Why I Love Toronto

The Dineen Building

I had an interview late last summer for a potential internship opportunity in the fall. After I had been interviewed I decided it was too nice of a day not to go for a walk in the downtown core. Therefore, I started my venture up Yonge Street from King Street West. As I was walking up I noticed a building that was covered in scaffolding on the corner of Yonge and Temperance. The sign on the scaffolding said “Empire Restoration”. The only thing I needed to see to make me smile was the word restoration. I love old buildings as many of you have probably noticed. I love old buildings because they were made with such detailing, precise handwork and were treated like works of art - older buildings have personality. I find that today’s buildings are all glass galleria’s, which I’m not saying are ugly, but in my opinion do not have an in-depth personality and are very one dimensional.

Anyways, in the weeks before Christmas I was walking up that portion of Yonge again when I noticed the scaffolding had been taken down to reveal this stunning Renaissance Revival styled building known as the Dineen Building. The structure was originally built in 1897 by architect F.H. Herbert for William Dineen’s company W. and F. Dineen Co. which specialized in producing hats, caps and furs. The building was built with offices and a showroom for the company. In 1917 a fire ravaged the building, but it was restored. 

The building was known for its decorative ironwork, balconies and sandstone which was sadly ruined over the years by various tenants. The building eventually lost the charm it once held and fell into decay with the façade gathering grime, the balconies rusting and reports of squatters taking refuge inside.  However today, the once dirty façade has been cleaned up and now displays a bright yellow glow which is only overshadowed by the stunning copper detailing wrapping around the exterior of the building. At street level the building has these marvellous large windows which would allow an ample amount of natural light and be beautiful spot for a restaurant. The balconies and window panes are all fixed up and are this complimenting dark colour.

This is such a win for heritage properties in this city! If you read my 2012 year in review posts (they’re linked below if you haven’t) then you will know in my “Goodbye” version I discuss the possible fate of the George Street row houses and in “Breath of Fresh Air” I praise MOD Developments for restoring the old Bank of Commerce on Yonge and CB2 for their restoration of Occident Hall. Overall if we get rid of these heritage building or don’t take care of them then they will disappear and Toronto will be history-less city.

That is Why I Love Toronto

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Why I Love Christmas In Toronto

The Toronto Eaton Centre

Remember my Ode to Eaton’s a few days back? Well in that ode I said that the Eaton’s name has been associated with Christmas in Toronto for years. Well now we go to the modern association of that name – Toronto Eaton Centre. Every year the mega mall puts on an amazing Christmas display. This year the star/ waterfall light show returned to the Queen Street portion of the mall and the giant reindeer have reappeared. Furthermore, the Ferrero Rocher Tree was relocated to the Sears mall entrance way as opposed to in front of the Urban Eatery.  

The major difference this year is the ever modern Christmas Tree located in centre court next to the PINK by Victoria’s Secret. Unlike the full green trees they traditionally have, this year’s tree is very modern and green-less. I think it may be best just to look at the Instagram I took of the tree because I know I will butcher the description.  Alas, I will try. The tree has these panels that form a triangle to make the shape of the tree. Now the panels are spaced out so you can see the inside of the tree which is decorated with ornaments. The cool part though is that the tree lights up and illuminates all the colours of the rainbow.

Eaton is a name that is not forgotten to us during Christmas and will forever be a part of this city during the holiday season. So If you haven’t had the chance to I say head down to do some last minute shopping at the Toronto Eaton Centre tomorrow and check out the Christmas Display.  

That is Why I Love Christmas in Toronto

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Why I Love Christmas in Toronto

The Toronto Christmas Market at the Distillery Historic District

The Distillery is a magical place all year round. If you go to the district on any given occasion it is like you’re stepping into a different world. I always think how can something so historic be stuck in the city that is so modern. So imagine what happens if you add a lot of Christmas decorations. Well then, this magical place year round becomes the ultimate winter wonderland.

This year the Toronto Christmas Market was held at the Distillery Historic District from November 30 to December 16 2012. If you went you got a firsthand look at the beautiful market and the district all decked out for the season. The market is meant to capture the feel of a European Christmas Market and has a lot of unique gifts ranging from locally made products to food, wax products, Dutch products and some very odd knick knacks. So keep this in mind for next year because the market may be the place to buy gifts for that person who is hard to buy for.

Not only do you get to enjoy the shopping and the decorations of the area, but there is also a stage with some of Canada’s greatest musicians. This year gracing the market is the amazing Measha Brueggergosman, Canadian rock-pop group Neverest, singer-songwriter Royal Wood, country girl Kira Isabella, The Philosopher Kings frontman Jarvis Church, Rockstar: INXS contestant Suzie McNeil, Sean Jones, and the bad boy of jazz-pop Matt Dusk. There was also sing-along with Santa’s elves, choirs from different neighbourhoods, storytelling, carollers and much more.   

