Check out our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide for some of our favourite things to gift this holiday season. There is definitely something for everyone!
Eat
Monster Sauce
Monster Sauce is another Calgary company that has a couple of amazing products. If you like chili oil, their Monster Crunch Chili Crisp is definitely one to try. It is packed with flavour and is a great addition to practically anything. Their Shorty’s Garlic Hot Honey is infused with chili and perfect on a slice of pizza.
Northern Bars
Is there anything more Canadian than Nanaimo bars? Northern Bars has taken the classic bar and made it into something so beautiful and refined. Made in Vancouver, they come in a variety of sizes. Tuck the small one into a stocking and open up a big one for your next gathering.
Vresh Foods
This Calgary-based company has made a name for themselves and their clarified butter. Ghee has a higher smoke point than most oils so it’s great to cook with. I love that they have a variety of flavours of ghee, perfect for making your veggies or popcorn. The ideal gift for your friends who love to cook.
Drink
Jolene’s Tea House
If you’re ever in Banff, one fun thing to do is the Banff Cocktail Trail tour, created in partnership between Park Distillery and Jolene’s Tea House. The tour was recently featured in Food & Wine and hubby and I had a fun time doing it. If you can’t make it out to Banff, Jolene’s Tea House has produced tea syrups to make your own tea-based cocktails at home.
Clever Mocktails
It’s always important to me to be able to offer fun drinks that everyone can enjoy. Just because someone is not drinking alcohol does not mean that they should be left out in the fun. Clever mocktails offers non-alcoholic cocktails made from natural ingredients and botanical infusions. They offer a variety of flavours like sangria, margarita, mojito, Moscow mule and G&Tonic.
Monin
We love Monin and they are a regular in our kitchen. With all their sauces and syrups, there are so many fun things to create with them. They have some wonderful holiday flavours which include Gingerbread, Winter Citrus, Peppermint and Pomegranate. Add a splash to some sparkling water or enhance your favourite hot drink.
Jameson Triple Distrilled Whisky
Jameson, the world’s #1 Irish Whiskey, is a blended Irish Whiskey. It’s triple distilled giving it its signature smoothness and aged in oak casks for a minimum of four years. This makes a great gift but also handy to have on hand when friends pop by.
Hamilton Beach® FlexBrew® TRIO Coffee Maker
Surprise your favourite coffee lover with the FlexBrew TRIO from Hamilton Beach. Warm up with a single cup or enjoy a whole pot to share with friends and family.
Cook
Hamilton Beach Sure-Crisp Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Hamilton Beach’s Air Fryer Toaster Oven is perfect for air frying, baking, broiling, and toasting. It circulates the air for healthy, evenly browned dishes with minimal oil. Perfect for holiday cooking and baking and makes an amazing gift.
Peppermate Pepper Mill
Peppermate is a patented pepper mill which has been used by celebrity chefs since 1982. If you are a fan of Barefoot Contessa, you are sure to have seen Ina put this mill to use on her show. Fresh ground pepper when cooking is a must and with this mill, you can grind directly into your food or let the pepper collect into a removable cup. The perfect gift for your favourite home chef.
The Best Of Bridge: Done In One
The Best of Bridge cookbooks are a classic and their newest book, Done In One, is sure to be another favourite. This book boasts recipes that are done in one pot, pan or skillet. Written by Sylvia Kong and Emily Richards, the recipes are easy to follow and have great pictures so you know what the dish is actually supposed to look like. The bonus is that they are both lovely in person! A great addition to any kitchen.
Always Hungry
If you love to watch recipes being created on TikTok, you might have seen Laurent Dagenais’ recipes. His videos are fun to watch – no wonder he has 2 million followers on the platform. This montreal-based chef has come out with a cookbook that is beautiful and I can’t wait to try the recipes.
Chocolate
Master Chocolat
Oh, chocolate. Can’t have the holidays without some (or a lot) of that sweet stuff. Master Chocolat always has a great selection of treats for the holidays. Their Cherries in Fine Liqueur give you a taste of that luxurious chocolate with the fresh bite of cherry.
Whittakers
The gold wrapped bars from Whittakers are always such a treat. Made from bean to bar chocolate in New Zealand, they have been around for over 125 years. Pop these into a stocking or use them to make some chocolate bark for a delicious edible gift.
Wear
Medium Rare Aprons
Your favourite home chef should look the part and what better way than in an apron from Medium Rare Supply Co. Established by a couple of chef entrepreneurs, their collection of small batch aprons are made locally in Calgary.
