Holiday Shopping at the Eaton Centre? Visit the Light the World Giving Machines and Make a Difference

Whether you start your holiday shopping on Black Friday or anytime soon at the Eaton Centre in Toronto, there is one stop you won't want to miss. Now through December 8th you can help out by visiting the Light the World Giving Machines.

With just a few quick taps you can help local and global charities. 100% of all proceeds go directly to the charities and this year the charities involved in Toronto are Covenant House Toronto, Daily Bread Food Bank, Jays Care Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities Toronto, CARE Canada, Right To Play and UNICEF Canada.  Even Drew Barrymore and Travis Kelce approve.

Check out how easy it is to make a difference this year with the help of Light the World Giving Machines at the Eaton Centre.

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A post shared by Giving Machine Toronto (@givingmachinetoronto)

Thanks to The The TARO Group for letting me know about this great initiative!

 

Canadian Tire #CTWishandWin Contest, #TwitterParty And Gift Guides

Canadian Tire is helping everyone get set for the holidays 3 ways this winter! It begins with their Gift Guides, then provides you with the #CTWishandWin Contest which leads to the big Twitter Party! Read more about these items below.

Get Set For Shopping With The Christmas Gift Guides

Wondering what to get that certain someone? Why not purchase something that is of interest to them?!!?
Canadian Tire has created some Christmas Gift Guides for the following categories

• For the Foodie
• For the Do-it-Yourselfer
• For the Toy lover
• For the Auto enthusiast
• For the Connoisseur of Clean

You can see all the suggested items for each interest at

http://www.canadiantire.ca/inspiration/en/seasonal/christmas/gifts-and-toys/christmas-gift-ideas.html 

Oh What Fun It Would Be To Win

To celebrate the holidays, Canadian Tire is giving participants a chance to wish and win anything in the Canadian Tire flyer. Canadian Tire will be giving away at least one prize every hour of the 25 day contest period. The contest runs from November 23rd, 2015 through to December 17th, 2015 and you can enter once per day so wish often!
Check out the http://twubs.com/CTWishandWincontest here: cantire.votenow.tv/

Ready For Some More Holiday Fun?

Bring on the #CTWishandWin Twitter Party!

 

Join us for the #CTWishAndWin Twitter Party.

Twitter Party Details:

http://twubs.com/CTWishandWin
Date: November 30th, 2015
Time: 8:00 p.m. E
Hashtag: #CTWishAndWin
Host: @CanadianTire
NO RSVP
Prizing: 10 x $100 @CanadianTire Gift Cards

Anyone can participate but only Canadians can win prizes, excluding those in the province of Quebec.
Twitter Party rules: www.canadiantire.ca/wishwinrules

 

Plus be sure that you follow ALL of Canadian Tire's Social Feeds so you have the latest info!

 

http://canadiantire.ca
www.twitter.com/canadianTire
https://instagram.com/canadiantire/
http://facebook.com/canadiantire
https://www.youtube.com/canadiantire
http://cantire.votenow.tv/#landing

 

 



#TOMSforTARGET Offers #SeasonsTweetings With #OneForOne - Plus Enter To Win The #TogetherSweater

Terrific TOMS

Being on the Movember KW committee since it's inception we are very aware of the good works done by TOMS. 



So you can guess how excited we were to hear about the #TOMSforTarget initiative to support Canadian families in need.



For each item purchased from TOMS x Target collection from 11.16.2014 – 03.12.2015 in Target Canada stores, Target Canada will be donating funds to The Canadian Red Cross and Food Banks Of Canada. You can read more about it on their TOMS for Target website.

Here are some of the great TOMS items available at Target Canada and you can see just how much of a difference purchasing these items can make.

Buy this #TOMSforTarget women's jacket + provide 1 week of meals to a Canadian in need #SeasonsTweetings pic.twitter.com/9GatggV3Py
— Social Media Women (@shesconnected) December 17, 2014

GET OUT OF BED! Get to your local @Target @TargetCanada + support families in need w/#TOMSforTarget pic.twitter.com/bBrviWTMNE
— Social Media Women (@shesconnected) November 16, 2014

Buy this #TOMSforTarget women's hoodie + give 1 blanket to a Canadian in need. #SeasonsTweetings pic.twitter.com/H7kf8Q9Mfe
— Social Media Women (@shesconnected) December 17, 2014

We think this is a great way to get your Christmas Shopping done while supporting those in need.



As you noticed in our post about the Ross Mathews at Target Canada event, we've been having a lot of fun shopping at Target Canada this holiday season and everywhere we go people ask us about our picture when we donned the TOMS + Target Canada #TogetherSweater

Enter To Win

Yes it was as much fun as it looks and here's your chance to give it a try! Enter for a chance to win the @TOMS + @TargetCanada #TogetherSweater from @ShesConnected! #SeasonsTweetings Everyone!

#WIN a #TOMSforTarget #TogetherSweater for Two #SeasonsTweetings

#SeasonTweetings With Ross Mathews and Target - Media Coverage

Right On Target

Last month we had the opportunity to attend the #TargetRedCardCA event with Sarah Richardson and as you can tell we had a fantastic time!

 

 

for more pics head to our facebook book album

This month we were thrilled that Donna Marie of @ShesConnected

asked us back as her #VIPMom (s) for @TargetCanada 's #SeasonsTweetings event with their brand ambassador Ross Mathews aka @HelloRoss!

Those2Girls Meet Ross Mathews

I've been a big fan of Ross Mathews ever since his days on Jay Leno and as you can see from his interviews in the video below, Ross Mathews has been a long time fan of Target (check it out at the 5 minute mark)!

