With only two weeks until the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, is your home theatre system ready? Is that income tax refund looking for a home? With all the continual improvements in the features and technologies of HDTV’s, the pictures are becoming more stunning. The timing may be just right to upgrade for watching all the action, and hearing it in stunning surround sound. It’s the next best thing to being at the game, and it will make those playoff parties come alive with energy.

One of the coolest features of Smart TVs —and one of the main reasons they’ve earned that “Smart” label— is their ability to run apps. Just like a tablet, being able to download and run an app on your TV means it can do entirely new things and expand its capabilities. With the right apps, a Smart TV can become everything from a video game console to an online video streaming device, without buying additional hardware or having to hook up a computer. That’s really smart!

About two years ago I discovered the magic of Bluetooth. After an hour long drive to my parent’s house for a visit, I pulled my car into the driveway, disconnected the AUX cable I had attached to my iPhone, and miraculously, iTunes continued to play through my car speakers. I was in awe. It was pretty epic. I immediately looked to social media to share my miraculous discovery with others, only to very quickly be told, “um, Stace? That’s called Bluetooth. You know, that thing you paid extra for to have installed in your car?” Riiiight. But still, the whole Bluetooth thing is pretty cool. As is Wi-Fi. Especially when it comes to listening to music. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to ditch the bag of Halloween mini-chocolate bars and scary ghosts and goblins littering the walls and windows of my house in favour of the more refined things in life. The fact that Christmas and holiday entertaining are just around the corner have me ripping down the pumpkins, hanging up some white lights, and getting my recipe box ready for another season of baking, cooking, and eating.

Soon we’ll be decking the halls with boughs of holly, family, and the scents of Christmas trees, and if that seems stressful to you, don’t you worry - Here’s a few things you can pick up right now to take the stress out of holiday entertaining. This is the year you’ll really enjoy it, I promise:

Father’s Day is a time to thank your Pops for all the awesome things they’ve done for you and helped you with over the years, and we’ve got great gift ideas for every Dad out there!