No doubt you’ve probably already embarked on several of these adventures, crossing friends and family members off your list; but there always seems to be that one person you can’t find the right gift for – that finicky friend or special someone who needs the perfect present.

Finding those final gifts can be a challenge, but not to worry. We’ve explored the city to put together our yearly Holiday Wish List to help you wrap your way through the Holidays!

You’ll find gifts for everyone in your life, from the outdoor adventurer and trendy fashionista, to the wired techie and home decorator. Oh, and you might find one or two surprises you hadn’t thought of. Happy Holidays!

[View with PicLens]

12►

Cute, cuddly, hand-knitted bear and made for custom order. (www.etsy.com/shop/GregoryPatrick, prices vary)

Record your off-road adventures in crisp 720p HD video with Liquid Image Impact Series HD Digital Camera MX Goggles. (www.thesource.ca, $280)

Like a cherry on a sundae, the Stitched Scarlet Cloche tops off a colourful outfit. (www.anthropologie.com, US$58)

Your little fairy will pirouette over the sweet scent of Philosophy’s Sugar Plum Frost shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath and high-gloss lip shine. (www.sephora.com, $23)

For the diver in your life, the 3H Oceandiver 52 is stylish, sporty and water-resistant up to 150 metres. (www.cupidodesigns.com, $595)

A 16-hour, built-in rechargeable battery makes the Tivoli Audio iPal Radio ideal for the on-the-go music aficionado. (www.baybloorradio.com, $199)

Brimming with art deco charm, the Henley couch is a classically stylish throwback. (www.decorium.com, $3,000)

The Cozy Cable Throw is a soft and warm relief when reading on those chilly winter days. (www.chapters.indigo.ca, $69.50)

Made from organic cotton, Frank & Fishcer’s Bibba Pig cuddle cloth is soft on your baby’s skin. (www.missm.ca, $21)

Eau de LaCoste’s three different scents are perfect for the powerful, fresh or elegant gentleman. (www.sephora.com, $62)

Sparkling diamonds on 18-karat white gold – the Vanesa is sure to make her smile. (valentejewellers.com, $2,500)

Stay warm and in-style with the faux fur of this lightly padded jacket. (www.hm.com/ca, $60)

The Nest Thermostat learns your in-home habits, programs itself and even saves energy. (www.nest.com, MSRP $249)

Capture those precious holiday moments in vivid detail with the Nikon D3000. (en.nikon.ca, $350)

The festive Capri Blue Mercury Glass Candle is a homemaker’s delight. (www.anthropologie.com, US$25)

Simple and cute, the High Gloss Teapot will cap off those holiday feasts. (www.chapters.indigo.ca, $24.50)

Make the Natural Bay Leaf Garland a pretty pastoral piece in your festive decorating. (www.potterybarn.com, $90)

Tap into the mind of Apple’s co-founder in Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. (www.chapters.indigo.ca, $35)

Spheres of twigs sparkle with rustic charm on the Little Twig Globe. (www.potterybarn.com, $90)

Start your holiday mornings with a warm espresso using the Brasilia espresso machine. (www.molisana.com, $150)

Blackberry, plum and a hint of coffee form the medium body of Tilia’s Malbec. (www.lcbo.com, $13)

The Juliaca Knit Stocking is a playful departure from traditional Christmas stockings. (www.anthropologie.com, $38)

No home can go without a tree. This faux evergreen radiates with merriment. (www.potterybarn.com,  $389 –$519)

This personalized printable poster is perfect for your little one’s room. (www.etsy.com, US$15)

A simple leather band carries a spherical glass stone on this versatile bracelet.  (www.pandora.net, $115)

It’s over-sized eyes make the Owl Christmas Ornament a wise addition to any tree. (www.etsy.com, US$13)

Race the Silverlit Interactive Bluetooth Remote Control Enzo Ferrari using only your iPod, iPhone or iPad. (www.apple.com/ca, $80)

Will you answer the Call? The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, that is. (www.futureshop.ca, $60)

It’s the king of tablets and every tech lover’s dream. It’s the iPad 2. (www.futureshop.ca, $520)

Simple and sophisticated, this bold peacoat is a smart standout. (www.cartise.ca, $365)

