FUN MEETS QUIRKY
Novelty gifts they’ll want to keep,
Hockey Night in Canada Onesie
No longer just for babies, onesies are now the official uniform of cosy nights in and lazy winter weekends. With colourful and abstract illustrations of hockey players emblazoned across the chest, this particular number by Arborist is a patriotic tribute to the great Canadian pastime. It’s a unisex fit; see website for sizing details. $59.95; Drake General Store, drakegeneralstore.ca
Obsessive Chef Cutting Board
For the home chef who needs his or her dices and slices to be just so, this bamboo board is a useful (and cheeky) kitchen addition. Gridlines of different sizes and angles help deliver precise cuts, serving as a guide for julienne, fine julienne, small dice and medium dice, amongst other cuts. The lines are burnished, not printed, so they won’t disappear or fade with wear. $37.94; amazon.ca
Work Week Sock Pack
Consider this five-pack of socks a hipper, more evolved version of the classic Monday-through-Friday set. In-your-face labelling has been replaced by unique combinations of colour and pattern to help the wearer stay organized. Available for both men and women, the set comes in a cute box that makes it a gifting no-brainer. $29.95; Drake General Store, drakegeneralstore.ca
CXBO chocolate
Skip the Toblerone stocking stuffer and opt for chocolate bonbons from CXBO (Chocolates by Brandon Olsen) — handmade works of art, in deliciously unconventional flavours. Toronto chef/chocolatier Olsen and artist/filmmaker Sarah Keenlyside have a storefront in the city’s Kensington Market neighbourhood, but lucky for out-of-town sweet tooths, CXBO ships across the country. For the holiday season, CXBO has two special-edition sets: the Ornament Collection (nine pieces, in festive flavours including eggnog/cognac and pumpkin/toasted marshmallow) and the Iceberg Collection (12 pieces, in minty combinations including peppermint/crème fraîche and Irish cream/mint). $22.50 to $45; CXBO, cxbo.ca
Timbrefone Acoustic Phone Amp
A Baltic birch iPhone speaker makes for a good conversation piece at home, at the cottage or in the office. Handmade in High Ridge, Mo., the speaker naturally amplifies sound through its acoustic cone — no cords or batteries needed. It supports most iPhones with phone cases, but best to check dimensions before ordering. $128.35; uncommongoods.com
PhoneSoap 3.0
Phones are subject to many a germ. Without proper sanitization, those germs get transferred to the user, causing him or her to get sick. Gift someone a cleaner phone experience. PhoneSoap 3.0 is a cleaning device said to kill 99.9 per cent of germs while also serving as a universal charger. It safely sanitizes anything that fits inside the case, including large phones such as the Apple iPhone 8 Plus. An acoustic amplifier means alarms and notifications can still be heard during the sanitization process. $59.95; phonesoap.com
PetSafe Bolt Laser Interactive Cat Toy
This gadget is guaranteed to provide hours of entertainment to your favourite felines — and their owners. With manual and automatic modes, the PetSafe Bolt Laser emits beams of laser light for cats to chase, pounce on and paw at. It can be handheld or set upon a flat surface, and automatically shuts off after 15 minutes of play time. Batteries not included. $23.99; amazon.ca
Watch Ya Mouth Family Edition
You’ve probably seen the photos; families crowded around a card-covered kitchen table, lips pulled back in a cartoonish grin by cheek retractors. Those ridiculous smiles are the product of Watch Ya Mouth, one of the wackiest party games on the market. Players don the retractors, which majorly hamper their verbal skills, and attempt to successfully read and interpret phrases. This edition features 143 family-friendly lines. $26.99; amazon.ca