8 things every Vancouverite needs to get through the holiday season

Chapped lips, cabin fever, weeks on end without a glimmer of sunshine. Winter in Vancouver can feel pretty dreary. But hey, at least our eyelashes aren’t freezing like our friends on the east coast.

The holiday season often means busier schedules, full of parties and festive outings, while the colder, darker nights might also tempt you to stay in and cozy up.

Whether you’re embracing the wintertime nightlife or taking refuge from the colder temperatures, winter is a time for comforts. It’s also a time for gifting — but does it always need to be for someone else?

Here’s our list of things from London Drugs to gift yourself with this holiday season, for every occasion.

Bag these beauties

Juggling a busy social schedule during the holiday season can be daunting, especially when you’re having to run from the office straight to your next event. Keeping a few key makeup tools handy in your purse makes it easy to go from day-to-night.

Are you one of those people that gets excited about applying false eyelashes but then ends up with the most unsymmetrical set ever? Ardell’s Magnetic Lashes snap on with magnets, which means less gluing your eye shut, more glamour and time left over to enjoy the holidays.

And for those looking to add a smokey eye for some evening glamour, the Stardust Palette by Lise Watier has nine high-pigment shades, including neutrals like pale pink and bold, eye-popping shades like navy blue. The best thing? It comes in a compact, glittery case.

Have too many events to keep up with? NYX has made makeup geeks’ Christmas come true with their release of a limited-edition Love Lust Disco Greatest Hits Lip Advent Calendar. Instead of things made of cocoa, you’ll find trial-size lip products. Which means you’ll have a colour for every holiday occasion.

Self-care for the season

Just because the temperature drops doesn’t mean you need to avoid being outside. After all, the holidays can be one of the most fun times of the year to explore outside — skiing, tobogganing, snow angels, anyone?

Just make sure you’re warm by keeping a travel thermos with you as you venture out.

And if all the outdoor festivals, tree-lugging, Christmas markets, and never-ending visits to the mall have you worn out, make sure to fight off any concerns of getting sick by having vitamins on hand for when you start to feel like your energy is dipping.

Staying in for the majority of the holidays? We hear you. Maybe you’re staying in to fend off the cold temperatures, or you’re stuck inside with an actual cold.

Either way, a diffuser is going to make your life more comfortable. Not only do the essential oils create a relaxing and calming environment when you’re spending so much time indoors, but depending on the oils you choose, you could be aiding in the recovery of your cold, too.

Did we mention they’re the perfect accompaniment to a bath night-in?

Speaking of baths, now that you’ve got your diffuser going, there’s only one thing that could take your relaxation to the next level. And that’s a waterproof e-reader.

Kobo’s new waterproof Aura eReader has a built-in light, built-in WiFi, 4GB of memory, and two months of battery life. We can’t think of anything more relaxing than reading our favourite book in the bath.

Not cozy enough yet? Sometimes the best winter evenings are curled up on the couch wrapped in a blanket.

But have you ever thought how amazing this would be if it was heated?  Sounds even better if you’re not lucky enough to have a fireplace in your apartment. Just make sure not to fall asleep.

Sunbeam’s incredibly soft Sherpa or microplush blankets come as reversible designs, so instead of buying a new throw every once in a while, you can just turn over your blanket.

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The holidays don’t always have to be about giving for others; it’s a time of year that can be about self-care too.

Whether you’re heading out for a night on the town or staying in with maximum comfort, London Drugs has something for everyone. Visit them in-store or online to seek out your next gift for yourself.