For the Pantry
Spice Girl Chai Concentrate
This concentrate from Spice Girl Eats is perfect for your white friends who don’t know how to make their own chai masala but still love drinking chai. $18
Early-Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil
TOON Foods’ olive oil is cold-pressed, made in small batches, and comes straight from southern Lebanon. This oil is made from Baladi olives, an indigenous variety, grown on ancestral trees. $39
Neighbourhood Coffee
Know a coffee lover who likes to support local businesses? These Toronto-inspired, small-batch coffees are the perfect gift with blends like Annex Artisanal and Beaches Blonde. $18.99 for 340 g
Birch Syrup
From the forests of northern Ontario, this thick syrup adds a unique flavour when drizzled on ice cream or used in marinades. Available at the Indigenous-run cafe Tea N Bannock. $30 for 100 ml
Bees Are Life RAW Honey
This Ontario Honey House raw honey comes from bees at The Village at Black Creek, a.k.a. the Pioneer Village, which is located on a pesticide-free conservation area. $12 for 330 g
Clothing and Jewelry
Blue Jay Two-Tone Dad Hat
If you’re looking to treat a Blue Jays fan to something no one else at the stadium will have, check out these baseball caps from Stuntin. The Toronto-based company makes bright hats inspired by traditional tattoos and vintage sports logos. $42
Jiggly Junk Chainmail Jewelry
Jiggly Junk makes accessories for the modern-day Joan of Arc, which can serve as both adornment and protection. Handmade by Jade Kaufman, you’ll find unique but wearable jewelry for the coolest people in your life. $60 and up
Boiled Wool Mittens
Let us sing the praises of Julien Sinden’s boiled wool mittens: they’re supremely warm, wind- and water-resistant, and durable enough for winter cycling. We can’t think of a person who wouldn’t want to receive a pair of these mittens. $49
Naturally-Dyed Accessories
Getting vibrant colours from natural dyes is difficult, so East of Pine’s beautiful scarves — made with natural dyes from ingredients like safflower and rust — are truly impressive. A silk scarf ($85) would be a luxurious gift for a mom. $20 and up
Risato Flat Bands
These stunning flat band glass rings are handcrafted at the Risato studio in Scarborough. Upgrade from plastic! $50 and up
Tiny Brass Dagger Pendant
This necklace — along with the earrings, rings and necklaces made by local artist Danielle Bartlett under her brand Rowe Studio — is perfect for that friend with a tough exterior but a soft heart. $55
Special Breakfast T-Shirt
Express solidarity in style with this tee from Palestinian-owned brand Watermello, which features a beautiful illustration of a Palestinian breakfast. $47
Cosmetics, Soap and Perfume
Custom Perfume/Cologne Making Workshop
Treat a date to a make-your-own-scent workshop at Orris Labs. For extra brownie points, bring a photo, song or romantic memory to inspire your creations. $169 for two
Seamoss Face & Body Wash
Blaque Wellness is a woman-owned skincare brand that makes hydrating, vegan-friendly oils and body-care products. Founder Cici says she was inspired by her own experience of perimenopause to create the products she needed during that time. $36
Lump of Coal Soap
This bar of soap from Do Not Eat is silly enough to be a gag gift for a colleague, but it’s also well-crafted enough for skin-care obsessives. And it smells amazing. $8
Birthday Cake Lip Balm
Who doesn’t need a good lip balm during the cold winter months? The Birthday Cake Balm from More Than Lips is vegan, smells great, and comes in cardboard eco-packaging. $10.99
Ceramics and Home Goods
Lambshead Studio Custom Tiny Kitty Vase
Lambshead Studio makes cute and functional ceramics, like matcha bowls and mugs. If you have the foresight to act ahead, order a tiny ceramic sculpture (for holding flowers, incense, or a Polaroid), made custom to look like a beloved cat. $50
Kensington Market Fruit Stand Print
Artist Kelsea Chatburn makes affordable prints that feature beloved restaurants and streetscapes in Toronto. The Kensington Market fruit stand is a classic choice. $33
White Fir and Peach Candle
Support a local, young entrepreneur by giving the gift of a Swurl Inc soy candle. These are designed to fill spaces with delightful scents without the toxic ingredients of some other candles. $15
Striped and Speckled Stoneware Mug
Mima Ceramics makes mugs, as well as cups, bowls and vases, in bright colours and graphic prints that will please the design-lovers in your life. $45
Odds and Ends
Protection Spell Kit
These days, we need all the help we can get. This protection spell kit from Blackbird Vintage is made in Hamilton and contains a spell recipe card, candle, candle stand, incense, crystal and herbs. For the witchy one in your life. $25
Toronto Island 1000-piece puzzle
The Paperhood makes wonderful Canadiana, and this Toronto Island puzzle is something special. Give it to a family member or friend, then spend the holidays putting it together. $36
Marble and Cards Wooden Game Board
For friends and family who love entertaining, Michaud Toys makes beautiful wooden game boards with Canadian wood, and they look more expensive than their price tag. $45
For Kids
Suncoat Girl 12 Days of Christmas Nail Kit
Created by a Canadian chemist and mom of two girls, Suncoatgirl’s natural kids’ nail polish is water-based, odourless, and peels off without chemical remover. This kit is essentially a 12-day Advent calendar full of nail polish: perfect for the girly kid in the family. $25
Stacking Cups
Designed with durability and functionality in mind, these silicone stacking cups from Loulou Lollipop are made to last (and love). $25.95
Think & Toy Play Set
Perfect for infants, this Think & Toy play set is sustainably made, aligned with Montessori principles, and affordable enough to be accessible. $85
Safari Block Puzzle
Every Bleu Ciel Designs piece is non-toxic and crafted with wood sourced from Canadian suppliers. This beginner-level puzzle is perfect for young kids. $60
