It’s a common misconception that your furry friend is immune to the cold because of his or her fur coat. Fido’s comfort and safety in winter weather conditions depends on a number of variables, from breed, to age, to general physical stamina and strength. Learn more about how to care for Fido this winter in today’s post from Timbercreek Communities.

Minimizing Outdoor Trips

You can’t keep your dog inside all winter, but when is it safe to go out? Smaller, shorter breeds that walk closer to the snow are usually less resilient in cold weather, along with elderly dogs. Some dog breeds, like huskies, have thicker snow-ready coats than others, like greyhounds. A general rule is that when temperatures fall below zero degrees celsius, no matter the dog, your furry friend is at risk for hypothermia. When the cold hits, check the temps to determine if it’s safe to go out. Consider minimizing your outdoor trips with dog-friendly indoor games and activities.

Paw Pads

Perhaps the biggest perk of paw pads is protection, not from the snow, but rather the salt and chemicals that melt the snow. Invest in a pair of affordable paw pads to keep your dogs paws safe. Love long winter hikes? The second benefit of paw pads is protection from rugged terrain that can potentially cut or damage your pet’s paws.

Grooming

You can’t protect your pup from everything, so grooming during the winter is important. Your local groomer will thoroughly clean any salt or mud that finds its way onto your pet throughout the season.

Do’s and Don’ts for Cold Weather

• Don’t leave your pet unattended outdoors when it’s extremely cold.
• Don’t feed your pet less just because it’s cold; Fido actually requires more energy from food to heat his or her body during the winter months.

• Do take note if your dog begins to shiver, bark or refuse to move, as these can be signs of overexposure to cold.
• Do get a cozy Fido Fleece for smaller pets, or pets with thinner coats.

Proper winter care for your pooch is key. Get started today with one of these tips from the dog lovers at Timbercreek Communities. For more information about pet-friendly Timbercreek Communities apartments, located in five provinces and over 27 cities nationwide, please visit our website.

The holidays are just around the corner, offering a great opportunity for some quality time with your family. Kids can get bored easily if they don’t have engaging activities that hold their attention. Timbercreek Communities has 6 kid-friendly holiday activities for you to enjoy. We hope you and your kids have a great time!

Ice Skating and Hockey

It doesn’t feel like winter until you’ve laced up your skates and hit the ice. Whether you enjoy public skating at a local rink or a pick game of hockey with friends and family, check out these rinks and schedules for Calgary, Winnipeg, Halifax, Montreal and Toronto. Still not sure where to skate? Check with your local municipality.

Go to the movies

Take a break on a cold winter day and escape into a different world with a trip to the movie theatre. Going to the movies can be a great way to spend your time this holiday season. There are several fun family friendly films to enjoy this month, including the latest J.K. Rowling creation, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the latest Disney animated feature, Moana, and another animated offering featuring the voice talents of Matthew McConaughey and Scarlett Johansson, Sing.

Build a Gingerbread House

We’ve all seen those elaborately decorated gingerbread houses on display, but few of us have actually attempted to build our own gingerbread house. Creating one from scratch is no small task, but as with many things in life, the joy is in the doing and it can be a great indoor, bonding activity for you and your kids. Simplify things a bit by purchasing a ready-to-assemble kit.

Make a dreidel

A dreidel is a four-sided, spinning top with a distinct Hebrew letter on each side. The game is to spin the dreidel to collect coins or candy depending on the letter that appears. Traditionally, dreidels are made out of clay and this video will show you how to make your own, or you can easily make one out of paper.

DIY Christmas stockings

As the snow piles up outside, having a fun and useful DIY project to focus on can be a great way to spend the day. Brew up some hot cocoa and get to work on DIY Christmas stockings that you’ll be proud to hang by the chimney with care.

DIY Christmas Ornaments

Decorating the Christmas tree is a great family tradition. You can make it even more personal by hanging some ornaments that you and your family create yourselves. These DIY Christmas Ornaments are fun to make. They’re also a great keepsake for future generations.

We hope this post helps you spend a little quality time as a family this holiday season. For more information on Timbercreek Rental Communities across Canada, please visit our website.

Canadian winters can be harsh and braving the cold day after day can be exhausting. Your home should be a warm, safe and comfortable space to rest in. Timbercreek is here to help with 6 winter tips for apartment living.

Invest in a sunlamp

Sunlight has a big impact on your mood. Getting too little sunshine during winter can lead to the winter blues, feelings of depression, and in some cases it can even trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Invest in a sunlamp, or therapy lamp, to feel better during the winter.

Keep your apartment cozy with throw blankets

Feeling comfortable and cozy is important during the winter. Security blankets aren’t only for children. The need to feel warm, safe and secure is real, no matter your age. Keep your apartment cozy with throw blankets that you can wrap around yourself and curl up under.

Consider a rug for warmer wood floors

Wood floors can be beautiful, but they can also feel a little cold during the winter months, especially if it is the first thing your feet touch when you get out of your warm bed. You may want to consider a throw rug to warm up those chilly wood planks.

Invest in thermal curtains

A single pane of glass from a closed window can lose almost 10 times as much heat as the same area of an insulated wall. Windows (even when closed) are usually the biggest cause of heat loss in your home. Invest in thermal curtains to retain more heat and save on your heating costs.

