Activities

Made-in-Canada gifts for relatives who are impossible to buy for

From bourbon maple syrup and satin scrunchies to boob-inspired ceramics and pineapple-habanero hot sauce, here are 50 homegrown gifts that you’ll be truly excited to give this year.

By Andréanne Dion December 4, 2019

Photo, Erik Putz. Prop styling, Daniel Onori. Curtain, Structube.

A speckled mug hand-thrown in a Montreal studio. A deep amber fragrance delicately blended in Edmonton. A pair of earrings made with sand from a Vancouver Island beach. As we compiled our wishlists this year, we quickly realized that our most coveted items were all made in Canada. Whether you’re looking for sweet treats, eco-friendly picks, quirky ceramics or other small luxuries, there’s a homegrown gift for everyone on your list.

An assortment of gifts, including a bottle of gin, a wooden cheese board, a mini hockey stick, hand-made cat-nip filled cat toys, a ceramic mug, and a chocolate bar.

Photo, Erik Putz. Prop styling, Daniel Onori. Curtain, Structube.

Flower Power

“I bought my first bottle because of the beautiful design, and my second because I can’t get enough of this gin’s sweet floral notes.” —Sun Ngo, creative director. Collective Arts Rhubarb & Hibiscus Gin, $49, lcbo.com. Hamilton, Ont.

Mad Dash

Kinsip handcrafted bitters, $15, kinsip.ca. Prince Edward County, Ont.

Board Game

Nightwood Studio walnut cheese platter, $65, nightwoodstudio.com. Wakefield, Que.

Draft Pick

Des Enfantillages mini hockey stick set, $34, desenfantillages.com. Montreal.

Out of the Woods

Feline Fun catnip-filled cat toys, $13 for the set, etsy.com. Enfield, N.S.

Sweet Note

Alicja Confections postcard chocolate bar, $9, alicjaconfections.com. Ottawa, Ont.

Pretty in Pink

“This mug from Montreal-based potter Mérida Anderson manages to feel both cutting edge and comforting—perfect for a bracing morning caffeine hit.” —Kathryn Hayward, executive editor.

YYY Collection stoneware mug, $58 each, yyycollection.com. Montreal.

Photo, Erik Putz. Prop styling, Daniel Onori. Curtain, Structube.

Bag of Tricks

“This bag is the perfect size to transition from day to night. Plus, there’s a secret beer compartment inside!” —Stephanie Han Kim, art director.

Erin Templeton ‘BYOB’ leather bag, $265, erintempleton.com. Vancouver.

Sunny Side Up

Sun + Stars baby rattle, $16, etsy.com. Toronto.

Block Party

The Butter Flying wood blocks, $79, thebutterflying.com. Montreal.

Booby Prize

Ky.ramics ceramic Titty Pot, $55, kyramics.com. Winnipeg.

Salty Attitude

Newfoundland Salt Company green alder sea salt, $15, newfoundlandsaltcompany.com (also via One Of A Kind). Bonavista, N.L.

Salty Attitude

Newfoundland Salt Company green alder sea salt, $15, newfoundlandsaltcompany.com (also via One Of A Kind). Bonavista, N.L.

Sappy Ending

Wabanaki bourbon maple syrup made in Tobique First Nation, $19, wabanakimaple.com. Neqotkuk, N.B.

Hot Stuff

Heartbeat Hot Sauce Co. Pineapple Habanero sauce, $12, heartbeathotsauce.com. Thunder Bay, Ont.

Bear Hug

The Butter Flying polar bear soft toy, thebutterfyling.com. Montreal.

Sweet Spot

La Lichée coffee-flavoured caramel, $8, lalichee.co. L’Ancienne-Lorette, Que.

Gravy Train

Make Cheese poutine kit, $30, makecheese.ca (also via One Of A Kind). Vancouver.

Wrapper’s Delight

Mind Your Bees beeswax food wraps, $30 for a large set, mindyourbeeswraps.com. Hamilton, Ont.

Aroma Therapy

Atelier Tréma ceramic oil dispenser, $53, chicbasta.com. Bedford, Que.

Real Corker

Goye ceramic bottle stopper, $15, etsy.com. Montreal.

Puff Piece

Kanuk Liv packable down scarf, $130, kanuk.com. Montreal.

