Dear Santa,

My oh my, it certainly has been an interesting and challenging year, with the COVID-19 pandemic impacting almost every part of our lives.

For many, this is the time of year for decorating the tree, hanging stockings, baking delicious goodies and, finally, climbing a ladder to the roof to complete the most frustrating (and, perhaps, dangerous) holiday task: putting up outdoor lights.

Regardless of your thoughts on how soon is too soon for setup, hanging Christmas lights remains one of the most inconvenient tasks in a homeowner's holiday checklist. However, in recent years, permanent outdoor smart lights have been surging in popularity. These lights, controlled via smartphone apps and installed by professionals, can significantly outlast standard holiday lights and provide more versatility for use in all seasons.

Dear Santa,

It's me again. You know, that real estate geek who wants to know everything there is to know about the industry.

The holiday season gives most people the feels – "most" being the operative word. It's important to keep this in mind when selling your home during the festive season. It's easy to go overboard. (If you're not sure what we mean, watch the notorious house-lighting scene from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation for a reminder.)

An open house is a great opportunity to welcome eager homebuyers and show off your home in all its warm, wonderful glory. Here are some tips to stage your home for a sale, while keeping it tasteful:

Inn from the Cold reports consistent number of bed stays to 2015

A haven of hope – that's how many guests at Inn from the Cold describe Alberta's only barrier-free shelter exclusively for families, which continues to see capacity-like numbers leading into one of its busiest times of the year.

"One of the things we're doing here is restoring dignity," said director of donor relations Janeen Webb.

In the face of Alberta's ongoing economic downturn, Inn from the Cold has reported about 30,000 bed stays so far in 2016. Webb said that's consistent with 2015 when the organization saw almost 40,000 stays by year's end.

How eco-therapy can warm the soul during the holidays

Whether you believe in gift giving or not this is the time of year to be thankful for your garden and for nature. And the physical benefits gained aren't limited to things we have to buy.
Here is a seasonal selection of garden gifts to ponder:

Winter

Chelsie was at the landfill in late November when she noticed someone else had left large birch branches behind. Knowing these could be striking additions to her seasonal garden containers, she swapped out her waste for someone else's, and happily left with a few striking white branches. Later, she included them in her seasonal outdoor pots and planters.

Real estate industry steps up to help Calgarians in need

The holiday season is here, and, for many people, that means food, family, Christmas lights, a visit from Santa and piles of presents under the tree.

But not everyone is so lucky, especially given Alberta's tough economy.

That's why many real estate professionals are stepping up their volunteer efforts this year to put some joy into the lives of their fellow Albertans.

Bring nature indoors for low-cost decorating this season

Michelena Bamford loves the scent of natural evergreens such as junipers, pines, blue spruce, white spruce and cedars in her home.

But the owner of Calgary-based Rocky Mountain Wreaths doesn't limit herself to greens. She also gathers local dogwood, birch and wolfwillow twigs to add to her work. Combined, she says it brings nature into her home and brightens up the dark days of December.

"Different plants that we appreciate at different times of year are really important to me," said Bamford.

How to get the sell and still be festive

With the holidays hot on their heels, homeowners will have plenty of opportunities over the next couple of months to indulge in outdoor decorations that range from the gruesome and garish to the feel-good and festive.

Yet housing experts still urge homeowners to keep curb appeal in mind when it comes to going over-the-top this Halloween and Christmas.