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Romantic Holiday Gift Ideas

December 18, 2015

Want to see the eyes of your special someone light up with happiness this Christmas? When it comes to buying Christmas gifts for your beloved you want to give them something special that will really make them feel appreciated and loved. If you are looking for inspiration for romantic gifts this holiday season, here are some great romantic holiday gift ideas to get you started:

A One of a Kind Portrait
Find a local artist whose style you like and pay them to paint a one of a kind portrait of your special someone. It can be based on your favourite photograph of them or of you two together. This will be a one of a kind gift with a major impact that they will treasure for a long time.

Weekend Getaway Romantic Holiday Gift Ideas
Instead of Christmas gifts, reveal that you are taking your special someone on a surprise weekend getaway. You can book a bed and breakfast and whisk them away for a couple of nights. You can choose somewhere that they will really enjoy and you can even plan activities or a special dinner to surprise them.

Christmas Tree Ornaments
A beautiful and meaningful gift you can give someone you care about could be Christmas tree ornaments with their name on them or ornaments that represent a special memory the two of you share. You could make it a Christmas tradition that every year you give them a different personal ornament, so that decorating the tree becomes a beautiful trip down memory lane. If you are crafty, you might even want to try making your own ornament.

Inscribed Jewellery
Jewellery is a timeless gift for your special someone, but you can make it even more meaningful and special if you inscribe it with a personal message. It can be a ring inscribed with your initials or a bracelet with a quote that has meaning for both of you. There are also matching necklaces you can wear that can be inscribed with messages, initials and much more. A piece of jewellery is a lovely gift, but a personalised one of a kind piece of jewellery is something even more special. Romantic Holiday Gift Ideas

Equipment for Their Hobby
Think about what your special someone is passionate about and what they enjoying doing in their spare time. Do they like to go hiking? Are they an artist? Do they like to write? Are they interested in gardening, sports, reading? Pinpoint their favourite hobby and then get something that is related to what they enjoy. For example, if your beloved enjoys painting you can get them a new canvas and some high quality paints and brushes. They will find you were thoughtful and chose a gift that reflects their personal interests.
With these wonderful romantic holiday gift ideas you will be sure to make your partner feel special on Christmas morning. Dont forget to check out our blog for thoughtful and creative stocking stuffers ideas!

Thoughtful gifts are meaningful and will create special Christmas memories that you will treasure for many years.

Entertainment, Holiday Events, Lifestyle talk

Creative Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Christmas

December 15, 2015

When it comes to buying Christmas presents, sometimes a challenging part can be filling the stockings. What do you do when you’ve found all of the big presents, but you can’t think of ideas for the little trinkets? You don’t want to simply give boring gifts, so put a little more thought into it so that you can put something different in the stockings of your loved ones this Christmas.

Here are some ideas for creative and thoughtful stocking stuffer ideas for Christmas:

For someone who loves to write and jot down ideas, give them a beautiful leather bound notebook with a small pen hidden inside.
An activity tracker, such as the Fitbit, can be a great gift for someone active so that they can keep track of their steps taken and calories burned as well as set progress goals.
Small bottles of fragrance or cologne can be a lovely stocking stuffer for a special someone who always loves to smell good.
For the wine lover in your life, why not give them an attractive stylish corkscrew?
Jewellery also makes for a great stocking stuffer, as it is just the right size. When choosing jewellery for someone, take a look at the style that they usually wear to get an idea of their taste so that you can buy something they will like.
The people in your life who love art would really appreciate getting art supplies in their stocking, such as coloured pencils, a set of watercolour paints or high quality drawing pens.
A mini flask can be a lovely gift, especially if it is paired with a bottle of the recipient’s favourite alcohol.
Cooking gadgets, such as an egg yolk separator, a jar opener or a knife sharpener can be great gifts for your friend who really loves cooking.
When you have someone in your family or friend group who is geeky about a particular show, book series or movie, whether it is Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Supernatural, Doctor Who or anything else, getting them items along that theme will never go wrong. Try keychains, mugs or anything else emblazoned with their favourite fictional characters.
We all know that one person who is obsessed with their hair, so great stocking stuffer ideas for Christmas for them could be hair clips, barrettes, hair ties, a cute mini travel brush and mini sized bottles of their favourite hair products.
For the friend or family member who can never get enough spice in their food, give them tiny bottles of their favourite hot sauce that they can bring with them anywhere they go.
To give someone a nostalgic blast from the past, buy them a copy of an old comic book that they used to really enjoy when they were a child.

The key to finding great stocking stuffers that are out of the ordinary is to think about your recipient and what they like. Thoughtful and meaningful stocking stuffer ideas for Christmas will really make their holiday special.

Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Lifestyle talk, Toronto History, Vacation Travel

Toronto Neighbourhood Guide: Kensington Market

November 20, 2015

Photo Credit: Rina Pitucci

One of Toronto’s most eclectic neighbourhoods, Kensington Market, is within walking distance of our downtown furnished rentals. Settled by Eastern Europeans, the neighbourhood –which spans from College to Dundas, north to south; and Kensington to Denison, east to west– has had fluctuations of different ethnicities from Jewish, Portuguese, and Latin American, which is now an important landmark in Toronto. It has also developed certain trends: homes behind homes and stores on the first floor of homes, which has since been retained today. Here are our favourite places and things to do in the Market.

1. Casa Acoreana. Located at the corner of Augusta and Baldwin, Casa Acoreana has been one of the Market’s longest standing institutions in business for 50 years. Comprised of a cafe and a store that sells coffee, candy, and nuts, it is one of the best people-watching spots in Toronto.