Give the gift of hope with World Vision gift cards. (www.worldvision.ca, $30 – $200)

Glamorous yet festive, this metallic pillow is made for the holiday diva. (www.chapters.indigo.ca, $29.50)

Classic winter design with a sharp shawl collar from H&M. (www.hm.com/ca, $60)

01. Exercise daily.
02. Get serious about gratitude.
03. See your work as a craft.
04. Expect the best and prepare for the worst.
05. Keep a journal.
06. Read The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.
07. Plan a schedule for your week.
08. Know the 5 highest priorities of your life.
09. Say no to distractions.
10. Drink a lot of water.
11. Improve your work every single day.
12. Get a mentor.
13. Hire a coach.
14. Get up at 5 a.m. each day.
15. Eat less food.
16. Find more heroes.
17.  Be a hero to someone.
18. Smile at strangers.
19. Be the most ethical person you know.
20. Don’t settle for anything less than excellence.
21. Savour life’s simplest pleasures.
22. Save 10% of your income each month.
23. Spend time at art galleries.
24. Walk in the woods.
25. Write thank-you letters to those who’ve helped you.
26. Forgive those who’ve wronged you.
27. Remember that leadership is about influence and impact, not title and accolades.
28. Create unforgettable moments with those you love.
29. Have 5 great friends.
30. Become stunningly polite.
31. Unplug your TV.
32. Sell your TV.
33. Read daily.
34. Avoid the news.
35. Be content with what you have.
36. Pursue your dreams.
37.  Be authentic.
38. Be passionate.
39. Say sorry when you know you should.
40. Never miss a moment to celebrate another.
41. Have a vision for your life.
42. Know your strengths.
43. Focus your mind on the good versus the lack.
44. Be patient.
45. Don’t give up.
46. Clean up your messes.
47.  Use impeccable words.
48. Travel more.
49. Read “As You Think”.
50. Honour your parents.
51. Tip taxi drivers well.
52. Be a great teammate.
53. Give no energy to critics.
54. Spend time in the mountains.
55. Know your top 5 values.
56. Shift from being busy to achieving results.
57.  Innovate and iterate.
58. Speak less. Listen more.
59. Be the best person you know.
60. Make your life matter.

Robin Sharma is the author of the #1 international bestseller The Leader Who Had No Title (Simon & Schuster).
www.robinsharma.com

1. Michelle Zerillo-Sosa, Editor-In-Chief/Publisher

2. Angela Palmieri-Zerillo, Director Of Operations I’m inspired to give – not just material things – but to give more of myself and my time. I want to instill these virtues in my children while minimizing the emphasis on receiving gifts. We are so blessed, and I want my kids to be grateful for that!

3. Fernando Zerillo, Creative Director Family is so important. I enjoy being surrounded by the ones I love during Christmas. There is nowhere else I’d rather be than at home, snow falling, drinking hot chocolate with my family while watching Christmas movies!

4. Simona Panetta, Managing Editor The compassionate nature of the Holidays encourages me to look a little deeper, to listen more intently to the sound of falling snow. Every moment is a gift waiting to be opened.

[View with PicLens]

5. Lina Posteraro, Office Manager & Senior Accounts Manager I am inspired by the love of my family and friends and the meaning of Christmas.

6. Susan Bhatia, Director, New Business Development I’m inspired by the sincerity and generosity of others. A year ago some friends and I put together a sandwich drive for the homeless. An act of kindness is the best present one can give.

7. Omar Cushnie, Senior Designer I’m inspired to share my blessings with the less fortunate through charitable donations.

8. Christina Ban, Senior Designer I become inspired by all the fun shopping and thinking about the people I love.

9. Steve Bruno, Web Project Manager The season inspires me to drink egg nog, build snowmen, carol at my church and spend time with family and friends.

10. Serafino Catallo, Graphic Designer Playing CDs of carols and popular holiday songs that I loved as a kid for my own children to listen to reminds me of how some things go full circle and can’t ever be changed.

11. Michael Hill, Writer Knowing that many go without the comforts we enjoy inspires me to be better a person – both in action and in writing.

