Check out our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide for some of our favourite things to gift this holiday season. With so many options, there is something for everyone.
Putting together our Holiday Gift Guide is one of our favourite things. We love to feature brands and products that you may not already know about. You will notice a few past faves that we couldn’t help but feature. We love them and know that you will too!
DRINK
Monin
You have seen Monin here before and that’s because the syrups and sauces are so good! They are versatile and can be used for both sweet and savoury, depending on what you are in the mood for.
Monin’s 2024 Flavour of the Year is Ube. The lovely purple hue can transform any drink or dessert into something beautiful. With notes of fig, vanilla and cinnamon, it adds a depth of flavour. Add it to a gin and tonic for a fun and pretty drink.
Monin also has cocktail mixers, ready to use. Their Homecrafted Spicy Watermelon Margarita Cocktail Mixer is made with organic agave nectar. Add some tequila or make it a mocktail with club soda.
Nothing beats something warm and cozy for the winter like a cookie butter latte. Cue Monin’s Cookie Butter Syrup, a syrup with notes of caramel and spice. Just top with whipped cream and you have yourself something delicious to sip on for the holidays.
Seedlip Agave
I think it’s important that mocktails get the same glory as cocktails. There should be lots of fun choices whether you are drinking alcohol or not. Seedlip’s Notas De Agave is a refreshing blend of vanilla, peppercorn and Damiana flower with prickly pear and limes. Use this to make a Seedlip Paloma with grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, simple syrup and club soda.
Drinkmate OmniFizz
If you’re like me and prefer your drinks bubbly, the Drinkmate OmniFizz is what you are looking for. Not only does it carbonate water, it carbonates any drink! Whether its juice, wine or tea, you can put any liquid in to get that fizz. It does not require batteries or electricity, just a CO2 cylinder to get those fizzy bubbles.
Brita Hub Compact
Give the gift of hydration with the Brita Hub. Filtrated water never looked so good! This space-saving water filtration system provides better tasting water at the touch of a button. It also replaces 1800 single-use plastic water bottles a year! We think this is perfect for entertaining! It adds an extra water station to ensure your guests are hydrated.
Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Advanced 5-in-1 Coffee Maker
This sleek looking coffee maker from Hamilton Beach has five ways to enjoy coffee, from grounds to pods. It is fast brewing, easy to clean and allows each person in the household to brew coffee their own way, or brew a pot to share. We love the sleek design and how little space it takes up. It also makes a great cup (or pot) of coffee your way!
EAT
Drizzle Honey
Drizzle Honey is a family fave, so much so that I often find my son sneaking a little bite or two. The Cinnamon Spiced Raw Honey is great on toast but also a lovely addition to a charcuterie board. Hubby’s favourite is the Turmeric Gold, swirled into hot milk.
Master Chocolat
With the HUGE selection of chocolates that Master Chocolat has, there is something for every chocolate connoisseur in your life. From the viral Dubai chocolate bar to chocolate lollipops and bars. My fave is milk chocolate and the 9 piece Holiday Collection is filled with the cutest shaped chocolates with filling. The Christmas Tree Caramel, Hazelnut Praline Star and Gingerbread Man. The box is perfect for gifting or the individual chocolates are perfect to top a holiday dessert. Bernard Callebaut has been doing his craft for over 40 years so you know the chocolate is perfection.
Tokyo Treat
Who doesn’t love a subscription box filled with goodies? The Tokyo Treat is a snack subscription box filled with limited edition Japanese snacks like rare Japanese KitKat flavours, noodles, drinks as well as sweet and savoury snacks. Each monthly box is a different theme and we loved trying all the new-to-us snacks.
Sakuraco
Sakuraco is another subscription box that features authentic Japanese snacks, Japanese teas, and unique tableware. This monthly box lets receivers experience a new corner of Japan every month through authentic flavours and learn about Japanese culture.
Holy Duck Chili Oil
We love chili oil on everything, from pizza to dumplings, it is a condiment that gets used a lot around here. The heads of spot prawns add immense flavour to the Spot Prawn Supreme Chili Oil from this Vancouver based company. Mixed with Chinese spices, fried garlic and shallots, it provides the perfect heat to any dish.
The Halifax Honey Co.
Don’t you sometimes wish you had a bottle of hot honey in your purse or bag to add that little something something to a dish you are enjoying? The Halifax Honey Co. makes it easy with their Little Hotties. These on-the-go honey keychains definitely make a unique and delicious gift.
Sweet Bella Chocolate
Pastry Chef Kevin Conniff is the chocolatier behind Sweet Bella Chocolate. Their classic bars are a collection of milk, white and dark bars infused with a unique blend of tea, spices and seasonings. Their unique flavours include Caramelized Hazelnut Dark Chocolate, Cayenne Sesame Dark Chocolate, Coffee Caramel Crunch along with holiday flavours like Gingerbread and Winter Berry. Perfect for the stocking!
COOK
Hamilton Beach Pizza Maker
After enjoying making pizzas outside all summer long, we knew we didn’t want to stop the pizza night traditions when the weather got cold. The Hamilton Beach Pizza Maker allows you to make pizzas anytime, anywhere. The rotating plate with an upper and lower heating element allows even temperature control and can make a pizza up to 12 inches.
Hi Mountain Seasonings
Hi Mountain has been a staple around here ever since hubby ventured into smoking meat and making sausages and jerky at home. They have a huge variety of products that help flavour the meat, so you don’t have to worry about whether certain seasonings and spices work together. Hi Mountain takes care of the flavour so you can focus on technique.
