BY Ottawa Magazine Staff. Image: Available in both milk and semi-sweet, this chocolate yule log is filled with a selection of handcrafted bonbons. From $52. Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut
POSTED November 28, 2017 9:35 am
Ahh, we’re home for the holidays — now what to do? Depends on whether you like to head outdoors for adventure, goof around with games, glam up and hit the town, cook up a feast, or cozy up with a drink and a good book. Here, we offer gift suggestions based on the myriad ways people enjoy their time off.
Cook
(Left) Be a wise owl and use these stylish, waste-free, reusable snack bags. Package of two sizes, $15. Terra20. Enhance and protect your wooden utensils and cutting boards with this all-natural beeswax and mineral oil wood finish. $8. Maker House Company. Cappucino cup (with saucer) from the popular Café Collection is now available in Le Creuset’s newest colour, oyster. $50. Le Creuset
(Left) Show your national pride with this bamboo cheese board — made in Canada by Love My Local. $106. Boogie and Birdie. Sustainable food storage from Bee’s Wrap uses the heat of your hands to create a seal. It’s durable, washable, and reusable. $30. C.A. Paradis
(Left) The Mugen Santoku is a multi-purpose knife perfect for slicing, dicing, and mincing vegetables. $500. Knifewear. Extra-virgin olive oils and aged balsamic vinegar make excellent host gifts. This pomegranate vinegar would pair well with winter greens. $14/200 mL. The Unrefined Olive
Play
(Left) Make it a Charlie Brown Christmas! Snoopy trades in his Sopwith Camel for a skateboard in this Peanuts-inspired Vans backpack. $45. Simons. Is it mix tape or mixed tape? Regardless, go analog with this phone case — don’t worry, it won’t unspool. $36. Boogie & Birdie. Named after an ancient mariner who supposedly discovered gorillas for the Greeks, Hanno the Gorilla can hold poses, hook to objects, and is durable thanks to his hardwood frame. $150. The Modern Shop
(Left) Game of Thrones spoiler alert: Hodor got his name holding a door! Let the famous character hold open your door with this handcrafted wood doorstop by local company RealWood. $14. Maker House Company. Poop to protect your furniture? Emoji-inspired wooden coasters are made locally by Of The Town and come in a pack of two. $22. Maker House Company
(Left) This printed cotton play tent comes in different colours and folds up easily, plus the windows roll down for added privacy. $206. The Modern Shop. Avoid avalanches, overcome frostbite, and grapple with challenging slopes as you climb Mount Everest in this locally made board game that encourages co-operative play. $21. FamilyPastimes.com
Night Out
(Left) These ruby Ace Face Fluevogs might not work as well as Dorothy’s when it comes to getting home, but they’re sure to catch the attention of some interesting characters. $349. John Fluevog Shoes. An Australian, a Mexican, and a Canadian walk into a bar … no, it’s not a joke, it’s the story behind Tromba Blanco, a premium tequila meant for sipping — not lemon-and-salt shots. $50. LCBO
(Left) Spills happen, but they shouldn’t ruin your night (or your outfit). This purse-sized kit contains two bottles of the popular stain-removal product Wine Away. $15. C.A. Paradis. Sparkle like a red-carpet star with these stunning dangle earrings, which feature round white and yellow enhanced diamonds. $19,500. Howard Jewellers
(Left) At once subtle and sparkly, these Davidoff cufflinks complement neutral and colourful suits alike and have an easy click closure, which means more time for dirty jokes and tequila. $150. Davidson’s. Add texture and shine to an evening outfit with the Appliqué Minaudière purse. $169. Nordstrom
Explore
(Left) Pen your thoughts in the rain (or snow or sleet) with the Rite in the Rain weatherproof notebook. Spiral-bound, the pages will not curl, wrinkle, or absorb water. $10. Lee Valley. What do you do when disaster strikes? Modern Survival: How to Cope When Everything Falls Apart can help you weather the next crisis. $15. Sail. While smartphones are useless deep in the wilderness, the Eton Grunding satellite radio is ideal for the great outdoors. It receives AM, FM, long- and shortwave, VHF, marine, and ham bands. $200, MEC(Left) Get a boost of Vitamin C from your beer this year. Flying Monkey’s Smashbomb Atomic offers a hoppy twist to fruit punch, while Saint of Circumstance by Collective Arts Brewing makes a mean blonde ale with citrus. From $3. LCBO. This lightweight down winter jacket by English outfitter Rab is ideal when warmth and weight are concerns. $350. Bushtukah. Even the bravest adventurer might cower at the sight of these Sriracha Pickled Garlic Scapes from Top Shelf Preserves. $10. Seed to Sausage
Cozy Up
(Left) Curl up in the very same blanket that is on the beds at The Opinicon lodge. This 100 per cent virgin wool blanket is handmade and dyed in Canada. $195. The Opinicon. Made in Gatineau by Jack & Joel, this soap features eucalyptus, which helps relieve mental exhaustion, as well as ground sage. $7. Maker House Company. The iconic CBC logo designed by Burton Kramer in 1974 is featured prominently on these comfortable stretch cotton-blend socks. $12. Simons(Left) From the Canadian Olympic Team Collection, these faux fur earmuffs with cozy knit headband come in white and red. $30. Hudson’s Bay Company. Indulge yourself (or someone you love) with this collection of 12 handcrafted chocolates, five of which are International Chocolate Award winners. $24. Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut. A replica railway spike made in Arnprior becomes a heavy-duty bottle opener that will last for generations. $15. Maker House Company
