Second Nature
Among all the holiday hype, I’m happy when I get the chance to highlight a great Canadian retailer, as I am today, with Ontario-based company The WorldWide Nature Company. A gift store with an eco-friendly and all-natural mandate, the goodies you’ll find here make for stunning, off-the-beaten-path gift choices for just about everyone on your list. Because here’s the thing. You don’t need to be an ecologist to dig one of these pretty picks – you’ve just got to have an appreciation for our natural world, and all the beauty it brings.
Prehistoric Shark Teeth Set – $8
If you’ve got a rock collector on your hands, they’ll definitely get a kick out of The WorldWide Nature Co.’s selection of rock and mineral sampler sets. But if you’re just trying to appease your typical adventure-seeking boy (or girl), this fun set of fossilized shark’s teeth is just the stocking stuffer ticket. Featuring four teeth and fossil fun facts, it’s the type of thing that sets young minds afire, and makes for a really cool collectible they simply wouldn’t come across otherwise. Looking for more serious mineral sets? There’s plenty to choose from, all under the $20 mark.
Framed Butterflies – $35+
Let’s get something out of the way first – before you get up in arms about trapping and framing exotic butterflies, let me assure you, The WorldWide Nature Co. actually uses sustainable butterfly farms to source their stunning specimens. While these farms allow for capture of butterflies for the purposes of artwork, they also help breed hundreds of butterflies (some that are often on the brink of extinction) and release the majority of them back into the wild. With that out of the way, consider this as an earthy alternative to a framed art print. With dozens of colours, breeds, and combinations, you can dress up any wall with a pop of this au naturel art work. Buy one for your parents’ cottage, or inspire a budding entomologist with a specimen of their own. Butterflies not your thing? There’s also framed arachnids and insects.
Nyokki – $11 each
Call this Japan’s 21st century answer to the Chia Pet – each ceramic egg-shaped planter comes ready-to-grow with rye grass seed that grows in as little as two weeks. Tuck it in your child’s stocking for a chance to experiment with nature. Simply place it in the window and watch as the animal of your choice grows a wild ‘head of hair’ you can trim and cut over and over again. Fun and cute, with a side of earthiness – a total win!
Soapstone Carvings – $20+
Nothing quite says Canadiana like a piece of hand-carved Inuit-style art – like these stunning soapstone sculptures available in a dozens and dozens of shapes and styles from wild animals to Inuit to Inukshuks. Each piece is lovingly handmade, and fits into virtually any decor. Handpick a piece to dress up dad’s desk or splurge on a set of bookends to add polish to your bookshelves. There’s a massive range of price points and sculpture choices, making this a surefire hit with anyone on your gift list.
EcoSpheres- $79 – $490
Forgo the fish tank and opt for one of these gorgeous self-sustaining ecosystems from EcoSphere. Each aquatic glass habitat includes marine shrimp, algae, bacteria, and other microorganisms, meaning your sea creatures can actually feed themselves from the contents within. You also don’t ever have to get down and dirty to clean the thing: your EcoSphere comes with two magnets (one permanently inside, and one outside). Simply match them up to clean the tank when excess algae builds up. Go for a petite bullet-shaped ready-assembled tank for your front hall table or get a larger one to put on display in your office or living room. You can also opt for one of the company’s BYOES (that’s build-your-own-eco-system) and gift it to kids, particularly those that aren’t quite ready to take care of their own animals but could still learn a thing or twenty simply by building their own EcoSphere. Special note: The WorldWide Nature Co. is actually the exclusive Canadian manufacturer distributor for this ultra cool gift item (and its fun accessories make for great gift ideas post-Christmas).
Want to make your gift list one person shorter this holiday season? You could be in luck – I’m giving away a Medium Ecosphere (valued at $185) to a truly lucky reader. If you want that reader to be you, here’s how to enter:
1) Leave a comment by December 14th with the gift idea from The WorldWide Nature Company you’re most in love with.
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around December 15th to select the winner, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible to participate in this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry: Like The WorldWide Nature Company on Facebook + sign up for their newsletter for two bonus entries. Be sure to leave your Facebook username in the comments below so I can credit you + leave a comment on The WorldWide Nature Company Facebook page.
Canadian Gift Guide 
Chrysiridia Riphearia
I Loved this butterfly. althought the medium ecosphere was also a favourite . Facebook fan Janice E Cournoyer and signed up for the email. .
