LOCAL GIFT GUIDE
Unique finds for all on your list
Including today — Dec. 2 — you have 23 days to shop until Christmas Eve. With that in mind, here’s your guide to independent shopping this month, with selections from every quadrant and beyond. Whether you’re looking for the perfect present for Mom, Grandpa, toddlers or a sweet teenager, here are 24 suggestions — one for each day before Christmas, plus a bonus — from local businesses and creators. Don’t be hurt if you don’t see your favourite on the list. This city has plenty to offer, and every independent business we support helps keep Calgary unique from, say Edmonton or Vancouver. Great cities, true, but who wants to find the same stores wherever you go? Not me,
FOR THE KIDS
There’s nothing quite like Livingstone & Cavell Extraordinary Toys. Get Meccano, homemade teddies, old-fashioned marbles and classic wind-up and wood toys. extraordinarytoys.com
Royal Board Shop has snowboards, skateboards, longboards and protective gear for every ’boarder teen. royalboardshop.com
Steeling Home offers mid-century modern-inspired kitchenware, jewelry and more. But for kids, it excels, with sweet baby toys, fun books, even onesies. www.steelinghome.ca
Meander through Pages on Kensington and find something for everyone, including books for little ones, as well as quality fiction and non-fiction for preteens and teens. bookmanager. com/1172034/
Telus Spark is always a hit with kids. Get a membership, or buy gift vouchers online. Check the store for science-related gifts, too. sparkscience.ca
Calgary author Simon Rose writes science fiction novels for kids. Shadowzone is about a boy who meets a girl from a planet facing environmental catastrophe.simon-rose.com
FOR THE FOODIE
Tea — maybe Wild Blueberry Rooibos or organic Masala Chai — from Natur’ El Tea. Based in Banff, Jolene Brewster handblends her teas and sells them at Italian Centre Shop, Amaranth Whole Foods and, through Dec. 3 at the Spruce Meadows Market. natureltea.ca
Real Treat organic cookies are made in Cochrane and available at Peasant Cheese Shop, Bon Ton Meat Market, Cookbook Co. Cooks, Sunnyside Natural Market and Italian Centre Shop. Try the limited-edition Ginger Cookie and gluten-free Spiced Pecan Shortbread. realtreat.ca
Kitten Swish is a wine label by Calgary sommelier Brad Royale and importer Mark Kuspira. The Chenin Blanc is a white wine that’s excellent for entertaining. At select wine shops, including Kensington Wine Market and Bin 905. kittenswish.com
Need an impressive hostess gift? Peasant Cheese is your onestop shop for all things cheesy. Or give a Club Cheese membership; each month includes three cheeses, crackers and dried fruit or nuts. peasantcheese.com
Italian Centre Shop has the best olive oils, pasta, meats, chocolates. On my list: a Partyclette, a little raclette pan for cross-country skiing; it uses tea light candles to melt the cheese. italiancentre.ca
Big brands like Staub and Lodge are popular at Savour Fine Foods and Kitchenware, but you’ll also find cutting boards from Boska, gourmet foods and towels, too. savourfinefoods.com
Know a foodie who loves to fish? Stop by Bow Valley Troutfitters. Our pick: the Yeti coolers, which keep fish (and beer) colder longer than old-school squeaky Styrofoam. bowrivertroutfitters.com
FOR THE FASHION- LOVER
Aldila Boutique is selling the Wrap of Hope in support of Calgary’s Women in Need Society. Buy the wrap for yourself or buy one and WINS will give it to a deserving woman. Either way, at least $10 from each scarf will go toward WINS. womeninneed.net
Make someone’s day with gold, maybe an initial pendant or earrings from The Cinder and Sage Loft, a new store on Fourth St. S.W. cinderandsage.com
The Grinning Goat offers vegan-friendly clothing and accessories. Don’t miss the Kalegary sweatshirt tribute to local vegetarians. grinninggoat.ca
You’ll find lots of gifts at Granary Road, a new market south of the city. A must: Fluff, the stop for scarves, toques, jewelry and cards, all from local creators.
fluffhandcrafted.etsy.com and granaryroad.com
Head to Stuff 4 Him and get Dad a man bag from Mother Co., a cap from Alberta Apparel, or tuque from Local Laundry.stuff4him.ca
Parts +Labor is a Calgary fashion label that offers edgy streetwear for women: Perhaps the Heartaches to Gold bomber jacket, or the Wild Feminist crop tee. partsandlabor-inc.com
FOR THE HOMEBODY
Interior designer Alykhan Velji has two candles — Dawn and Dusk — this winter. Each costs $45 or buy two for $80. They’re made locally with leadfree wicks, soy wax and organic essential oils. avdshoppe.com
Firebrand Glass has its Christmas Open House today until 5 p.m. in Black Diamond. Find hand-blown glass tree ornaments, bowls or art, or sign your sweetheart up for a class so they can make their own. firebrandglass.ca
Get your fave green thumb something from Kokedema. The wintergreen and coffee plants are especially beautiful, but there are lots to choose from. kokedama.ca
Piece on Peace: A Sustainable Boutique has womenswear, organic cotton towels, robes and pyjamas, skin care, culinary treats, tea, jewelry, slippers, you name it. pieceonpeace.com “Every man should have an excellent axe, a stiff cocktail and a good shave,” according to the Kent of Inglewood team. You get the picture: they sell cocktail gear, axes and shaving paraphernalia. kentofinglewood.com