LAST-MINUTE GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING
A sampling of local, sustainable, or philanthropic gifts worth considering this holiday season
With only five days left before Christmas, it’s nice to know that you don’t have to search far and wide — or settle for a lump of coal — in your last minute quest for local, sustainable or philanthropic presents.
Homemade with love in Montreal by Judith Derlachter and delivered fresh to your door, Broadway Beer Bread is made with local microbrewery beers — like 4 Origines and Dieu du Ciel — and comes in eco-friendly, zero-waste bags by Dans le Sac. Loaves start at $8 and can be ordered on Instagram @broadwaybeerbread.
Conserva has everything you need for a picture-perfect pantry full of mouth-watering, locally grown foodstuffs. Their gift baskets contain homemade products made in-house using local fruits and vegetables along with some carefully chosen private imports from businesses with a similar, sustainably minded mission.
Chefs Mathieu Duchamp and Romain Pirat are at the helm of Robin des Bois, where delectable meals are served with a generous helping of social conscience. The local restaurant/not-forprofit organization that’s mostly staffed by volunteers donates all its profits to four field organizations in the city fighting social isolation and poverty. Menu items include vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options as well as popular dishes such as AAA beef bavette and salmon tartar. Gift certificates come in a variety of denominations.
Based in Morin Heights, 29 Février was created to help restore maple syrup’s noble reputation by highlighting the passion and creativity of local artisans. Its latest release — a one-litre box of the good stuff ($29) in NHLthemed packaging — celebrates two distinctly national pastimes: enjoying maple syrup and hockey. Available at participating Metro grocery stores.
At Lufa Farms, more than 100 varieties of veggies are sustainably grown on three rooftops in the city. The business that’s best known for its customizable, pay-as-yougo baskets that start at $15 also collaborates with 230 producers to provide a variety of fresh, local, and responsibly sourced food, including seasonal goodies like egg nog ($5), oysters ($19.75) and spice cake ($11.75), as well as handy gifts like a David Suzuki reusable tote bag ($45). All proceeds from the bag go to the David Suzuki Foundation, which works to protect the diversity of nature and our quality of life now, and for the future. https:// montreal.lufa.com.
For coffee lovers who long to enjoy café-style brews without the guilt of throwaway cups there is Nespresso, the coffee machine ($179 for the Essenza Mini) that uses recyclable capsules made of aluminum. Simply collect your used capsules and ensure the bag they go in is well sealed before placing it in your regular recycling bin. The bag is then delivered to a recycling facility where the coffee grounds are composted and separated from the aluminum, which is recycled. There are six places to purchase Nespresso products (including its new line of coffee accessories designed by artist India Mahdavi), including the Nespresso Boutique on Crescent Street, at Hudson’s Bay, Galeries D’Anjou, Carrefour Laval, Promenades St-Bruno and Fairview Pointe-Claire.
Green beauty lovers will be tickled pink, or green, to receive one of Nude by Nature’s gift sets — like the Luminous 3 Piece Eye Set ($40), the Luster 3 Piece Nude Lip Collection ($40) or the Radiant Good For You Complexion Collection ($60) that includes a mini Perfecting Primer, Perfecting Concealer, Radiant Loose Powder Foundation, Translucent Loose Finishing Powder, Natural Glow Loose Bronzer, limited edition Mini Highlight Stick in Champagne, limited edition Mineral Blush, a compact mirror, and a limited edition cosmetic bag — enriched with 100 per cent natural ingredients and formulated without any of the synthetics or preservatives found in cosmetics. In addition to being cruelty free and PETA certified, Nude by Nature is exclusively available at Pharmaprix.
For beauty aficionados (including men!) who like being pampered, Salon Vong offers a variety of services including manicures (from $23), pedicures (from $40) and combos of both (from $60) using vegan, eco-friendly products that haven’t been tested on animals. Gift certificates come in a variety of denominations.
