The following has been contributed by Steffani Cameron, who recently completed a 4-year worldwide adventure that she chronicled at FullNomad.com.
Holiday Meal Kits From Vancouver Restaurants
Lights are up, decorations abound, but it’s feeling a lot like a very strange Christmas indeed. Events are on hold, big gatherings are off, but there’s one way we can all celebrate and enjoy ourselves – with all the tasty things. Food has always been at the heart of an enjoyable Christmas, and it still is.
With the BC government announcing the release of a stimulus cheque this month, one great way you can enjoy life while helping others is by supporting BC eateries and tastemakers.
Prepared meals and takeout dishes are keeping restaurants alive in one of the hardest years BC’s food industry has ever faced, and here at Miss604.com, we’re grateful for all the joy they’ve provided us over the years. Here are just a few of this season’s great options for supporting local joints, but this list barely scratches the surface of those providing tasty, wonderful things this holiday season.
Vancouver Eateries
Mm, Turkey:Homer Street Café and Bar has a three-course dinner for two for $85 ($42.50 pp). This classic turkey dinner starts with butternut squash velouté and ends with seasonal shortbread and molasses cookies. The turkey dinner is traditional with mashed spuds, stuffing, roasted sprouts, honey-glazed carrots, and country-style giblet gravy. But hey, don’t forget they have tasty weekend brunches and mimosa kits, all available for take-home noshing too.
This season, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Vancouver Airport is bringing Christmas cheer safely to all Vancouverites. For the fifth year in a row, the centre is sprinkled with joy and Instagrammable magic as visitors experience an open-air outdoor wonderland while they shop safely.
Christmas Comes to McArthurGlen
Where:McArthurGlen (1000-7899 Templeton Station Rd, Richmond)
McArthurGlen Vancouver is home to over 80 of the most sought-after designer brands, ranging from Burberry, Tory Burch and Michael Kors to Adidas, Nike and Calvin Klein. This vibrant outdoor shopping destination offers fashion-loving customers year-round savings up to 70% less.
Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the centre and face masks or face coverings are mandatory.
From the 52-foot tall tree, to giant bobbles, the centre has everything you need for a socially distant and safe holiday photo, whether you choose to arrive during the day or during quieter times in the early morning or evenings Tuesday through Thursday.
To satisfy your sweet tooth while you shop, The Praguery and Hugo’s Churro’s have crafted unique holiday treats exclusively for the month of December.
All McArthurGlen guests are encouraged to drop off a non-perishable food item to donate to the Richmond Food Bank when they pass by guest services. All donations will be collected weekly and will be accepted until December 31, 2020.
Click below to share an entry on Twitter (1 entry)
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a $100 to shop @McArthurGlenVan http://ow.ly/7Cee50CHoac” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, December 15, 2020. The winner will be able to pick up their gift card on site. UPDATE The winner is Yasmin!
Provincial Health Orders have been extended in BC, which include restrictions on social gatherings, however drive through Christmas events are allowed to go ahead. With your household, you can drive-in, by or through these pop-up attractions this season:
PNE WinterLights When: Extended until January 3, 2021. Additional dates go on sale at 10:00am, Wednesday, December 16. Limited additional tickets to other dates will be released as well. Where: PNE Gate 9 – east of Playland, off Bridgeway Street Tickets:Available online now About: Buckle up for this safe, holiday experience that you can enjoy with your family from the warmth of your car along a two-kilometre route. You will be transported through nine enchanted lands filled with glowing lights in your mission to discover Santa, with special characters and festive performers to help you along your way.
Maan Farms The Grinchmas Drive-Thru When: December 18-20, 2020 Where: Maan Farms (790 McKenzie Rd, Abbotsford) Tickets: $11/person book online now About: Feel safe bringing your loved ones to indulge in some festive food and fun with The Grinch from the comfort of your vehicle. Drive up with the whole family and enjoy either a Chocolate Berry Crepe or Grinch Ice-Cream and add-on gifts. The Grinch and his helpers will bring you your Breakfast in a safe way. Visitors must remain in their vehicle at all times.
Granville Island Festive Lights When: Until January 3, 2021 Where: Granville Island Tickets: None needed About: Enter on Anderson Street under the iconic Granville Island neon sign. Keep to the right to take in the lights. To your left is the canopy of lights connecting Cartwright Street to Railspur Alley along a pedestrian alleyway. Continue to follow the road to the right and on to the east end of the “Island” – keep your eyes to the right for a new shopping area strung with festoon lighting. Performance Works Theatre is all aglow and the trees in Ron Basford Park are hung with musical notes. Follow the road as it curves past the Granville Island Hotel, and look up to the vintage yellow crane strung with lights. Follow the road for all of these sights and more.
Home Christmas Lights Check out this interactive map of homes around the Lower Mainland that are inviting visitors to drive by to look at their light displays.
