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Are you taking possession of your new UBC area home smack in the middle of the Holiday season? While moving into your new home is certainly an exciting time, doing so in December while your friends, extended family, coworkers, and associates are enjoying all that the Holidays have to offer can be envy inducing. However just because you are "in transition" it does not mean that you have to skip out on the festive feeling of Christmas and the arrival of the New Year. In today's UBC Homes blog I am providing five easy to follow tips that will help get you through your move-in while keeping your household's seasonal spirit bright.


Festive Tips to Moving into Your UBC Home During the Holidays


1. Don't Skip the Decor


I know you're only going to be in your new home for a few remaining days of the Holiday season but that's no reason to rob yourself and your family of the fun of decorating - even if it only remains up for a week or two. Skip the small ornate decor and think big instead. A few well placed large decoration pieces (pre-lit artificial tree, lawn-staked characters, wreaths on each door, and twinkling lights) will do the job just fine. Make decorating the first thing you do as soon as you grab your keys so that when your family and friends arrive to help with the move they will be walking into a impromptu Holiday wonderland.


2. Stock Up on Moving Day Holiday Beverages & Treats


A cooler full of Coronas won't cut it to refresh friends and family helping with the move in the winter month of December. Reward them, and yourself, for the efforts with piping hot chocolate, egg nog lattes, warm apple cider, and a plate of cookies scrumptious enough to satisfy St. Nick on Christmas Eve. You'll find that your helpers will stick around the "job" longer when refreshed with Holiday beverages and treats. Consider a post-move dinner together to serve as both a "thank-you" and a seasonal housewarming party at the same time.


3. Pencil-In a Strict Schedule of Fun Holiday Affairs to Attend


How can "strict" and "fun" find themselves in the same title? I suggest to keep the event schedule strict because when we are in the middle of a hectic life transition such as a move, we need to literally force ourselves to take a breather. Pre-purchase tickets to any of the amazing Holiday affairs near UBC within Greater Vancouver so that you and your family ensure to take a "time-out" together amidst the bustle of the move to enjoy the season. Revisit my UBC Realtor Christmas Event Recommendations article from earlier this month to choose one or two (all?!) that suit your household. 


4. Seek Professional Help


I'm not referring to the "professional help" that many may feel they need during this hectic and emotional time of the year (although you may...). Instead I refer to allowing yourself the treat of securing a professional moving & storage company to take care of the daunting packing, storing, relocating, and unpacking from old home to new. That way you can kick back with those aforementioned friends, extended family, coworkers, and associates and soak up the season without skipping out of the fun.


If you have not yet found your new home in the UBC area but are indeed looking for the ultimate Christmas present for your family that will keep on giving for generations to come, then feel free to contact my UBC real estate office anytime.

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It's that time of the year again. One look at the glistening fronts of cafes, shops, and condos near UBC and you can see it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. While the likes of the university area's Wesbrook Village and the strip of West 10th offer much to warm the Holiday spirit residents will flock all over Greater Vancouver to enjoy all that this month of December has to offer. Sure, many of the households in the local community on the hill already have their favorite events and activities that they attend on an annual basis but many of you are new to town. For those of you that have indeed just moved into the area I am using this week's UBC Realtor blog to introduce the Best Holiday Events in Vancouver:

 

Vancouver Christmas Market

 

At some point this month you will be joining the downtown crowds to go shopping, catch a movie, grab dinner, or partake in some other festivity - when doing so, be sure to pencil in a visit to the Vancouver Christmas Market. This market located in the lot beside Queen Elizabeth Theatre has only been around for four years but has fast become one of the most popular Holiday affairs in town. Themed after the world famous German markets overseas, attendees can expect a delightful overflowing of warm mulled wine, hot chocolate, German pastries, bratwurst on buns, handmade ornaments, traditional caroling, and more. The highlight for kids is the beautiful carousel on site that draws lines of rosy cheeked faces waiting patiently (ok, not so much) to take a spin. For more information on the Vancouver Christmas Market click here.

 

Bright Nights at Stanley Park

 

Bright Nights is likely the most traditional Holiday event in Greater Vancouver for families. This worthwhile annual event (proceeds go towards the BC Firefighters Burn Fund) is a must-visit attraction in December and the lines speak to its popularity (arrive early and dress warm!). The trees and icy ponds surrounding the Stanley Park train are lit all a glow as the train choo-choos along the mini-track to the delight of passengers. Others (averse to long lines) simply opt to stroll the grounds with hands cupping hot chocolate while enjoying the multitude of Christmas lights that accent every nook and cranny of this special section of Stanley Park. For more information on Bright Nights you can visit their website.

 

Festival of Lights at Van Dusen Gardens

 

The botanical gardens of Van Dusen become more magical than ever in December as the Festival of Lights makes its annual visit. The scene is amazing as the winding paths present thousands upon thousands of twinkling and sparkling lights. They (the lights) even dance as the hidden sound system near the garden's pond blasts wondrous carols and holiday tunes igniting an interactive light show that moves with the music. The recent addition to the Van Dusen Garden’s building offers attendees the option to duck inside for warmth and refreshments and a chance to grab presents and stocking stuffers for loved ones from the gift shop. For those that want to make a whole evening out of this seasonal affair, dinner at the on-site Shaughnessy Restaurant is the perfect way to begin or end your visit to the Festival of Lights. For more information on this Holiday event visit the website here.

 

Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge

 

Capilano Suspension Bridge is already one of the most popular attractions in Greater Vancouver but when you factor in lights to line the swaying bridge, cliff walk, and dot the hanging branches and tree tops of the rainforest you take things to a whole other level. With retail, eateries, and interactive exhibits to add to the night Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge comes highly recommended to entertain everyone in your household. For more information on Canyon Lights you can visit their website.

 

Grouse Mountain Peak of Christmas

 

For the ultimate, yet convenient (for those in the Lower Mainland), North Pole experience the Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain is the best place to visit this December. It will only take you about 30 minutes to get from your UBC home to the base of Grouse Mountain where the gondola will transport you to a winter wonderland. Even if you are not into snowboarding or skiing, the month long affair offers outdoor ice skating, authentic sleigh rides, reindeer petting, snowman making, and of course a visit with ol’ St. Nick himself inside of Santa’s Workshop. Visit their website for information and tickets to Grouse Mountain Peak of Christmas.

 

I hope this article helps spread the cheer for you and your UBC household this Holiday season. For any information about UBC real estate please feel free to contact my UBC Realtor office anytime.

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