Charitable giving is at the heart of the Lush brand, which launched its Charity Pot program 11 years ago, donating an incredible $34 million to more than 2,500 grassroots organizations in 42 countries supporting environmental justice, animal protection and human rights. The brand’s charitable range includes its Charity Pot Body Lotion ($7.95/$27.95), Charity Pot Naked Body Lotion ($9.95), You’re A Star Gift ($65.95), Meet Me Under The Mistletoe Gift ($99.95), Lush Life Gift ($234.95) and WOW Gift ($389.95). They also sell reusable knot-wraps (from $5.95) that are made from either organic cotton or two recycled plastic bottles and are a great way to wrap any gift. The wraps are made by a co-op in rural India that helps empower women.
Major Canadian retailers like Sports Experts are a great onestop-shop to find a variety of locally made fashion and accessories, like the Poches & Fils Eggplant Men’s Fitted Boxer Shorts ($24.99), Hentailler Men’s T-Shirt ($34.99) and Chien Jean Cabot Women’s T-Shirt ($34.99) as well as the Parkland Lookout Duffle ($44.99) — the exterior of which is made of 100 per cent recycled water bottles — and the latex-free Lolë I Glow Reversible Yoga Mat ($38.99).
Pastel Rita, in Mile End, is another place to hit up if you’re on the hunt for a bevy of locally made goods, including Heirloom Hats by Samantha-Tara Mainville, jewelry by Alexandre Bergeron, Bouquet leather bags and wallets by Véronique Orban, ceramics by Pascal Girardin and custom hand-forged Japanese knives by Smith and Spathis Forge.
Created in 2010 by young Montrealers with a passion for fine jewelry and sustainability, Ecksand strives to make the world a better place by using 100 per cent recycled gold and traceable gems from conflict-free mines. The Duchess of Sussex was spotted wearing their Showcase collection rings, like the Ecksand Showcase marquise cut pink garnet and yellow gold ring ($833), while the Ecksand Wild Goldenwing dangle earrings in yellow gold ($1,320) are another popular option.
West Elm’s handcrafted network consists of 35 artisan groups in 15 countries and current faves include its Solid Basketweave Throw ($107), handwoven by skilled artisans in a Fair Trade Certified facility in India; the Felt Deer Pillow Cover ($53) made in Nepal; Atrium Glass Hurricanes ($54 and $84) designed by Aaron Probyn and made in India; and Feed Hand-Carved Wood Napkin Rings (set of four for $39) and Wooden Board ($54). Both items are made in Thailand and Feed donates 25 meals to those in need with each purchase. In addition to its international outlook, West Elm is committed to helping local artists grow, and introducing its customers to one-ofa-kind creations like those crafted by furnishings maker Raphaël Zweidler, of Zweidler Works, and photographer Kristina Kasparian, of Veni Etiam Photography. To check out their work and pick up an original holiday gift, pop in to their pop-up that’s being held Dec. 22 at West Elm, 995 Wellington St.
Hudson’s Bay has a variety of charitable gifts, including its limited-edition Heritage Charity Bear named Hudson. Each bear retails for $23.99, with 100 per cent of net proceeds supporting HeadFirst mental health programming. There’s also the WE Well-Being for Youth Rafiki Bracelet ($5); $2.50 from each bracelet supports students and educators across Canada with resources and tools to nurture their positive mental well-being. The Canadian Olympic Team Collection Stripe Maple Leaf Mittens ($15) help Canadian athletes, with $3.90 from the sale of each pair raising funds for the Canadian Olympic Foundation.
Finally, why not make a holiday donation to White Ribbon in honour of someone special? White Ribbon is the world’s largest movement of men and boys working to prevent gender-based violence and promote gender equality and healthy masculinity. Donations support programs such as presentations, seminars, workshops, training and awareness campaigns in schools, workplaces, sports teams and community organizations. For more information visit www.whiteribbon.ca/donate.
In the end, it’s important to remember that giving back doesn’t have to be about money: doing something nice for someone who needs it can be a great way to help, so don’t forget to brighten someone’s day with a random act of kindness this season (and hope they’ll pay it forward).