Polar Bear Swim

If you are looking for a unique way to celebrate New Year in Canada, it doesn't get cooler than this. The annual Polar Bear Swim is a tradition across Canada. Canadians all all ages celebrate the new year by refreshing their body and mind in the ocean, river or lake. In Vancouver this takes place at English Bay.

The Vancouver Polar Bear Swim Club is one of the largest and oldest Polar Bear Clubs in the world. Its initial swim was in 1920 when a small number of strong swimmers took the plunge into English Bay on New Year's Day. Led by their founder, Peter Pantages, the swim has grown from around 10 swimmers in that year to the record number of 2,128 swimmers in 2000.

Today, the swim takes place at 2:30pm on the first day of each new year. Costumes and the Peter Pantages Memorial 100 yard swim race are the highlights of this event.

To be a club member you must register before the swim -- it's free. Registration takes place in front of the English Bay Bathhouse from 12:30pm - 2:30pm each New Year's Day. You may also register by clipping out the coupon in The Province and presenting it at the registration desk the day of the swim. Prizes are drawn from all registrations.

Ready, set, SHOP!

December 26th is Boxing Day, a holiday in Canada and the day after Christmas, when everything imaginable goes on sale, making it the most notorious shopping day of the year.

Expectant Boxing Day shoppers have been known to form lines early in the morning or late into the night (even though most sales will continue through the week), so wherever you go, be prepared for the crowds.

Here are a few tips.

1. Do research before you shop. Compare prices online before you shop to be sure you’re getting the most for your money.

2. Find the best deals. Retailers everywhere want to clear out their stock and you could find big savings on cameras to capture those holiday memories from Henry’s. Save big from clothing retailers such as Old Navy and Sears. Grocery stores want to sell off Christmas items so you’ll likely discover delicious deals for your New Year’s Eve party.

3. Prioritize your purchases. Determine your "must-have” items and plan to visit those stores first so you won’t be disappointed. And remember, a deal is only a deal if you really need the item, so shop with care and don’t be tempted by the low prices.

4. Set clear goals. To make the most of Boxing Day shopping, planning is important. Make your list, set your budget and determine how much time you will spend at the malls and stores.

5. Shop smart. Wear comfortable shoes, leave the heavy coats in the trunk of your car and bring snacks and drinks so you don’t waste time and money purchasing them at the mall.

6. Be patient. Boxing Day shopping can be even more hectic than last-minute Christmas shopping, so just relax and accept the fact that stores will be busy and the line-ups long.

7. Stay home and shop online. If the post-Christmas mall madness is more than you can manage, remember that many online retailers offer Boxing Day deals too. You can avoid the shopping chaos and take advantage of savings online.

Boxing Day's biggest deals will be found at the larger, name-brand stores, making it a good day to shop for electronics, appliances, furniture, designer clothes and accessories, and toys.

For downtown Vancouver shopping, both Robson Street and Pacific Centre Mall will be packed with deals--and other shoppers. Luxury retailer Holt Renfrew is a great place to shop for designer apparel: it's always pricey, but sales there lead to fabulous finds!

For mall shopping, you can't beat the behemoth Metropolis at Metrotown. With 450 stores, Metrotown is BC's largest mall, and it has its own SkyTrain stop for getting there car-free.

Enjoy!!

What should we do for Christmas?

Christmas is here. From all the staff at ULC we wish you a merry Christmas. For some of you, this is first time to spend Christmas abroad. You might feel lonely or even homesick, but don't waste this season feeling down. There are too many interesting things to see and do. Here is a great list of how to enjoy the holiday season.

Ongoing through December 24
Grouse Mountain - The Peak of Christmas
What: Grouse Mountain celebrates the holidays with a month of family fun: live entertainment, real reindeer, breakfasts with Santa, free ice skating, and more.
Where: Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver
Cost: See site for details

Ongoing through January 2
Bright Nights at Stanley Park
What: Stanley Park's Bright Nights is an annual Vancouver holiday tradition where over a million twinkly lights transform the forest into a winter wonderland.
Where: Miniature Train and Children's Farmyard, Stanley Park, Vancouver
Cost: $9; $6 for seniors & kids 2-18

Ongoing through January 3
Magic of the North at Vancouver Aquarium
What: Vancouver Aquarium celebrates the season with a special exhibit on Canada's Arctic Ocean, Scuba Santa, a Christmas Tree switched on by their electric eel, and much more!
Where: Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver
Cost: $21; $16 for seniors & students; $13 for kids 4 - 12; free for children 3 and under

Saturdays & Sundays through December 25
Christmas in Kerrisdale
What: Kerrisdale’s shopping district gets in the Christmas spirit on Saturdays, with Christmas decorations galore, free horse & carriage rides, roving quartets, and visits from Santa and his elf.
Where: West 41st Ave, between Larch St. & Maple St., Vancouver
Cost: Free

Friday, December 3 - Sunday, January 2,
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
What: Every year, the Capilano Suspension Bridge transforms into a celebration of light for the holidays, with live music, kids activities, and more.
Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge, 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver
Cost: $15 for adults; $5 for kids

Saturday, December 4 – Sunday, January 2
White Christmas, The Musical
What: The Arts Club Theatre Company’s holiday offering is a stage version of Irving Berlin's famous film, perfect for kids and adults alike.
Where: Stanley Theatre, 2750 Granville St., Vancouver
Cost: $25 - $74

Friday, December 10 - Sunday, January 2
VanDusen Botanical Gardens' Festival of Lights
What: The gorgeous VanDusen gardens turn festive with elaborate light decorations, a Candy Cane Tree, Gingerbread Walk and much more.
Where: VanDusen Botanical Gardens, 5251 Oak St., Vancouver
Cost: $13; $9.50 for seniors & youth; $7.25 for kids 6 - 12; $29.75 for families

Thursday, December 23
Free Horse & Carriage Rides for Christmas
What: Kerrisdale invited everyone to come for free horse and carriage rides and a chance to see Santa--who will hand out chocolates--in person, too.
Where: West 41st Ave, between Larch St. & Maple St., Vancouver
Cost: Free