The Ultimate 2019 Gift Guide

Ahhh, the holidays.

It’s the perfect time to cozy up next to your loved ones, sit through one-too-many bad Hallmark movies while sipping on your spiked non-egg dairy-free eggnog as the snowfall acts as the perfect backdrop to your perfectly decorated 1+Den. And just as suddenly it dawns on you that you have done absolutely zero shopping. What will you give your Work Secret Santa? How about your BFF? That’s where we come in. Sit back, relax and read on for the perfect holiday something for everyone on your list – naughty or nice. 

For the traveller

Travelling in style is a breeze with the monte & coe weekender bag. For the lady in your life or the man, this wool duffel bag is designed with a modern, eco-conscious approach to a traditional carry-on bag. The Italian wool exterior is naturally water wicking, odour-resistant, and breathable, making it the perfect duffel bag for any season perfect travel bag for weekend getaways or for the stylish business traveller. It’s all about the details This duffel bag is hand-stitched using UV and ROT resistant thread for lifetime durability. Italian gold plated brass hardware and hand-painted edges provide a world-class finish. As an added bonus, it meets domestic & international carry-on requirements, so no need to hold your breath when you check it in! 

Get yours at monte & coe.

For the one who appreciates the finer things in life

Nothing says chic quite like checking into a hotel room that has sample-sized Le Labo products, a brand synonymous with international luxury. In a collaboration by The Laundress and Le Labo, their signature (and highly addictive) fragrance, Santal 33, has been bottled into a laundry detergent will give your extra special clothes the extra special love they deserve. 

A fragrant blend of tobacco and leather, balanced out with coconut and vanilla, it’s the perfect mix of masculinity and femininity that you and your significant other can both agree on. This detergent is non-toxic, biodegradable, allergen Free and it’s made with natural, stain-fighting ingredients, in a beautifully branded bottle. Plus, it makes you feel like you’re on vacation, even when you’re simply laying in your sheets at home.  

This product is available for purchase on The Laundress and at Le Labo

For the one who loves to entertain

Nothing says the holidays quite like overindulging in delicious food and drink. But let’s face it, some are better than others at entertaining, with artisanal cheeses, craft beers, a signature cocktail and desserts that are to die for. If you have this kind of person in your life, a Wine Subscription is just the thing. Kwäf works directly with Ontario’s best wineries to curate an assortment of wines not available in stores, but at an affordable price. 

You can buy single bottles, choose one-off subscription boxes if you don’t want to commit to a full membership, and you can even choose the Mixed Club where you’ll receive boxes with both red and white wines, with the occasional rose or bubbly. No matter your budget, this is the perfect gift for your wine-loving party-hosting friend.

You can learn more and pick a package directly at Kwaf.

For the athletic type

This product is sporting innovation at its finest, people! Top Knot creates a solution to the ever-present problem of adjusting your hair to a low pony in a baseball cap. Wear your hair high or at any height on the back of your head with Top Knot; and when your hair is down, Top Knot conveniently closes automatically to a full back baseball cap with a magnetic strip. Not rocket science, just genius! Available in an array of colours. Shop Top Knot here. 

For the one who got a new place

By now you’ve probably heard all the “hype” surrounding weighted blankets. Well, I’m here to tell you that the hype is real, my friends. This product is by no means new, and originally created for those on the autism spectrum to feel calmer and comfort restlessness, but companies like Casper have commercialized this product to a broader audience. It’s the perfect gift that puts the ‘comfort’ in comforter. These blankets are “weighted” with polyester pellets and are available 10lbs, 15lbs and 20lbs. It’s basically like a constant hug while you rest, and can also help ease the symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, insomnia and other conditions in both children and adults.  

You can purchase this product at Casper

For the one with new year’s resolutions

New year, new you, and what better way to ease into 2020 than with a fitness and health commitment. Yyoga is unique from other studios, because they create  community spaces for people to connect authentically to themselves and others. For the yogi or the one who has always been meaning to try it, their Holiday 10 Class Pack is a great Christmas Gift.

Learn more at Yyoga.

For the hypebeast

You very likely have that one friend who knows always know when a new colourway drops, has a very exclusive collection of sneakers and says things like “only 15 pairs of this shoe were made,” well, if this sounds familiar, then they will love The Ultimate Sneaker Book, an exhaustive historical detail of the subculture of sneaks, with more than 650 pages of insider knowledge. TBH, they probably already know about this book, but hey, it’s worth a shot. 

It’s available for purchase on Amazon.

For the humanitarian type

The holidays are about giving, but sometimes the best gifts are not things, but experiences. You very likely have someone in your life who doesn’t like to splurge, doesn’t want a gift at all, and makes a conscientious effort to make sustainable choices that help the environment. This is the perfect gift for them. Through the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF), you can symbolically adopt a species, (anything from a bumblebee to a great white shark and more than 30 others) and this donation will help conserve wildlife and our planet for future generations. Each adoption kit includes a high-quality wildlife plush of the animal of your choice, a personalized adoption certificate, a stunning species poster and information pamphlet about the work your gift will help support And a reusable gift bag of your choice.

 

You can learn more at the WWF Store.

For the pop-culture-obsessed

Batman and Frozen fans rejoice! Somewhere along its journey from the court to the street, the Chuck evolved into a cultural icon. In light of Batman celebrating 80 years and the release of Frozen 2, Warner Bros. and Disney each introduced commemorative capsules that celebrate and interpret  pop culture icons through Converse’s design aesthetic. For the kids in your life, or the kids at heart, these kicks can be enjoyed by all ages. 

Check ‘em out at Converse.

For the ones with a kid or a dog

Nothing says Christmas morning quite like a fresh onesie to get the day started. It’s even more adorable when you and the little ones in your life can match. The Arborist has an insanely cute collection of onesies, clad with printed patterns with everything from constellations, camo, mounties, or their Kids Table onesie which features an adorable design by talented patient ambassadors from SickKids hospital (with a portion of the sales going to SickKids). Oh! And even better, you can buy a pooch-sized onesie for the furry four-legged friend in your life, too! But make sure to take a photo of everyone in their onesie, because if you Instagram such moments, did they reeeally even happen? 

They’re available in the Drake General Store and online.

For your Secret Santa 

Useless Secret Santa or White Elephant gifts are so passe, and if you have a small budget, you can still buy something thoughtful without breaking the bank. Enter: Rosen’s Cinnamon Bun Spread. Mmm, just typing that alone delights my senses of memories of fresh-baked buns, icing and cinnamon… Anyway, inspired by the undeniably delicious Rosen’s Cinnamon Buns, this addition to anyone’s kitchen cupboard will save you the trek to curb those sweet cravings, and is more versatile than the original. This spread can turn your regular morning (or afternoon) toast into a decadent treat, but you can also use it on pancakes, waffles, on ice cream, or even just with a spoon. Do something out of the ordinary for your Secret Santa somebody, and let’s get this spread. 

Available at these stockists

For a friend indeed

This is a great gift for the green-loving someone in your life, who does their research, uses cannabis either medically or recreationally, and wants to elevate (no pun intended) their toking experience. It’s a natural way to microdose and lets you customize your smoke the same way you would customize a cocktail. In blends to arouse, uplift or relax, there’s a Ouid blend for everyone. 

You can purchase Ouid here.