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!

Presents are wrapped, turkey is ordered, and most importantly, the wine rack is stocked. But you need a few more bits to fill up the stockings!

For the tots…
Santoy’s wooden foods are non-toxic and made from renewable rubber wood trees, plus they look super cute. Stick a boiled egg, a piece of toast, a banana, or a bunch of grapes into your little one’s stockings. From $2.25 to $5.99 each at Dilly Dally Kids, 1161 Commercial Dr., Vancouver, 604-252-9727, www.dillydallykids.ca

For the lover of stuff…
Tools: Real Stuff for Future Classics is a limited edition publication by HUGE magazine’s new book label. It is a catalogue of stuff, featuring “tools” we use in our everyday life, outside and inside. $35 from Inventory Stockroom, 45 Powell St., Vancouver, 604-568-5889 www.stockroom.inventorymagazine.com

For the gourmande…
Ayala Moriel perfumes and Cocoanymph chocolates have teamed up to make these fragrant chocolate bars. Put a White Potion bar into a foodie’s stocking, it is made of tuberose, roasted almonds, and coconut and will be a feast for the senses. $12 from CocoaNymph Chocolates & Confections, 3739 W. 10th Ave., Vancouver, 604-222-4477, www.cocoanymph.com

For the fairest of them all…
You can never go wrong with beauty products in a stocking. For her, throw in a Too Faced Glamour To Go palette (with 8 shadows, blush, lip gloss, and bronzer), for him, Crown Shaving Company’s soothing after shave. Too Faced palette, $29 from Sephora, Pacific Centre, 701 W. Georgia St., Vancouver, 778-331-3942, www.sephora.com Aftershave, $18 from BeautyMark, 1268 Pacific Ave., Vancouver, 604-642-2294, www.beautymark.ca

For everyone…
A mandarin orange at the bottom of the stocking is a tradition at our house, and let’s face it, it may be the only piece of fruit you eat over the next few days. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

This time of year, it’s a treat to spend time with our significant others (without the in-laws). Here are our picks for romantic holi-date ideas.

Holiday Films at VIFF
Vancity Theatre has a line-up of holiday-themed classics like Some like it Hot, It’s a Wonderful Life, and A Christmas Carol. Which is perfect because this might be the only time of year we can guilt-trip him into watching black-and-white films.

Karaoke Christmas Lights Tour
If a lit-up trolley equipped with a karaoke machine doesn’t scream romance, we don’t know what does. We’ll happily hop aboard and warm up. Our vocal cords, that is.

Outdoor Ice Skating at Grouse Mountain
Unlike the rest of this country, we can’t use our backyard as a skating rink. But up on the mountain, that’s a whole other story. Grab your skates and a thermos of hot cocoa and unleash your inner Michelle Kwan.

Patron Saint of Stanley Park
Written by a Vancouverite and set in this city’s most famous park, this heart-wrenching, heart-warming tale is perfect for a little after-dinner theatre.

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
On Dasher! On Dancer! On the Capilano Suspension Bridge! Which is illuminated with a gazillion twinkling lights this time of year. —Kelsey Dundon

‘Tis the party season, and planning a good one is a lot of work, so let’s make sure our hosts’ efforts are well acknowledged.

Emily Post would, of course, agree that one should never show up at a party empty handed. Whether it’s something salty or something sweet, we found the perfect one-stop shop for all our host gifting needs, Grenadine & Co. For the epicurean, a set of 14 essential Indian spices by Epices de Cru ($36); for the mixologist, Fee Brothers’ selection of classic cocktail bitters ($8.49 each); and for the sweet tooth, a pack of three delicious Mrs. Bridges Preserves ($15.29). Yummy gifts will undoubtedly guarantee a future invite. —Anya Georgijevic

Grenadine & Co, 3028 W. Broadway, Vancouver, 604-737-8010, www.facebook.com/grenadineandco

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

What are you doing New Year’s Eve? Book yourself a table at much-lauded Maenam and a good Thai is guaranteed.

The fruits of Chef Angus An’s recent gastronomic sojourn in Southern Thailand have already started to show up on the menu, like fragrant and flavourful mains like oxtail soup and Massaman curry lamb leg. The NYE meal will feature those new dishes alongside favourite delicacies.

Best book stat, time, like 2010, is running out.

$55 per person, Maenam, 1938 W. Fourth Ave., Vancouver, 604-730-5579, www.maenam.ca

Can’t bring yourself to fight the crowds at the eleventh hour? Here are five last minute gifting tips that don’t require a trip to the mall:

1. Give away a good book you own. Make a simple, personalized dust jacket for it with paper and anything crafty you have around the house.

2. Buy tickets online to a concert in the new year (something to look forward to), then create a YouTube playlist of that band’s music videos and live performances and email it to them to tip them off to your plan. Check www.tourfilter.com/vancouver for listings.

3. Bake a batch of your favourite cookies and put them in a plain Chinese food take-out box (many dollar stores sell them) or another nice container you already have. Write up a clever fortune for 2011 and hide it at the bottom of the box.

4. Giving money may seem tacky, but it’s all how you frame it, literally. Place a $20, $50 or $100 dollar bill in a small picture frame you’re not using and title your DIY artwork, “For Emergencies Only.”

5. Book them a little post-holiday pampering by phone. We don’t know anyone who wouldn’t like a massage after Boxing Day sales.

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.

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.