12. Will Lem, Video Editor What inspires me is all the classic holiday songs that play on the radio.

13. Madeline Stephenson, Writer Watching It’s a Wonderful Life by the fireplace with my family is a holiday tradition that reminds me to be grateful for all of life’s wonders.

14. Aleksandra Gorovic, Office Administrator This time of year allows me to enjoy the moments of a shared meal, and my memory of it will bond me to that time once again.

15. Sal Pasqua, Intern From carolers and Santa to the mall and frosted trees, the holiday season inspires me to eat like a polar bear, jump and play in the snow, and bundle up with a loved one.

“It was a great honour to have men of their stature visit our schools,” says Kyoshi Cos Vona, an instructor and sixth-degree black belt at Northern Karate. “It’s extremely rare to have experts of this calibre visit North America, let alone Canada.”

From the island of Okinawa, Japan, the birthplace of karate, Hokama and Shiroma both hold the rank of “Hanshi,” essentially a senior expert or grand master. Through demonstrations and lectures, these teacher-of-teachers shared their vast knowledge with eager students. They also presided over an advanced level grading for the most senior teachers of Northern Karate. “They used to be school teachers, so they’re very personable with a good sense of humour,” says Vona, who has also trained at Hokama’s dojo in the southern Japanese prefecture. “Hanshi Hokama does not personify your typical Japanese karate practitioner. He is down to earth and very humble in nature.”

[View with PicLens]

Hokama’s dedication  to traditional Okinawan karate – a style that wasn’t introduced to mainland Japan until the 1920s – has honed a deep understanding for the ancient art, earning him tremendous respect within the karate community. As Vona explains, “He really showed us what traditional, old-school karate is all about. The students were very impressed.”

Shiroma’s martial art is Motobu Ryu Uden Di, an ancient style of grappling that was traditionally reserved for
royalty. “His lineage stretches back over 1,000 years and his style has never been seen before in North America. For many, this was a once-in-a-lifetime event.”

Besides authoring several books, including History and Traditions of Okinawan Karate (Masters Martial Arts Supply, 2000); opening the first Karatedo Museum, the Okinawan Prefecture Karatedo and Kobudo Museum, in 1987, and being named the technical advisor for the All-Japan Karatedo Ken Yu Kai, Hokama is also a master of calligraphy. His steady hand has even inked kanji for many Japanese movie posters. Before departing, Hokama painted several motivational banners encouraging students to stay on the path and to hold fast in the face of adversity. “He really tried to instill traditional martial arts values in our students. It was truly an enlightening experience.”

www.northernkarate.com

According to the United Nations, the world’s population will hit seven billion on Oct. 31, 2011. A rather staggering figure, considering that in 1927 – less than 90 years ago – only two billion humans inhabited Earth. While we tend to celebrate childbirth in our economically prosperous nation, perhaps hitting this marker on Halloween is a menacing omen for the trick – rather than treat – it may turn out to be. Concerns over resource allocation, disease, rising living costs and environmental stress will accompany innocent newborns, as the next 100 years face some terrifying prospects. Shortages of food and fuel will be an obvious concern, but water is far more precious, and due to climate change, is becoming scarce in many regions. Animal extinction is another issue. As we gobble up more space for our expanding population, there is less land for nature to inhabit, and as the global climate shifts, scientists are already listing the species that will slide towards extinction. Pollution and disruptions in ecosystems will follow, causing waves in global ecosystems with potentially catastrophic effects. In 20 years, when our little ghosts, princesses and superheroes are all grown up and walking their children door-to-door on the hunt for sweet surprises, will they remember smiles or sighs the day the planet welcomed its seventh billion human? Only time will tell.

The Piano Man is surrounded by some of the city’s most imaginative minds: members like Ronald Reeve who joined in 2004 and spends his days drawing cartoons and comics that highlight socio-political issues within his community. His preferred pen is sparkly, but specialty ink is running low these days. “It gives me an opportunity to express my artistic ability. Dan there, he’s encouraged me along,” he says, pointing to a tall wavy haired man with artwork on his pants.

