Holiday gift-giving suggestions with a U of T theme
Published: December 18, 2014
Last-minute holiday shoppers, under pressure to make impressive selections quickly, have been known to fail in spectactular fashion. But those deadline-driven woes might just be a thing of a past, thanks to University of Toronto students, staff, faculty and alumni.
What about the well-read family member who just happens to be tongue-tied in social situations? Two U of T staff members have created an aesthetically appealing solution called Between the Lines: a package of clever conversational gambits to see you through everything from awkward family dinners to stressful cocktail parties. The best part? Proceeds go to support PEN Canada.
“There’s nothing like actually applying what you’ve learned in the classroom to the real world,” says third-year Faculty of Arts & Science student Vlessing, who credits an introduction to entrepreneurship course at U of T with helping her launch her company. Her Arctic Trim brand of products hit retail stores in Ontario December 15 and will be available nationally and internationally through the Sporting Life retail chain.
Vlessing produces a line of different fur trims for Canada Goose jackets that allow cold-weather fashionistas to customize their beloved parkas: http://www.arctictrim.com/. All are locally produced and manufactured with materials primarily sourced from small Toronto vendors.
And, for tech-oriented family and friends, you can order a wealth of wearable options from U of T startups. For the person who keeps forgetting passwords, how about a biometric wristband? The Nymi, from startup Bionym, allows users to remember passwords and unlock devices, by recognizing the unique signature of the wearer's heart.
- Adventure through High Park and the Green Belt after listening to U of T PhD candidate and author Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer discuss how West Toronto's ravines influenced her new novel, All the Broken Things.
- Walk through downtown Toronto's concrete jungle and imagine how Liat Margolis' work to optimize green roofs may someday result in a lush forest of grass-covered skyscrapers.
- Or simply throw on your boots and stroll through the landscape of the University of Toronto's historic and possibly haunted spots.
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