Guilt Free Gift Ideas

With Christmas fast approaching and stores packed with people trying to do their last minute gift shopping, take a moment to consider what you are purchasing and why. Does your mother really need another gift basket of soaps? Does your brother really need that new CD? Consider how you and they would feel if you choose to make a donation in their name or feed a whole family Christmas dinner this year instead. Here are some suggestions for Guilt Free Giving this Christmas:

United Gospel Mission - www.ugm.ca

Feed a Family Christmas Dinner
UGM work with communities to overcome poverty, homelessness and addiction. Once again this year UGM are putting on their annual Christmas Dinner for those less fortunate living in our community. For under $20 you can feed 6 people a hot, delicious meal and provide them access to support and addiction services.

The Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society - www.foodbank.bc.ca/how-you-can-help

Make a Donation in their name
GVFBS collect and distribute food and related assistance to over 25,000 people weekly through food depots and community agencies across the lower mainland. When you make a donation to the GVFBS a beautiful Christmas card will be mailed directly to the person whose name you are donating in, acknowledging their generous donation.

BC Children’s Hospital Foundation – www.bcchf.ca/donatenow

Contribute to Specialized Medical Care for Children
 BC Children’s Hospital is one of Canada’s premiere diagnostic and treatment centers for children with heart defects. By choosing to make a donation this Christmas you will be giving hope to BC’s kids and their families. When you make a donation online, you can send an e-card with a personalized message that a donation has been made in the recipient’s honour.

These are just a few of Vancouver’s many organizations in need of your support this Christmas. Why not take a closer look at how you can help your community and bring awareness to those most in need. There is no better way to spread the true meaning of Christmas than making a difference in bettering the lives of those less fortunate in your community.

~Skye

On of our very special clients, Union Gospel Mission, hosted their Annual Christmas Meal, and The Finer Details had the pleasure of assisting their team create a logistically solid event...check out the video!

Union Gospel Mission's 71st Annual Christmas Celebration from Union Gospel Mission on Vimeo.

Semi-Finalists Announced: Small Business BC SYAwards 2012

Votes are in! BC’s BEST small business finalists announced

For Immediate Release
Vancouver, BC: Small Business BC, the premier resource for small businesses across the province, has just announced the Top Ten nominees in each category for its 9th Annual Successful You Awards (SYA) contest.
This year’s nominees are a group of businesses from diverse sectors such as healthcare, hospitality and education. Over 15 communities are represented by a local SYA nominee, from large communities like Vancouver and Victoria to small communities such as Comox Valley and Pemberton.
Nominees have been selected by residents of BC who benefit from these businesses, with votes collected online using various social media platforms.
The Top Five finalists in each category will be announced January 30th. Winners will be honoured February 28th at an exciting ceremony where industry professionals, government officials, delegates, awards sponsors and media will hear success stories from previous award winners, network with entrepreneurs within British Columbia’s small business community and mingle at the reception prior to the ceremony. The 2012 Successful You Awards Ceremony will be held at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver.
The Successful You Awards recognizes outstanding small businesses across BC in six categories. The following are the finalists for 2012:

Best Company
Discovery Trekking Outfitters Ltd. – Campbell River
AspenClean – Vancouver
Out-Smarts Marketing Inc. – Vancouver
Williams and White – Burnaby
The Finer Details Event Planning Inc. – Vancouver
Chutney Villa Fine South Indian Cuisine – Vancouver
Vij’s Restaurant Inc – Vancouver
FROGBOX Inc – Vancouver
Noir Lash Lounge – Vancouver
Idea Rebel – Vancouver

Best Concept
The Dubh Glas Distillery – Okanagan Valley
Pooch Partners – Vernon
Urban Foliage – Vancouver
505-Junk – Vancouver
The Wine Thief – Vancouver
On The Rocks Ice – Vancouver
CityQuest Games – Vancouver
EightSix Network – Vancouver
The Juice Truck – Vancouver
Lovey’s Body Products – Tsawwassen

Best Community Impact
HapiFoods Group Inc. – Sunshine Coast
Seeds Natural Food Market – Comox Valley
Kit n’ Caboodle Quality Childrens Consignment Ltd. – Nanaimo
Amuse Consulting Inc. – Vancouver
Kids Physio Group – Vancouver
Lux Jewels – Vancouver
Forum for Women Entrepreneurs – Vancouver
Academic Advantage Tutoring – Vancouver
Dance With Me Studio – New Westminster
A Little More Good – Vancouver

Best Employer
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards – Oliver
Nurse Next Door Home Care Services – Vancouver
The Great Escape – Langley
Williams and White – Burnaby
Eclipse Awards – Vancouver
Café Medina – Vancouver
Pacific Angler – Vancouver
The Finer Details Event Planning Inc. – Vancouver
The Flying Pig Yaletown – Vancouver
The Elements Society – Vancouver

Best Green Business
Gibsons Recycling Depot – Sunshine Coast
Ridgepoint at Pineview – Kamloops
Pemberton Valley Lodge – Pemberton
Green Gals – Fraser Valley
Abigail’s Hotel – Victoria
Clover Earthkind Hair Salon – Vancouver
Green Coast Rubbish – Vancouver
Debrand Services Inc. – Vancouver
Rainforest Automation, Inc. – Vancouver
Karmavore Vegan Shop – New Westminster
Best Online Marketer
CanadianNanny.ca – Lower Mainland
The Root Cellar Village Green Grocer – Victoria
TASTEtheCowichan – Cowichan
Raspberry Kids – Vancouver
Mother Of A Deal – Vancouver
True Cuddles Inc. – Vancouver
Astone Fitness – Richmond
TradableBits Media Inc. – Vancouver
Broadside Media Inc – Vancouver
MASC – Vancouver

About Small Business BC: Small Business BC provides entrepreneurs with the information and guidance necessary to build a solid foundation for their business. As their venture grows, small business owners can access the right combination of products, tools, resources and education, to give their business the best chance at success. Small Business BC is supported by Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development. For more information, visit www.smallbusinessbc.ca

Bright Nights in Stanley Park

The Finer Details has been involved with Bright Nights in Stanley Park since 2008.  We are pleased to assist with project management of this month long event and keep tasks on time & budget as well as assist the steering committee (BC Professional Fire Fighter's Burn Fund & The Vancouver Park Board) with coming up with fresh ideas.

These 2 partners have been working together since the beginning 14 years ago.  The Professional Fire Fighters donate their time to set up the plaza for the entire month of November.  The Park Board Train Staff along with Mortal Coil Performance Society make sure the train route sparkles!  It is a fantastic partnership.

Some innovative ideas that we contributed to this year:

• the North Pole - a new location where Santa Claus can visit with the kids
• Parade of Trees - taking advantage of the old Farmyard to incorporate live decorated trees while attendees wait to see Santa
• Children's Activities & Crafts - each year The Finer Details provides an experience for kids to keep them busy while they wait for their train...this year we have a Reindeer craft & Letters to Santa

Our staff is onsite each night managing a team of up to 25 local high school students to assist with Photos with Santa, Children's crafts and activities as well as costumed characters.  This is a hard working group and we thank all of the over 200 volunteers this 2011/2012 season!


Dec 1st was our VIP Night was spectacular...see some of our pics