2. Pedestrian Market Sundays. Every last Sunday of the month from May to October, Kensington Market’s streets are closed off

Photo Credit: Joey deVilla

to traffic for their annual Pedestrian Sundays. There’s music, food, and many street performances. It’s a lively event that you can’t miss if you’re visiting or living in Toronto.

3. Produce, Meat, Fish, and Cheese. If you like to do your shopping at local markets, Kensington Market is the best place to do it. It’s the perfect pit stop for your picnic needs if you’re heading over to the park at Denison or further along, at Trinity Bellwoods Park. Some of our favourites: Sanagan’s Meat Locker, Hooked for Fish, Oxford Fruit Market, and Global Cheese. Happy shopping!

4. Seven Lives Tacos. There are plenty of options for lunch and dinner in the Market. Though you’ll always see lines for this taqueria, Seven Lives

Photo Credit: Ian Irving

arguably has some of the best fish tacos in the city. Get the Gorbernador and thank us later!

5. Vintage Shopping. Vintage stores that scatter the market lend to its bohemian vibe and are one of the best ways to explore the market. Check out the long standing Courage My Love for jewellery and great clothing finds and Flashback for jackets. You’ll likely stumble upon racks and racks of clothing on the sidewalks outside of the stores and may unexpectedly find a good garment.

What are your favourite places in Kensington Market?

Community Events, Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Events, Food & Recipes, Holiday Events, Lifestyle talk

Toronto Neighbourhood Guide: Distillery District

November 11, 2015

Photo Credit: Alonso Inostrosa Psijas

The Distillery District, a national historic site in Toronto, is a neighbourhood and village of its own, a distinctly unique area in the city, just east of Old Town (King East) and south of Corktown. It’s a great mini-escape from the hustle of downtown Toronto and outside of our downtown properties while still being in the downtown area. Though it’s much quieter during the weekdays instead of the weekends, it’s a lovely way to explore more of the city, get connected to its roots, and escape the hustle of downtown. Here are our favourite places and events to explore the Distillery District.

Photo Credit: Tasting Toronto

1. El Catrin
As one of our top patio picks in Toronto, El Catrin’s bright outdoor display is one you can’t miss in The Distillery. Sun yourself alongside a margarita amongst the bright yellow lamps on the heated patio or stay awhile under the large scale murals and comfy benches inside over Mexican inspired fare. It’s our pick for a date in the area.

2. SOMA Chocolate
SOMA has been known as the best chocolate maker in the city and it’s a treat to visit its original location in the distillery (just past El Catrin). Taste test a truffle (or ten), savour the gelato, or sip on SOMA’s famous drinking chocolate on the back wooden stairs. At this location, you can also watch the chocolate-making process through the glass windows. Of course, this is one of the best places to get a “Made in Toronto” gift. Closer to our downtown locations is SOMA’s second King Street location.

3. Events Year round, The Distillery District provides ambiance with its open area in the main square for performances among its cobblestones and unmarked green doors. Stroll for fresh produce and other made in Ontario products at the Sunday Summer Market; Lounge in the main square during the numerous festivals like the TD Jazz Fest; Art Fest is a more unique festival in September; and the most famous event–rounding out the end of the year– is the Toronto Christmas Market, ideal to find unique gifts and warm up under the fire with some mulled wine.

4. Pikto When is the last time you printed a photo? Professional services still exist and Pikto is the place where photography enthusiasts and the pros get their prints and photobooks done. Peruse the photobooks, sign up or inquire about a photography workshop, or even print your instagram photos.

5. Soulpepper Theatre Though the Distillery is known for its art galleries, tucked in the back of the district on the east side, you’ll find this treasure trove of a theatre. Watch a new play or check out their concert series when in season. The theatre is a strong supporter of youth and has many free programs and initiatives in this area (great for your child who has a creative or dramatic streak).

There are so many other reasons to visit the Distillery District. Not too far from your furnished suite in Toronto, we hope that you check out the Distillery when you are in Toronto. What is your favourite thing in or about the Distillery District?

Business Travel, Customer Service Experience, Entertainment, Feedback and Reviews, Lifestyle talk

How To Entertain on Your Balcony

November 4, 2015

Many condo balconies are small. That said, there’s still some space to spruce up your balcony, especially at our short term rentals at DelSuites. Here are our tips to maximize your space and entertain on your balcony.

1. Lighting. The lights you choose for your balcony can instantly change the mood of your outdoor space. Try stacked lanterns, string lights, or a few big potted candles.

2. Seating. Most balconies will only enable a small table and two chairs. If you wanted to use your balcony as an extension for an entertaining space, try a small bench or a chaise lounge instead of a small table and two chairs.

3. Extras. If you’re unable to put a BBQ or grill on your balcony, try a small bar cart (ideally covered for bad weather situations) or an outdoor wine cooler. Make your space cozy by adding a carpet or funky rug. Colourful or light accessories like blankets will entice you to be outdoors.

4. Plants and Flowers. Potted plants or hanging flowers can instantly add that joie de vivre to your space and make it welcoming for your guests. Weather conditions will dictate the type of plants you can grow and have on your balcony. It is advisable to give the dimensions and specifics of your balcony at your local flower/plant shop. Placement of flowers can be on the ground but also up high or hanging from the balcony. Varied placement will help spruce up the space.

5. Water features. A small, standing water fountain that needs to be plugged in (if there is an outlet on your balcony) would create that calming effect. A beautiful bowl surrounded by plants or a clear vase or bowl filled with rocks and water can add to your outdoor sanctuary.

Don’t forget if you don’t want to do anything to your balcony, there are outdoor spaces and pools at many of our properties where you can grill, swim, sunbathe, and socialize! It is one of the many features we offer as part of our award-winning services.

Your balcony is part of your space, so make the most of it! How do you create an outdoor sanctuary for yourself? How do you entertain on your balcony?

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