Crowd-pleasing Canadiana
Canada is having a moment. In 2017, our country marks its 150th birthday and we’re throwing a coast-to- coastto-coast party to celebrate. Meanwhile, publications ranging from The Economist and the Guardian to Lonely Planet are raving about everything from our worlddominating musicians to our spectacular scenery. Even our whisky has been named best in the world. So this holiday season, why not give a homegrown gift that celebrates the True North, strong and free?
EARN YOUR STRIPES
Nothing could be cosier than a nice, warm throw, especially when it comes in the cheerfully iconic red, yellow, green and black stripes of the Hudson’s Bay Company.
Options range from cottage- friendly polar fleece ($45) to lusciously luxe Scottish cashmere ($1,195). thebay.com
CALL OF THE WILD
Bring our traditional wildlife in from the cold with a stylish black- and- white moose photo pillow cover, $ 39.50 ( cushion insert sold separately), from Indigo. The store is going full-on Canadiana this season, with plenty of festive plaids, faux furs and regional scented candles, too. indigo.ca
LOCAL LIBATIONS
Keep warm with madein- Canada sippers such as Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye ($35 to $40), named 2016’s best whisky in the world, or the spicy- sweet maple- flavoured whisky liqueur Sortilege ($28 to $35). Available at l ocal l iquor stores.
FANCY FOOTWORK
Get your little ones started on the right foot with soft leather baby shoes from Vancouver’s Mally Designs. We love their adorable red moccasins with a Maple Leaf detail, $61.96. Available through Etsy, etsy. com. SUBHED: Canada by design
A piece from any of Canada’s i nternationally renowned fashion designers — such as Erdem, Smythe, Pink Tartan, Jason Matlo, Paul Hardy or Canada Goose — would be a stylish gift indeed. Or go full-on hoser chic with the rugged appeal of a classic Roots knitted pom- pom toque, $ 38, and matching scarf, $68. roots.com
CUTTING BOARD
Assemble a nationwide array of cheeses — say, awardwinning Celtic Blue Reserve from Lancaster, Ont., luscious Riopelle triple cream brie from Quebec and tangy Farm House clothbound cheddar from B.C. — and arrange them on a Maple Leaf-shaped wooden c utting/ ser ving board made by Love My Local, $90.87. Available through Etsy, etsy.com
PACK YOUR BAG
Throughout 2017, entry will be free to all of Canada’s national parks, so make sure your favourite adventurer is geared up to go. Pick up a high- quality backpack from Vancouver’s Herschel Supply, $39.99 to $109.99, shop. herschelsupply.ca. Then fill it with essential gear such as a flashlight, first aid kit, water bottle and multi-tool, all available at Mountain Equipment Co-op, mec.ca.
WORD HAS IT
Share Canada’s stories by popping some CanLit under the tree, starting with these great 2016 releases: The Man Booker- nominated, Giller- winning Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien; Margaret Atwood’s Hag- Seed; Louise Penny’s latest Chief Inspector Gamache novel, A Great Reckoning; Wenjack by Joseph Boyden; By Gaslight by Steven Price; The Wonder by Emma Donoghue; The Hidden Keys by Andre Alexis; Testimony by Robbie Robertson; and, of course, Canada, by funnyman Mike Myers.
NICE ICE, BABY
Canadian diamonds are among t he purest to be found on Earth. They are not only beautiful, they are responsibly mined without the environmental and human rights concerns that cling to stones from some other parts of the world. So if you’re thinking of giving a special someone a very special something this holiday season, remember that nothing sparkles quite like a Canadian diamond. One lovely option: a ring from the Birks Amorique collection. Starting at $ 2,495. maisonbirks. com