Canadian Gift Guide

Yesterday marked the first blisteringly (but beautiful) hot day of the summer, and conveniently, also happened to be a day off across the nation with our country’s birthday, Canada Day.

Because I’m cheesy, but also practical, I will focus on that most stereotypical Canadian standby of all – Maple Syrup.

Who would want maple syrup as a gift you ask? Apparently lots of people. The reason why I bring this is up isn’t so much because yesterday was Canada Day (although that factored in), but moreso because all the kids are out of school, which means money-saving parents and their tots will be hitting the road soon for some sort of cross-nation road trip (or if they’re all fancy, they’ll be flying abroad). Whether you’re heading back to your hometown or visiting someone, chances are you’ll be calling on a friend or family member to let you lower the bills by staying with them. If you’re not…well…ignore this post.

Being a veteran road tripper and houseguest, I recommend bringing goods from the motherland to the folks that you’re crashing with. My aunt in England is partial to a specific kind of pizza (no joke, I’ve taken them through airport security before) and A&W root beer, but most people are happy to get some sort of truly Canadian and conveniently delicious treat.

The number of online and in-person maple syrup boutiques is staggering, so don’t act like you can run out (or stop at the airport) for something for your hosts. If you’re lucky enough to live in the Eastern parts of Canada, where maple syrup production is most prevalent, I’m sure you’ve got a syrup shop just around the corner.

I will highlight a few places for you however, if you’re not sure where to begin. The aptly titled Maple Store features candy, sauce, shortbread, tea, coffee, mints, sugar, cookies, butter, nuts, popcorn, pretzels, toffee, and of course, syrup, so you can give your fiending friends a variety of treats, or something different each year you visit them. I particularly dig the wide variety of maple syrup containers, including a honey-bear bottle filled to the brim with lip-smacking syrup at just $2.50 a pop, a sweet choice if you’re making multiple short-term stops and visits.

Ontario’s Maple Orchard Farms has a more small-time feel but another huge selection of products. Featuring most of the same types of products as the Maple Store, you can also snap up maple tea, chocolates, candies, and gift boxes – and they also have a requisite number of maple syrup products in a variety of styles. I’m liking the gift boxes of maple candies and chocolates as a surprisingly cost-effective way to bequest your buddies with the sweet taste of maple!

It might be cliché and corny to show up on a non-Canadian friend’s doorstep with a maple syrup product in hand, but trust me, once you hand over the goods, you’ll have an invite for life to crash at their house anytime you’re passing through.