I’ll be honest, I love gift giving! I love receiving gifts but knowing you put together a thoughtful gift that really speaks to the recipient is the best. Putting together gift baskets or a gift bag with a few different items is an easy way to not only personalize a gift but is also a great way to add variety to the gift.
I love supporting local businesses and this time of year, they shouldn’t be forgotten! When you shop local, you’re giving back to people in your community by supporting their business. I’m excited to share some gift ideas from some local small businesses! You might be inspired to check them out and get some of your last minute shopping done.
Olive Bean & Co
It’s about time we think about the candles we’re using in our homes. Artificial scents and chemicals aren’t good for you or the person you are giving a gift to! Have you heard about beeswax candles? They smell good and Olive Bean & Co have the cutest vessels for their candles! These babies are handmade, all-natural products made with locally sourced beeswax.
Check out the brand on Instagram here
Blue Rocket Gifts
I love cute cards! Sheri Stranger is a Toronto based Artist and the Owner of Blue Rocket Gifts. She creates cheeky & playful cards and gifts. If you’re a lover of puns, you’ve got to check out her designs. She has seasonal cards and cards for everyday occasions!
Check out the brand on Instagram here
Falcon Rub
When I saw this brand, I immediately thought about my dad! He is so hard to buy gifts for.. but he loves beer and meat. Falcon Rub is a Brooklin based business that makes an artisan, hand-blended spice rub and other delicious products to level up your kitchen! Falcon Rub is a perfect complement to holiday dishes. Falcon Rub can be added to recipes to make dips, soups, appetizers and side dishes!
Check out the brand on Instagram here
Suspicious Package Handmade
This is something I wanted for myself for a while! Dryer balls! Agnes of Suspicious Package Handmade curated eco-friendly finds and hand makes these cute cotton dryer balls using Canadian sheep wool! They’re a great alternative to dryer sheets which can be full of nasty chemicals. These are made from sustainable resources and can easily be composted when you’re done using them (after about 1000 uses!) They won’t affect the absorbency of your stuff but they will decrease dry time!
Check out the brand on Instagram here
Sheena’s Scottish Shortbread
This 100% Canadian owned company has roots back over 100 years to Kirkintilloch Scotland where the recipe originated. The recipe has been passed down and Sheena started the company in 2013 where she does everything from baking, packaging and selling. When Christmas approaches, the whole family will come together to help keep up with orders. You can try the traditional, maple, ginger, butterscotch and gluten-free! Maple was my favourite but I have to say, this shortbread is delicious! I had to share it.
Check out the brand on Instagram here
The Tacky Bee
Give the gift of beeswax wraps! I’ll be honest, I’ve been so guilty of using plastic wrap for years. It’s so silly and I feel bad every time I use cling wrap. Switching to beeswax wraps is so easy to do. These reusable wraps keep food fresh and protected and are anti-bacterial, breathable wraps. They are made from 100% cotton and are soaked in beeswax, jojoba oil, and pine rosin to stay tacky. To clean them, you can do a spot cleaning or wipe them with cool water. They’ll last about a year and can be redipped!
Check out the brand on Instagram here
