At long last, the holiday season is here, and you’re starting to think about the special people in your life and how you would like to spoil them. When it comes to gift-giving, there’s something more personal about an item made by a local artist. And receiving a thoughtfully made gift on Christmas Day is sure to fill your loved one’s heart with joy.
To help kick-start your holiday shopping, we put together a collection of thoughtful gift ideas from some of our favourite Canadian brands. Each item has been hand-selected with quality, design and uniqueness in mind so you can feel good while you’re giving. Let’s dive in!
1. Everyday Ivoire Blanket - Mini Tipi
Trisha Pitura is an Ojibwe woman from Nipissing First Nation. Together with her dear friend Mélanie Bernard, they create small-batch goods inspired by their proud Canadian and Indigenous heritage.
When it comes to gifting with meaning, the Everyday Ivoire Blanket ticks all of the boxes. Its beautiful design tells the story of the Indigenous sacred “medicine wheel,” which depicts how all things are connected: seasons, directions, and the beings of life. It’s perfect for family picnics, camping and getting cozy by the fire.
2. Christmas Gift Set - La Marcotterie
New this season, La Marcotterie Christmas Gift Set is filled with beautiful, handmade skincare products proudly made in our studio in Gatineau, Quebec. We’ve carefully selected the very best Christmas-themed items to create a fun, and festive self-care gift set anyone on your list will love.
The six-piece set includes our delightful candy cane lip balm, apple cider and caramel soaps, Boreal forest room spray, Nordique bath salts and our cozy Chalet candle. All of the items in our gift set are made with 100% natural ingredients that are gentle and safe for most skin types.
3. Sasha Rib Knit Top - dailystory
Designed to be worn with everything, the Sasha Rib Knit is what cozy dreams are made of. Made with ultra-soft rayon, the sweater has a unique cropped cut that gives any outfit, casual or dressy, an edgier look. Our favorite part about it is that you can swap your jeans for lounge pants and still look put together!
This winter-ready top comes in five colourways, from neutral ivory to a soft berry blush, and makes an elegant and thoughtful gift for your sister or best friend. But, most importantly, we hope she’ll share!
4. Espresso Gift Box - Shop moi ça
Some of us thrive on a good night’s sleep, while others depend on an endless supply of coffee to get us through the day. The Espresso Gift Box by Gatineau-based Shop moi ça features everything the self-respecting coffee addict on your list will love.
This box smells incredible and will leave your home smelling good, too! Inside, you’ll find chocolate-covered coffee beans, a hand-crafted coffee-latte soy candle, a bag of rich Brazillian filter coffee and more. Each box is curated by sister duo Lisa and Roxanne with the highest quality products, mostly made in Canada.
5. Kanel Discovery Kit - Kanel
Whether you’re gifting to a master chef or a kitchen amateur, the Kanel Discovery Box offers a selection of gourmet salts and spice mixes that will elevate any meal. Featuring eight signature blends, the box has a deliciously curated mix of products like Black Truffle Salt, Montreal Bagel Spice and Organic Sunday Roast.
Each spice or salt is packaged in exclusive amber jars that will look great on display and is kept safe in a luxe black sleeve, making it the perfect ready-to-gift box for the foodie on your list.
6. Gold + Wylie Green Set - Everlasting Candle Co.
Hand-crafted by a husband and wife from Fraser Valley, British Columbia, the Everlasting Candle is a unique steel oil that doesn’t melt down. Instead, the oil inside the vase burns from the top of the candles lasting much longer than traditional wax.
This family invention lends itself to a great conversation starter and would make a unique hostess gift that offers a clean-burning, smoke-free, scent-free solution to home decor.
7. Turkish Towel - Confetti Mill
We love a gift with a good origin story, and Quebec-based Confetti Mill is no exception. The shop was started as a passion project by owner Özge who was born and raised in Turkey. After moving to Canada in 2007, she wanted a way to share the beautiful craftsmanship of Turkish artists, so she started her shop.
One of the unique items we love is peshtemals, which are inspired by velvety-soft bath towels used in Turkish spas. These Turkish towels are versatile, lightweight and aesthetic and can be used as a shawl, tablecloth or simply as a towel and make a great modern-style, eco-friendly gift for the holidays.
8. Soap Lover Gift Set - La Marcotterie
Give the gift of soft, smooth skin with our Soap Lover Gift Set! Featuring six cleansing bars handcrafted with 100% natural ingredients, discover our most-loved scents with notes of eucalyptus, lavender, cinnamon bark and peppermint.
In the wintertime, our skin can become dry and cracked from cold weather, which is why we use moisturizing plant butters, essential oils and botanical extracts that soothe the skin while offering relaxation and self-care.
9. Mountain Necklace - Birch Jewellery
This adorable mountain necklace from Ottawa-based Birch Jewellery is inspired by the Canadian Rockies and celebrates the vast landscapes found across Canada. Its sleek, minimal design is made with high-quality stainless steel, making it a long-lasting, memorable piece any adventure-seeker will adore.
Whether you’re looking to capture the essence of a favourite travel spot or show off your love for the mountains, it makes a unique and beautiful gift for someone special on your list.
10. The JADE: Vegan Leather Backpack - Lambert Design
If you’re looking to give a practical gift with a hint of luxury, look no further than the JADE backpack from Lambert Design. Designed with respect for animal ethics, the JADE is a model that successfully combines utility and aesthetics.
Made from high-quality, weather-resident vegan leather, this backpack is more than just a pretty face. The vintage-style bag has generous space to store all of your essential things, including a sleeve to hold a laptop. In addition, it has a sleek, vintage look with endless pockets to get you to point A to B in style.