My favourite item is the medium ecosphere and the wolf soapstone figure.
Facebook fan (Lindsay Steeves) and signed up for the newsletter.
The (EcoSphere – Medium Sphere) sure looks cool & impressive from their site! That would be my selection. Thank you.
Loving the Nyokki! 2 will def be in my kids stockings! But I really love the ecosystems! My Daughters school is a David Suzuki school and they are all about the environment. Her class would love to have and learn all about these ecosystems! Very cool 🙂
The butterfly frame!
My daughter would like the shark teeth set – she had a grade 2 teacher that collected them and he gave a number of students a tooth – she really treasures it. (she’s 7 by the way). I may have to order some of the shark teeth for a stocking gift – unusual if you ask me, but I know she will love it!
I really like the EcoSphere – Small Sphere. It is like a little self sustaining planet and would look amazing on my desk. Talk about a stress buster! What an amazing gift! I bookmarked the page after I watched the video
I really like the Inuit in the kayak. And the shark’s teeth are seriously cool.
I really like the Nyokki. I’ve been trying to figure out how to introduce my young daughter to a plant in her room and this might just be the perfect thing!
soapstone carvings
I am fascinated by the framed butterflies, so lovely.
I love the Ecosphere kits but the Nyokki’s are very cute! I also liked them on fb.
The Ecospheres are too cool. I think the bullet ones would be a standout gift idea for anyone’s housewarming.
EcoSpheres are so cool 🙂
I like the frame butterflies. They are really cool, my boys would love some of those in their bedroom 🙂
liked them on facebook (Andrea Amy) and signed up for their newsletter (using my gmail account as I no longer get the emails to confirm to my hotmail account for some reason)
i love the ecospheres! they are amazing.
i liked them on fb, thanks! (sandy orourke)
Liked on Facebook as Wendy Dickinson.
Subscribed to there newsletter.
After snooping around the site and seeing how many wonderful and beautiful items they have i’ve narrowed it down to the Callithea Lepreuri Butterfly or the Jade Inukshuk Necklace or the Nyokki – Froggie.
Too many amazing items to choose just 1!
msdickinson28 at hotmail dot com
It’s a tie between the Ecosphere and the soap stone carving of the seal!
I Like the Soapstone Carvings
ecosphere small sphere is my favourite
I like the Ecosphere
I’ve always had a thing for rocks so my favourite thing is the Natural Gemstone Collection – Jewels in the Rough
thanks!
nancyrobster at gmail dot com
Like The WorldWide Nature Company on Facebook + sign up for their newsletter
Anne Taylor
ty
nancyrobster at gmail dot com
I like the Soapstone Carvings.
I like the large sphere ecosystem.
I like the worldwide nature company on FB
I like the Chrysiridia Riphearia for my hubby
My FB name is Suzanne Giroux and I commented
I subscribed to their newsletter
I love the Eco-Sphere!
The tear drop shaped eco sphere is so pretty. Its my favourite
I am totally in love with the Ecosphere!!!!
I like the soapstone carvings
Liked on FB (Shawna Sanderson)
EcoSpheres look really cool
I love the EcoSpheres..thanks for the giveaway!
I like the EcoSphere -Small Pod
The EcoSphere’s are pretty amazing.
I have signed up for the newsletter and liked their Facebook page.
i love the large water drop ecosphere…so pretty!
I really love the Nyokki – Kitty – I think my nephew would love it! What great gifting ideas these all are.
I liked the Worldwide Nature Company on Facebook (Tania Bugnet) and commented on their page. I’ve also signed up for the newsletter with the email below. Thx
the EcoSphere -medium sphere
I love the butterfly pictures!
The ecosphere terrarium are great!
like on FB (mike gismondi)
Soapstone Carvings – $20+
Like them as Victoria Ess on FB
I love the ecospheres! What a neat idea!
I really like the Soapstone Carvings of penguins
Really like the soap stone carvings, very nice…really like the guy in the canoe.
I would looooove the
EcoSpheres!!
rebthecatsitter at gmail dot com
I like the The WorldWide Nature Company on Facebook (Rebecca Roberts)
I subscribe to the The WorldWide Nature Company newsletter!
I love the ecospheres!
The Nyokki are cute
i love the Ecospheres!
