Living

Looking to buy for the B.C. wine lover in your life? Here’s a clutch of interesting but not-that-hard-to-find wines that individually and collectively show just how much the bar has been raised in the last few years.

Pierre Gruget, Sarah Taylor and Albert Lo are among those who will be selling their wares at the Holiday Artisan Festival, Saturday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Gleneagles Community Centre, 6262 Marine Dr., West Vancouver.

It is a product that is long overdue but finally there is a place for men to keep things where they belong. Local company 2UNDR has designed the ultimate pair of men's underwear.

Open Houses Crystal Connections Jewelry will hold Christmas open houses on Dec. 5, 6 and 7 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 4561 Prime Pl., North Vancouver. Designer Margot J. Leviton will be selling her healing stone jewelry. crystal-connections.myshopify.

There are many names for those cosy knit hats that are so ubiquitous this time of year - the beanie, the stocking cap, the bobble hat, or the distinctively Canadian toque. Some are slouchy, others are snug. Some are wool, some are synthetic.

After a long season of gardening it's time to take a break and focus on finding some gifts for that special gardener in your life. Before I give some suggestions for Christmas gifts for gardeners, here are a few gifts not to buy, for anyone, ever.

It's always nice to make a different kind of wreath every year for the holiday season. Over the past years I have made many traditional evergreen wreaths, ones with colourful baubles and some very modern feather ones.

Windows are a long-term investment in a home and need to be chosen wisely for both appearance and quality. Many poorer quality windows look good at first but their value is fleeting and only skin deep.

One of the real treats of winter on the North Shore for lovers of wild birds is our fine diversity of beautiful finches. They add so much to cool winter days with their lively voices and lovely colours.