2012 Holiday Gift Guide

Did you know Canada..  we got the kids back to school and you know what it's time to start planning for, the Holidays!!

If Costco and some other stores have anything to say about it, we should already have half our presents wrapped..haha..


Did you know Canada? ran a fabulous gift guide last year, featuring many amazing products available to Canadians, we know many of our readers made some great finds through our site and got some great deals with those companies running promotions with us as well!

We would love to hear from companies again this year - small and large, and be introduced to some amazing products for the whole family; the WHOLE family, including pets, grandparents and something better than a tie for Dad..haha..  remember, we have a new baby on the way just after Christmas too, so would love to hear what's hot for newborns and little ones this year!!!

Please email us at didyouknowcanada@gmail.com or fill out our sign-up form here and be part of Did you know Canada's 2012 Holiday Gift Guide!!!

Future Shop Home Theatre Event

Did you know Canada.. Toronto Rep Faniya attended another fantastic Future Shop event for us, see how it went..

If you like our Future Shop series we have a new report from Home Theatre Event happened in Toronto this August. With upcoming holiday season and colder weather outside it is nice to spend some time at home and enjoy movies with surround sound and a large screen thanks to Future Shop’s Home Theatre products that bring a truly cinematic experience to our living rooms.

During the showcase the best manufactures like LG, Logitech, Marantz, Pioneer, Samsung, Sony, ConnectPro and many others (3 huge rooms) presented their incredible products and innovative features in home entertainment.

So the first group is SmartTVs that become comparable to a smartphone with Internet, apps, social media, games, movies and TV programs.  You can watch TV, browse the Internet and check sports results.  So everything starts with a homepage where you can choose what you like to do – watch a movie, TV program, open your Facebook, tweet or check the upcoming event using a sophisticated remote like Sony’s with remote control features on one side and a keyboard on the other or LG’s Magic Remote.

As an example is LG 60" 1080p 120Hz LED Smart TV (60LS5700) featured Full HD resolution, 120Hz refresh rate technology,  Wi-Fi and DLNA wireless capabilities and HDMI, Ethernet, USB, and PC connectivity options or LG 42" 1080p 120Hz LED Smart TV (42LS5700-UA) that provides viewers with incredible picture performance and endless entertainment options, only use your Magic Remote Control.

Amazing Samsung 50" 1080p 60Hz LED Smart TV (UN50EH5300FXZC) with outstanding picture quality and Skype;  TV that can interact with other Samsung products. You can connect to TV with your Samsung Galaxy, look through albums, choose photo or document and send it to the printer or turn on your washing machine or a dryer using the Samsung Smart Washer/Dryer app. 

And what an entertainment without amazing sounds, so I was really excited to learn about Marantz, the company that has been creating incredible audio systems for over 50 years. During the showcase they presented their products and one of them is Marantz 700-Watt 7.2 Channel Network Receiver (SR5007) having 7.2 audio channels with discrete power amplifiers and 700 Watts (RMS) of power to deliver an unforgettable listening experience, plus multi-room feature lets you watch a movie in one room while listening to music in another. Marantz Remote App is free for download and makes it possible to control the receiver from your Apple iOS or Android device.

Pioneer also gave us an opportunity to discover their amazing products, including Pioneer 980-Watt 7.1 Channel Network Receiver (VSX-1022-K) with support for high-definition audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio delivering loud, clear, powerful and vivid sounds.  Free Pioneer app turns your smartphone into a powerful remote control for the receiver plus the ability to play music directly from your devices in wifi network.

So these are just some of the products in Home Theatre category, for more information you can always check Future Shop web site or just drop by your nearest Future Shop store.  Their professional staff is always ready to help you with home theatre products, created with only with one purpose to give us a perfect home entertainment experience.

Faniya

Teddy Out-Ready

2012-2013 Hockey Spirit Calendar!

Did you know Canada..  while we might be wearing shorts and t-shirts for another couple weeks, it's almost time to lace up those skates!

My boys hockey league starts October first, we've already been to the arena watching the old kids tryout for travel teams as well.  In another month we will have a calendar FULL of hockey practice times and game times.  We also know a great way to keep track of all those times (especially the 7am ones!!!) - with a Hockey Spirit Calendar!

They know exactly what hockey parents need, a calendar that flows with the season, this beautiful calendar starts in October and runs 15 months to the following December.  Another great feature is The Stats Machine Page - On each monthly page of the calendar kids will find a weekly and monthly counter box for goals, assists, shots and shutouts. At the end of the season the Stats Machine Page is where they will report the year's totals along with personal achievements, season highlights, and tournament victories. Once the hockey season has come to a close, paste your child's team and individual photo on the Stats Machine page and display this lasting keepsake on your child's bedroom wall.

