Christmas Gift Giving Guide
Tired of giving the same old gifts year after year? It's time to think outside the box and surprise your loved ones with something truly unique!
Why shop small businesses? You'll support entrepreneurs and artisans who create quality, handcrafted items—not mass-produced factory goods.
Just like the 12 Days of Christmas, here are 12 fabulous gift giving ideas for everyone on your list. I've even included my favourite shopping spots to get you started!
1. Handmade Jewellery
Perfect for: Fashion lovers and accessory enthusiasts
Skip the mass-produced accessories and choose one-of-a-kind (or "a-few-of-kind") handmade jewellery instead.
Why it's special:
- Unique designs created with heart and soul
- Supports local artisans
- Matches any style—from delicate necklaces to statement earrings
- Quality craftsmanship that lasts
2. Handmade Artwork
Perfect for: Art lovers and home decorators
Add creativity to your loved one's home or garden with handmade artwork.
Where to find it:
- Local art galleries
- Arts councils
- Online platforms supporting independent artists
- Local craft fairs
Options include:
- Paintings
- Sculptures
- Paper crafts
- Wood carvings
My local favourites:
- BoisLuxe - Amazing chainsaw sculptor creating beautiful eco-friendly pieces from found wood (Quinte & Prince Edward County areas)
- Angela Jane Lavender - Mixed media artist with vibrant, expressive colour and intricate line work!
3. Experiential Gifts
Perfect for: Memory-makers and hard-to-shop-for parents who have everything
Create lasting memories instead of giving physical items!
Ideas:
- Cooking classes
- Spa days
- Theatre evenings
- Concert tickets
- Wine tastings
Bonus: Attend together for quality time—the best gift of all!
Local theatre options:
- Mirvish Productions (Toronto)
- Empire Theatre (Belleville)
- Tweed & Company (Tweed)
Pro tip: Order gift cards if you're unsure of tastes and availability.
4. Date Night Package
Perfect for: Couples—your sister and her husband, your cousin, your spouse, or even yourself!
Give the gift of quality time together with a date night package.
How to create it:
- Restaurant gift card
- Movie theatre or live show tickets
- Pair them together for a complete evening out
Why it works:
- Gift cards mean no worrying about schedules or preferences
- Presentation is everything—I can show you how to make gift cards extra special!
5. For the Eco-Warrior: Earth-Friendly Products
Perfect for: Environmentally conscious friends and family
Give gifts that align with green values and support planet-friendly businesses.
My favourite eco-friendly brands:
All-around home & personal care:
- Etee (Oshawa, ON) - Clean, waste-free products for every area of your home
Dental care:
- Nada Toothbrush (Dundas, ON) - Beautiful anodized aluminum toothbrushes you keep for life with recyclable replacement heads
Beauty & lifestyle:
- Renewed Essentials (Iroquois, ON) - Better-for-us products from beauty items to candles to crayons
6. Handcrafted Home Décor
Perfect for: Homebodies and interior design enthusiasts
Add uniqueness to living spaces with handcrafted home décor.
Look for local artisans specializing in:
- Ceramics
- Woodworking
- Textiles
Gift ideas:
- Vases and candle holders
- Wall hangings
- Decorative pillows
- Handwoven throws
Something for every taste and style!
7. For the Foodie: Gourmet Food & Drink
Perfect for: Food and beverage enthusiasts
Indulge taste buds with gourmet treats from small-batch producers.
Options:
- Artisanal chocolates
- Craft beers
- Exotic spices
- Organic teas
- Local wines
My favourite picks:
Tea:
- Firebelly Tea (Ottawa, ON) - Beautifully blended teas and accessories
Chocolate:
- Hummingbird Chocolate Maker (Almonte, ON) - Handcrafted, sustainably sourced chocolate
Wine:
- The Grange of PEC (Hillier, ON) - Wonderful Prince Edward County wines and dining. Cheers!
8. For the Coffee Connoisseur: Local Coffee Shop Gift Card
Perfect for: Coffee lovers who can't start their day without a cup of joe
Give the gift of daily coffee with a loaded gift card to their favourite local coffee shop.
Why it's great:
- Many shops roast and blend their own varieties
- Often sell beans for home brewing
- Delicious treats to pair with coffee
- Supports local small business
Bonus: I can make that gift card look extra special—ask me how!
My local favourite:
- The Grind & Vine (Trenton, ON) Coffee, wine, and cool events!
9. Personalized Stationery & Greeting Cards
Perfect for: Writers, journalers, stationery lovers, and thoughtful gift-givers
In this digital age, personalized stationery is unique and thoughtful.
Custom stationery options:
- Personalized notepads
- Custom journals
- Engraved pens
- Monogrammed letterhead
Or create a curated collection of handmade greeting cards!
This is one of my favourite gift ideas—give a beautifully curated set of Handmade Greeting Cards from a local card maker. Your recipient will have cards ready for every occasion throughout the year.
Why a curated card collection is brilliant:
- Saves them time and stress when they need a card
- Ensures they always have something special on hand
- Supports handmade artisans
- The gift that keeps on giving—they'll think of you each time they use one
- Perfect for busy people who appreciate thoughtful gestures
How to curate the perfect set:
- Mix occasions: birthdays, thank yous, sympathy, blank cards
- Include seasonal options: Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day
- Choose a variety of styles to match different recipients
- Package them in a beautiful box or tied with ribbon
Pro tip: Pair the card collection with some nice stamps or a quality pen for a complete gift-giving kit!
Nothing beats handmade kindness, and with a curated collection, your loved one can share that kindness all year long.
10. Handmade or Small-Batch Bath & Body Products
Perfect for: Self-care enthusiasts and those with sensitive skin
Treat loved ones to spa-like luxury with natural, handmade products.
Look for:
- Natural soaps
- Bath bombs
- Body scrubs
- Lotions and balms
Benefits:
- Free from harsh chemicals
- Perfect for sensitive skin
- Luxurious experience
My favourites:
- Ground Soap (Cornwall, ON) - Small Canadian company with great ingredients and glorious scents
- Birch Babe (Northbrook, ON) - Handmade, low-waste, sustainable beauty products plus a clean baby product line!
11. For the Fitness Enthusiast: Personal Training Sessions
Perfect for: Gym-goers and health-focused friends
Help them reach their fitness goals with personal training sessions.
Where to find trainers:
- Their current gym
- Freelance local trainers
- Online coaching programs
What they'll get:
- Customized workout plans
- One-on-one coaching
- Professional guidance
Why it's meaningful: Shows you care about their well-being and support their goals.
12. For the DIY Enthusiast: Craft Workshop
Perfect for: Hands-on creators and lifelong learners
Give the experience of learning a new skill and creating something special.
Workshop options:
- Pottery
- Woodworking
- Painting
- Crafting
- Jewellery making
Where to find them:
- Local studios
- Community centres
- Coffee shops hosting artisan workshops
What they'll gain:
- New skills
- Something to proudly display or share
- Creative outlet
The Perfect Gift-Giving Formula
With these 12 gift ideas, you'll never run out of inspiration for special occasions!
Remember the key to great gift-giving:
- Choose gifts that reflect the recipient's interests and personality
- Put thought into presentation
- Support small businesses and local artisans
- Create lasting memories
Why shop small?
- Find one-of-a-kind or small-batch items
- Support entrepreneurs and artisans
- Give gifts with heart and soul
- Keep money in your local economy
Happy gift-giving!
