Well, it’s finally happened. Winter has hit Edmonton at last and I know that I am not the only person who is eager to escape it for a while longer. January and February are prime times to book that off-season vacation to the tropical destination that you have been dreaming about and great deals are everywhere.

Off-season is not only a great time to travel, it is a great time to shop. Retailers are between seasons so much of the summer stock—bathing suits included—is marked down even as the early spring stock is starting to come in so one can get a jump on all of this season’s styles while still getting a great deal.

I know it’s tempting to run off to that beach and pack nothing but a bikini and a pair of flip flops, but consider where you are going and what will you be doing. What activities are available at and around your destination? What is the dress code of the places that you will be visiting? This is an especially important question for gentlemen to know the answer to as many a-la-carte restaurants on resorts will not admit gentleman customers unless they are wearing trousers.

Choose items that are light and versatile and limit your selections to what you intend to use. Many garments can be worn for more than one purpose. Sarongs and pashminas do double-duty as beach cover-ups and evening wraps and colourful tote bags double as excellent beach bags. Select a colour scheme that allows you to mix and match every item that you bring and liven up your look with colourful accessories.

Colorful tote bags from PINK

One of the most vital things that I have learned in my travels is to stock up on sunscreen before I jet off to tropical locations. While it is not exactly easy to find this time of year, it is much more affordable here than it is coming from a resort gift store. Sample-size toiletries are a traveller’s best friend. Just one little bottle of each sample is enough to get most travellers through the average week-long trip and like your jewellery can also be packed in a shoe to save space. If you plan to travel with a lot of electronics—camera, e-reader, cell phone—pack a small power strip so that you are able to charge them all at one time without having to plug each into a different outlet. If you are travelling to a foreign country, invest in a set of travel adapters so you have the right voltage.

With all that effort of trying to figure out what to bring on your trip, the final challenge is what to pack it in. The days of boring black are done, heralding an era of bright colours and patterns that make every bag your own. Another great way to differentiate your luggage from everyone else’s is to tie colourful tags or ribbons to the handles of your suitcase.

Graphic prints on luggage makes it unique from everyone else's

Winter is here to stay but whatever destination you plan to escape to, Kingsway Mall has everything you’ll need.

By Nicole Mackoway (Kingsway Style Council)

You hear it all the time…”Christmas shopping doesn’t need to break the bank”. But how can you actually do that? How can you find items that are both economical and thoughtful? And now that it’s getting down to the last few days, you can use the following tips to help you find those last few gifts quickly and with as little added stress as possible!

Tip #1 – Streamline

Coles

Try to find as many items at one store as possible. My favorite gift this year is magazine subscriptions! Stop by Coles and pick up a suitable magazine for each “hard to buy for” person on your list to wrap up and put under the tree. I’m giving National Geographic to my elderly neighbors who would love to travel, but can’t. It’s a gift they can enjoy all year long! Another option is a beautiful coffee table book. While you’re there, check out the table full of unique stocking stuffers!

Tip #2 – Get Personal

Customizable Hats from LIDS

Tip #3 – Stick to Tradition
Sometimes when you’re really stuck, it just could be the case that you need to go back to the basics. There’s something cozy and comforting about receiving a lovely pair of leather gloves from Eddie Bauer, a super soft sweater from RW&Co, slippers from SoftMoc, or scented candles from Bath & Body Works.

Comfy slippers from SoftMoc

When it comes right down to it, everyone would be thrilled to find a gift card for Kingsway Mall under the tree! It’s a double gift, the fun of shopping and they’ll get just what they wanted!!

With two weeks left until Christmas, the pressure is on to not only finish all of our Christmas shopping, but find fun and unique gifts that our friends and family will actually use. Here are some great last-minute gift ideas.

For the student on the go, look for fun pieces that will stand out in a crowd. Character flash drives, available in Hello Kitty, Star Wars, and Marvel themes, are functional as well as fun and can be bundled with novelty ear buds (available in many designs though the rubber duck and ladybug ones are personal favourites).

Fun earbuds from COLES

For the book-lover, business professional, or world traveller in your life, why not consider an e-reader? They hold over a thousand books and often read PDFs as well so you can load papers and travel documents as well as books. Some models are even wifi-compatible so you can surf on the go, wherever you may be. They have some covers available in fun colors as well to add to your personality.

KOBO Reader Covers from COLES

And for the kids on our lists—or even the young-at-heart—a winter fun kit! Containing a snow-block maker and two snowball-makers, it is essentially a snowball fight in a box. Perfect for a snowy day.

Why not give twice with the recently released Humanitarian Bracelets? These leather bands come in two different styles and a variety of colours with inspirational messages printed on each band. A quarter of the profit of each bracelet purchased is donated to a local charity. 

Celebrating the return of a childhood favourite O.P.I. has released a new line of colours dedicated to the Muppets! With shades like “Fresh Frog of Bel-Air”, “Gone Gonzo”, and “Getting’ Miss Piggy With It”, they’re the perfect for the fashionista on your list.

O.P.I. from Haare Kosmetik

But what do you get for the person who has everything? Look for gifts that can be engraved or personalized with a name or heartfelt message. It’s a great way to give a gift that will belong uniquely to the recipient.

Finding the right gift can be difficult but with a bit of creativity, you can make this holiday special for everyone on your list. It’s all at Kingsway Mall!