This event includes a diverse group of artists and craftspeople selling handcrafted food, clothing, jewellery, accessories, home and outdoor decor, and much more. Great for personal shopping or gift giving!
2. Make something sweet
The holidays would be incomplete without them! Holiday treats can always be stored around the house (or in the freezer), offered at holiday gatherings, or given away as gifts. Here are two of my favourite recipes:
Double Chocolate Treasures
2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups quick oats
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup icing sugar
1 package holiday m&ms or your favourite holiday candy
Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Melt 1 cup chocolate chips, stirring until smooth. Beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Blend in eggs, vanilla and melted chocolate. Combine dry ingredients, except for the icing sugar. Add the dry ingredient mixture to the blended mixture. Stir in remaining 1 cup of chocolate chips. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in powdered sugar, coating heavily. Place 1 m&m on the top of each ball. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!
*Store in an air tight container and consume within 4 days. Freeze to sustain freshness, if desired, and take out in small batches.
Chocolate Chip Shortbread
1 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 egg
2 1/2 cups cake and pastry flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven at 350 degrees F. Cream butter and sugar together. Add vanilla and egg; mix well. Add flour and baking powder; mix again. Stir in chocolate chips. Spread in 1 or 2 pans to desired thickness. Bake for 30 minutes.
*Store in an air tight container and eat within 4 days. Freeze to sustain freshness, if desired, and take out in small batches.
3. Make something salty
Baby ritz bits turn into a festive, holiday snack, with this easy-to-make "Cocktail Snack". A delicious hors d'oeuvre, snack food, or gift!
Mix the following:
3/4 cup oil (i.e. olive oil, safflower oil)
1 tbsp dill weed
1/2 tbsp garlic powder
1 package hidden valley french onion dressing
Pour over 1 package of bite size ritz bits. Leave overnight. Serve and enjoy!
4. Visit Snakes and Lattes
Mix up your coffee routine! Snakes and Lattes offers food and beverages, with an endless number of games to play, so you're never bored! Call ahead to book a reservation.
5. Skate at Nathan Phillips Square
Going skating at Nathan Phillips Square is a must! Bring your skates or rent! It's a fun way to spend your day (or evening) with friends and be in the outdoors.
6. Warm up with a hot drink
Keep warm with a tea, or locally made hot apple cider. Or create your own hot cocoa, minimizing preservatives and artificial chemicals.
2 heaping tbsp cocoa powder
1 mugs of hot liquid (water, milk, soy or almond milk etc.)
1 tbsp honey
Sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg
Add cocoa powder to a mug. Add 1/2 a mugs worth of hot liquid. Stir until cocoa has dissolved. Fill mug with remainder of hot liquid. Add honey and stir. Sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg, if desired!
7. Watch a holiday classic
Miracle on 34th Street, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Christmas Carol, White Christmas, Home Alone, the list goes on! Spend an evening watching your favourite holiday film!
8. Attend an event in the city
Toronto's city website lists a series of events happening year round, with a special section on celebrations/holidays. Here are the ones that caught my attention:
- Window Wonderland
- Cavalcade of Lights Tree Lighting Celebration in Berczy Park
- Lowe's Toronto Christmas Market
- Photorama 2011
- Holiday Art Market
9. Ski or snowboard
Hills in Ontario are worth the visit! With multiple ski clubs around Ontario, there is a convenient spot for you! Carpool with a group of friends, or use the Grey Hound, travelling from Toronto to Blue Mountain and Horse Shoe Valley Ski Resort.
*Access to the ski club may vary based on starting location.
10. Treat yourself at Winterlicious
Although a bit premature, Winterlicious offers price fixed menus at a variety of restaurants. Find an appealing cuisine and treat yourself!
How will you spend your holiday?
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