Canadian Gift Guide

Oh kids. If you’re reading the Canadian Gift Guide looking for shopping inspiration with less than a day to go before Christmas Eve, I shake my head at you. I mean, the blog is here 365 days per year – it’s not like you couldn’t have stopped by for some inspiration weeks or even months ago. But I’m a benevolent blogger, and I’m willing to take pity on you. Here are some fantastic last-minute gift ideas, all of which are available at retailers with a strong national presence (at least in major cities). May I make a suggestion though? Subscribe to the Canadian Gift Guide and get yourself out of a bind next time!

Illamasqua Nail Varnish Duo – $30 @ Sephora
Illamasqua’s whole schtick is make-up for nighttime – i.e. bold dramatic colours and finishes to give your evening look some serious flair. This two-pack of luxe polishes is exclusive to Sephora and available as a limited edition, primarily because its colour scheme tips it hat to the holidays without being ostentatious. Deep peacock green and holographic sparkling cranberry work wonderfully to tie into the season, but the rich metallic sheen and glitter finishes make them equally suitable for New Year’s Eve.

Bodum French Press Brazil Coffee Maker & 2 Pavina Glasses – $44.99 @ Shopper’s Drug Mart
If your favourite coffee drinker hasn’t tried a french press yet, pick them up a bag of their favourite brew from your local coffee shop or grocery store, and pair it with this affordable and awesome coffee maker. The stainless steel mesh filter and press mechanism maximizes the flavour you get from every sip, while the stylish Scandinavian design will make it worthy of display on your kitchen counter.

Girls on Blu-Ray / DVD Combo Pack – $32.99 @ Future Shop
Need a list-minute pick for your sister, wife, or best friend? Look no further my friends. Season 1 of HBO’s 21st Century, twentysomething answer to Sex and the City was a scintillating mix of self-deprecating humour, razor-sharp insight, and meandering, awkward fun. For the record, it’s produced by Judd Apatow, making its slightly raunchy tone a hit with boys as well (I know at least a few that watched and loved it). Whether she’s devoured the show or has yet to be introduced, your best girl will love this fantastic show!

KitchenAid Stand Mixer in Raspberry Ice – $439 (on sale) @ Sears
The shopping gods must be in favour of your tardiness – Sears has all of their KitchenAid stand mixers on sale until Christmas eve, making these ultra-covetable appliances a touch more affordable. The Raspberry Ice colour pictured above is one of the newest and therefore most expensive, limited-edition shades, but you can actually snag them for as little as $329 at the moment. If you don’t already have one – this is kind of like gift-giving mecca.

BarkBox – $18/month+
If you forgot to find someone for the pet lover on your list, have no fear – BarkBox is a gift you legitimately can’t gift until someone has ‘opened’ your present. This doggy subscription services delivers treats, toys, and other goodies for your pooch on a monthly basis. You choose the size of your dog to ensure items sent to your home are tailored to your precious pet, they take care of the rest. The company DOES ship to Canada for a slightly higher price, making this an amazing last-minute saviour.

 Frosiko Flats – $130 @ Aldo
If you’ve got a fashionista on your hands, surprise her with these baroque-and-roll leather-lined flats from Aldo. Admittedly it’s a little bit of a visual overload, but let me break it down for you. We’ve got a wild and crazy pseudo-animal print, punctuated by tiny golden rhinestones and studs. Then we’ve got a contrasting gold toe with mega-spikes to stop passersby in their tracks. Despite all that, the netural colour actually kind of makes these a pretty wearable shoe – pair ’em with dark straight-leg jeans on casual Fridays, dress them up with leggings and a mini-dress for a girl’s night out, or add a splash of fun to your outfit when you cruise the mall for boxing day deals.

Bliss Suds + Butter – $35 each
I have a twisted view of Bliss being associated with the holidays, simply because I got to spend one immediately post-Christmas trip in New York awhile back, when it was still all festive and twinkly, and the swanky hotel I stayed at had Bliss goodies in the rooms. Anyway if you aren’t acquainted with this incredibly beloved brand, start out right with one of these cute, affordable gift sets featuring the brand’s soapy body wash / bubble bath gel, a luxurious smoothing body butter, and a brightly coloured pouf to lather up. Available in three zesty fruity scents, this is but ONE idea I’d put forward from Bliss. You can pick up their gifts at Sephora and The Bay nationwide, so browse the whole collection to find the perfect fit.

Bazooka Big EZ Bass 50W Subwoofer Kit – $179.99 @ Canadian Tire
Trick out his ride with this easy-to-install subwoofer kit that’ll have you seriously pumping up the volume year-round. Aside from the lack of fumbling and bumbling with cables and cords, one of the key features of this tube-shaped sub is the fact it packs a lot of power in a relatively small package – meaning your trunk will still have tons of space, while your windows will still vibrate with thrummy bass.

Soft Suede Wrap Journals – $29 each @ Indigo
Whether she’s an aspiring writer or he’s a busy student or they just need somewhere to doodle and dream away, these gorgeous Italian-made journals are a sumptuous choice. Available in four colours and lined with a complementary leather shade, you really can’t go wrong with something that feels personal – because it’s meant to be a place to express yourself – yet ultimately is pretty universal.

Imaginarium Master Easels – $103.97 @ Toys “R” Us
If the little one on your list shows a talent for art, indulge their creative side with one of these stylish ‘pro’ easels. Available in modern espresso or maple finishes with plenty of storage space for supplies, a built-in paper roll holder for endless creativity, plus chalkboard and dry erase surfaces, this is an adorable, unexpected, and stylish choice for any kid’s playroom. Oh, and it’s on sale for this weekend only – so snap one up while you can.

Angling for yet another bonus entry into my ‘Good Tidings We Bring‘ sweeps? You can earn it by telling me your favourite last-minute find from this list in the comments below! Oh, and let me know if you actually had to DO any last-minute shopping too!