Being in the Distillery Historic District one must think there would be alcohol involved in this event. Well there was! The Toronto Christmas Market had some beer gardens for you to enjoy a festive array of holiday drinks.

What a better way to get into the Christmas Spirit than visiting one of the most beautiful districts in Toronto all decked out in holiday attire and shopping for that someone on your list.

That is Why I Love Christmas in Toronto

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Why I Love Christmas In Toronto

Christmas Events at Toronto’s Historic Museums

I will never forget as a child my father registered my sister and I to spend an afternoon at Colborne Lodge in High Park for one of the Historic Museums Christmas events that. The event I attended was a Christmas book making event where we bound these little tiny books together and stamped them with Christmas related imagery. Then afterwards we took a tour of the house, learned how the Howard’s would have celebrated Christmas and had some apple cider. Overall it was a cute event and I had a good time.

Well, Toronto has many Historic Museums that hold Christmas events which teach us about Victorian Christmases in Toronto, how to make Christmas related treats or even gifts. I know Christmas is basically here, but some of these museums hold their events well into the New Year until the end of the Christmas break. I thought it would be nice for me to link you to some of my past historic museum posts I have done and note what they did/ are doing this Christmas/ Holiday Season to get kids and adults into the holiday mood.

Colborne Lodge

If you put aside the rumour of hauntings this place has some very magical Christmas events. Being in one of the Toronto’s most famous parks also helps make it a bit more magical. This year Colborne Lodge is hosting “Christmas in the Park”.  The event will see the home decked out in Victorian Holiday attire and visitors can learn about traditions, decorations and the types of food 19th century Torontonians ate. This event goes until January 6th.

Fort York

If you head to Fort York this holiday season you will get to experience what Christmas was like in 1812 for the soldiers who were stationed at the Fort during the War of 1812. Also kids can enjoy their Gingerbread Make and Bake (December 27 to 31) where kids not only get a tour of the historic site but also make gingerbread in the Officer’s Mess kitchen. I think this would an amazing activity because children get to use period cooking utensil! Mind you I could never do that because I can’t use 21st century cooking utensils.

Mackenzie House

I profiled this historic museum last year in my Christmas countdown, because of its “Victorian Christmas” event which allowed visitors to experience Christmas in Toronto as a Victorian era Torontonian would. Also dressed in Victorian attire, visitors will get a tour of the historic row house on Bond Street.

Also up until tomorrow you can write a letter to Santa on a card that was made from their Printing Press, which would make anyone feel like they were a kid back in the day.  Lastly until January 6th you can even make your own calendar for 2013! Now that the world hasn’t ended you’ll need one! Plus you get to use the Printing Press to make one (with help of course). Luckily for me I already have my 2013 One Direction calendar.

Montgomery’s Inn

This year the Inn along with The Humber River Shakespeare Company will be performing “A Christmas Carol.”

Spadina House

If I had a time machine and good pick any era to visit it would be the 20’s. Something just fascinated me about that Gatsby era. The flappers, the prohibition, the extravagant outfits, everything about the 20’s is amazing. Well at Spadina House you can experience “A Roaring 20’s Christmas!” So yes you have your Victorian Christmases to experience, but come on how many places offer you a 1920’s Christmas experience? I only know one and that is Spadina House!

Of course there are many other places to visit such as Todmorden Mills, Gibson House and Scarborough Museum. These historical houses are great if you love history, Toronto, architecture, decorating, learning and even baking/ cooking. These historical sites know how to entertain a family around the holiday season and it is because of these places that

I Love Christmas at Toronto 

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Why I Love Christmas In Toronto

TTC Christmas Cards

Remember the days when TTC buses would say Merry Christmas on their signs? It was a time when we didn’t need to be politically correct. Even though the TTC will argue it is so riders can read the bus route information more easily and not be distracted you have to admit the Merry Christmas greeting is probably gone for the same reason retailers can’t say Merry Christmas.

Anyways since the beginning of December people on Tumblr have been posting these TTC Christmas Cards and I have been hitting the like button on all of them them all. So here are three that really stood out for me!

Why I Love Christmas in Toronto

An Ode To Eaton’s

Eaton’s – is a name that has been uttered by many Torontonians every Christmas for over a century now. Even though the context of the name has changed in that century it is still a powerful and important part of Christmas in this city. If you say “Eaton’s” to my 19 year old sister she will automatically think of the mall. If you say “Eaton’s” to me I will think of the now defunct department store and the statue that sits in the Royal Ontario Museum of Timothy Eaton. If you say “Eaton’s” to my mother she will tell you about the Eaton’s Department store Holiday Windows and finally if you say “Eaton’s” to any of my grandparents they will tell you about the highly anticipated Eaton’s Christmas Catalogue.

