Rita DeMontis
LATEST STORIES BY RITA DEMONTIS
There's no place for Scrooge in this year's holiday toy shopping season
Amidst all the glitz and glitter of the season, this year’s holiday shopping period may be one of the most challenging in recent years. Consumers will still be buying gifts, but people are definitely being more cautious about their holiday budgets.

Recent Barbados Food and Rum Festival a most flavourful event
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: During a recent sojourn to Barbados’ famous Food and Rum Festival, ( www.foodandrum.com ), I spent a few days eating my way through the local culinary scene, not to mention meeting famous chefs and bartenders. As food events go, this was one of the most flavourful if not delicious -and a most wonderful way help celebrate this iconic festival.

For many Canadians, Giving Tuesday is the most wonderful day of the holiday season
It’s the holiday trilogy; Black Friday followed by Cyber Monday. And now Giving Tuesday, taking place Nov. 29. The three do officially kick off the season, but it’s Giving Tuesday that really needs to be put on top of everyone’s wish list, especially during these tough, economic times, when we’re all told to give more, when we all seem to have less.

Canadian legend Dan Aykroyd talks tourtiere and other holiday treats with food editor Rita DeMontis
Canadian legend and Oscar nominee Dan Aykroyd is one of Canada’s most famous sons, an icon whose career is timeless. In person he is one of the kindest people you can ever meet, welcoming and warm. Just recently, Aykroyd sat and shared fond holiday memories including favourite foods he enjoyed while growing up in the family farmhouse in Kingston, Ont., a home that was the basis for the film, Ghostbusters , in which he was the co-creator.
