Holiday Gift Guide— Part 1
As a person who is not an influencer and is gaining no monetary gain by writing this, I believe you can trust my opinions on the following businesses. Most of these businesses are based in Waterloo, and all of them are Canadian. I’ve also include book recommendations and have linked to Chapters which isn’t a small business (maybe also not Canadian?) but I strongly encourage seeing if your local bookstore sells a copy!
Note: My hands started to get tired so I will be releasing another part for other categories and also will be revising this to include tags such as whether or not they ship and etc.
For the Crafty
Embroidery Kits
“I really like stabbing things” — my sister
Spool and Spindle is a small sewing + craft supply store in Waterloo ON. Me and the owner have the same hairstylist so we have similar tastes in things.
I picked up a Kiriki Embroidery set from them last year to do an activity with my sister and my mom. My mom lived a very pragmatic life in my childhood, all skills and energy were devoted to generating enough income to make sure I wouldn’t go hungry and I knew she always wanted to learn embroidery (a significantly less profitable skill than other sewing skills).
I got the summer and coral reef samplers. They are not currently available at Spool and Spindle but you should definitely checkout some more “in season” choices here like this adorable floral wreath! I really enjoyed that you could practice the skills on the outer parts before using all of them to make the final image. Definitely helps to build confidence and gives you a space to comfortably make your mistakes. I also thought it was cool to see your stitches getting gradually better in the practice sections.
Lingerie Sewing Kits
For the adventurous sewer
For the more advanced sewer or very adventurous beginner with someone to help them, give them the gift of comfort. I took a sewing class at Spool and Spindle last year where I learned how to make a bra but also I learned about why store bought ones were so damn uncomfortable (plot twist! mass manufactured things can’t possibly give comfortable fits with ‘standard’ sizes) and how liberating making your own custom bras are. The dive into this world of sewing has also been an almost spiritual dive into the world of true body inclusivity.
The kit used at the class was from someone heralded as “The Fairy Bra Mother”, so you know it will be great. Emerald Erin has also gotten great reviews and the two brands have pretty different styles so I suggest checking them both out.
P.S. Fairy Bra Mother also sells kits for men, like this boxer kit
For the Tea Lover
I am also fiercely loyal to Distinctly Tea. They have so many selections and when their store is open you can bring your own container. They also offer student discounts. The selection is overwhelming and the polish pottery is so adorable.
For the Coffee Lover
You know that person who looks at you in disgust when you pull out your instant coffee? This is for them.
I am fiercely loyal to only one Cafe/Coffee Roaster on this earth and it is Matter of Taste. I was lucky enough to have one near 2 of my previous internships and so there is a lot of fond memories spending time there with various mentors but also their coffee is just so seriously good. I tried their special edition Eggnog coffee recently and it completely satisfied my desire for a cooler less sweet version of real eggnog. The smell is surreal and it transports you to holiday coziness.
For the Sustainable Fashionista
vaaanesser — Does custom commissions and also does small limited drops of handmade clothing made from dead stock and natural fibres in Toronto. They also drop accessories from time to time. Great for the person who doesn’t want to be caught in the same outfit as someone else!
peach patch vintage — I was on the hunt for a cute cardigan for the fall and dm-ed Peach Patch to do the hunt for me. They ended up finding an amazzinnggg cashmere cardigan. About half of my wardrobe is currently peach patch purchases because of how affordable it is + the fact they deliver straight to Waterloo doors.
artisinal design co — Sells thrifted clothes and also various self care products and jewelry from Waterloo Region entrepreneurs. Their instagram is absolutely entertaining and Danielle & Liz are some of the sweetest people I know. I visited one day on a rainy day and they let me store my bike there because a storm started. I like here because I often find things with tags still on and I can peruse their inventory of jewelry and self care products from Waterloo Region entrepreneurs.
grandmas basement — For the cottage core obsessed. Based in Niagara Region. Sells thrifted clothes and also curated mystery boxes with novelties and a garment.
thrillenium — Vintage and up-cycled garments. Extremely unique pieces and they also do commissions!
light sugar vintage ottawa — Affordable vintage & thrifted pieces based in Ottawa.
KD Vintage Goods — Vintage goods based in Ottawa. Also very cottage core style, often gets pretty slips and bustiers too.
sunday__afternoon — Sultry and classy vintage clothing, home decor and scarves.
For the Chef
Zero Waste Bulk — Sells zero waste groceries (among self care products, cleaning products, baked goods…the list goes on). I love that they have things that typically can’t be found in bulk in grocery stores and Bulk Barn like shiitake mushrooms, mirin, kombu, nori, za’atar and Japanese Seven Spice… can you tel I’ve been way too into Japanese cuisine recently.
Cookbooks I’ve enjoyed
For the adventurous + sustainable chef — Cooking Scrappy
For the person who refuses to eat another S&P chicken and broccoli dinner — Zaitoun
I truly believe that the way to people’s hearts is food so I strongly encourage exploring cookbooks from different cultures than your own. It is a great way to make food exciting again, and also learn about other cultures through the wonderful activity of cooking and eating.
For the Cat Slave
Cloud9CatTrees — Really unique cat trees + cat shelves made in Ontario
Kitty KatWalks — Simple affordable cat shelves + comes with mounting hardware so you don’t have to get trapped at Home Depot yourself.
For the Person Who Needs to Chillax and Be Pampered
artisinal design co — sells self care products like these awesome soaps
Zero Waste Bulk — Sells bath bombs, DIY beauty ingredients, luxury soaps, shaving essentials and more.
Hairstylist — I have been getting my hair cut by Kate for years. She listens to exactly what you want and checks in with you throughout the cut/colour to make sure you are getting what you want! You can gift the person a gift card to use on their own time :)
For the Art Lover
GirlCalledAlaska — “Ink & watercolour musings of a moon lady living on territory of the Lekwungen speaking peoples”
MiddleSisterCo — Beautiful linoleum prints
ByCarleigh —Sells awesome line art prints. Does custom commissions (checkout the one I got done of my cats!)
