Make It Through December Guide

Count Down to Christmas

“25 Days of Christmas” 

You can bring festive fun to each and every day of December. With Simply Fun Families unique kit which can be enjoyed year after year. Simply select activities from the kit that suit your family’s schedule, then use the dated envelopes to organize yourself for the month ahead!

Read In R Dream’s Simply Fun Families review here!

Call a loved one this season.

Samsung GALAXY S4

The S4 is sporting the world’s first-ever Full HD Super AMOLED display on a five-inch screen, which means no more squinting for me. I will be able to capture all of life’s sweetest moments with the Dual Camera mode (including a 13-megapixel rear camera). As a busy mom I can appreciate that I can toss it in my bag, worry-free because it is constructed with Corning’s Gorilla Glass 3. This phone is as tough as it is beautiful, and can withstand the four kids on my side.

Stay tuned for In R Dream’s Review.

Learn more about the Samsung GALAXY S4 from TELUS.

Samsung GALAXY Gear

Well you maybe grated with a reduced schedule or taking sometime off, there are some who have welcomed the busiest time of year. Samsung GALAXY Gear will help you with stay on top of every email, allowing you to multi-task effortlessly and keep up-to-date with the day’s news from the watch on your wrist. Samsung GALAXY Gear pairs well with the S4 above and seamlessly with the Note 3.

Well you at the Mall during the hustle and bustle of the season you can perform a variety of tasks, such as answering and making calls, creating schedules, new memos or capturing images in a moment’s notice with the built-in camera – all without the need to pull out your device.

Ever lost your phone? Now you can find your phone by commanding it to beep, illuminate or vibrate (this can also be used to find the Gear from their phone). Monitor their health with its built-in pedometer that syncs up with the S Health app, keeping you fit even during the season of Turkey and stuffing approach.

Learn more about the Samsung GALAXY Gear from TELUS, available for $329.

Beat the lines and finish your shopping from home.

Nexus 7

The second generation Nexus 7 is thinner, lighter and even more portable, fitting in my hands perfectly. It features a stunning 1080p Full HD display, 5MP rear camera, wireless charging and family friendly sharing. With each smooth swipe, there is a world of apps waiting for your to explore. The fact that I can access all my Google accounts with the smooth move of my finger has this mama smiling.

Stay tuned for In R Dream’s Review.

Learn more about the Nexus 7 from Staples Canada.

Feel good with a gift that gives back.

Telus Critters

I was very excited to learn that this holiday season you can pick up a cute and cuddly plush panda in TELUS stores or online for your stockings this Christmas. All well supporting World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF) at the same time. TELUS is aiming to raise $250,000 to help protect the habitats of our beloved animals here in Canadian.

Simply visit any TELUS store to pick up a plush Panda between November 18, 2013 and January 12, 2014 – and they will do the rest!
The critters are priced at $9.50 with all profits benefiting WWF Canada.

For more details on TELUS partnership with WWF Canada and how you can help, please visit: givewherewelive.ca.

Cozy up with a warm drink.

Decadent Amoré Vanilla Hot Chocolate

Serves 6

This decadent hot chocolate is thick, rich and delicious. Drink warm or, chill and freeze.

750 ml Amore Vanilla
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tbsp icing sugar
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1/4 cup good quality dark chocolate, blitzed into small pieces
pinch of cinnamon
pinch of salt

Add Amore to pot and bring to a simmer over low/medium heat (do not boil). Place all dry ingredients in a jar with a lid or, a freezer bag, then seal and shake to mix. Add mixed dry ingredients to Amore and whisk. Lower heat and let mixture slightly thicken and serve.

Stay tuned for more yummy recipes featuring Amore.

Keeping the kids learning over the holidays.

Kurio 7s Tablet

Out of all the children’s tablet’s we have tried this one by far has had me excited. Kid-Safe Web Surfing allows you the parent to customized Internet access controls and advanced web filtering block inappropriate content. Allowing you to feel confident you child is accessing children friendly sites only.

The Kurio 7S has the best parental controls I have ever crossed. You can set up to 8 independent user profiles, set time limits by user, and control app access by user. Which means my 3-year-old and 8-year-old have individual accounts and setting to suit their stage. It took me less than 5 minutes to activate accounts for each of my four children. LOVE these features!

The Kurio 7S is packed with 60+ Preloaded Apps, including games, educational content, videos, E-books, and so much more! Making zero guessing for the parent!

Kurio 7S Tablet is a PTPA winner, learn more here.

Keep the Kitchen Clean

Head to Swiss Chalet

One tradition my family does is enjoy a wonderful meal during the Holiday’s at the kids favorite spot Swiss Chalet. Beside keeping my kitchen clean and enjoying a dinner out, one of my highlight is receiving a box of Lindor Chocolates (my favorite) with a coupon to come back to Swiss Chalet in the New Year.

I love that Swiss Chalet gives the children their own colouring sheet and the chance to circle off their meal. Swiss Chalet always give service with a smile.

Look your best.

With Covergirl

Covergirl has always been a staple in my house. As a child I remember mom using Covergirl too. When I think of Covergirl I never thought of nail polish, until now! Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant does just what it says. I typically get a weeks wear out of each application. Now that is something worth sharing.

What items or events get you through December?

Thank you for reading In R Dream!