Nov 26

Nov 26 The Canadian Creative Gift Guide 2023

It’s just under a month until Christmas, and Chanukah is right around the corner. Each year, I always wait until after the One of a Kind Winter Show to bring you my gift guides because I love showcasing local small businesses. As per usual, many of the brands in this year’s guide are Canadian, and a couple of them even manufacture in Canada (which is no small feat). For all your last-minute gifting needs, and some of them even still have Black Friday deals this weekend, check out my (much more extensive this year) recommendations for 2023:

UNDER $50

This Silk & Snow Silk Sleep Mask is buttery soft, gentle and made from 100% mulberry silk. I love a sleep mask to block out the light while I’m sleeping, whether it’s Adrian’s phone screen or the bit of light peeking through the curtains when I’m trying to sleep in on the weekends. Get this for those who need to catch some extra z’s.

Florence by Mills A Few of My Favorite Things Gift Set

Florence by Mills just recently released products at Shoppers Drug Mart. Pick up the A Few of My Favorite Things Gift Set for someone just starting out their skincare and makeup journey or make your own bundle with some of my faves! I cannot stop using the Surfing Under The Eyes Hydrating Under Eye Treatment Gel Pads and the Spot A Spot Acne Patches.

These Vesper Cocktails Infusion Kits are a super innovative idea for the aspiring mixologist in your life. Similar to making cold brew coffee, you just fill the jar with the liquor that goes with the recipe, leave it in your fridge for 1-3 days, then strain it and add your favourite juices or sparkling water for 16 servings of a delicious cocktail. There are currently 8 cocktail kits to choose from so you’ll be sure to find something that fits their taste.

I’m often sceptical of tanning products, but this Coco & Eve Antioxidant Face Tanning Micromist is a genius product. The innovative tanning mist technology, combined with skin-loving antioxidants & hydration, gives you a gorgeous sun-kissed tan without the splotchiness. Because it’s a micromist, it creates a beautiful, streak-free glow (something that can often be a deterrent for me).

Easily the softest, slouchiest, stretchiest toque I’ve ever laid my hands on, the Harris Boyfriend Toque from This Is J is perfect for the cold winter months in Canada. It comes in 10 different colours and is made of 100% hypoallergenic acrylic. This is one of the brands whose products have been manufactured in Canada for 20+ years!

Fill your space with incredible the smelling LOHN Everywhere Mists. They are so versatile that this is a no-brainer gift for the 2023 season. Spray a few spritzes throughout your space, on your linens, your clothing, and your body for a scent that lasts several hours. The four scent options are made from vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free ingredients, and the bottle has an easy-to-remove lid so you can use it again and again.

$50-$100

For all the Disney fans (and Marvel fans, and Star Wars fans..), see what it’s like to live on the dark side as you strive to achieve your own devious objectives in the Disney Villainous Board Game. In this epic contest of sinister power, take on the role of one of six Disney Villains in the base game. However, there are so many expansion packs created for this game that the fun is truly endless. Find your winning strategy while thwarting your opponents’ schemes. It’s fun for the entire family!

I’ve been using my Quip Limited Edition Pride Smart Rechargeable Brush for almost two years now, and I’ve received nothing but a bill of good health from the dentist! Its soft-bristle brush head uses timed sonic vibrations to provide you with a fantastic clean, and the replaceable brush heads make for an eco-conscious, 85% reusable brush. With the purchase of this Rainbow Pride brush, Quip is donating $50,000 across three charities serving LGBTQIA+ youth and communities, but there are plenty of other colour ways to choose from.

Brightfield Candles Holly Jolly Gift Box

One of the companies we discovered this year at the One of a Kind Show is Brightfield Candles. The owner was so sweet and incredibly passionate, so we had to grab a handful of delicious-smelling candles. This Holly Jolly Gift Box is chock full of their holiday scents to help you spread the holiday cheer. Brightfield is based in Toronto and donates $1 for every candle sold to charities and grassroots organizations helping support environmental and social change. This one is a feel-good gift all around!