When I was young we love piling into the car and going to look at all the Christmas lights in New Westminster’s heritage neighbourhood near Queen’s Park. Afterwards we’d get White Spot car-hop hot chocolate and snacks. While we can’t have big events and gatherings, there is some solace in reliving these memories on four wheels.
Thanks to Honda Canada for powering some of my local adventures and errands this year. Special shout out to the Honda CR-V, my favourite of the fleet (I know, we shouldn’t have favourites), with its comfort, pick-up, tech trimmings, all the driver-assist Honda features we love. Perfect for our family of two plus luggage, snowboards, groceries, Ikea hauls and more.
Megaphone Magazine’s December 2020 Edition is officially on the streets of Vancouver and Victoria. This edition includes a special treat for all customers – two sheets of wrapping paper designed by Megaphone’s low-income vendors.
Wrapping Paper in Megaphone’s December Issue
This year, Megaphone highlights nine vendors in its December issue, pairing portraits with the diverse stories of the fine folks who sell Megaphone products. This edition of Megaphone magazine also includes two vendor-designed sheets of wrapping paper, both inspired by the beautiful west-coast.
One wrapping paper is designed by Megaphone’s long-time vendor Stephen Scott. Known for his colourful sales display on the corner of Davie and Thurlow, Stephen is a fixture of the West End community.
Stephen came to Vancouver in 1994 for a fresh start after surviving two life-threatening accidents and a major health scare. He’s also overcome homelessness and a battle with substance use. Today Stephen is one of the more outgoing members of the Megaphone team, appreciated for his sunny personality and willingness to mentor other vendors.
Vendor Louise Boileven is the artist behind the other winning wrapping paper design. Louise is a born-and-raised Vancouverite who grew up in Kitsilano. Today she is an active advocate for women. For more than a decade, she has been involved in outreach work at WISH Drop-In Centre.
When it comes to Megaphone, Louise says that in addition to allowing her to earn extra money by selling publications, there are social benefits to being a vendor. “I like the concept of support. It’s helping me get out there,” she says. “I like that it’s an interactive job.”
About Megaphone
Megaphone is a non-profit organization that publishes an award-winning monthly magazine sold by 175 low-income vendors in Vancouver and Victoria. Vendors buy each magazine for 75 cents and sell it for $2, keeping the profit. By selling Megaphone, people experiencing poverty, homelessness or health challenges can earn income through meaningful, dignified work.
Since shifting part of its sales model online this March, Megaphone has put more than $19,000 into the pockets of its team of vendors in online sales, helping them purchase essentials such as healthy groceries and COVID-19 cleaning supplies.
How to Purchase
Customers can purchase the special edition of Megaphone now from a vendor near them, and utilize the Megaphone app to make cashless payments. All vendors are equipped with PPE and hand sanitizer to keep themselves and their customers safe.
Customers can also purchase a digital edition of the magazine from Megaphone’s online store and can choose to name a vendor to direct the sales to. If not specified, the sales will be split between all active vendors.
The holidays usually mean good times and good food with great people, and while we can’t be together this year, you can still enjoy some good eats! Meinhardt Fine Foods has amped up their gift box offerings this year, packing these parcels full of sweet treats, savoury bites, and holiday cheer.
Best of the West Gift Box from Meinhardt Fine Foods
Meinhardt Fine Foods Gift Boxes
Meinhardt takes great care with local delivery of their beautifully wrapped “open-style” gift boxes and the products are carefully chosen for their individuality and gourmet appeal. Whether you choose a standard box or a wooden crate, you’ll find your gift is both stylish and reflective of the quality of the products contained within.
Holiday Meals from Meinhardt
This year Meinhardt Fine Foods is offering three-course holiday meals for two or four people. Enjoy a refreshing appetizer, turkey, ham, or vegetarian pasta with all their favourite sides, and a delicious dessert. Their chefs have put together a gourmet menu with traditional holiday favourites.
Stay tuned to the Meinhardt Instagram account for details about Holiday Meal giveaways for individuals and families in need.
In-Store Holiday Items
Both locations (South Granville and Pacific Centre) are packed with holiday items that make for perfect stocking stuffers or gifts for foodies.
Meinhardt Fine Foods carries one of Vancouver’s largest selections of authentic Italian Panettone, with many different flavours, shapes, and sizes at both locations. Some of the more unique flavours include tiramisu, pistachio, and chocolate brownie. They also have a wide selection of other seasonal products such as cookies, chocolates, specialty teas and coffee, Sugarfina holiday bento boxes, German spice cookies, stollen, and so much more.
Meinhardt Fine Foods was established in the South Granville community by Linda Meinhardt in 1996, quickly earning recognition for culinary excellence as Western Canada’s first gourmet grocery store of its kind.
Win a Gift Box
I have one of Meinhardt’s Best of the West Gift Boxes to give away (value $125). It’s loaded with:
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 9:00am on Monday, December 14, 2020. Winner’s delivery address must be within Metro Vancouver. UPDATE the winner is hanastoer!