For each generation Eaton’s means something completely different. Eaton’s was once one of Canada’s most iconic brands. In fact the Eaton’s Christmas Catalogue is considered one of the most iconic symbols of Canadian culture. For my graduation gift my friend Sook bought me a vintage Eaton’s Catalogue and I was ecstatic and over the roof that she had got it for me. Furthermore, the name Eaton’s in this city spans far beyond the Toronto Eaton Centre and is associated with College Park , which was once an Eaton’s, and Eatonville, a neighbourhood in Etobicoke, that has direct connections to the Eaton family.

However, one thing is clear and that is that the name Eaton’s is one that will forever be a part of Christmas in Toronto. Even though the reason and meaning in which we say the name has changed, it is still a major part of Christmas in this city.  If I could turn you attention below I will explain to you how the name Eaton’s has been associated with Christmas in Toronto for over a century.

Let’s start with the Santa Claus Parade which was started by the Eaton’s. The parade which made its debut in 1905 as the Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade began with just Jolly old St. Nick himself and has grown to become one of the biggest parades in North America.  In the early 80’s the Eaton’s withdrew its sponsorship, but many businesses knew the importance and tradition this parade carried in the city and today the parade is over a century old. If it wasn’t for the Eaton’s the Santa Claus Parade that we all love would not exist.

The Eaton’s Christmas Catalogue is another Christmas memory many Torontonians and Canadian have. The first Christmas catalogue was released in 1897 and became one of the most anticipated catalogues ever. Archive Ontario even said that the arrival of the catalogue was the official start of Christmas. My grandmother has even told me stories about how neighbours would dedicate whole nights to reading the catalogue, how children would fight over who got to look at it first and how the housewives in the area would gather in a book club format to discuss the catalogue and potential gift ideas. Many even called the book the Homesteader’s or Family bible. That is how big this Christmas catalogue was. In fact, in book The Hockey Sweater the main character looks in an Eaton’s Christmas Catalogue to show his mother the Montreal Canadiens Jersey he wants.

Next is the Eaton’s holiday window. Each year Eaton’s would have the most marvellous window spectacle in all of Toronto. The way it was unveiled and the detail that went into it is very much like how Holt Renfrew executes its windows today. People would crowd around the sidewalk just to get a glimpse of the Holiday wonder that Eaton’s had put on display.   

Finally, we all know the name Eaton’s as one of Toronto’s largest shopping malls which gets so packed in the weeks leading up to Christmas that you can barely move.  

No matter how you look at it the name Eaton’s has a long history during Christmas in Toronto and I feel it is only appropriate to honour the name.

That is Why I Love Christmas In Toronto.  

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Why I Love Christmas in Toronto

DJ Skate Nights at Harbourfront Centre’s Natrel Rink

This really is more of a winter event, but I consider it a Christmas one as well because nothing gets me in the Christmas mood like skating. The Natrel Rink at the Harbourfront Centre can get really cold sometimes and requires a lot more bundling up than usual because it is right by the water. However, putting on an extra sweater or the long johns is worth it when you get the most amazing view of the city. If you are looking north you will get to see our iconic CN tower as well as a mix of condominiums and office building and looking south will give you a view of the islands along with a partially frozen Lake Ontario. The Harbourfront Centre website even calls it the Most Scenic Rink in Toronto. At night the rink is lit up by green and red lights which give it a very Christmas feeling.

Now if you don’t own a pair of skates don’t worry! You can rent a pair on site as well as treat yourself to hot chocolate and other goodies for the post-skating moment. I must note that I have always found skating rinks adorable and a great spot for two love birds to go on a date. I mostly credit the film Serendipity for that belief because John Cusack met up with Kate Beckensale at a skating rink. Moral of that last sentence is that if you need a cute Christmas date idea, then I suggest skating!

Another really cool thing that no skating rink in Toronto other this one can boast to is that every Saturday night (until January 19th) the Natrel Rink hosts a DJ Skate Night! Between 8pm and 11pm you can go for a skate and bust a move at the same time! This is such a cool experience, especially if you can multi-task by skating and dancing – if not a simple bob of the head will do. Plus each DJ Skate Night has a theme ranging from Top 40 to Bollywood. Below is the program list of the musical genres you can groove to.

  • December 22nd 2012 – Holiday Skate Party
  • December 29th 2012 - Bollywood Blitz
  • January 5th 2013 - Tribute Night
  • January 12th 2013 - A Decade of Top 40
  • January 19th 2013 - Electro Swing

So go on check out one of the DJ Skate Nights at the Harbourfront Centre! The centre overall is a great thing to experience and the rink gives you one of the most beautiful views of the city. Plus it gets me in the Christmas mood.   

That is Why I Love Christmas In Toronto

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