The holidays are the perfect time to reflect on your relationship and to make plans for the future. Christmas and New Years are popular times of the year to get engaged – whether it is for the first time or if you are proposing to renew your vows. Here are some holiday themed ideas to help make your proposal memorable.

• Make an Advent calendar, with each day revealing a sentimental memory or a reason you love him/her. Hide your proposal behind the door for December 25.
• Spell out your proposal in Christmas lights at a friend’s house. Take him/her on a drive to look at Christmas light decorations, with your friend’s house as the last stop.
• In the middle of an ice rink – get down on one knee right on the ice!
• While decorating the Christmas tree, put the ring around a glass ornament and hand it to him/her to hang on the tree.
• Hang the ring on the Christmas tree and point out the “interesting” new ornament.
• Hide an engagement ring in the Christmas stocking. Put a candy cane through it with a note attached.
• Tie the engagement ring under the mistletoe.

Photo Credit: Jimmy M.

See our store for Winter and Holiday themed wedding invitations.

With Christmas only a week away, time is running out to get that perfect gift.  I’ve been trying to reduce the amount of useless stuff I own in the past few years as well as giving useless stuff to others as gifts.  I really don’t see the point of something that sits on a shelf and never serves a purpose.  That being said, I’ve been giving gifts this year that are homemade, adventures, or donations to charities.  Here are just a few last minute gift ideas.

Make Something!
Making something out of renewable resources or recycled materials is a great way to save the environment and give a really personal gift.  This year I’ve knitted a couple of scarves and hats to give as gifts that are made from bamboo wool and naturally sourced alpaca with natural dyes.

Go on an Adventure!
Instead of giving “stuff” a great alternative gift is to go on an Adventure with the receiver.  One local company, Vancouver Eco Tours, provides tours around the lower mainland doing various wilderness activities.  The vehicles they for transportation run on vegetable oil and they educate tour groups on how to make a positive impact on the environment.  And just think of all the special bonding experiences and memories you will create!

Donate to a Charity!
There are lots of great charities you can donate to on someone’s behalf.  This is great for the person that already has everything.

With Oxfam Unwrapped you can pick a gift to give on someone’s behalf in a developing country.  Give someone a goat or an organic garden this season and change a life!

Or donate to Kiva and help someone in a developing country become a successful entrepreneur.  Select the business you would like to loan money to, to help them get started.  Your loan will be repaid eventually and you can use it again to help another budding entrepreneur achieve their goals.

If you’re still out of ideas, and low on cash, check out Freecycle.  This website is a great resource to find what you’re looking for, all for free!  Users post things that they are giving away for free or are looking to have donated to them.  It’s a really great community and I’ve always had a positive experience with them.  Plus, you’re reducing your impact on the environment by reusing something that may have otherwise been thrown away.

Happy Gifting!