Easter Fun

As you know, the first long weekend in many, many months is approaching. Many companies not only observe Good Friday as a holiday, they also give employees the following “Easter Monday” off as well. So, if you’re looking for some events for the family to enjoy, we have a few suggestions:

•  Van Dusen Gardens is co-hosting its Great A-Mazing Egg Hunt in its Elizabethan Hedge Maze with Purdy’s Chocolates (who’ll be providing the chocolate eggs, of course) on April 3 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Festivities include decorating an “egg bag” and other seasonal crafts, plus visits with Van Dusen’s Mr. Bunny and the Purdy’s Chocolates ambassador, Philbert the Hedgehog. And you could pack a picnic lunch to enjoy across the street at Queen Elizabeth Park if you haven’t filled up on chocolate Easter eggs.

•  Take a ride on the Miniature Railway in Stanley Park, followed by a picnic lunch at one of the many picnic areas in the park. The train will be running from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm daily for Easter weekend, regardless of weather.

•  The Roundhouse in Yaletown is hosting an Easter egg hunt in three sessions: one for 1-3 year olds from 9:30 to 10:45 am; one for 1-5 year olds from 11:15 am to 12:30 pm; and one for 4-9 year olds from 1:00 – 2:15 pm on Saturday April 7. Tickets are $5.00 per child. Then, have a picnic and play one the swings in beautiful David Lam park overlooking False Creek afterwards.

•  Hunt for eggs in the forest and meet some baby animals at the Surrey Nature Centre in Green Timber Park in South Surrey from 10:00 am. to 1:00 pm on April 3rd. Enjoy egg-themed games, crafts and treats. And the picnic area in Green Timber Park is just a 20 minute walk from the Nature Centre (but please don’t feed the wildlife – keep them safe by not encouraging them to approach humans!).

Have you noticed a thread running through these listings? Hope springs eternal in Vancouver, so I’m hoping that the Easter weekend brings a reprise of the glorious, sunny weekend we had March 24-25. If you’re planning an outing with family and friends over the long Easter weekend, check out the picnic baskets we offer at Green ‘n Green. You’ll find a basket to fit your budget, your lifestyle, and your storage space – from collapsible picnic baskets for two, to traditional wicker or wheeled picnic sets for four, to a collapsible party tub for your canned drinks.

Collapsible Party Tub Cooler

Cheshire Picnic Basket $245.00

Aspen Grove Picnic Backpack $135.00

Central Park Picnic Basket $119.00

The Movable Feast - Picnic Backpack $151.00

Visit http://www.venturevancouver.com/blog/easter-weekend-activities-in-the-lower-mainland for more Easter activities. And please remember – pack it in, pack it out – whether you’re at your local park or hiking in the woods. Enjoy your Easter!

It’s that time of the year again and the wedding season is in full gear. The period from end-May till September sees more weddings than any other period in the year. You’ve probably been invited to at least one so far, or know that you will be attending one this year.

Unless you’re the bride or groom, most of us face these weddings with much trepidation. Often we spend much time wondering what gift to get the couple. And this year, many of us will be wondering how we can fit the cost of attending a wedding – paying for the gift, a new outfit, air ticket & accommodation – into our budget.

Weddings can be fun to attend. Lighten the stress with our wedding season survival tips this month. We show you how best to pick the perfect gift and not commit any wedding gift faux pas.

Have fun and cheers to all!

Sincerely,

Silver Plated Salad Servers $100.00 Silver plated salad servers with native design.

5 Wedding Gift Survival Tips

I’ve just been invited to a wedding. What should I buy for a wedding gift? How much should I spend? This month we bring you 5 tips on surviving the wedding season.

1. Spend, don’t skimp.

The rule of thumb is to base the cost of the gift on your relationship with the couple, bride or groom. For co-workers, distant relatives or friends, you can get away with a gift costing between $50-$75. If the couple is a relative or good friend, spend in the region of around $75-$100. If the bride and/or groom is a best friend, close relative, or sibling, budget for something worth at least $100 to $150.

Parksvile Deluxe Picnic Cooler $199.00 Upscale, insulated picnic cooler. Waterproof, divided cooler compartment allows for drinks to be kept on ice, while food stays cool and dry.

2. Get a group gift.

What if you’re willing to spend, but cannot afford the high price tag of a big-impact gift? Pool your friends together and get a group gift. This way, you can make a statement without breaking the bank. That high-end espresso machine or beautiful crystal bowl may be well within your reach!

3. Stick to the registry.

If the couple has bothered to set up a registry at a store or website, then stick to it and get them what they want. It’ll also make life easier for you. The gift from the registry need not be boring. You can get creative with the packaging, or make it memorable by personalizing it.

4. Don’t get caught up with fads.

While they might seem boring, classic registry gifts should be filled first. The wedding couple will need those measuring spoons as much as the latest kitchen gizmo. Don’t buy Japanese bamboo place settings and dinnerware if you know the couple is not into Japanese cuisine. Make it fun – buy six basic kitchen utensils and throw in a cookbook from their favorite restaurant or chef.

5. Never re-gift.

What’s tacky is re-gifting. The recipient will be offended if they find out how cheap you’ve been on their special day. But if you must re-gift, then make sure you do it carefully. Remember to update the wrapping, remove old gift tags, and check that the gift was not something given to you by either the bride or groom. Re-gifts must still be new, never been used and useful to the couple.

Don’t leave your shopping for the wedding gift to the last minute. You could face slim pickings as many registries fill quickly. And we all know that shopping at the last minute can be stressful and often leaves us stranded with something we regret buying later on.

And always remember: you can count on Green & Green for great gift ideas. We have a wonderful array of specially selected gifts that would be perfect for the couple, bridesmaids or any member of the wedding party. Forget about gifts with no personality and call us today!

Dualit Toaster $299.00Dualit toasters are recognized as the best in the world! For over fifty years, Dualit toasters have reflected an attitude that’s fundamentally British. Dualit toasters can turn out hundreds of crisp, golden slices per hour. They are gleaming, sturdy and tough as old boots. And as much a part of British life as toast itself.

Vintage Glass Collection – Bowl $65.00 This vintage glass collection is a 70′s inspired glass vase that is uniquely individual in shape. Hand blown gass so no two are exactly alike.