Hockey Spirit Fundraising was created by Elizabeth Urlacher and her husband, they've created a beautiful hockey calendar which is used by clubs across Canada to raise funds for hockey, non-profit, and various charitable organizations.

Not only are you showing your support for local hockey, but the calendar is just gorgeous!  I smile every time I glance at mine, thinking about how special hockey is becoming to our family.  Unlike other fundraising calendars, this one will fit beautifully into any home and any room, we enjoy ours in our kitchen!

Visit Hockey Spirit Fundraising today if you are responsible for fundraising at your rink or be sure to suggest them to your coordinators - these would make beautiful gifts for any member in your family while they support your teams!  (buy the way, they have some really awesome fundraising rewards too, check them out!)

Enter below for your chance to win one of these gorgeous calendars - 5 winners in all, they will keep you in the hockey mood all year and show your appreciation for Canada's sport!

Giveaway

Getting Ready for Baby: Cloud B

Did you know Canada..  we're starting a new series here, Getting Ready For Baby!  As we get ready for our little one we are looking for as many Canadian products and products easily available to Canadians as possible.  Have a Canadian tip or product to share?  Email us at didyouknowcanada@gmail.com

First up is something I wish I had when my twins were little - a Cloud B Tranquil Turtle.  This sweet turtle projects a magical underwaterlight effect throughout the room, it also plays 2 soothing sounds: Tranquil Melody & Ocean Waves.

It comes with easy to use buttons, I was very happy that it included batteries (the bane of every parent's existence), many options like music, volume, and brightness.

It automatically turns off after 23 minutes which I think it a perfect amount of time, we have had other night time lights that turn off after only 10, not enough time for your little one to fall asleep.  This means you don't need to disturb your little one by having to enter to room to turn it off later, or forgetting and wasting the batteries.

Perfect for soothing newborns and mesmerizing toddlers, this is a useful addition to any room for years and years.

I love that Cloud B is dedicated to helping children of all ages sleep better.  It's something that the kids need to grow and something Mom's and Dad's need to survive.

We can't wait to use this with our coming little one, and until then the big brothers have been enjoying it some nights as well.  :-)  The ocean theme is perfect to come up with imaginative story lines, it's hilarious the pirate and shark stories the boys have come with up using our waves as part of the story.  Which just proves that the Tranquil Turtle is perfect for such a huge age range and a great buy that will last years to come!

ARM & HAMMER Laundry Detergent

Did you know Canada..  with two stinky boys and a baby on the way, I am doing laundry left and right.  This week we're going to be checking out ARM & HAMMER's Coldwater Laundry Detergent.

I admit, I've never used Coldwater Laundry Detergent before, have you?  Do you notice a difference in cleanliness?

The savings will be big if we can switch to Coldwater for all our laundry, and to save even more, until August 30th you can get a Buy One Get One Free coupon to try ARM & HAMMER's Coldwater Laundry Detergent for yourself!

Toys”R”Us Vendor Fair

Did you know Canada..  Toronto Rep Faniya has another event coming up, sounds like a good one!!

Next week we are heading to Toys”R”Us Vendor Fair to learn about the latest and most anticipated products this holiday season from best brands like Activision, Crayola, Disney, Hasbro, LEGO, Mattel, SpinMaster and many others.

What an opportunity to play with the toys and gadgets, and I know that toy professionals will be there too to help us with what will be on every kid’s wish list this holiday.

Here are some items from toy box: Activision’s Skylanders Giants, Hasbro’s Furby, LeapFrog’s LeapPad 2, Mattel’s new Monster High Dolls and LEGO Monster Fighters and Super Heroes.

Faniya
Teddy Out-Ready

Life of Pi

Did you know Canada..  that famous novel, Life of Pi, was written by a Canadian!  I had no idea!

Written by Canadian Yann Martel, Life of Pi is a fantasy adventure novel by Yann Martel published in 2001. The protagonist, Piscine Molitor "Pi" Patel, an Indian boy from Pondicherry, explores issues of spirituality and practicality from an early age. He survives 227 days after a shipwreck, while stranded on a boat in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger. The novel has many zoology references and is partially educational.

Did you know that this famous novel was actually rejected by at least five London publishing houses before being picked up by Knopf Canada?  This Man Booker Prize winning novel has been talked about since it was first published in 2001.

Now living in Saskatoon, Yann was born in Spain where his father worked as a diplomat.  As an adult, Martel has spent time in Iran, Turkey and India. After studying philosophy at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Martel spent 13 months in India visiting masjids, churches, temples and zoos, and spent two years reading religious texts and castaway stories.