[View with PicLens]

Dan Walsh came to The Good Neighbours’ Club a year ago with his artistic gift in hand, ready to make a mark on a much bigger picture: poverty. “Being a professional artist, I felt it was time to move it over, pay it forward if you will, and I love it, it’s application, it gives me purpose definitely,” he says, adding that he loved the colour aspect of Reeve’s work so much that he decided to put it on his pants. As he peers into the distance, Walsh recognizes the juxtaposition between having a club for homeless men across the street from The Grand Hotel and Suites, and a few lights away from where Isadore Sharp forged the very first link in his lucrative Four Seasons chain. On Jarvis Street you’ll find dreams everywhere – whether it’s to build a real estate empire, or simply have a roof over your head.

In his quest to volunteer, Walsh came across Wayne McKinnon, better known as ‘Cape Breton Red,’ a respected local artist and former billiard master who was once one of The Good Neighbours’ Club’s homeless members. Try walking through the halls with McKinnon today without someone stopping him to share a story or shake his hand. Impossible. “I used to come here and finally I joined, and now I teach an art class here and it’s a blessing. I don’t know anything really, but I do know life is wonderful and it’s all in choice, I’m able to make a choice today,” says McKinnon, whose success story serves as a lighthouse for those trying to find their way in the dark.

What began during Canada’s Great Depression as a support system for WWI veterans now provides approximately 5,000 of Toronto’s homeless, disabled and socially isolated men a sense of community. Open 365 days a year between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., The Good Neighbours’ Club sees about 200 people daily and has an array of services from hot meals, showers, clean clothes, phones and Internet access, and hosts regular visits from nurses, psychologists, health specialists, housing workers and dental hygienists.

Unfortunately, not all members can be saved. On Aug. 25th, 2011, McKinnon, Reeves and Walsh joined The Good Neighbours’ Club and its supporters in commemorating the legacy of late member Paul Croutch. “He’s in a better place right now and I do know that,” McKinnon says.

Resting on a bench just down the street at Toronto’s Moss Park is a bursting bouquet of red, pink and yellow reminders of the perils of homelessness. These flowers mark the spot where Croutch had his last sleep. It was there next to the baseball diamond that the 59-year-old was awoken – not by the violent storm outside – but by two drunken Canadian Forces reservists who senselessly beat him to death six years ago. Croutch was a father. He was once a journalist who co-founded a community newspaper. And like many of Toronto’s homeless, he had a difficult childhood and suffered with health and mental illness issues. The heinous attack that took place on Aug. 31, 2005, continues to plague the community, especially The Good Neighbours’ Club which launched The Day of the Homeless to honour him.

Raymond May Burgess lays the flowers there every year. They aren’t forget-me-nots but in many ways they represent a life that will never be forgotten. Burgess, who helps further the centre’s mission to enhance the lives of homeless men, remembers the days when he would deliver clothes and food to Croutch’s bench instead. Dozens of citizens, politicians, media and fellow members surrounded The Good Neighbours’ Club to raise awareness at this year’s third annual event. At the press conference, Burgess recognized individuals who have made extraordinary strides, presenting them with the first-ever Paul Croutch awards.

One of those recipients is Judy Graves, the city of Vancouver’s housing advocate who formed the Vancouver Homeless Outreach Project in 2005, which successfully took hundreds of people off the street and into affordable housing in its first two years. During her acceptance speech, Graves used Croutch’s story as the insignia of a much larger issue. “I visited his bench. I saw where he was zipped into his sleeping bag and couldn’t escape, and if he had even a small home of his own, he’d be alive with us here today,” she tells the crowd. “People are often quick to point out that the people in the streets have made poor choices, but I think we’re all old enough to know that if we’re perfectly honest with ourselves, we have all made poor choices,” she adds, heads nodding in agreement.

Former Toronto mayor, and current senator representing Ontario, Art Eggleton sang from the same song sheet, emphasizing the fact that four million Canadians don’t have affordable housing. “When I talk about affordable, I’m talking about the CMHC guideline, the federal guideline that says people shouldn’t be paying over 30 per cent of their income on housing. Well, there’s people paying 50 or 60 per cent,” he says. Of Toronto’s 93, 198 social housing units, only 70, 379 of them have rent that’s geared to 30 per cent of the household’s income. These figures show how slippery the slope is. Imagine adding addiction and mental illness into the picture. “One in three single men in this country live in poverty. Now this is the land of plenty, this is one of the richest most prosperous countries in the world. How can we allow this to happen?” asks Eggleton, adding that it’d be far less expensive for taxpayers to get people off the street and into decent, affordable housing.