Based in Canada, Tuck is a modern bedding company that is thoughtful, sustainably manufactured, and well-made. Knowing that the textile industry is one of the largest polluters in the world, they created products that do the planet and its people a little better. The Classic Pillow Case is woven from a blend of organic cotton and TENCEL™, and each set includes two pillowcases to help them get the perfect night’s sleep. They even offer a $20 monogram add-on to make this gift that much more personalized.

For the coffee connoisseurs, the Fellow Clara French Press is an award-winning design that features vacuum-insulated walls to keep your coffee hot, no matter how many cups you have… It also has an enhanced mesh filtration system to make each cup taste as smooth and silt-free as the first, because no one likes that last mouthful of coffee grounds. It’s super easy to use and clean, plus the sleek black exterior is something anyone would want to display on their kitchen counter.

Another brand we discovered at the One of a Kind Show is LOVEFRESH. This brand is also Toronto-based and is genuinely driven by the joy of its customers. They’ve got all their bases covered -all-natural, sustainable, cruelty-free, women-owned and operated, and made in Canada. The LF OG'S Holiday Bundle is the perfect mix of body-nurturing products to bring the spa experience to their home. The bundle comes with hand and body wash, hand and body lotion and body butter in three different scents. My fave is the lavender!

$100+

I am absolutely obsessed with these Lover’s Tempo Etoile Duet Star Drop Earrings in Gold. I’ve already worn them twice, and it isn’t even December yet. These sparkly double drops will leave onlookers starry-eyed, and Lover’s Tempo plants a tree for every order placed. The company also created their Full Circle Artist Program, collaborating with Canadian artists who will incorporate their jewels into a unique piece of art to give used jewelry a second life.

These alder apparel get dirty workwear overalls are designed and constructed by women for women. It is often challenging to find the perfect fit, but the get dirty overalls are made from a blend of high-quality cotton and spandex to create a soft, stretchy feel without compromising on durability. Always created with tons of thoughtful design elements, alder apparel has made it much easier for women to find performance-driven and playful clothing pieces.

We are constantly looking for sleek and unique pieces to add to our home as we build out our space, and the Saje Aroma Wave Ultrasonic Diffuser fits the bill perfectly. Its got a gorgeous stand-out design and a run-time of 6-12 hours to fill any medium-sized room with relaxing aroma therapy scents. Plus, Saje diffusers are heat-free and whisper-quiet so you can enjoy immersive ambience at the touch of a button.

I bought myself this Commuter Backpack, and I will never look back. It has so many pockets and tons of space that I can fit everything I will ever need inside. It also has an extra shoulder strap to convert the backpack into a messenger bag. Poppy & Peonies is a Métis female-founded, cruelty-free, Canadian accessory brand. They donate a portion of every order to support the Indian Residential School Survivors Society to support survivors and families across British Columbia and beyond.

Shark FlexStyle™ Air Styling & Drying System

One product that is a powerful, fast, no-heat-damage hair dryer and an ultra-versatile multi-styler all in one? Sign me up! The Shark FlexStyle® Air Styling & Drying System is just that. One twist is all it takes to swap out the different styling heads for effortless styling on any hair type. The price tag is worth it when you think about the cost of each of these styling tools alone. So curl, volumize, smooth, or dry with the Shark FlexStyle® —the choice is yours.

Another company that manufactures their products in Canada is seray. Founder Lauren wanted to create a women’s apparel line designed to put women first. By creating sleepwear like The Mocha Set in sizes ranging from xxs to 2x, seray offers the softest temperature regulation for a good night’s rest. With just the right amount of stretch, they will surely be reaching for seray sleepwear at the end of every day.

Grab your last-minute Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals on several of these products and brands. Many of them have sales on until tomorrow! Have you started your holiday shopping, or are you procrastinating like I typically do? Did you find some inspo in this year’s guide? There are plenty of Canadian brands to support, so be sure to shop local!

Wishing you all a happy and safe holiday season.