Made By Megii
Alberta Inspired Clothing, created by an Alberta. Made by Megii is a local Calgary business, started in the spring of 2021, Megan (founder) wanted to channel her love for Alberta into everyday, comfy, simplistic styled clothing. Her most popular designs include the customizable Berta Bound, Alberta Is Home, and Bear designs.
Pamper
Vivier
I recently became a fan of Vivier and their exfoliant and after trying their other products, I am in love. This innovative skin care brand has been in the pharmaceutical industry for over 20 years. The products feel luxurious and their simple packaging is beautiful. Skincare is a great gift for anyone that will be used on the daily.
Neal’s Yard Holiday Collection
Neal’s Yard has some beautifully packaged holiday boxes this year with gifts that everyone will love. The Restoring Bath Scents Collection have three lovely smelling foaming bath bottles made with pure essential oils to relax in. Perfect for anyone who is in need of some self care.
Milk Jar
There’s no better way to set the stage for company than to have a nice smelling house. Milk Jar candles are the perfect way to set the mood and have your house smell lovely. We use the candles on a daily basis. Their new packaging is stunning and their holiday scents have a foil liner. Holly is a classic and definitely gives off the holiday vibe. The candles are hand poured in Calgary.
Saje’s Peppermint Halo
One of the essentials over the holidays is the Peppermint Halo essential oil from Saje. It is a lifesaver when your head is pounding. It also offers a nice refresher when you want to take a few minutes for a breather. This is one oil that I have all over the house and in my car.
Play
Cat Metal 3-pack
This Cat Metal 3-pack won’t just be a hit with the littles in your life, but also the builders in your life. They are well constructed and perfect for tucking into a stocking. They even have moving buckets, booms, drums and rollers.
Teenage Muttant Ninja Turtles –Half Pipe RC and Micro Shell Racers RC
It doesn’t matter how old my kids get, if there’s something that is remote controlled, they want to play. The Ninja Turtle RC toys are 2.4 GHz remote controlled vehicles that are so fun to play with. These will be a delight under the tree. The Half Pipe RC is remote is shaped just like the skateboard the Ninja Turtle is on, making it easy for the littles to navigate.
Dixit Disney
Playing games around the fire feels like Christmas to me. Dixit Disney is a game of storytelling and guesswork with Disney-themed images. It includes 84 cards based on iconic Disney and Pixar films including Steamboat Willie and Turning Red. Perfect for the Disney lover in your life.
Catan Junior
Catan has become a classic among adults and this modified version is perfect to getting the youngsters involved. Simplified building rules, child-oriented trading and a “Ghost Captain” provides access to the world of Catan.
BrainBox Dinosaurs
This ten minute brain game is designed specifically for younger children. For both individual and groups, this educational game is also fun for your favourite dinosaur-lover.
Playmobil NHL Arena
Your little hockey lover will be thrilled with the NHL Arena by Playmobil. The set comes with 2 ice hockey players, 2 ice hockey goalkeepers along with puck, launches, sticks and stickers.
Playmobil NHL Advent Calendar Road To The Stanley Cup
Countdown to Christmas with this hockey calendar that is sure to delight. Set includes three adult figures, two child figures, NHL flags, practice goal, puck bag with pucks, coach, Stanley Cup with pedestal, bench, cones, and tons of other hockey accessories.
Experience
Belaire Cleaners
Give the gift of laundry. The family owned dry cleaning service has started a laundry service which is amazing! Download their app and they will pick up your laundry, wash, dry fold and deliver it back to you. I think anyone would be happy to not be doing laundry.
Alberta Food Tours
Give the gift of experience with Alberta Food Tours. They have local food tours in Calgary, Banff, Canmore and Edmonton along with a Brunch at the Farmer’s Market and a dining experience at the Banff Springs Hotel. This is definitely a gift to remember.
Fresh Culture Co.
Fresh Culture Co delivers freshly picked produced to Chestermere. You order online and they will hand pick your order the day of delivery, ensuring you get the freshest produce delivered right to your door. I think everyone would appreciate an order of groceries right at their door.
Heritage Park
A fun day with the family is always a welcome gift. In celebration of Heritage Park’s 60th Anniversary in 2024, they are offering a new membership structure. Their $60 adult membership includes unlimited, year-round entry to Gasoline Alley Museum and the Historical Village, unlimited admission to Calgary’s favourite holiday tradition Once Upon a Christmas, 15% off food, beverage and retail purchases and the option to bring a guest with you for 25% admission.
Stocking Stuffers
Check out our past gift guides here:
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