the perfect cut flower for Christmas. At Kensington’s WilBe Bloomin you’ll find plenty of deep crimson stems ($4.99 per) all season long. www.wilbebloomin.ca

This soft virgin wool Christina Hattler blanket ($85) in cream and taupey grey is the perfect accoutrement to wintery nights at home with noodles, old movies, and piles of glossy magazines. Finn Boutique, 1 Yorkville Ave., Toronto, 416-961-0101, www.finnboutique.com

What woman can resist the scent of a luxie Cire Trudon candle? Kenzo, Guerlain, Hermès and Dior all buy their candles from this venerable house of wax. Our personal favourite (Abd El Kader) smells of sweet Moroccan mint tea. $89.95 at Putti, 1104 Yonge St., Toronto, 416-972-7652, www.putti.ca

Since Domino’s demise, we’ve been splurging on British décor mag, Living Etc. It’s fabulous, but spendy. A subscription would be much appreciated, Santa. $121.60, www.livingetc.com

For the girl who always adds a dollop of vintage to everything she does, the new Olympus Pen E-P1 camera (the original debuted back in 1959) in white mixes a vintage aesthetic with flash modern technology. From $899.99, www.olympuscanada.com

Herewith, Vitamin Daily Toronto's top 5 gift ideas for all the men in your life.

What bloke doesn’t dream of being Bond? Give your man a custom movie poster ($75) where he lands the starring role. www.etsy.com/shop/DropletStudio

If your guy slaps on your Crème de la Mer like it’s a drugstore cheapie, it’s high time he start using his own products. Local skin care start-up Bread and Butter boasts a face moisturizer ($84.99 for the winter kit) that’ll leave his skin smooth, dewy and gorgeous smelling. www.breadandbutterskincare.com

For the dandy in your life, bow ties ($175) are back, and Christopher Sherman’s studded, sequined, velvet and plaid ones are the best we’ve seen. The golden rule to pulling one off is to not take yourself, or the rest of your outfit, too seriously. www.christophershermanbowties.com

Snuggling up to your chap will be so much cozier this winter if he’s sporting a Philip Sparks cable-knit Cowichan sweater ($555). www.philipsparks.com

Make sure your lovey-dove isn’t sitting too comfortably when you surprise him with this stunning plywood rocker (from $1,800) from local design duo Brothers Dressler. www.brothersdressler.com