Setting A Tone For The Season At Target Canada's #SeasonsTweetings

There was so much going! We made sure to cover all facets of the event taking place. 


There were celebrity sightings



Designer of all the best in head-wear Chris March

Christmas Cracker crack ups



Wrapping with a Rapper





Meeting Rapper who happened to be wrapping Kardinal Offishall

and lots of holiday themed activities!

 

 

 

We also had time to chat with the SVP of Target Canada to learn about their experiences over the past couple of years and what we can expect from the company moving forward.

Ross Mathews with the SVP of Target Canada

 

And while we may have been busy covering the event, that didn't stop us from shopping afterwards!  Let's just say that this cardigan came from the shopping portion of the event and when I arrived home I was thrilled to find out that Marsala (wine tone) was announced as Pantone's Colour Of The Year for 2015.  So yes I am already on trend for the new year thanks to Target Canada!

Post by Lisa McDonald.

For more pics from the event be sure to check our our #SeasonsTweetings/ #VIPmom facebook album
#Seasons Tweetings Everyone!
 

Check out all the fun @helloross had kicking off the season at the bullseye. #SeasonsTweetings http://t.co/092kkB039W

— Target Canada (@TargetCanada) December 11, 2014

How To Spend Less And Save More For Christmas

Christmas Is Coming

Just because Christmas is a few months away doesn't mean you should put it out of your mind. When it comes to getting ready for Christmas being prepared is the key!

Start Early

It's never too early to get your Christmas Shopping done! Buying throughout the year makes is less of a burden on the bank account.  It may sound like a strang idea, but a lot of it has to do with the right mindset. 

Tips For Year Round Christmas Shopping

1. It's Better To Give. When you're out and see a great deal, instead of grabbing it for yourself, think if someone on your Christmas list would like it and purchase it for them instead. You'll still have the thrill of the good buy but you'll also be chipping away at your To-Do list at discount rate!
2. Hit The Clearance Area. Right now a lot of beach items will be on sale, but what child wouldn't want their favourite character beach towel to use as a bath towel year round? Perhaps you have people on your list that travel to tropical destinations over the winter. They would find a lot of summer themed items useful for their trip. 
3. Grab The Seasonal Deals. With this being the back to school time of year, use that to your advantage. It's a great time for deals on electronics, stationary supplies and dorm-room decorative items.
4. Pay With Your Points.  If you have points racked up on a card use it for gift purchases. Store point cards get you everything from fancy perfumes to laptop computers.

Now the bulk of your shopping is done but it's still a good idea to have some extra cash around for those last minute co-worker, secret Santa and/or hostess gifts ready. It's time to prepare for that too!

Get Out Your Piggie Bank

Today is September 2nd which means Christmas is 113 days away (give or take a few hours). If you skip your coffee run and put away a toonie a day, you'll have $226 saved up to help with the last minute shopping!

Living Frugal - Be Realistic

Tips For Saving Money In Canada

This post was inspired by an inquiry on the Bargain Hunting Momma Facebook Group.  Also make sure to check out my friend Jennifer's Bargain Hunting Momma blog for great info!

As you know we've been posting about Low Cost And Free Events in the Kitchener Waterloo Area here on the Stuff To Do With Your Kids In Kitchener Waterloo blog since 2009.  The blog came from our need to take each of our kids to events that didn't have us breaking the bank.

We would run into people that would say "Hey I didn't see you at the Firefighter Open House (or insert family friendly event here).  Our response was "Had we known about it we would have been there" We found many other parents felt the same way and so this blog and facebook group was born.

Beyond events we are pretty proud of how frugal we are.  Here are some ways we save and can help you on your saving journey as well.

The DOs and DON'Ts of Saving Money

1. Visit our Online Coupons For Canadians Pinterest board
2. Watch Gail Vaz Oxlade's Til Debt Do Us Part. You can learn a lot from this show.
3. Don't buy something just because it's on sale. If you don't need it right now, save up for when you can actually afford it.
4. Don't use your credit cards for shopping. Only use them for car repair emergencies, parking lot machines and reserving hotels (but let the booking agent know you will be paying cash for your stay)
5. Read the post on how to Save Money On Cell Phone, Home Phone, TV and Internet
6. Pay extra funds to your mortage (also fall under #2), imagine how much extra money you'll have a month if once your mortage is paid off
7. Don't buy a big house. A big house means more electricty to light, higher heating bills, more grass to cut etc
8. Always have a full meal at home before you head out. Places like movie theatres expect you to buy large snacks to get you through the next few hours. If you have just had a meal, there is a good chance you won't need all that extra stuff. Check out this blog post for more ways to save money at the movie theatre
9. If you have a spot for a garden, start a garden. My friend Jane knows a lot about urban gardens, so be sure to check out her Fresh Endeavours Facebook Page. 
10. Find ways to use what you have grown like this one coming up at the Kitchener Market Bernardin canning: Thursday, Apr. 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Looking for a way to store your produce longer, or to transform it into a useful preserve? The second part of our Bernardin Canning workshop, water bath canning, is a technique that can be used on your vegetables, fruits, jams, jellies, and pickles. * This class costs $2 email
11. Enter online contests to for free stuff!
12. Price match! Unlike the USA we don't have double coupon days, but we have price matching!
13. Extra savings if you price match and have a coupon to apply to the savings
14. Staycation! Find lots of Stuff To Do in your area! Finding low cost events in your area will also save you on gas (and possibly parking)
15. Be environmentally friendly by re-using items
16. ?????????

What is your idea for #16? Leave your money-saving tip in the comments!!! We want to know how you live frugal too!