Some people give each other condos for Christmas. Most don't. This festive issue takes you inside Hawthorne Homes' affordable Mosaic and Montage projects in Auburn Bay.

They run between $235,000 (Montage) and $290,000 (Mosaic). Mosaic features townhomes; Montage, stacked units. There's a 45-acre lake thrown into the deal, where you can swim, boat, fish, skate or toboggan, depending on the season.

We take you to the city's west side (the one closest to the Rockies), and the NYC-style Brownstones by Beattie project. It offers four spacious, well-appointed levels of upscale living, complete with two-car garages.

The immediate vicinity is shoppers-ville: Westhills Town Centre (mall), Westbrook Shopping Mall and West Market Square (yes, another mall), all on (or near) City Transit routes. Then there's Canada Olympic Park, Edworthy Park, Westside Recreation Centre, schools, medical facilities, libraries and churches. All in the shadows of the mountains.

Best of the season to you and enjoy the issue.