Thermoworks
The key to making the perfect steak or brisket? Ensuring you have the right temperature. The Thermapen One changed the way we cooked the second we got it years ago. It has been a constant tool in our kitchen, ensuring that we get any meat that we cook just right. It is definitely something we can’t do without.
Cookbooks
Despite so many recipes being available online, I love picking up a cookbook and thumbing through the pages, making note of which dishes I want to make. Here are a few favourites that are perfect for gifting.
Salt Hank by Henry Laporte – With almost three million followers on TikTok, everyone has been seeing the drool worthy food that Henry aka Salt Hank has been creating. All his recipes are full of creativity and it’s great to have them all in one place.
Crust by Tom Moore and Rebecca Wellman – There are over 85 recipes from the beloved bakery in Victoria. From pies and tarts to cakes and cookies, you can have the goodies without standing in line.
Ottolenghi Comfort by Yotam Ottolenghi – The New York Times best selling author is back with another book filled with comforting recipes. He takes classic dishes and takes them to a whole new level. I can’t wait to cook through the book.
PAMPER
Milk Jar Candles
Milk Jar is a favourite around here. The smell of their candles is long lasting and we have one in almost every room. They are perfect for setting your house up for company, making it smell great or they make a really great gift.
For the holidays, Milk Jar has their festive candles in Holly, Pattie and Doug. One sniff and you are transported to the holiday season. Year round, my favourite is Hygge with notes of vanilla, cedar and sea salt.
Saje Peppermint Halo
One thing I cannot live without is the Peppermint Halo from Saje. If I feel a headache coming on, it’s the first thing I grab. In fact, I have a roll on everywhere – throughout the house, in the car, in my bag, it’s always within hands reach. Blended with peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary, this scent is tingly and soothing. It’s a great stress reliever as well.
Bootleg Bath Shower Steamers
I’m not a bath person at all. I do love my showers though, with the music blaring and the scent of eucalyptus filling the space. The shower steamers from Bootleg Bath are perfect for those who need a moment of peace and relaxation. Their scents include eucalyptus mint, jasmine rain, grapefruit and bergamot, lavender chamomile, peaches and cream and coconut lime.
HOCKEY PARENTS
Bel-aire Sports Equipment Sanitizing
All sports players parents know how disgusting our athlete’s equipment gets. What we don’t see though, are the unwanted germs living in the sports gear. Bel-Aire Cleaners has a Sani Sport machine that is used by the sports leagues like the NHL and CFL. The machine is used to get rid of all the bacteria and germs that are living in the sweaty, dirty equipment. This includes pads, helmets, gloves and skates. Check out their app to book a cleaning.
The Loud Cup
Cheer on your favourite athlete with The Loud Cup. The cup integrates a horn into a tumbler mug! You drink from one side of the cup and blow the horn from the other, it’s brilliant. It comes in so many colours so you can either choose your favourite or grab one in the team’s colours. Celebrate the wins and let your loved ones know you are cheering them on.
EXPERIENCE
Alberta Food Tours
If you are looking to gift an experience, any of the food tours from Alberta Food Tours is a most welcome gift. It’s a great way to spend time with someone while enjoying some good food around the city (Calgary, Edmonton, Canmore, Banff). There are guided tours and self guided tours and include local vendors. I recently did the Iconic Food of Calgary Tour which included stories of the city’s art, history and culture as well as tastings and demos. Definitely one to check out!
PLAY
Asmodee Games
Games are a great thing to gift for the holidays. With so much down time during the holidays, it’s a good opportunity for families to spend time together and what better way than with some healthy competition. Asmodee has some great titles this year and they are available in small formats making them perfect stocking stuffers.
Spot It! is one of our favourites and easy for even the little ones. Happy Salmon will get everyone moving and laughing and takes minutes to play. Want a game where you don’t even need to speak to the other person? Piles is the one, but be prepared for the laughing. Tornaloco is a game combining speed and memory, always a fun combination. If you have the time, and enjoy the escape room format, Unlock is a great game to play as a team. If you are looking for an immersive party game, check out Werewolves.
Colette the Owl
Colette is the most adorable music box which is sofe and pleasant to hold. It features vegan leather and plays “Tonight We Love” by Tchaikovsky.
Twinkles To Go Octo
This bubbly octopus night light was made for traveling. Twinkles glows soft bubbling fish and stars night after night.
Dolls
Your littles will love the colour changing dolls. Watch as the mermaid’s tail transforms into enchanting colours in the water with the L.O.L Surprise! Tweens Mermaid Fashion Dolls. With the Rainbow High Watercolor and Create DIY Doll, you can customize your dolls entire outfit and hair with a selection of watercolours.
Yummiland Lipgloss Truck
When I was little, I loved creating my own lipgloss. The Yummiland Truck lets kids customize their lipgloss including scent and colour!
Pixel Petz
Digital pets are making a comeback and these Pixel Petz respond to your voice and touch. They even communicate with other Petz.
Little Tikes Story Dream Machine
The Little Golden Books have always been a favourite. This Dream Machine lets you watch, listen and read along to stories being projected on the wall. Gives kids another way to fall in love with reading.
MGA’s Miniverse Make It Mini Lifestyle Series 2
These collectible minis include replicas of your favourite lifestyle and home décor pieces.
Past Gift Guides
Check out what we have included in the past. They are all full of great ideas!
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