Think holiday shopping and you’re probably thinking long lines, elbowing each other and sweating away in the crowded malls. Hey, atleast that’s what I think and the main reason I tend to either shop in November or do everything online. Malls can be chaotic during the festive season and the only reason I walk in there is to enjoy the decorations and Christmas tunes. Well…the folks at RBC Avion have a holiday boutique that’s going to change the way you view holiday shopping if you live in Toronto, Halifax or Coquitlam. Definitely another proud AVIONER moment!
Disclosure: I am part of the RBC Avion Holiday Boutique Blogger Campaign with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog, as always, are totally my own.
As you know we love our RBC Avion card and over the past seven years we’ve been able to use our points for a trip annually. Infact, the hubs and Little Monkey just booked their flight back to Nova Scotia for the holidays using our Avion points and I ended up forking out nearly $2000 for the same flight! OUCH right?
I was invited for a sneak peek of the Avion Holiday Boutique at the Yorkdale mall last week and I’m back to report that you should head out to the mall if you’re an Avioner! Please note that the RBC Avion Holiday Boutique is for Avion cardholders BUT the public can enjoy the valet parking, coat & parcel check and gift wrapping services for a pre-set fee (all coat & parcel check and gift wrapping fees are donated to Sick Kids). Kids are allowed and there were ramps at the Yorkdale Avion Holiday Boutique which would mean that strollers can get by easily (though if it’s busy, perhaps you can park it outside) and you can bring your friends in with you so that’s sure to make you a popular shopping buddy this season!
So if you’re an Avioner here’s what you can expect at the boutique :
Honestly, the complimentary gift wrapping and coat check itself was enough to get me to the mall. No more lugging around the heavy winter coats and the piles of gifts, sweating your way through the mall!! As if that isn’t enough, the space is designed to keep you calm… white lounge chairs to seat your tushies on as you sip the free coffee and nosh on treats with your friends. All the while your gifts are being wrapped and you are serenaded by live tunes (yes there’s a pianist!). Pure bliss!
If you’re the antsy type and don’t want to sit still, there’s a display of items featuring popular items from the RBC Rewards Catalogue and there’s a way to win some fancy stuff! As part of a ‘Not So Secret Santa’ contest all you have to do is tweet out a photo of an item, a selfie or parts of the lounge and gift something from the display to a friend (virtually of course). Tagging a friend and #AvionVIP with the item’s hashtag will put you in the running to win the item you tweeted and a $100 RBC Visa Gift Card! Please tweet at me the Kate Spade purse or Swarovski watch ;). Please and thank you!
Fear not folks… this isn’t JUST at the Yorkdale Mall, there’s also one at Square One in Mississauga and the Coquitlam Centre in Coquitlam, BC from November 22nd to December 31st. In addition, there’s a mini Avion Holiday Boutique pop up at Halifax Shopping Centre from December 1st to 24th. So get shopping folks! Buy me something nice will ya?
Are you looking forward to holiday shopping?
Eldon L
November 24, 2014 at 4:42 pmWow I wish I had the Avion card!
Mike M
November 25, 2014 at 7:54 amNo way! I have an AVION card … guess my wife will enjoy shopping even more this year! Thanks for sharing this with us.
Samantha Angell
November 25, 2014 at 10:16 amThis sounds like a great event! I can’t wait to start holiday shopping when I am back home in the US next week.
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
November 25, 2014 at 11:18 amI would LOVE to shop there. It sounds like my kind of store.
Courtney
November 25, 2014 at 2:17 pmSounds like my kinda store!!! Sounds pretty fabulous!!
Shaney Vijendranath
November 25, 2014 at 4:10 pmSounds like my type of place. I love shopping and use any excuse to shop …lol I need that card. 😉
Catherine S
November 25, 2014 at 5:58 pmThis is really great. This is my kind of store I want to go shopping.
Yashy
November 25, 2014 at 7:02 pmThis isn’t a store per-se as much as it’s a lounge for you to relax at after or between your shopping sprees 🙂
Liz Mays
November 25, 2014 at 6:59 pmLetting them do all the wrapping after a full day of shopping sounds pretty perfect to me. I need to find this set-up!
Theresa
November 25, 2014 at 9:59 pmNo, I am not looking forward to holiday shopping. But, if I had a place like that here, it would really get me in a holly jolly shopping spirit!
Franc Ramon
November 26, 2014 at 12:02 amThere are a lot of benefits for being an avion cardholder. Shopping would indeed be a lot more fun.
HilLesha
November 26, 2014 at 8:05 amI usually loathe shopping this time of year, because the crowds are so chaotic and overwhelming. However, I love this concept!
Terri Ramsey Beavers
November 26, 2014 at 8:15 amI hate wrapping presents lol. It would be awesome to have someone wrap for me. thanks for sharing.
Yashy
November 27, 2014 at 12:49 amI know EXACTLY how you feel! How badly I wrap is a running joke at my place
OnceUponAMaritime
November 26, 2014 at 11:19 amI wish I had an Avion card, but I’m not sure if any stores are near me!
Yashy
November 27, 2014 at 12:48 amThere’s plenty of other perks with an Avion credit card! We travel with our points and get access to fun events and exclusive screenings. Not to mention the awesome insurance on our card!
Stephanie Lee
November 26, 2014 at 11:39 amThe gift wrapping service were really awesome! I always love to shop! How i wish they have branch here in the Philippines..
Susieqtpies (Susan B)
November 26, 2014 at 12:49 pmLove the review of the boutique. Avion sounds like the place to be this holiday season.
ourfamilyworld
November 26, 2014 at 2:17 pmI love this RBC holiday boutique. I have one in my shopping mall and it is so relaxing.
Ann Bacciaglia
November 26, 2014 at 4:32 pmI will have to go and check this out. I have a Avion card. I am excited to see what i will find.
Yashy
November 27, 2014 at 12:46 amYou’ll love it Ann! Let us know how you like the lounge!
Tiany - Social Savvy Mom
November 29, 2014 at 12:06 amI used to love wrappng but in my old age, I can do withot it, love that they wrap! 🙂
Paula - Buenos Aires
November 29, 2014 at 11:37 pmI like the way they offer a whole shopping experience and not just the goods. Details are important and many were taken into account.
Darlene W
December 5, 2014 at 2:28 pmAnother perk of a reward card
loucheryl
December 8, 2014 at 8:18 amI really like Holiday Shopping for the lights and decorations Christmas brings but I could do with the crowds and parking issues. 🙂
Victoria Ess
December 14, 2014 at 9:23 amI still haven’t seen one of these yet! Guess that means I haven’t been shopping enough lately 😉 Looks neat!