Can you believe it’s that time of year again? Black Friday has come and gone, and Christmas is just around the corner. Welcome to December, my friends! It’s time to break out the holiday decorations, and really crack down on what gifts you’re going to get and for whom. It can be a very expensive month, so I did my best to curate a variety of price points again this year, because the more options the better.

Quick note: Most of the gifts in the 2019 guide can be personalized, not just the Cool and Customizable section. For more details on each product, be sure to click the product links throughout the post!

Cool and Customizable

Anything from Levi’s (but specifically the OG Trucker Jacket) - Levi’s offers a really awesome service where you can customize and alter any and all pieces; from jackets to pants to tote bags and everything in between. We’re talking patch-work, custom cuts and hems, button replacement, embroidery, and so much more. Breathe life back into your old denim, or add personalized touches to anything new and out-of-the-box this holiday season. I cannot wait to continue making this Trucker Jacket truly my own with these fun burgundy buttons, cute patches and pins, and eventually some custom embroidery on the back.

Inkbox Pre-designed or Custom Temporary Tattoos - Inkbox is no stranger to the Toronto gifting scene, with pre-designed or custom-made temporary tattoos that develop over 24 hours and last 1-2 weeks. Simultaneously launching design collaborations with Post Malone, Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty and many of the world’s top tattoo artists, including Curt Montgomery and Girl Knew York, Inkbox tattoos make the perfect gift for trendsetters or anyone looking to test out designs before committing to the real thing. The cherry on top? They’ve now got a brick-and-mortar location called Inside Out Tattoo Studio on Queen West where you can go to get special collection tattoos, freehand ink done by real artists, and even permanent tattoos!

Thoughtfully Personalized Jewelry from Jewlr - Everything, and I mean everything on Jewlr’s website is customizable. They’ve got rings, bracelets, necklaces, and so much more. Choose from a variety of different metals, stones, engravings, and sizes to specially cater your gift to your loved one’s preferences (or your own..). They’ve really thought of all the bells and whistles at Jewlr, because you can even customize the box that your gift comes in. Either upload your own photo or design, or choose from their many templates and messages. This gift is sure to impress!

Host or Hostess with the Mostess

Delicious Cocktail Mixes from Split Tree Cocktail Co. - Nothing says “you’re an awesome host” like tasty cocktail/mocktail mixes to add to an ever-growing bar cart. These award-winning, small batch, and hand crafted cocktail mixes from Split Tree Cocktail Co. use whole fresh ingredients, no artificial preservatives, and none of the weird stuff you can’t pronounce. The best part is that they cut down on the number of steps necessary for making all the classic cocktails, so that you and your host can spend more time socializing. All you have to do is add your favourite spirits and/or sodas, and you’ve got yourself something seriously gourmet. Just try this one on for size.

Specialty Chocolate Bars from Kit Kat Chocolatory - At the Kit Kat Chocolatory, you don’t just have a break, you create your own chocolate bars and then you devour it. These bars are great for sharing, and the process of making them is an experience in itself. Cater your bar to your host/hostess’ taste, or bring them along for the ride and let them create the bar themselves! Pick your favourite chocolate (milk, dark, or white), then choose three scrumptious toppings (dried fruit, nuts, candy, etc.), and personalize the message on the box so that your recipient knows how much thought was put into their gift.

A Cookbook from their favourite Restaurant (this one is Earl’s) - Slaving away in the kitchen to host a fabulous party is hard work, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little inspiration from the top chef’s and restauranteurs around the world, make hosting easier by gifting a cookbook from one of their (or your) favourite restaurants. I love pretty much everything on the Earl’s menu, so this one is a given. However there are tons of options when it comes to great restaurant eats such as momofuku, Magnolia Bakery, Shake Shack, and more! Either that, or just give them a gift certificate and go eat the real thing..

Stylish Stocking Stuffers

Customized Candles from Yummi Candles - Candles made by hand with specially chosen scents and glass tumblers are an awesome stocking stuffer for the special people in your life. Just in time for the holidays, Yummi Candles is bringing you just that with their pop-up fragrance factory located inside Yorkdale Mall (next door to Restoration Hardware). Curate 6 of your top picks from over 40 different scents and 11 different styles of glass tumbler, and give the gift of wonderful smells this season. Maybe you give them all away, or maybe you keep them all for yourself; either way they are sure to make someone feel loved this year.

Glittery Accessories for your hair from Mimi & Ko Jewels - Super affordable, and ultra glitzy and glamourous for the holidays, throw some cute hair pins into their stocking to share your love and affection (and sense of style). I’ve been loving hair clips over other accessories recently because they are trendy, and can be mixed and matched to accompany any outfit with ease. Pair a couple small ones together for an understated look, or rock a big and bold option to make a statement.

Punny and Pretty stationary or greeting cards (like these from Gotamago Inc. and The Baltic Club) - Show your friends and family how thoughtful you are by sharing with them some of your favourite puns and prints. There are so many funny and adorable greeting card options on Gotamago Inc.’s website, and be sure to shop the stunning, scrumptious, and even celestial notebooks and journals from The Baltic Club. Each product starts from an original design and are created by Canadian artists in Toronto and Montreal, respectively. Support small-business owners and be the best gift-giver around, this year!

Seasonal Essentials

Thick and Luxurious Hand Creams from J.R. Watkins Co. - Winter is the worst when it comes to preventing dry skin. It feels like I have to go through tubes and tubes of lotion and cream in order to keep my skin from feeling parched. However, I don’t mind using tubes and tubes of the sweet smelling hand creams from J.R. Watkins because they smell so good I could practically eat them (I do not recommend doing so…). Choose from 6 heavenly scents such as coconut milk and honey, pomegranate and acai, and my absolutely favourite lemon cream. Made with shea butter, cocoa butter, and avocado oil, these guys are sure to keep their skin soft and supple all winter long.

The Ultimate Duvet designed for Canadians from Endy - When I say this is the ultimate duvet for Canadians, I mean the ultimate duvet for all Canadians. It was created to withstand hot hot Canadian summers and frigid and freezing Canadian winters, keeping you both cool and warm depending on the season. With high-tech temperature regulating materials, the Endy duvet makes for a much more comfortable sleep (which is super-duper important). It’s even machine washable and hypoallergenic, making this the perfect gift for when the weather outside is frightful this December!

Blissful Vanilla-Scented Bubbles from Library of Flowers - Y’all know I love vanilla; vanilla to eat, vanilla in a candle, in a perfume, all vanilla all the time. I also love gifting vanilla because the scent reminds me of a big warm hug, which is necessary in the middle of winter. The small-batch American Perfumery has been on the list of Oprah’s Favourite Things, and is an amazing gift for pretty much anyone in need of a little R&R. Obviously, this is not the only scent (but it is my favourite), so choose from Osmanthus and White Orchid Forget Me Not or Cut Greens and Flowering Lotus Willow & Water scents, as well. Whatever it takes to melt away their troubles this holiday season.

What are you getting your loved ones for the holidays? Did you get any ideas from this year’s gift guide? And what’s on your wish list for 2019? Let me know all the deets in the comments below!

Special thanks to @jcvaughan_ for helping me shoot the gift guide for the second year in a row, and thank you to the brands that were kind enough to gift me some of the items in this year’s guide. Happy first day of December everyone!