Monika Sofrenovic is the Marketing Specialist at CIRA. She is a recent graduate of Carleton University with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Marketing.
Home is where your heart is for the holidays
Hey—look at us getting back into the rhythm of *gasp* having people over! If a special someone’s space is in desperate need of sprucing up for the holidays, we’ve got you covered with this expanded collection of .CA home and living gift ideas. Explore some of the coolest Canadian-made furniture, quirky décor, handmade cheese boards and vibrant wall art around
Kitchen & Bar
finebatiks.ca
Brighten a loved one’s home this holiday season with a beautiful Indonesian batik. These ultra-colourful, hand-woven cloths feature intricate designs—like cherry blossoms, birds and floral arrangements. Perth, Ontario’s Fine Batiks offers batik table runners, tablecloths, napkins and batik silk scarves—all completely unique from the next. A true statement piece for any dining space.
Price range: $$ – $$$
liveedgedwoodcraft.ca
What started out as a retirement project has now seen Live Edged Woodcraft founder Bill Major become a bona fide wood artisan. He rescues discarded Ontario hardwood from the landfill and reshapes it into gorgeous, naturally treated charcuterie and cheese boards that are one-of-a-kind. A perfect, rustic way to display that decadent holiday spread! Now, pass the cranberry-infused cheese.
Price range: $$ – $$$
kookn.ca
Kookn (pronounced “cookin’”) are a designer and maker duo with a special love for vintage, Scandinavian-designed cookware, tableware and serving ware. They get pre-loved kitchen pieces out of dusty cupboards or garage shelfs and back into your hands. Check out their eautiful, curated collection for a great vintage find!
Price range: $$ – $$$
potandpantry.ca
Found on Ottawa’s lively, historic Elgin Street, Pot and Pantry is the place to shop for anyone with a passion for food and home. They’re a curated kitchenware boutique that’s packed with high-quality, Canadian-made cookware, utensils and décor, along with mouth-watering gourmet grocery items.
Price range: $ – $$
saltshop.ca
In addition to their clothing line, SALT carries Canadian made and upcycled home accessories, décor, wellness products and clothing—all with a special focus on ocean conservation.
Price range: $ – $$
respectyourmother.ca
Other than being great words to live by, Respect Your Mother provides a wide selection of artisanal, eco-friendly home cleaning and bath products.
Price range: $ – $$
This multi-generational spice company was founded 40 years ago in the small oilfield town of Whitecourt, AB. Since then, the grandkids have taken over and are sharing their family’s special recipes with the world. Check out TM Spice’s four distinct flavour blends and don’t miss their holiday bundles.
Prince range: $-$$
This is your source for zero-waste living and environmentally friendly home products. Ardent Earth’s expertly curated collections help take the guesswork out of vegan shopping. That way, you’re guaranteed to find sustainably sourced, cruelty free products made locally and for a fair wage.
Price range: $ – $$
dulynoted.ca
This charming, Halifax-based boutique offers a curated collection of lively, bright and cheeky greeting cards, stationary, pens and cute knick-knacks for any living space. An excellent source of stocking stuffers for the people on your list who still indulge in the art of putting pen to paper.
Price range: $$ – $$$
inkwellboutique.ca
Brighten up any space in your loved one’s home with handmade delights from Inkwell Boutique. Located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, they are an old-school letterpress studio that offers beautiful, printed paper products, along with a whole host of home décor items from makers around the world.
Price range: $ – $$
flowerink.ca
What to do with old greeting cards…if you’re not the sentimental type, you’d probably sling it in the bin, right? Ah, but not so fast! Flowerink’s cute, clever seed paper greeting cards, stationery and wall calendars can be planted…and then grow into wildflowers or herbs! That’s what we call a lasting sentiment! Or—wait for it—a gift that grows on you.
Price range: $$ – $$$
Style
nuspace.ca
IKEA, take a seat. Now, this is where fresh, clean modern design is at! Montreal-based Nuspace brings together bedroom and living furniture, tables and décor from top local designers, as well as international brands. It’s a smorgasbord of home style that gives you near-endless options to freshen up your special someone’s space.
Price range: $$ – $$$
route102.ca
Route 102 sees beauty in bits of scrap metal. They’re a two-person studio based in Queenstown, New Brunswick, that creates stunning, elegant wall clocks, earrings and necklaces. The material? Recycled copper, stainless steel and aluminum that they sand, burnish, hammer twist and bend by hand. Each piece is a mini masterpiece!
Price range: $$ – $$$
midhavenfurniture.ca
Sometimes that perfect statement piece can’t be found in the present day. Toronto’s Mid-Haven Furniture carries a carefully curated selection of genuine, mid-century modern furniture (produced between 1945-1969) that they lovingly restore to its original glory. Fall in love with the clean lines, smooth, streamlined shapes and serious “Mad Men” vibes!
Price range: $$ – $$$
twistedgoods.ca
Twisted Goods’ philosophy is simple: give good gifts. Words to live by, right? Well, they’re here to support your holiday endeavours with an impressive selection of home décor pieces, tech gadgets and kitchen accents that are just plain fun (not to mention funny!).
