Vancouver Christmas Market 2010

Some people may say that it’s too early to be talking about the holidays and you really shouldn’t be putting up your Christmas tree just yet. After all, Americans don’t celebrate Thanksgiving until tomorrow and–I don’t know about your part of the world–but we haven’t seen any snow in Vancouver yet either. Even so, I say there really isn’t all that much harm in warming our hearts a little early with some Christmas spirit.

Indeed, as Rebecca Bollwitt points out, the Burnaby Village Museum is starting its Heritage Christmas festivities this weekend. They have several events planned for the next few weeks at Deer Lake Park. Admission is free, though you’ll have to pay $2.30 to ride the vintage carousel. Coupled with Bright Nights in Stanley Park and other festivities, there is plenty of family-friendly things to do this holiday season in the city.

On the more technological side of the equation, Chris Cairns of Smartlife Blog recently gathered together a collection of fun Christmas apps for the Apple iPad and iPhone. There’s a digital version of the advent calendar, for instance, as well as a fun photo app with the Grinch, an app with Coca-Cola snow globes, and that all important gift tracker for all the good boys and girls in your life.

Then again, we all have to recognize that the holiday spirit is not about the presents. As Trent Hamm points out in his post, many families are struggling with Christmas worries this year. Due to financial hardships, they simply cannot afford to shower their children with gifts. Trent offers several suggestions about how you can have a very memorable Christmas without breaking the bank.

Speaking of financial difficulties, RT Cunningham recently described his experience with Google AdSense. More specifically, he had his ad-serving disabled and despite multiple appeals to Google, he hasn’t received anything in terms of a useful reply. Much of the ad revenue for RT’s site comes from AdSense, not unlike many blogs, but he’s ready to move on to other things.

And finally, we have Joseph Planta with a subject that has nothing to do with the holiday season. He interviewed Dr. Kevin Dutton on the subject of psychopathy. It’s important to note that the clinical definition of psychopathy, despite popular opinion, makes no mention of increased intelligence or propensity toward violence. I majored in psychology, so this interview was of particular interest to me.