As far as my Christmas shopping goes, I feel good about what I have so far but I am not complete. November really did fly by! I have already been to a holiday party but most are later this month.
Looking back, I am so excited that this is my third year of doing a holiday gift guide. I really love doing this each year. This is my chance to support local brands by creating a backlink over to their websites or socials (great for their SEO!) and by creating content and awareness for them on social media through inclusion in a short-form video posted across my socials. This year is the first that I’ve done a video for the guide, but that’s where we are at in 2022! So here is my local holiday gift guide for local businesses in and around the Durham Region!
UNDER THE STAIRS PAPER CO.
I just love cute cards, I really do. I love buying them and I like getting them. The ladies (Julia and Diane) at Under the Stairs Paper Co. make funny greeting cards and paper goods. The style of their cards is cute and original, something you just have to see for yourself to appreciate. This year I included two holiday cards “tis the season — for social anxiety” and “get lit” as well as some fun ones, “sorry for being a dick.” and “whatever.” with two potted plants, one which is flourishing and the other.. not some much.
FALCON RUB
Me? Cooking? Always! Falcon Rub has spice blends that are unlike anything you would get at the grocery store. Their unique spice blends make for a delicious flavour profile on almost anything! They have a few blends including the keto and blazin’ versions but they also make preserves like jellies as well as nuts (cashews and almonds coated in Falcon Rub!) This year, we had to include the Chickie Time — their new friend chicken coating mix because I love me some fried chicken!!
LOVE SQUARED: LSK
Farah established LSK in 2013! Each year she continues to add new products and expand on her offerings of quality headwear and accessories. This year, Farah has released silk pillowcases, satin-lined hats and even luxe satin gift kits. This year, we included the black luxe satin gift set. It includes a travel storage bag with a sleep mask, scrunchie and a headband! This is such a great gift for those self-love cuties like meee, or those that travel. These would also be a super cute idea for bridal parties!
MAKERS ON ENFIELD
Talk about wood! Suzanne and her husband Al use their creativity and combined skill to select the wood, design/process and make it into something beautiful. They make and sell everything from heirloom pepper grinders, serving boards and coasters to cheese slicers, wall clocks, charcuterie boards and so much more. Don’t forget to treat your wood regularly with Makers on Enfield’s wax to keep it in top shape!
CANDLE JAM
This time of year, we can all use more candles. Candles can add an amazing smell and ambiance to any room. Not all candles are the same though! Virginia pours her own candles while her husband Frank carves all of the wooden vessels. Candle Jam uses organic soy wax that is kosher certified. The candles are made with 100% essential oils as well as some fragrance scents which are also paraben and phthalate free. The eco-series cotton wicks provide good burn stability. We are highlighting the wooden 3-hole (10-inches long!) sugar mold made in Spanish Oak. It’s a reproduction of an actual cane sugar mold that was used in Mexico for centuries. Other options include 8oz and 16oz glass jar candles with or without gold metal lids in a variety of different scents including lemongrass lavender, white tea & ginger and more!
PORT PLANT CO.
Gift the gift of a plant this season! We are featuring the top seller from last year, which is the living ornament. The air plant sits on white sand inside a hanging glass terrarium surrounded by a few mini pinecones and a little twig with cranberries. It’s tied off with a festive ribbon at the top to make for a cute holiday ornament. This would be such a cute hostess gift!
777 SAUCES
As a self-proclaimed grill master and chef… I can tell you that everyone needs to keep hot sauce on hand. A good hot sauce can take your dish to the next level with a little pack of heat and flavour, am I right? 777 Sauces uses locally sourced ingredients to create small batches of hot sauces. The smaller batches mean better quality with an all-natural, better flavour.
LUBU MAKEUP
Karen is a local make-up artist and hairstylist. She has her own premium cosmetics line that’s gluten, paraben, lead and cruelty-free made with high-quality ingredients. This year, I am highlighting Karen’s homemade body scrub. They each have a surprise crystal inside! You can pick from mint chocolate, creamsicle, cinnabon, coffee cake and spice or more of a floral scent with her ying and yang body scrub.
RUSTIC CANVAS CO.
I just love custom doormats! They’re so cute and the possibilities are endless. With Rustic Canvas Co, Stacey will make you a custom design. You can work with her to come up with a design that works and share inspiration directly with her! This year, we opted for one that will be perfect all year round that simply says “oh hello” in cursive. It’s simple and sweet!
THE PLAYFUL PINEAPPLE
Ashley makes some of the sweetest and sassiest gifts. She is slaying the Etsy game with over 18,000 sales with her cute mugs, magnets, keychains, stickers and ornaments. As a sassy individual, I really resonated with her playful designs and sense of humour. This year we are highlighting the daily reminders mug as well as the “you’re my favourite bitch to bitch about bitches with” acrylic keychain and the “survived another elfed up year” porcelain ornament.
Want to see these products on my Instagram? Check out this Reel!
Want more ideas? Check out my previous Holiday Gift Guides for 2021, 2020 and 2019.
