After the holidays and you take stock of the china, cutlery and crystal glasses used, you might find that you are missing or have broken a part of your set. A hint from me (I count them, the day after a party and if something is missing, someone has to do the dirty task of looking through the garbage bags; Every single time we have found the missing scoundrel there. If you wait til later in the week, the garbage is gone, and these things are expensive to replace – don’t ask how I know).
I recently met the PR Manager from Replacements, LTD whose flyer claims that they have the “World’s Largest Inventory” of old and new china, crystal and silver.

The company was started in 1981 by Bob Page and is not here in Montreal but located in Greensboro, NC. Besides the china, they also collect stoneware, glassware, stainless, and collectibles. The facilities are the size of 7 football fields so there’s room for an inventory of 13 million pieces in more than 300,000 patterns, some over 100 years old! They of course add items to their site daily. They get an incredible amount of calls – up to 10,000 each day. So there’s a lot of people out there who’ve run into the same problem as you. Need cash? – There’s a lot of people selling their sets too.

Phone: 800-737-5223 (REPLACE)
www.replacements.com

It’s not even Christmas but I’m already doing interviews about Boxing Day. Today on the drive home show on CBC, our national radio station, I will be sharing my views on what to expect this year.

Location: CBC radio 88.5 FM
Date and time: Dec 24, 5:40 pm

Perhaps, you’ll be finding yourself with a little bit more of down time over the holidays and would like to unwind with a great movie. Despite the big franchise video rental stores swarming the city, Boite Noir has managed to not only retain its clientele but grow to 4 stores by focusing on classics, foreign movies, art films and of course, the new releases. If it’s hard-to-find DVD’s you want, then this is where you should start.

Locations: 376 Mont Royal est (514-287-1249); 380 Laurier o. (514-277-6979); 42 McGill St., Old Montreal (514-844-8727).
Hours: 11-11

Crescent Auctioneers are clearing out a variety of sports clothing and equipment this week. Golf clubs (Titleist, Nike, Cobra, Callaway), golf bags (Titleist, Ping, Nike, Callaway), Men’s and women’s fashions at 75% off (Lacoste, Greg Norman, Mexx, Fairway, Greene, Hugo Boss, Adidas, Puma, Burberry, Tiger Woods, Nike Golf), footwear (New Balance, Asics, Footjoy, Addidas, Ecco) and New Balance, Asics and Champion exercise wear too.

Besides all that there’s furniture up to 90% off (dining room sets, paintings, area rugs, tables), women’s cashmere coats from $100 and kid’s snowsuits (18 mos.-toddlers) from $12 and hats, scarves and gloves too.

Location: 5085 Jean-Talon Ouest
corner: Mountain Sights
Hours: Regular

Costs for food this holiday week pile up steadily. It is rare that you see a grocery store offering you some money back on your total bill. What a nice treat it is for us then, for Loblaws to be giving a $10 rebate on any purchase of $100 or more from December 20th to December 24th. The ad ran in The Saturday Gazette and has the number PLU 56216 at the bottom of it. It does not say that you need the coupon to receive the rebate.

Located in a private house, this showroom is full of lots of things you can personalize by monogramming – T-shirts, caps, shoe bags, cosmetic bags, towels, baby cushions, napkins, linen guest towels, robes (for the whole family), aprons, teddy bears or something you bring that you’ve bought elsewhere. Here’s a good one: she can also put together a baby basket gift for you.

Tel: 514-695-8647

Astro is a company I include in my Smart Shopping book for its shoemakers’ supplies. When I do research, I go into some stores thinking I’m going to be bored and then wham – they have such cool stuff that I get wowed. Asto has just brought some of their excellent trade products into the mainstream under the Solos label and you can buy them at Jean Coutu pharmacies.
Do you know how those starlets walk around on those high heels all those hours without the pain? The answer is “foot cushions“. These are little clear gel pads that are worn under the ball of the foot which prevents those burning sensations when you dance the night away. The gel cushion line is extended for flip flop wearers and there’s a line for “diabetic feet” (or yours) with gel toe rings, metatarsal cushions, toe separators and bunion protectors.
Next, they’ve come out with Solos self shine cream to zuzz up your shoes for the big night out next week – or – to get your boots back in shape after all this slush and snow. You don’t have to get polish and a sponge, then a cloth to shine and then a spray to finish. Just whip out the applicator from the top, dip into black, brown or neutral and then paint your shoes. Wait a couple of minutes and voila. Don’t forget to tip the shoe shine boy.

Locations: Jean Coutu pharmacies
Tel: 800-663-6345
www.solosfootcare.com

Alexandor Furs A.Giguere opened in 1899 and had been a fixture on the Montreal fur scene ever since. When Sam Yarrow and his wife both passed away recently, the spirit of the shop was gone (not even counting the current economic times re big ticket items), so co-owner, Eliott Shuchat and their heirs decided to shut the doors. Inventory has been bought by Labelle Fourrure, on St. Hubert St. (open since 1910 and still in the family) but there are still goodies up for grabs at the store for up to 75% off on fur, fur-liners, shearling and fur accessories. If you go, there’s free indoor parking.

Location: 2055 Peel
corner:  de Maisonneuve
Tel: 514-288-1119
Hours: Regular plus Sun 12-5

As usual, I’ve gathered together some interesting ideas for gifts for the holidays and will be showing and talking about them on television and radio.
On Thursday, December 18th, I’ll be shooting the breeze for an hour with Tommy Schnurmacher on CJAD 800 AM , from 11 am – 12 noon about last minute gift ideas. You can call in to that show 514-790-0991.