I love the ecospheres – any size would make me very happy indeed!
I like the EcoSphere – Medium Sphere, or any for that matter. I think the ecospheres are pretty neat!
I love the ecosphere’s as well as the butterflies!
I like the From The Oceans Of The World
I particularly like the Soapstone Carvings
My favorite is the EcoSpheres!! Those are so cool!!!!! 🙂
I love the EcoSpheres, so amazing!
I absolutely love the ecospheres!
The EcoSpheres are a awesome idea, just love them but they are soooo expensive =( I am a facebook fan and signed up for their newsletter, I would love love love to win one!!!! FB name Cheryl MacIntyre
love the ecospheres and the soapstone carvings
I love the Papilio Lorquainus with matt. Framed butterflies are gorgeous and I have two people on my christmas list who would love it! too! Thanks for the chance!!
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
I like the world wide nature company on facebook (Amber Lynn)
The ecospheres are very serene!
The gift idea from The WorldWide Nature Company I’m most in love with is their “EcoSpheres- $79 – $490”. I’ve always admired these but because of their price tag, have only done so from afar, so thank you for offering up one to the winner. Though I would enjoy gifting this to my nephew, let’s just say he’s too young to appreciate it so I’ll hold on for it for a while 😉
Bonus Entry: Liked The WorldWide Nature Company on Facebook & left a comment https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=225588264241055&id=290062254426552 (Alison K) + sign up for their newsletter, “Your subscription to our list has been confirmed.”
Thank you.
My favorite is EcoSpheres! That is so cool!!
It’s really neat looking and the concept is cool too!
+like +newsletter for sure! Such a neat site!
I have twin nieces that are very very different – and share a bedroom. They would both LOVE the EcoSphere – Large Waterdrop, one would be amazed with the shape and cosmetic beauty of it, and the other one would be interested with what is in it. It would be the pefect gift !
Liked their facebook – heather holmberg
signed up for their email – heatherholmberg@hotmail.com
The ecoshperes! They are beautiful!
I love love love the ecospheres! So neat and interesting!
I like the EcoSphere – XL Sphere
bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com
I signed up for the newsletter with
bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com
I like The WorldWide Nature Company on facebook as belinda m
bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love the Eco Spheres!!
I really like the eco sphere.
i love the eco sphere!
framed butterfly.
The Eco-Sphere would be a great gift. Liked on FB – Raz.Haque.58
The soapstone carvings are truly works of art – my favourite is the goose.
I love the ecosphere-what a neat idea!
I like the medium ecoshere sphere
I liked their facebook page, sarah perry
I subscribed to their newsletter with the same email that I commented with here 🙂
I have a few framed bugs & butterflies! I think they are much more interesting than framed pictures or paintings. I love the ecosperes! They look amazing!
I love the EcoSphere Kits and want one!!
I signed up for the newsletter: tagna09 (at) gmail (dot) com
Liked on fb and commented on a post as Tanya Campbell.
The ecosphere medium sphere! I’d love one in my office but would probably keep it at home for the kids.
I collect rocks and fossils so the Fossil Collection is really cool too
The Eco Sphere Small Pod is stunning! I think I’d have to keep it for myself!
The Eco Spheres are amazing, I would keep it with me at work since this is where I spend most of my time.
I have liked and commented on the World wide Nature Company on facebook
i love the Ecospheres
An Ecosphere of course! That seems like an awesome item! 🙂
I love the Nyokki, and the Ecospheres!
I also liked them on FB as Mize Bee.
I LOVE those Ecospheres! Great Christmas gifts for the kidlets.
beautiful butterfly specimens
love the ecosperes and the butterflys
I love the EcoSphere! Liked Facebook page, commented, and signed up for the newsletter (Andrea Power). Thanks!
i think the Nyokki is a pretty nifty idea to get the kids involved
I cannot decide between the butterfly collection or the ecosystem. They are both so unique.
I like the inukshuk necklace!
Love the soapstone carvings
The Eco Sphere Small Pod is awesome!
I really love the framed butterflies
facebook name leanne vandorpel
I love the husky star marble carvings.
I like The WorldWide Nature Company on Facebook (Caroline Morin).
I’ve signed up for The WorldWideNature Company e-mails (aku.kuro.neko@gmail.com).
The Eco Spheres are an amazing idea!