There were many speakers that day at The Good Neighbours’ Club. From Toronto Centre MPP Glen Murray, who announced the renewal of an $80,000 grant, to Ryerson University president Sheldon Levy. While supporters seemed attentive, you could still hear a faint fluttering of voices and the heavy snarl of truck engines that passed by Jarvis Street every few minutes. There was even a member who repeatedly referred to the event as a “photo-op,” expressing disappointment in the lack of results. There was one moment, however, where a poignant silence covered the corner of Jarvis and Shuter streets like a chilled blanket. It was when 22 names consecutively hummed through the speakers. They were the names of members who died last year.

Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network, United Way and the City of Toronto are The Good Neighbours’ Club’s primary sources of revenue, but without the added help of volunteers and outside corporations, the club wouldn’t be able to survive on its modest operating budget. “It’s really hard because really, you know, who are you going to donate to, a club to men over 50 or Sick Kids Hospital? And it’s very difficult and everybody keeps asking for funding, so it’s very difficult for us to get any type of funding,” says program assistant Alex Zsager. While the club recently received a federal grant to renovate its washroom, laundry and shower facilities, there are still several service expansions and facility upgrades it hopes to provide its members within the near future.

There are many levels to The Good Neighbours’ Club, but the second storey is perhaps one of the most meaningful to its members. It isn’t where the food is served. It isn’t where the clothes are cleaned. There’s no showers or social workers up there. Instead, you’ll find a rainbow of paints and canvases. You’ll see political cartoons and poetry. And on a good day, you might just hear the piano.

www.goodneighboursclub.org

1. At Gymalaya, a gymnastics club geared towards children, your kids can tumble and roll in a safe, supportive environment. Using state-of-the-art equipment and a stimulating curriculum designed for a fun experience, your children will build physical, mental and social skills. www.gymalaya.com

2. Sure, bikes and rollerblades are all great fun, but only the Wiggle Racer utilizes the power of a jiggle. Suitable for boys and girls of all ages, this sleek little ride requires no batteries or fuel. www,wiggleracer.com

3. The look of these quirky little figures may make you smile, but after pressing their bellies, you’ll be giggling. The bulging eyes of the Pop Eyes Toys literally pop out of their head after a quick squeeze! www.chapters.indigo.ca

[View with PicLens]

4. Kids certainly love a treat, that’s for sure. A great dessert or light snack, throw nutrition in the mix with these chocolate-coated, sprinkle-covered apples from Strawberry Lane. www.strawberrylane.ca

5. With a signature plaid pattern giving them a trendy look, these Burberry Boys hi-tops will have your little man hitting the streets in style; perfect for playing in the schoolyard or just for casual wear. www.designerkidswear.ca

6. There’s no use crying over spilt milk, especially if it’s just a bowl. This flexible silicone-made cereal bowl looks like a mess waiting to happen, but its soft yet sturdy design means it’s virtually unbreakable. www.worldwidefred.com

7. For a novel and adorable way of capturing your child’s birthday, Picture Perfect Designs’ Cake Smash photos display your little one, frame-by-frame, frolicking in frosting – a genuinely unique way to remember that special day. www.pictureperfectdesigns.org

8. It’s time to give back. With every purchase of the Limited Edition Haiti timepiece from Toy Watch, you’ll be supporting Free the Children’s Adopt a Village Community in Haiti. www.toywatchcanada.com/ftc, www.freethechildren.org, www.weday.com

9. There are numerous ways to express appreciation or wish a happy birthday, but none are quite as delicious or delightful as a cookie bouquet from The Cookie Messenger. www.cookiemessenger.com

10. Enter the digital world of Adam’s Amazing Dream with this charming app for smartphones and tablets. This first story from a coming series introduces Adam, his guardian angel Uncle Bono, and a special surprise. For children aged 3 – 5.
www.magneticstudio.com

This heart-wrenching tragedy has fuelled public disgust and flooded headlines with news outlining Canada’s poor bullying standing – a recent survey by the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association, for example, found that 46 per cent of teens report being bullied – and a plead to put an end to the malicious act. A recent episode of CBC Radio’s The Current even entertained the notion of deeming bullying a hate crime: A shocking proposition when considering Wilson’s alleged attacker was only 12. But is making bullying a legal issue the correct counter?

