Questions & Answers
What the heck is this thing?
Simply put, the Canadian Gift Guide is a blog with gift giving ideas for Canadians. What does that mean? Anything I feature has to be readily available to Canadians. So whether I’m highlighting gifts you can buy in Canada, Canadian retailers with great gift ideas, or Canadian businesses with Canadian-made products, you are pretty much guaranteed this blog is written for Canadians, by a Canadian.
Who writes it?
My name is Brittany, and as of right now, I write 100% of the content here on the Canadian Gift Guide. If you’d like to learn a little bit about me, you’re free to check out this post.
How long has the Canadian Gift Guide been around for?
Since June 2010. It came from noticing that there wasn’t really anyone highlighting all of the cool products and retailers available to Canadians specifically. I was sick of visiting online stores and finding they only shipped to the USA, or that it cost $80 to ship a $10 item. I wanted to create a resource where you could easily find gift ideas for Canadians. Thus, my blog was born.
How do you choose what to write about?
Research, primarily. And I like to shop. I’d say about 90% of my ideas come from browsing stores (online and bricks & mortar), spotting something cool, and jotting down a note to follow up on it. I never write about a brand unless I want to, and no one is paying me to write this blog, but admittedly I gravitate to a few brands based on personal preference. I also tend to find more inspiration in shopping for girly as opposed guy gifts – I won’t lie, a large portion of what I feature on here is stuff I’d certainly like to open up!
What makes you an expert on gift-giving?
I don’t know that one can really earn gift-giving cred, beyond having many a satisfied friend and family member as the years have gone by. I’d like to think I have a good eye for picking out items that have a wide spread of appeal, and aren’t crazily expensive. I also try to feature retailers that are across Canada as much as possible, although I strongly recommend visiting your local gift shop for some really cool ideas that I can’t necessarily capture on here. My aim is simply to provide honest, thoughtful ideas to help you overcome the dread of finding that perfect gift.
How do you get all of these awesome prizes to give away?
For the longest time I was writing a lot of posts based on my own meandering thoughts and impressions of things. It occurred to me that it’d be more helpful and interesting to everyone involved if I started talking to the people I write about to get the inside story on their products. Along the way, I also thought it’d be nice to give back something to everyone that reads the Canadian Gift Guide. Thus, I started opening up opportunities to some of the brands I feature to also do a giveaway – but rest assured, one does not rely on the other. As I said above, I never ever write a product unless I want to. If there’s a giveaway involved, well, it’s just a bonus – my chance to give back – to you.
I have a really cool idea or product. How do I tell you about it?
For one, feel free to comment on any post with your own thoughts and ideas for gifts. If you want to track me down for a one-on-one conversation about a brand, feel free to shoot me an email at canadiangiftguide@gmail.com.
The legal stuff: Since I can’t possibly own every single thing I review, often times I will borrow images from various sources throughout the web. If I’ve taken your image and you want to keep it all for yourself, let me know and I’ll happily remove it.
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Hi, nice to meet you !
I love your writing style, integrity and creativity. Great Q&A!
I absolutely love your blog. I truly enjoy that all the products can be bought in Canada. I’m presently looking for Moleskine Luggage Tag. Unfortunately, I can only find them from suppliers who do not ship in Canada. Can you help me source this out?
Hey Sylvie – is this what you’re looking for? http://munrobooks.com/MOLESKINE-LUGGAGE-TAGS-LEMON-GREEN-P79803.aspx
OMG This is exactly it. I’m so happy as it is for a close friend who’s retiring. I’m doing a travel theme gift set. Thank you very much.
LOVING ALL THE PRODUCTS you INTRODUCE me TOO!!! #cgg2
Loving this Blod a Bunch! Keep up the amazing work Brittany!!!
Also…THANKS a bunch for selecting myself as the ‘Lush Happy Feet’ Potential winner
blog*
Love your ideas
how do youleavea reply to win the christmas gift .i am new to computer and wouldlove to win thank you bye for now
Hi Barbara. All you have to do is follow the instructions on each contest post – located at the bottom of the post, before the comments. Typically speaking most contests only require you to simply leave a comment, just like you’ve done here.
i’m feeling stupid since i can’t figure out how can i subscribed.please help
Hi lee! Look at the righthand sidebar and you’ll see an area called ‘The Gift Of Gab’. Insert your email and hit ‘Gift Me Please’ to sign up.
really glad I stumbled on your site. you write about a lot of products that interest me! Will be back regularly
am not sure how to link tweets to your site and notify you – as I see others doing. I’ve figured out tweeting and retweeting but not how to get them into the comment area. Can you help in the Q&A column please?
Hi Sande! You can always just link me to your Twitter page (ex: https://twitter.com/CdnGiftGuide) or you can tag me in a Tweet @CdnGiftGuide to ensure your Tweets are counted.
I’ve entered the Sanuk contest and according to the rules 4) Bonus Entry #1: Check the Canadian Gift Guide every single day for the rest of the month – you’ll find bonus entry opportunities galore. I have looked every day but not found any bonus entries, am I just not looking in the right place? I look on the home page and the contest page. Or are there no bonus entries as yet?
Hey Elizabeth. Bonus entry opportunities are posted on new, non-contest posts. Thanks!
Hi, Are you on bloglovin.? That is my favourite way to see my favourite blog posts
Nope I’m not…but I’ll have to check it out
Hi Brittany !! I dont know how to link the FB correctly. May I ask you to please delete my second post on the Jordan River Soapworks product win thread.
THANK YOU !!!!