Canadian Gift Guide

As promised awhile back, I’ve been collecting up some Olympic-themed ideas, aside from the Gold Medal Reads I featured the other day (where you can still WIN some great Olympic-themed books). This is the first of two Olympics posts – the other has a different spin mind you – and is designed to give you some fresh ideas on the general theme of the world’s greatest sporting showdown.

Olympic Collection White Gold Watch w/ Leather Strap – $3400+ @ OMEGA Watches
Keep on top of the times of your favourite athletes, where a tenth of a second can be the difference between heartbreak and victory, with this stunning timepiece from the Olympics’ official timekeepers, OMEGA Watches. With mother-of-pearl, white gold, and crystals, this stunner is no frugal find, but it sure is special. Not to your taste? Go for a more subtle option, or check out one of the men’s black versions.

2012 Official Canadian Olympic Replica Apparel – $10+ @ The Bay
After producing the world’s most enviable Olympic swag – those ubiquitous $10 red mittens – The Bay has once again dreamed up a part-sporty, part-retro line of collectibles to help you get into the spirit of the games. For those that think the collection is just hats, shorts, and tees (which to be fair, it includes in sizes from tiny tots to adults) should definitely take a second look – snap up some vintage-looking patches and sew them onto your luggage, kit out your car with a cute flag, show your pride while swimming laps at the beach and drying off with a branded towel, or grab this year’s should-be must-have accessory: Olympic sunglasses, the summer equivalent of our infamous mitts.

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games for Nintendo 3DS & Wii – $39.99 – $41 @ Amazon
The most famous video game characters of all time are together for their third trip to the Olympics in these fun and kid-friendly sports party games. Aside from the two main heroes themselves, plenty of your other favourite characters from the Sonic and Mario universes are present for head-to-head action on everything from table tennis and horse riding to canoeing, gymnastics, and badminton. Along with tons of action-packed games, take in the London scenery in this adorably themed game that’ll get kids moving on their first steps to potential Olympic glory…one can dream, right? PS – looking for a more grown-up offering? Sega is also the company behind the official PS3 / XBOX 360 version of the game. Check it out here.

London 2012 Gifts – Starts at about $6.30 CDN @ the London 2012 Shop 
The union jack gets a wild makeover, while the Games’ distinctive logo is emblazoned on everything from clothing and jewelry to stuffed animals and water bottles, all in the official London 2012 shop. If someone you know is actually headed to the games, they can no doubt pick up some pieces while they’re there – but consider putting them ahead of the curve (or commemorating their visit after the fact) with one of these colourful choices. As fair warning, shipping to Canada is a bit of a beast – you’re looking at just over $30, but it also appears to be flat rate, so stock up on gifts for the whole fam or go in with a neighbour or friend to save big.