Over at The Good Shopper Blog, on BuyCanadianFirst.ca you can enter to WIN a copy of this prize winning novel, but hurry, giveaway is only open until Monday morning!!

Good Luck!!

KOOSH blasters

Did you know Canada..  NERF has introduced new KOOSH blasters that we've been having fun with this summer!

The KOOSH GALAXY SOLAR RECON Ball Launcher has been so much fun!  The gun itself has lights and sounds and the balls it shoots out glow in the dark!

It was a big hit last weekend when the boys slept in a tent in the backyard.

Kids can hear the ball launcher powering up, firing, and going back into standby mode so they can be ready for their next adventure.

I appreciate that it came with 4 balls, just the right amount to keep the boys happy before they loose them all somewhere..haha..

We've used it both indoors and outside with no problems, it's easy for small hands to use and just FUN!

Visit Hasbro Canada for more information, you gotta check this out!

Recipe Round Up 08/17

Did you know Canada..  we haven't had a recipe round up for awhile!  We sure have been busy over at Canadian Moms Cook though, check out what we've been cooking up:



Sugar Bowl Cinnamon Buns - just amazing cinnamon buns, you gotta check this one out!

Bacon Wrapped Smokies with Brown Sugar and Butter - oh my gosh, this is THE appetizer, this will be a hit this fall and winter!

Mac & Cheese with Velvetta - my go to mac & cheese recipe, everyone loves this!

French Breakfast Muffins - a healthier version - was a hit with the kids!

Rainbow Olympic Rings - Today I Ate a Rainbow has fun Rainbow Kits for kids to help them learn about healthy eating and to encourage them to make healthy choice!

Bisquick Cookies - a super quick way to whip up some homemade cookies!

Broccoli Cheese Soup - quick, easy and yummy, perfect for fall!

Macaroni Salad - what's your mac salad recipe?

One Hour Rolls - easy to make rolls, who knew it could be so easy?

Peanut Butter Chocolate Oreo Cupcakes - rich and tasty cupcakes, what a treat!

Taco Bake Pasta - wow, this one has been a HUGE hit online, you gotta check it out!


What have you been making??

Back-to-School with Visa Canada #BackToSchoolSpend

Did you know Canada..  we've been on a Back-to-School shopping spree!  Have you headed out there yet?  I love seeing the kids excited about getting ready to get back to school, or at least they are excited about new shoes. :-)

According to a July 2012 survey of Canadian online shoppers commissioned by Visa Canada for back-to-school, Canadian consumers are expected to spend just under $700 ($677) on a variety of back-to-school items, but what’s really cool is that 72 per cent of Canadian shoppers plan to take their shopping online!

60% of Canadians say they are finding better prices online and better sales and promotions.

We hit the stores as at the boys young age they really like to be involved in the experience and TOUCH everything.  Plus we needed to try on shoes, we weren't 100% on their size this year.  Here's some of the items we've picked up using a prepaid Visa:

First we started with backpacks, stainless steel water bottles, ice packs and lunch bags, everything last year was pretty icky and just wasn't going to make it another year.  We find we need big lunch bags as the boys have a balanced day schedule and we end up using more containers to split up their food.

Next was new indoor shoes, the boys each need a pair of indoor only shoes and an extra set of clothes that stay at school the entire year.  Make sure they practice getting the shoes on and off before they get shipping off to school though!!

Then, since the boys are in SK and the school supplies things like crayons, glue and paper, we hit up the school snack section.

Where are you shopping this year?  Finding any good deals?  If you're shopping online make sure you're shopping securely, Visa Canada can help make the online shopping experience a little easier for Visa cardholders.  By visiting Visaperks.ca, shoppers can find coupons and special offers at merchants like Adidas, Lenovo and Scholar’s Choice. Plus, shoppers can breathe easy knowing that they’re protected through Visa’s layered approach to security and fraud prevention, including Verified by Visa (VbV), Zero Liability and E-Promise.

We also picked up some new clothes, it's hard to imagine the boys will be back in pants, socks and jackets soon.  Visa's survey found clothing is considered the most important item when getting ready for the new school year (43 per cent), with books trailing behind (26 per cent) and computers and computer-related items at 17 per cent.  I find, especially at this age, that with the season change clothing is the most important item you have to keep up on.  Not only did we get new shoes but we also got new rubber boots and will soon be shopping for new winter boots as well, these kids just won't stop growing! ;-)

We are so excited to help you get ready for back to school too with a $50 prepaid Visa!  Enter below for your chance to win and Good Luck Canada!

Giveaway