“I feel like it’s very problematic to make it into a legal issue,” says Faye Mishna, dean and professor at the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto. “What’s needed is to be proactive before the bullying starts, to really focus on helping kids develop healthy relationships, having empathy, how to have tolerance to indifference without having to bully.

[View with PicLens]

“It also means as adults we have to be better at it,” she adds.

Interesting, because after a quick perusal in comment sections of major news websites, you’ll find plenty screaming for blood, suggesting that the “punk”, “thug” and “sociopath” that bullied Mitchell deserves the most severe punishment.

For Mishna, however, this is only a band-aid solution that doesn’t deal with the core of the problem. Bullying is about a “power differential” and we should show bullies how to use that power in a positive way instead of excluding them. Punishments should be “an actual consequence that helps them learn as opposed to just punitive,” she says. Consequences like community service, for example.

To help victims deal with bullying, Mishna feels there is no definitive answer, but there are many tools children have at their disposal. Communication is key. Talk to your kids, find out what’s troubling them, and let them know you’re there to listen and help. Finding activities they enjoy will also build a sense of confidence. This doesn’t have to be team sports or martial arts, either. It’s anything that creates a feeling that they can do something while building problem-solving skills. “It’s often not one answer. We want them to feel good about themselves and to feel that sense of mastery and sense of agency so that if something does happen, they can either figure it out themselves or they can go to somebody,” explains Mishna.

We should also remember bullying isn’t just an issue limited to youth. Bullies are everywhere, amongst every age and all social brackets. There are plenty who have felt the crippling scorn of a rampaging boss, shied away from that boisterous gorilla controlling the room at some nightclub, or been flipped off by that jerk in the Mercedes who actually cut you off. Even some Ontario politicians have demonstrated a bully demeanour, and look where it got them.

We even celebrate bullying through entertainment. How about the racist and sexist commentary by Glee’s Sue Sylvestor, the malicious tongue-lashings by Hell’s Kitchen’s Gordon Ramsay, practically the entire cast of Jersey Shore, or the belittling slander of former American Idol judge and current X-Factor judge Simon Cowell? Are we going to throw Cowell behind bars because he cuts a performer to pieces with a nasty
verbal broadsword?

To actually think we will magically rid the world of bullies is simply unrealistic. Bullying is terrible, but it’s a national issue that exists on every level: at school, work, in social situations and in families. Children emulate adults and as long as we perpetuate this behaviour, so will they (honestly, where do you think they get it from?). But that doesn’t mean it can’t be dealt with better. The court date for the late Mitchell’s alleged attacker has been adjourned until November 21; if found guilty, then why not make him an example?

Community service wouldn’t hurt. How about some words with his family? Maybe sit him down with a counsellor? This boy, after all, is a child, and we shouldn’t abandon him because of this tragic event. Even the Wilson family have told media they don’t want to act like a ‘lynch squad’. And look in the mirror: many of us probably weren’t always the nicest in our youth; maybe we did things we now regret.

For more stats, advice and resources on bullying, visit the Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network at www.prevnet.ca

Losing his leg to bone cancer in 1977 at 18 didn’t deter Terry Fox from striving to raise money for cancer research and inspiring people with his 143-day Marathon of Hope, in which he ran more than 5,000 kilometres. Fox’s race ended when cancer was found in his lungs, but his legacy continues to this day through those that participate in the annual Terry Fox Run around the globe. September 18, 2011 marked the 31st run; to date more than $550 million has been raised.

On Sept. 28, 2011, kids across Canada will also personify the hope that Terry Fox had by taking strides towards ending cancer. The Terry Fox National School Run Day gives kids a chance to participate in one of Canada’s leading philanthropic initiatives, inevitably following in the footsteps of a true northern icon.

www.terryfox.org