Canadian Gift Guide

Every year I kind of lament Halloween from a gift-giving perspective. It’s essentially another ‘Hallmark holiday’ in the same vein as Valentine’s, Mother’s, or Father’s Day, in that the commercialism of it is what makes it a big deal, but…you don’t really give gifts, other than dozens of treats to the cute lil’ kiddies that roll up to your front door. That being said, there are a few occasions in which you could be doling out some Halloween-inspired treats to pals:

– As a thank you to the mom that’s letting your kids tagalong with hers while you stay home to hand out candy
– As a hostess gift for that fun costume party you’re invited to
– As a commemorative token for your parents when you bring your family over post-trick-or-treating
– As a seasonal choice for any typical gift-giving occasion (birthdays, thank-yous, houseguest, etc.)
– As a candy-free treat for your grandkids or niece / nephew when they stop by your house

So with that in mind, here are a few spooky and festive treats that’ll definitely bring a jack-o-lantern smile to your giftees!

Halloween Press-on / Stick-on Nails by Kiss Nail Dress and imPRESS – $7.99 – $10.99 each
I talked about imPRESS and Kiss a few months ago, and I was pleased to see they’ve got new seasonal lines out with crazy Halloween designs. To recap for the newbies – imPRESS makes kick-ass stick-on nails, while Kiss makes awesome nail stickers. Both of them are easy peasy ways to get into the Halloween spirit, whether you’re completing a costume, taking a shortcut to Pinterest-worthy nail art, attending a Halloween party, or just want to show off your digits when you’re handing out candy come October 31st. Totally fun, affordable, and a temporary way to show off your Halloween stripes.

The Walking Dead Novels – $12 – $18
AMC’s massive hit show The Walking Dead has given Robert Kirkman’s breathtaking / horrifying zombie apocalypse series of graphic novels a massive audience, one that has spurred several spinoff projects including a wildly addictive episodic video game, a series of companion webisodes, and novels that further fill in the back story to the world the main characters’ of the book and show live in, including Woodbury, the seemingly idyllic neighbourhood that will serve as a primary plot point in the recently debuted Season 3 of the TV series.  The first novel, The Rise of the Governor, was a smash when it debuted a few years ago, and now a second novel following Lilly (who also appears in the video game) has recently hit the shelves. A great choice for someone looking to curl up with a spooky read while the doorbell rings & rings on Halloween eve!

Philosophy I Love Candy Corn Lip Gloss – $10
Nourish your lips from the harsh fall winds and add a touch of gloss and a hefty dose of sugary flavour and scent when you slick on Philosophy’s autumn-inspired I Love Candy Corn gloss. The sheer shade makes it ideal for your preteen daughter and grown-up mama alike, while the tasty smell will bring out the sugar high in anyone.

Williams Sonoma Spooky 3-Way Pancake Molds – $28
Cupcake, cookie, and cake decorating kits are a dime a dozen when it comes to Halloween – after all, aside from Christmas, what season is more associated with sweets? But these fun griddle or frying-pan-friendly pancake molds were an intriguing twist on the Halloween baking trend. Pour your favourite batter to either make mini, two-part, or hole-y pancakes, with ghost, cat, and bat shapes. Super fun if you’re having a brunch before the big event, to treat hangovers after All Hallows Eve bash, or even to treat the kids to a fun-filled breakfast or unconventional dinner on Halloween itself. (Note: I spotted these on sale as of writing this post for $12!)

Lush Twilight Shower Gel – $9.95+ & Bath Bomb – $6.25
Turn your bath water into witches brew with Lush’s most relaxing yet intoxicating scent ever. Their signature Twilight Bath Bomb has won over legions of fans for turning your evening soak into a star-flecked, plum-coloured experience, and now it’s available as a shower gel for the very first time! With the same relaxing lavender scent you already know and love, either one of these products are a good way to unwind so you don’t get spooked by bumps in the night.