Real Estate Blog - Christmas

Day 10: Best Holiday Movies

There is nothing better than getting cozy on the couch with a hot drink and watching a classic holiday movie. Not sure where to start? Use this handy list. 

THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY MOVIE LIST:

1. The Santa Clause (1, 2 and 3)
2. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
3. Elf
4. It's A Wonderful Life
5. Home Alone (1 and 2)
6. The Nightmare Before Christmas
7. A Charlie Brown Christmas
8. Miracle On 34th Street
9. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
10. Love Actually
11. The Polar Express
12. The Holiday
13. The Muppet Christmas Carol
14. Scrooged
15. Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer
16. A Christmas Carol
17. Arthur Christmas
18. Four Christmases
19. The Nutcracker
20. Office Christmas Party
21. Christmas With The Kranks
22. Beauty and The Beast
23. Frozen
24. Earnest Saves…

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Day 9: Holiday Activities in YYC

Calgary loves to celebrate the holidays. Here are ten activities happening around the city to check out this holiday season:

1. Market Collective: This Christmas market is happening the first three weekends in December and is a great opportunity to find the perfect gift, support local shops and get into the holiday spirit. You'll even get to meet Santa Claus!
2. Zoo Lights: A timeless tradition for many Calgarian's, Zoo Lights allows you to experience the Zoo in new and glowing ways. Enjoy the exhibits and wish all the animals a very Merry Christmas!
3. The Polar Express Train Ride: Hop aboard the Aspen Crossing train and enjoy a night of Christmas cookies, hot chocolate, carols, and a reading of the story The Polar Express. Each child is given a gift…

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Day 7: Unique Advent Calendars

Advent Calendar's don't have to contain only chocolate.... here are 10 unique advent calendars for you to keep your eye out for next year: 

1). Saje Wellness Calendar: For the person on your list who is really into essential oils, this advent calendar will give them a mini bottle of every scent imaginable (12 of them, anyways). This is a great way for someone just getting into essential oils to sample a wide variety of them and to indulge in some exclusive, limited edition scents. 

2). David's Tea Calendar: This popular calendar regularly sells out, and it is no wonder why. Each day you get a mini tin of tea, perfect for 1-2 cups. Start off each morning in December with a warm mug of tea that smells like Christmas and everything good in this…

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Day 1: Real Estate Market Statistics

We are committed to keeping our valued clients informed on what is happening in the Calgary real estate market. An informed buyer, seller or investor is a better buyer, seller or investor. Understanding the market allows you to make decisions that are educated and strategic. Remember that we are with you every step of the way: if you have any questions, comments, concerns or suggestions please let us know. You can call us directly at 403-630-6363 or email us at team@kenrichter.com

As real estate agents in Calgary we are members of CREB®, the Calgary Real Estate Board. They are a great resource for us and anyone looking for information on the market. Each month they post the statistics from the market the previous month, which we always do a summary of…

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Day 2: History of Advent Calendars

Advent is latin for 'coming.' Celebrated since the forth century, Advent was originally a time when "converts to Christianity [would] prepare for baptism... Now [it is] more commonly associated with the anticipation of the anniversary of Christ’s birth on December 25" (Mental Floss).

While some people celebrate advent for religious reasons, many use it as a way to count down to the Christmas holidays. This Christmas tradition "dates to the mid-19th century, when German Protestants made chalk marks on doors or lit candles to count the days leading up to Christmas" (Mental Floss). Today, people use calendars that reveal chocolate, gifts or pictures on each day leading up to Christmas. 

Gerhard Lang is credited for creating the first commercial advent…

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Day 3: Places to Volunteer in YYC this Christmas

An essential part of the holidays is giving; not necessarily money, but your time and your heart. Calgarians are known for their selflessness and community spirit. Make someone's holidays a little brighter by volunteering with any one of these charitable organizations this Christmas. Here are the links to their volunteer pages and a description of what you would be helping with:

• The Calgary Food Bank: Holiday Fundraising
• Operation Christmas Child: Shoebox Packing
• Closer to Home: Christmas Elf
• Calgary Women's Centre: Toy Pick-Up
• Drop-In Centre: Cooking & Serving
• Snow Angels: Snow Removal

Looking for more opportunities? Here is a full list of all of the charitable organizations in Calgary. We encourage you to email them and find…

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Day 4: Extreme Gingerbread Houses

Gingerbread Houses: a simple little four walled house with candy in a package from the grocery store, right? Wrong!

The art of gingerbread house making is real. It is why the Food Network features shows like the All-Star Gingerbread Build every Christmas season. We have to admit, there is something really magical about Christmas baking. However, our baking certainly cannot compete with some of the life-sized works of art professional gingerbread artists create (and yes, that is a thing). 

For those of you with Christmas Gingerbread house dreams, check out these great gallery's with stunning Gingerbread creations:

• 50+ Cutest Gingerbread Houses To Make Over The Holidays by Good Housekeeping
• 10 Unique and Awesome Gingerbread Creations by…

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Fa La La La La.... It's Christmas!

While some people have had their homes decorated and Christmas sweaters on since November, for most people December 1st officially marks the start of Christmas. In light of this very special day, we are excited to introduce to you our Christmas Advent Blogging Series! Check in with us every day this Christmas season for fun, exciting content and maybe even some treats and surprises along the way... Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! 

(Image Via Canva)

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DIY Christmas Tree Ideas

People are very defensive over when it is appropriate to decorate for Christmas. Some do it the second Halloween is over, other's wait until after Remembrance Day, some until American Thanksgiving has passed, and others don't dare hang a single string of tinsel until December 1st. No matter when you decorate for Christmas, the biggest task is always setting up the tree. 

Real or fake, putting up a Christmas tree is quite the task. Some homes simply do not have the space for a tree, and some people simply do not have the patience for a tree. If you can identify with one of these, we have a solution: DIY Christmas trees. Here are some examples of DIY Christmas trees that will save you time and space:

1). Pallet Tree: Cut a simple wooden pallet (which…

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The Story of St. Nick

Merry Christmas from all of us here at Team Ken Richter!

This is our favourite time of year. Christmas is the perfect time to take a step back from busy day-to-day life and focus on what is really important: family. It’s the time to curl up by the fire, drink hot-cocoa, reminisce and wait for Santa Claus.

We all know the story of Santa Claus. He lives in the North Pole with Mrs. Claus and makes toys all year with the elves, which he then delivers via sleigh to children all across the world. However, did you know that Santa Claus is a tale based on a very real man from Turkey in the 4th century?

His name was St. Nicholas and he had a reputation for helping those in need. His parents had died, leaving him an enormous sum of money that he used to…

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