CELEBRATE WITH GIFTS FOR YOUR FAVOURITE CANADIANS
Someone’s having a big birthday, eh? As the country gears up to celebrate its 150th, here are nine gift ideas that’ll help get your favourite Canadians ready to party this July 1. By Ellen Brait and Megan Dolski
FOR THE CANADIAN AT THE COTTAGE
For those who need to warm up after a refreshing lake swim, a patriotic towel is part of the Bay’s official Canadian Paralympic team collection. $45 for a towel, thebay.com.
FOR THE CANADIAN ABROAD
For friends and family who may not be around to celebrate the country’s big b-day bash on Canadian soil, here’s a chance to bring the spirit of the celebrations around the globe. Sew-on Canadian flags are sold individually or in sets online at various locations, including Cabela’s and Amazon.
FOR THE COSY CANADIAN
Make any room more inviting with Soy Harvest Candles’ Oh Canada candle. Hand poured in Winnipeg, the candles blend maple and vanilla. $28 per candle, soyharvest.ca.
FOR THE TRUDEAU-LOVING CANADIAN
Those wishing to follow the PM’s lead can grab a pair of the red-and-white maple leaf socks he’s been sporting of late. The company behind them is based in Edmonton and was founded by two men who became friends after immigrating from the same town in Belarus. Yuri Gerchikov, one of the co-founders of Good Luck Sock, said as “proud Canadians,” the maple leaf socks were one of the first pairs they created. $13 for a pair of men’s or women’s Canada maple leaf socks, goodlucksock.com.
FOR THE FARM-TO-TABLE CANADIAN
Those who want a sampling of fruit from coast to coast need only travel to Springridge Farm in Milton, Ont. Their Canada 150 Jam includes their locally grown strawberries, west-coast raspberries, east-coast wild blueberries and a splash of Canadian sparkling wine. They say the prime minister has already had a sampling, and the makers are working to have the Queen taste it next. $6.99 for a jar, springridgefarm.com.
FOR THE CANADIANS WHO KNOW IT’S EVENTUALLY GOING TO BE WINTER AGAIN
Canada may be a summer baby, but here we know sub-zero temperatures are never too far away. For those who want to prep early for chilly days and nights, enjoy a cup of warmth inspired by the country’s lakes, cottages or Niagara ice wine. $9 for a bag of loose leaf tea (various flavours available), drakegeneralstore.ca.
FOR THE CREATIVE CANADIAN
Adults and children alike who want to relax with some colouring can learn a thing or two about Canada at the same time with this 64-page educational colouring book. Featuring both French and English, the pages are filled with hand-drawn illustrations of Canadian animals, landscapes, landmarks and cities. $26.99 for the
Doodled in Canada colouring book, doodlelovely.com.
FOR THE WALLS OF AN ARTSY CANADIAN
Test your urban Canada IQ with one of Edmonton-born, Montrealbased artist Raymond Biesinger’s collection of silkscreened art prints, each featuring a major Canadian city. Sold online on Etsy.
$60 for a silkscreened print (various Canadian cities available) at raymondbiesinger.etsy.com.
FOR THE THOUGHTFUL CANADIAN
The Tragically Hip frontman’s solo album is inspired by the story of Chanie Wenjack, a boy who died fleeing a residential school in the 1960s. Proceeds go to the Gord Downie Secret Path Fund for Truth and Reconciliation, an effort to make sure Canadians remember the country’s residential school system.
$12, Gord Downie’s Secret Path, secretpath.ca