I’m not sure which day it will air, but I’ve filmed a segment for CTV national News at the Mega Bloks warehouse. I was interviewed about saving money on Holiday gifts.

Gift Giving  2008
Le Panier  300 Bord du Lac, Pointe Claire  thepanier.com
1) Wine Out – removes red wine stains from carpets clothing upholstery $11.85 (or smaller version)
2) Sugar dispenser – looks like a salt shaker. Crystal clear acrylic jar with brushed chrome accents – dispenses 1/2 tsp. sugar each time. $18.99
3) Perpetual Vanilla jar – Madagascar vanilla beans in a 5 oz glass bottle makes vanilla extract for years $12.99
4) Moon soup – Astronauts Apollo 15 & 16 ate this mushroom soup – just add water $4.50
5) Onion Goggles – take tears out of cutting $24.99
6) Cook Book Holder – splash cover, chart with measurement conversions $29.99
7) Foot in the Door – playful red or black ladies high heel pump that you put under crack of door to hold it open $9.99
8) Solar radio am/fm wb by solar energy or hand cranking keep one in car or cottage 29.99
9) Head massager $4.99
10) Rectangular tandem umbrella for 2 44X36x24   $24.99 red
11) Ear buds = ear bugs in the shape of lady bugs, pigs, fly  $16.99
12) Hover Hockey Game – plastic puck in soft rubber bumper. Friction free play on any smooth surface. 2 mallets and 2 cardboard goalies $12.99
13) Car costume – reindeer antlers slip into side windows, nose attaches to front grill $19.99
14)  Purse hanger – keep your purse in site in a restaurant, hangs from your table

Ice lantern mold – Fill with water, cavity for candle, repeat many times and light up your walkway $12.99
Candle carver – tool twists into apples, squash pears hole just the right size for a tea candle. Or fill with melted chocolate for a dessert 14.99
Chocolate emergency kit – one-a-day double dipped nuts, solid choc aspirin box, choc bandaids, fruit flavored gummy aids, 19.99
Yak Trax – walkers fit over your shoes or boots for traction. 29.99

Toys
Kidlink 5604 Monkland Ave, N.D.G   514-482-4188

1) ages 8 to adult:  Bladestar by Wow Wee  –  remote control like helicopter (th th th noise). You can control it or set it on automatic and it will fly around. Sensors will stop it from hitting light colored walls or things in the room.  2 kids can play together and have battles in the air. It’s a bit delicate though. $59.99

2) ages 6 & up, 5 & up:  Scoop ‘n Shoot Remote Basketball by Kid Galaxy. Remote controlled.
2 little shoe-like things, 2 remotes. Try to get into basketball hoop. Hole in bottom of shoe. $49.99

3) 5 to adult, others ages 9-15: Art au Numero/Art by Numbers by Djeco France. Best arts & crafts for girls. High quality results- frameable. Comes with 2-sided markers, hard on one side flexible on other – like a brush. Lots of different creative kits: stamp kits, write story kits Excellence awards.

4) Personalized CD:  Name Your Tune. Put kid’s name in computer. Get the name placed in 12 favorite songs like: When You’re Happy and You Know it, Old McDonald, etc. Won couple of awards. Canadian company  $19.99

5) Baby 6 mos. : Follow Me Fred – Colorful dog with a slinky body. It walks and barks. Touch it and it moves ahead. Encourages crawling. $39.99

6) 3 and up: Canadian made (green toy) : Sprig Truck: made of re-cycled wood and re-cycled plastic. Gorgeous to look at. Battery free – kid powered. Light and sound. Toy figures sit in it $64.99

The following were all found in their holiday catalogues:

Deco Decouverte

Homedics Massage Chair 34.99 with heat
Light up ice cubes 3/12.99
6 colorful magnetic shot glasses – bottoms cling to a stainless steel serving tray 6/ 29.99
Cedar closet kit – 5 hangers w. pant bar, 5 w clips, tie rack for 20 ties. belt rack for 8 belts 29.99
4-pod faux leather charging station 19,99 cell phones Mp3 players, gmaes

Pharmaprix

Digital photo key chain 19.99    60 pictures
NHL jersey cushion 19.99
Zamboni withNHL card 7.99

Maxi

Wii fit $99.99
Monopoly Twister Operation Yahtze 14.99

Green

re gifting
2nd hand stores,
antique sales in malls
charity
food: supermarket gift card
gas: gift card
hair salon certificate
make a dinner
restaurant certificate= keep it in your neighborhood alive
coupon for your services – babysitting, shopping

JRC Toy Warehouse is the only place in town I have found that offers amazing deals on toys and it only happens once year so you have to come now, between October and December to take advantage of it. When this toy warehouse opens to the public the deals are up to 70% off. Name brands from Fisher-Price, HannahMontana, Mattel, Hasbro, Bratz, Little Tikes, Cars, High School Musical, Mega Bloks, Vtech, Spiderman, Dora the Explorer, Go Diego Go, Melissa & Doug, Spinmaster, Polly, Step 2 and Barbie have been found. Books are priced from $1 & up, there’s puzzles, crafts, building toys, educational things, baby stuff, plush toys and more.

Location: 5589 Royalmount at Devonshire
Phone 514-342-6979 X 26
Hours: Wed 10 – 5, Thurs & Fri 10 – 8, Sat & Sun 10 – 5
December M – F 10 – 10, Sat & sun 10-5
www.jrctoys.com