Canadian Gift Guide

I recognize that sometimes you just need some fast & frugal finds. In fact it’s what inspired my ‘Little Goes A Long Way’ post back around the holidays. So I’d like to try each month to give you each a quick snapshot of 10 finds that are $10 and under for whatever little gift-giving occasions that pop up. Birthdays of second-tier friends, relatives, and coworkers (that sounds terrible, but you know what I mean). Hostess gifts. Add-ons to other packages. Thank-yous. You know what I mean. So without further ado, here are 10 awesome ideas (note: shipping is above & beyond these pieces. Feel free to stock up at each retailer to earn free or discounted shipping rates).

Aqua Stone Chandelier Earrings – $8 @ Simons
Spring is undeniably on the way with these pretty pastel blue earrings – awesome for your favourite gal pal’s stagette or birthday bash.

Decorate-Your-Own Cupcake Bank by Melissa & Doug – $7.99 @ Cool Toys For Tots
Last minute-gift for your daughter’s friend’s birthday? Sure. But this pretty art kit also doubles as a quirky DIY gift idea for that girly girl friend your own age that wouldn’t mind the look of this cute bank on her dresser.

Fortune Tote Bags – $10 @ Xenotees (via Supermarket)
Got a housewarming or dinner party to attend? Shake up expectations by bringing your bottle of bubbly in a fun, reusable wine tote inspired by those ever-ubiquitous fortune cookies.

What Happened? Bandages – $7 for 15 @ Urban Outfitters
Stubbed toes and paper cuts suddenly seem pretty badass when plastered with a bandage decrying you sustained an injury in anything from a jousting match to a shark encounter. A fun gag gift with a practical purpose for the jokester in your life.

Brookside Dark Chocolate Mango Mangosteen & Dark Chocolate Fruit Crunch Snack Mixes – ~$4.99 from Brookside
Bring a little all-natural gourmet goodness to your next book club or movie night with friends. Canadian snack foodies Brookside have recently launched two yummy mixes that combine their signature, lush dark chocolate with tasty mangoes, cranberries and more. Buy ’em at your favourite mass retailer.

Rim Roller – $2.50 @ Lee Valley
I firmly believe there are two types of people in this world – those who can’t live without their Tim’s, and those that can’t live without their Starbucks. And those that don’t drink coffee. Anyway, if someone you know falls into the Tim’s camp, get them a patented Rim Roller, designed to make everyone’s favourite perennial cup contest that much more fun (and easy on the fingers).

50-Sheet Pineapple Notepad – $7 @ hi, friend design
A perfect kitchen accessory (yes, it’s magnet-backed) for jotting down those must-buy grocery list items. Consider this as a nice thank-you gift for your mother-in-law, or play on the classic ‘apple for teacher’ and give it to your kid’s favourite educator.

Fit Lips Lip Balms – $8.99 @ GTBC
Keep her (or his) pout perfectly smooth with this all-natural, colour-free gloss that nourishes your lips with a kiss of flavour. Available in vanilla, peppermint, or natural.

DeLong’s Wine Tasting Guide – $7.99 @ Rosehill Wine Cellars
This pocket-sized card is an awesome cheat sheet for any new wine enthusiasts. Printed on spill-proof plastic, this little card includes typical wine tasting terms and tips on how to take a wine tasting note. Give it to your spouse so they can impress the big boss at the next corporate dinner.

Grow Your Own Salsa Vegetable & Herb Seed Kit – $9.99 @ Dominion Seed House
Gardening season is just around the corner, so gift your green-thumbed friends with a 520-seed packet that contains all the fixins’ they’ll need to make their own, home-grown salsa this summer – roma tomatoes, jalapenos, onions, basil, and coriander + a little lime and salt and you’ve got a fiesta on your hands.