Humidifiers are a renter’s best friend

In the winter, while it’s cold outside and the heat is turned up indoors, the humidity of the room may drop as much as 20%. That drop in humidity can cause adverse health effects because it can dry out mucous membranes in the nose and throat which can lead to respiratory issues. Even if the dry air indoors doesn’t bother you, it can damage wooden furniture, books and even your artwork which can become brittle in low humidity. The good news is that a humidifier can solve all of these problems.

Discover home workouts on YouTube

Trudging outdoors to go to the gym during the dead of winter can be a lot to ask of yourself. It’s important to get your exercise in, even when the temperature drops. The good news is that you can get a great, full body workout, without using expensive equipment by discovering home workouts on YouTube. Whether it’s cardio, bodyweight, HIIT, or yoga, there is something for everyone, for every fitness level.

Timbercreek hopes that these 6 winter tips for apartment living help to make your winter as comfortable and healthy as possible. For more information on Timbercreek Communities across Canada, please visit our website.

With winter on the way, you may be looking for ways to feel more comfy and warm at home. A good night’s sleep is so important for your overall health and sense of well being. Timbercreek Communities is here to help make this winter super cozy. Check out our tips for how to build a comfy and warm looking bed.

Buy or knit your own cable knit blanket

Purchasing a chunky, warm cable knit blanket will instantly make you feel more cozy. They are thick and durable, and feel like they can protect you from the harshest winter weather. If you really want to earn your comfy, warm feeling and you are looking for a winter project to curl up with, consider making your own. With basic knitting skills and patience, this impressive throw blanket can be made in a single day!

Invest in the best: Down Comforters

To stay cozy and warm during the darkest, coldest winter nights, consider investing in a down comforter. Unlike heavy cable knit blankets, high quality down comforters are very warm and very light weight. Those two qualities rarely go hand in hand. A good down comforter will keep you cozy, without weighing you down.

DIY soft headboard

If you plan to read or lounge a lot in bed this winter, a DIY soft headboard is just the ticket. This tutorial will walk you through through the process, step by step. A soft headboard gives you a plush place to lean against in bed for those blissful waking hours.

Add a cozy bedside rug

Even if you have the coziest bed in the world, all of that warmth goes out the window when you have to put your foot down on a cold floor when it’s time to get up. Keep that amazing warm and cozy feeling going as long as possible with with a cozy bedside rug.

Stock up on pillows

Having plenty of pillows will make your bed look and feel super comfy. So go ahead, stock up! What’s not to love about an abundance of pillows to lay your head on, pillows to prop you up, and pillows to support you. Can you ever have enough?

Get a bedside lamp

Now that your bed is looking and feeling super comfy and warm, you may be seeing it in a new light. A bedside lamp will bathe and display your cozy new nest in a warm and comforting illumination. Along with the extra pillows to prop you up, it will make curling up with a good book all the more satisfying.

Try flannel sheets

Your bed looks super comfy and warm now. Keep that feeling going when you pull back the covers by sliding into some warm and cozy flannel sheets. Give flannel a try and see if you don’t have sweeter dreams as you sleep tight, and warm.

Add a pillow top pad for your mattress

You can have the comfiest, coziest, warmest looking bed in the world (especially if you followed all of the above advice) but it’s not going to mean much if your mattress isn’t comfortable. New mattresses are expensive, but fortunately, you can change the whole feel of your old mattress by simple adding a pillow top pad.

A feeling of comfort and security and a good night’s rest are so important, especially during a long cold winter. We hope this post helps you feel safe and warm. Sweet dreams, from Timbercreek Communities. For information on Timbercreek Rental Communities near you, please visit our website.

Roommates have been there day in and day out, whether they wanted to be or not, and you couldn’t have gotten through it all without them. Make the holidays your time to say thank you, starting with one of these clever gifts!

Key holder

A key holder can be a useful gift for a roommate who’s always losing their keys. If you’re the one who seems to be losing things the most, give this communal gift as a promise that you’ll take more care.

Shave Subscription

An electric shaver is a lame Christmas gift. A Shave Subscription is an awesome Christmas gift. Give your roommate the gift that keeps on giving with high-quality blades sent each month, perfectly on cue.

Great Power Great Electricity Bill Crewneck Sweater

Does your roommate often forget to turn off the lights? Tell him or her how you really feel with this hilarious sweater.

Beard Bib

No more little hairs all over the bathroom sink, a Beard Bib guarantees cleanliness, plus hilarious photos.

TubShroom The Revolutionary Tub Drain Protector

Hair in the shower drain belongs high up on the list of Worst Roommate Pet Peeves. Who knew the solution to this endless struggle would be just $12.99 on Amazon?

Hair Tie Bracelet Cuff

A Hair Tie Bracelet Cuff may sound crazy, but it totally makes sense. Anyone with long hair can attest -- it’s annoying getting wrist dents because of tight hair ties. This bracelet keeps your hair tie stylishly handy without any uncomfortable indentations.  

Wireless Earbud Headphones

Tired of your roomie complaining about your loud music? Wireless Earbud Headphones have a tangle-resistant design and cords that hang comfortably behind the neck.   

Candle Lovers

If you’re looking for a gift that you and your roommate will enjoy, gift a candle this holiday season. Choose a seasonal scent like Frosted Cranberry or Marshmallow Fireside. This gift gives back, making your apartment smell like a cozy winter wonderland.

Say thanks to the gal or guy with one of these creative roomie gifts. For more information about Timbercreek Communities Apartments, simply visit our website