There’s a new quarterly subscription box in BC that focuses on sustainability and promoting products from Canadian, women-owned, and IBPOC businesses. Essentials Eco delivers curated subscription boxes featuring low-waste products designed to fit seamlessly into your daily routine — items like skincare, kitchen items, cleaning solutions, and more. They are now coming out with their very first Winter Box and you can enter to win one!
Essentials Eco
When the pandemic shuttered the events industry, Essentials Eco founder Brielle Hamalainen knew it was the right opportunity to launch the eco-centred business she had dreamed about for years. It was born out of a desire to make those first steps to sustainability easier, to simplify the transition and save time, and money.
The subscription boxes deliver eco-friendly plastic-free goods each quarter along with tips, tricks and ideas that will help you reduce your impact on the planet. “Our hope is that by bringing these items directly to your door in a fun accessible way we can make a small impact on our planet and our families,” says Brielle.
You can purchase one gift box or subscribe to a quarterly box delivery for the year. They are currently taking orders for the Holiday Box which will start shipping December 1st.
Winter Box – Courtesy Essentials Eco
In the 2021 Holiday Box you’ll find:
Bee Kind wax wraps
All purpose salve from Indigenous-owned Wildcraft
An olsen + olsen sisal soap bag
A set of organic cotton napkins from Your Green Kitchen
Relax + Renew tea from New Moon Tea Co.
Reusable tea bags from Your Green Kitchen
Win a Winter Box
I have an Essentials Eco Holiday Box to give away (valued at $72)! Here’s how you can enter to win:
The #CHVCatchUp is a monthly series featuring the latest updates and news from Covenant House Vancouver. Miss604 is proud to be the Official Blog Partner of CHV.
10th Anniversary Sleep Out: Executive Edition
One Purpose. One Night. 10 Years of Support.
One a cold November night 10 years ago, Covenant House Vancouver held their first Sleep Out: Executive Edition with a small group of dedicated sleepers. With only a piece of cardboard and a sleeping bag in hand, the group tried to make themselves comfortable, on the frigid and unforgiving pavement. Although very little sleep was had, the impact on the participants was huge. That first Sleep Out sparked a movement dedicated to the idea of ensuring that the vulnerable young people in our community have a safe place to sleep every night.
Now hundreds of people sleep out each year, choosing to give up their beds to raise crucial funds and awareness for youth facing homelessness.
For the 10th Anniversary of Sleep Out: Executive Edition on November 18th, Covenant House Vancouver will provide inspiring online programming during the evening of the event and the morning after. Sleepers can participant from home or in person at predetermined businesses across Vancouver.
If you are downtown on November 18th, be sure to check out BC Place, as it will light up in Covenant House blue to show support for the event.
My personal experience with Sleep Out
I participated in the Covenant House Sleep Out for four years. It was uncomfortable, unnerving, and a long and sleepless night — but that’s the point. It’s all for an amazing cause that I highly encourage you to participate in. Read about my first experience in 2013 here, which kept me coming back to support this cause.
Get involved in Sleep Out: Executive Edition
As many as 40,000 young people in Canada experience homelessness every year. Youth homelessness was a crisis before the pandemic, and it continues to be a growing issue. You can help ensure these young people are not forgotten or ignored.
Sign up for Sleep Out: Executive Edition, commit to raising vital funds, and give up your bed for one night on November 18th, so that youth can sleep in one at Covenant House Vancouver.If sleeping out is not possible, please consider showing your support by donating to Sleep Out: Executive Edition today and your gift will be matched, dollar for dollar, by George and Jordan Melville!
Since 1997, Covenant House Vancouver has been providing love and hope to youth experiencing homelessness. They are the premiere service provider of residential and outreach services for homeless and at-risk youth ages 16 to 24 in Vancouver. Follow Covenant House on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more info.
For many individuals and families, the holidays can be a particularly stressful time. If you wish to give back in a meaningful way this season, or are in need of assistance, we have put together a list of excellent Holiday Hamper and Adopt-A-Family programs available in the Metro Vancouver area.
Holiday Hampers & Adopt-A-Family Programs in Metro Vancouver
Helping a family in need is always a meaningful experience, but helping a family during the holidays changes their entire experience of this time of year.
Surrey Christmas Bureau
Surrey Christmas Bureau
What you provide as a sponsor: As a sponsor, you provide Christmas breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as age appropriate gifts for the family you are matched with. Stockings for each child in the family should also be provided. Sponsors may opt to donate a grocery gift card if they wish.
The Surrey Christmas Bureau Adopt-A-Family (“AAF”) program matches individuals, businesses, and other organizations with a family in need that has children under the age of 18. Each year they seek support from 1,000 sponsors so that every family and child in Surrey can celebrate Christmas.
Sponsors are encouraged to deliver their gifts and hampers while practicing social distancing, similar to last year’s protocols. Delivery should be no later than December 19th 2021, unless otherwise arranged with the family. View the guidelines and complete the sponsor application form or contact the AAF program at (604) 585-9670 to participate.
Stages across the region will once again come alive this season, safely welcoming audiences back for festive performances of all varieties. We’ve got a big list of holiday theatre in Metro Vancouver right here and if you have anything to add, feel free to leave a comment:
Holiday Theatre in Metro Vancouver
Be sure to check the theatre’s website when purchasing your tickets to view their COVID safety protocols.
Location: Gateway Theatre Main Stage (6500 Gilbert Rd, Richmond) or remote
Details: Gateway Theatre is so excited to welcome back viewers for all of your favorite Broadway holiday classics; such as, “Let it Snow”, “Sleigh Ride” and “White Christmas”. A digital video on-demand stream is also available for remote viewers. It is recommended to purchase tickets early, as in-person seating will be limited. If you have any questions please view their FAQ page. Still have questions? Email the box office at boxoffice(at)gatewaytheatre.com or call (604) 270-1812.
Location: Pacific Theatre (1440 W 12th Ave, Vancouver) or remote
Details: Two weeks of magical Christmas songs and stories and a rotating cast of talent you may know. Pacific Theatre is ready to welcome the holiday spirit this December. Check back later in the season for full lineups and a digital recording available for remote viewers.
Holiday festivities kick off this weekend all around the region! There’s a tree lighting in Richmond, the Christmas market in Downtown Vancouver, lights at Bear Creek Park in Surrey, and more as the festive season comes into view. Find these events and more things to do around Metro Vancouver this weekend listed below:
