The holiday season is slowly making its way in, twinkling lights brighten the early nights, familiar rituals, and the quiet pull to gather close. And with it comes the annual question: what do we gift the people we love?

If you read October's post on why shopping Canadian small matters, you already know how much power sits in the choices we make this time of year. When we choose to support local makers, we’re doing so much more than checking a name off a list. We’re keeping creativity alive in our communities. We're helping small studios, family-run workshops, and one-person businesses continue doing the work that brings meaning into our everyday.

It’s thoughtful. It’s impactful. And it feels good. The kind of good that lingers long after the wrapping paper is gone.

So instead of reaching for something mass-produced, I invite you to think smaller, slower, and closer to home. Gifts made by Canadian hands carry a certain warmth — a sense of intention that can’t be replicated by big-box shelves.

Today, I’m sharing a handful of Canadian businesses I love and admire. Makers who care deeply about their craft, who shape beauty from raw materials, and who contribute to the creative landscape we’re all lucky to live in.

So make yourself a cozy drink (in a handmade mug), settle in, and wander through these finds at your own pace.

Shop Small, Shop Canadian, Holiday Gift Guide

 

Activewear by Bear and Roo. If you love activewear that actually fits, you need to meet my friend Jen. She’s the owner of Bear and Roo, where every piece is made-to-order — no more off-the-rack frustration!

 

Lump of Coal by Simon’s Soap Box. Do you have someone on your holiday list who needs to clean up their act? They need a lump of coal (soap)! A fabulous unscented shea butter soap formulated with activated charcoal, this lump of coal soap will lather beautifully.

 

Floral Resin Earrings by Dragonfly Treasures. Based in Cold Lake, Alberta, Heidi has built a beautiful business preserving the beauty of nature itself. Heidi is an incredible artisan who gathers flowers, botanicals, and other forest treasures from the Alberta landscape and sets them into resin to create one-of-a-kind art and jewelry.

 

Wild and Free Sweatshirt by Pedaller Designs. Embrace your free spirit with this Wild and Free women’s sweatshirt, featuring hand drawn wildflowers in a beautiful woodland-inspired frame. Soft, cosy, and effortlessly stylish, it’s perfect for nature lovers and dreamers alike. 

 

Banana Cream Pie Lip Balm by Eclair Lips. Enjoy this delectable balm and many other flavours with all the delightful lip treats for dessert lovers they offer! I'm also thinking the Vanilla Buttercream needs to be in MY stocking this year!

 

Travel Mugs by Steaped Slow Ceramics. Minimalist, elegant, handcrafted ceramics that bring more beauty and joy to your life and home.

Here’s to gifting that feels meaningful, personal, and rooted in community. Here’s to supporting the small shops that keep Canadian creativity thriving, one handmade piece at a time.

Wishing you a season full of joy, warmth, and all the little moments that make the holidays shine.