Price range: $$ – $$$
allotallove.ca
Looking for a fabulous, handmade gift for a new parent on your list? Check out these baby and toddler patchwork quilts from Allotallove. Not only do the designs feature all sorts of bold colours and shapes, but they’re perfectly suited for life on the go with kids—whether it’s in the car, out for a stroll or on the floor for tummy time.
Price range: $$ – $$$
doday.ca
Founded by Toronto-based international students, Do Day brings bold colours, minimalistic design, affordability and functionality to their collection of home accessories. Put a few of their products together in a room, and suddenly you have a VERY lively living space.
Price range: $
mamereetmoiantiques.ca
Blend in some authentic, old-school artifacts with your modern décor. Ma Mere et Moi Antiques is a family-run business that scours rural Ontario for an eclectic mix of primitives, rustic and farmhouse pieces, garden accessories and more. Because their inventory’s always changing, you never quite know what gems you might uncover.
Price range: $ – $$
northwestgoods.ca
This lifestyle brand pays homage to the lakes and nature of Northwestern Ontario, featuring locally made products and unique home décor that’ll lend a bit of rugged wilderness to any space.
Price range: $ – $$$
Home Goods and Decorations
primetimedisplays.ca
Chances are, there’s someone on your list that takes their sports memorabilia seriously. Prime Time Displays has created a clean, modern jersey display case that looks hall-of-fame worthy. Now, that autographed Chris Neil jersey won’t have to languish in a basement—huzzah! You’ll be the true holiday MVP after gifting one of these cases.
Price range: $$ – $$$
nomaddesignmural.ca
You’ve heard of accent walls, right? Laval, Quebec’s Nomad Design takes it to a whole ‘nother level. Transform a loved one’s wall into a full-on, mural masterpiece. Choose from funky, vintage art deco-inspired designs, works by Quebec artists— or even bring a favourite photo. This is the kind of gift that makes a big, lasting statement.
Price range: $$ – $$$
ourglowinghearts.ca
You know the “with glowing hearts” bit of the national anthem? Well, they can now be purchased! Started as a way of showing support to healthcare workers during the height of the pandemic, Our Glowing Hearts creates handmade, heart shaped, neon lights that radiate true Canadian love for one another.
Price range: $$ – $$$
vibestyle.ca
Vibe Style—based in Esterhazy, Saskatchewan—strives to deliver positive vibes with every single product they carry. True to their mission, there’s plenty here to feel great about! Treat your peeps to funky, fresh-looking home accents, cozy throws, scented candles, colourful kitchenware—and more.
Price range: $$ – $$$
getthegoods.ca
A quick browse of their online store quickly confirms that Get the Goods lives up to their namesake. This Whistler, BC-based firm sources around 2,500 products from talented craftspeople in developing countries, and local artisans in BC. You’ll find no shortage of stylish home décor, bar and kitchen gadgets, jewellery and accessories.
Price range: $$ – $$$
bomdesign.ca
Help lend your loved one’s space a truly personalized touch with Bom Design. They offer completely custom, premium furniture design with an emphasis on maximum versatility and function.
Price range: $$$
creamlifeandstyle.ca
Need to find the right vintage vibe for your space? Cream Life + Style’s collection of art, textiles, glassware and décor is deeply inspired by the 60s and 70s rock n’ roll counterculture. They hunt all over Canada to find pieces that are high-quality and unique, while also curating special items from local makers.
Price range: $ – $$$
onesixtyone.ca
Nestled in Cambridge, ON, One Sixty-One is a boutique shop that carries products from over 100 local makers within—you guessed it—161 kilometers of the store. Browse by maker and check out an impressive selection of décor pieces, wall art, pillows, kitchenware and more.
Price range: $ – $$$
pickitfence.ca
Pick It Fence is a Pembroke, Ontario boutique carrying a full slate of on-trend clothes and home décor pieces. With such a large selection, there’s plenty to comb through— including colourful cushions and rugs, photo frames, florals and small furniture.
Price range: $ – $$
thenooks.ca
The Nooks describe themselves as an “artisan business incubator,” meaning they give independent Canadian makers from across the country a place to sell their handcrafted goods. Shop their massive online marketplace by province or category for home décor, art, wellness and beauty products.
Price range: $ – $$
airlifegreenery.ca
Bring a bit of affordable, low-maintenance nature into your home with Air Life Greenery’s unique collection of living wreaths and air plant holders. Wrapped in jute or macrame cotton, the holders’ soft, neutral colours showcase the uniqueness of the air plants, while blending seamlessly with just about any décor style.
Price range: $ – $$
Based in Goderich, Ontario, Paul the Maker is a one-man, custom woodworking operation, producing anything from solid, cedar Adirondack chairs for the cottage, to intricate wooden artwork for your walls.
Price range: $ – $$$
sheboutique.ca
This online boutique proudly carries Canadian brands with products that inspire women to take their self-care and wellness seriously. She Boutique also features a collection of home accessories that can help transform any room into a healing, relaxing space.
Price range: $ – $$
Muskoka Woodworking creates stunning, solid wood cutting boards, butcher’s blocks, cheeseboards, trays and more. For a special touch, pick up a custom-engraved cutting board for that passionate home cook in your life!
Price range: $$ – $$$
We hope we’ve helped you flex your home décor muscles a bit for the folks on your list. The next step is to check out CIRA’s full .CA gift guide for even more excellent recommendations for your family and friends.