Fan Art

“These elegant Indigenous-made earrings are perfect for all occasions—their striking colour palette has the power to elevate any outfit.” —Radiyah Chowdhury, assistant editor.

Kihew & Rose ‘Fan’ beaded earrings, $80, instagram.com/kihewandrose. Vancouver.

Natural Beauty

Parks Canada Discovery Pass, starting at $58, pc.gc.ca. Across Canada.

Get Lit

Vancouver Candle Co. scented candle, $38, chapters.indigo.ca. Vancouver.

Golden Touch

Früg ‘Brace’ brass crescent earrings, $30, frug.ca. Ottawa, Ont.

On the Nose

“I carry this handy essential oil kit with me everywhere. There’s a roll-on remedy for every ailment—it’s a must-have to get through the busy holiday season!” —Andréanne Dion, associate lifestyle editor. Saje Pocket Farmacy (holiday edition available November 22), $65. saje.com. Vancouver.

Instant Glow

East Coat Glow ‘Balance’ body serum concentrate, $60, east-coast-glow.myshopify.com. Bonavista, N.L.

Photo, Erik Putz. Prop styling, Daniel Onori. Curtain, Structube.

'Wildness' cookbook by chef Jeremy Charles

Ocean Wise

“This book is as beautiful as the province it celebrates, with recipes inspired by Newfoundland’s oceans, fields and forests.” —Gillian Grace, deputy editor. ‘Wildness’ cookbook by chef Jeremy Charles, $60, chapters.indigo.ca. St. John’s

Cherry on Top

Dinette Nationale sour cherries in syrup, $8, dinettenationale.com. Montreal.

Daily Grind

Arbol ‘Ojo’ spice grinder, $80, arbolcuisine.com. Kamouraska, Que.

Tea Service

Tea strainer by ceramist Isabelle Simard, $19, chicbasta.com. Montreal.

Table Manners

Banquet Workshop screen-printed linen napkins, $32, banquetworkshop.ca. Vancouver.

Tastemaker

“I’m obsessed with this umami-rich condiment and always keep a jar in my fridge. A spoonful of it can elevate any dish, whether it’s sunny-side-up eggs, stir-fries or even just plain rice.” —Irene Ngo, food content director. Abokichi Okazu miso chili oil, $13, abokichi.com. Toronto.

In the Bag

Dans Le Sac reusable bulk bags, $14, danslesac.co. Montreal.

Buzz-Worthy

48 North F8 Liv cannabis grinder, $120, tokyosmoke.com. Toronto.

Festive Spirit

Kinsip Juniper’s Wit Gin, $40, lcbo.com. Prince Edward County, Ont.

Signature Scent

Libertine Fragrance unisex eau de parfum, $120, libertine-fragrance.com. Edmonton.

Soak it Up

Surf Soak bath salts, $35, surfsoak.com. Vancouver.

Soap Opera

“These all-natural, lushly scented soaps are named after Canadian landscapes and locations, including my hometown, Thunder Bay, Ont.” —Maureen Halushak, editor-in-chief. Anto Yukon soaps, $10 each, antoyukon.com. Whitehorse, Y.T.

Face Time

Freon Collective reusable cotton rounds, $35, etsy.com. Toronto.

Top Knot

Chelsea King satin scrunchie, $20, chelseaking.shop. Vancouver.

Industrial Revolution

Béton Brut ‘Radii’ brass and concrete rings, $90 each, betonbrutdesign.com. Saskatoon.

Ear Candy

Dconstruct ‘Corian’ recycled resin earrings, $44, dconstruct.ca. Winnipeg.

Kiss & Make Up

Erin Templeton recycled leather pouch, $55, erintempleton.com. Vancouver.

Whale Watching

Coyote & Cocotte narwhal toy, $38, etsy.com. Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc, Que.

Retro Feet

“No matter who you’re buying for, socks are an underrated gift. The logo on these reminds me of my childhood watching Mr. Dressup.” —Aimee Nishitoba, associate art director. Arborist CBC Retro Socks, $12, drakegeneralstore.ca. Toronto.

Just a Phase

BoundLove moon calendar, $32, etsy.com. Toronto.

Randi Bergman's book about Toronto artisans, 'Toronto Makes'

Craft Services

Randi Bergman’s book about Toronto artisans, $39, drakegeneralstore.ca. Toronto.

Paw Patrol

Apogee leather dog collar, $55, apogeegoods.com. Toronto.