HITTING THE STORES FOR LAST-MINUTE GIFTS
Still looking for some last-minute gift ideas? Maybe put aside the online shopping list and turn to local brick-and-mortar outlets for items you can take home and wrap right away. Below, a few ideas that might get you mobilized:
FOR THE KIDS
A storytime kit from Marshalls — with slippers, PJs, a book, hot chocolate mix, and a stuffed animal — will have sugar plums dancing cosily in the little ones’ heads. Furreal Ricky, The Trick-Lovin’ Pup is full of surprises and affection, and responds with more than 100 sound-and-motion combinations. Transformers Power Charge Bumblebee figure can be powered up in two modes to then activate 25 different sounds and phrases. Connect 4 Shots adds a whole new (fun) twist to the classic game with bouncing balls! All three from Hasbro.
Give your little hairdresser a super fun set from Play-Doh: the Buzz ’n Cut Fuzzy Pumper Barber Shop toy. The Lego City Hospital features a hospital building with reception area, kiosk and ambulance dropoff, vision testing room with eye chart, X-ray room with a light brick function, plus an operating/delivery room. It’s also modular, so you can configure it in different ways.
FOR HIM
Crisp air carries the welcoming smoke of a crackling fire from a nearby cabin — breathe in the scent of pine and white birch with this beautiful soy candle from Chapters Indigo. Give him a classy flask (from HomeSense) that is in the shape of a vintage camera. But please: no pictures. Marvis toothpaste uses natural ingredients and powdered alum to polish teeth and remove stains, and their new gift set offers the original seven flavours in cool retro packaging. Plus, the travel-sized tubes are ideal for the globetrotter on your gift list.
FOR HER
Bamboo makeup brushes from Winners are produced from high-quality natural materials — not only are they easy to use but they’re beautiful, too.
The cat-lover on your shopping list will welcome the adorable see-through umbrella from Linen Chest. The latest book from decor guru Debbie Travis isn’t so much about home design as it is about designing your life around your own passion. Design Your Next Chapter invites readers to be inspired by people’s stories of triumph and self-discovery, while learning how to follow their own path toward happiness.
FOR THE HOME
The Hamilton Beach FlexBrew 2-Way Thermal Coffee Maker can do it all and is the perfect holiday helper. Brew up to 10 cups with the stainless-steel carafe or use the single-serve brew option with ground basket or K-Cup pack. The Instant Pot Max is a souped-up version of the beloved original Instant Pot – the fully programmable multicooker incorporates the benefits of a pressure cooker, pressure canner, sous vide, slow cooker, rice cooker, sauté/ searing pan, steamer, yogurt maker, food warmer, and much more. At Stokes you’ll find a four-piece Laguiole spreader set that’s perfect for slathering butter, jam and your favourite cheeses on delicious breads or crackers. Crafted of high-quality stainless steel, this elegant set is packaged in a wood storage case.
FOR ONE WHO HAS IT ALL
Get tickets to Ballets Jazz de Montréal’s show, Dance Me, coming to Place des Arts next March for anyone who likes dance — and is a fan of Leonard Cohen. It’s the show approved by Cohen during his lifetime to include his work. Hudson’s Bay and Disney have a new collection featuring HBC’s iconic stripes along with an image of Mickey Mouse to commemorate his 90th anniversary. The collection includes throws, sweatshirts for adults and kids, adult T-shirts, and kids’ T-shirts.