Merry Brittmas!
My friends & fam know that I’ve ‘coined’ the term Brittmas many years ago to celebrate today – so if some of you out there aren’t celebrating Christmas, you can rest assured Brittmas is a wonderful holiday wherein you think about all the great gift ideas you’ve been inspired with over the past…well however long you’ve been reading…on the Canadian Gift Guide. I thought it might be fun to highlight ten of my very favourite gift ideas from the past year, before turning the mic over to you.
Books Are Beautiful – November
Words can’t express how psyched I was to be able to write about (and give away!) the Books Are Beautiful collection. These awesome modern classics repackaged into a pretty rainbow palette with handsprayed Pantone-matched edges are a work of art, inside and out. I also love that Indigo offered a pretty steep discount on picking up the whole set. Totally display-worthy, after you’ve read ’em all of course.
Mocubo Cutting Board – May
I really have a lot of love in my heart for Quirky, the world’s only (as far as I know) social product development site that propelled this little genius invention into the mass market. This elevated cutting board has storage drawers for your veggies – a life saver when you want to clear off your cutting board without eating up counter space during multi-part recipes. I use mine all the time!
Beer Soap – February
This ended up on the list sort of by default. I was actually going through the archives of the site for a yet-to-be-announced development surrounding the CGG, and I paused when I came across these, hopeful that this indie soap maker had created a Heineken variation for my guy. Sure enough they did, and I ordered a bar a few weeks ago in time for Christmas. It smells really cool, and seeing as how it’s Christmas morning and he’ll have opened his pressies, I can officially talk about it!
lululemon Daily Om Duffle Bag – December
Like I said in the post I featured these bags in, this is truly one of my favourite gift ideas of recent memory. Whether you’re a lulu devotee, a yoga enthusiast, or simply a jetsetter / daytripper, this gorgeous bag is totally multi-functional, smartly designed, and absolutely gorgeous. What’s not to love?
Home Jellyfish Tank – March
I spotted this crazy cool gift idea on Kick Starter and I couldn’t wait to share it with you all. Admittedly this is so not for everyone on your gift list, but it’s so unlike anything I’ve written about before or after – it’s a gift with serious staying power I actually frequently bring up to folks!
PLANT Organic Spice Kits – October
My favourite chefs have drilled into me: good spices make for good meals. These spice kits not only feature essential herbs and spices, they’re assembled by the mentally disabled, for a gift that truly gives back to the community, and your belly. The cool packaging doesn’t hurt much either…
Nursery Rhyme Blocks – December
I fell head over heels for these blocks the moment I saw them. I love old-fashioned gifts and wooden blocks are about as classic as you get. But then you get a surprise – nursery rhymes! Matching images! – and suddenly these aren’t just for the little ones to play with, but to learn from. Magic.
Royal Doulton 1815 Collection – July
I got engaged not too long after I wrote this post, and I was thrilled to see the 1815 collection is actually available at The Bay…I haven’t updated my registry lately, but when I do you better believe these gorgeous tapas dishes will make their way onto it.
Famous Canadians Scarf – December
Hmm quite a few of these gift ideas are from the very recent past…but I struck some serious gift-giving gold this holiday season, including this scarf featuring the first names of some of our most famous compatriots. Although I put this on my boy shopping list, I certainly wouldn’t mind unwrapping it for myself.
Indigo Heart Teacup Set – February
I am really truly kicking myself for not buying this surprisingly affordable, completely adorable set of colour-coordinated teacups and saucers from Indigo, with a sweet heart indentation to really up the sweet factor. C’est la vie – you better believe I will be keeping an eye out for an equivalent idea this holiday season from one of my favourite gift sources!
There you have it! 10 of my personal ‘greatest hits’ from the past year, although truthfully I could have written this post forever & ever. I hope you guys have enjoyed reading the CGG over the past year (or season) – I’ve received SO many glowing emails and comments from readers as of late about how many of you have bought items after reading about them here on the blog. If you’re interested in picking up not one, but TWO bonus entries into my ‘Good Tidings We Bring‘ contest (make sure you’ve entered that one!), answer me these two questions before you go back to unwrapping all those pressies:
1) Have you bought anything you saw on the Canadian Gift Guide this year? Or been inspired to visit a store after seeing an item here? If so, let me know in the comments below!
2) Whether you’re a regular daily reader or a relative newbie, tell me: can you remember any particular standout ideas? Let me know what your favourite picks have been!
Canadian Gift Guide 
Yes I did buy something I saw I bought 2 Make My Day Claude Cookbook / Tablet Companion for two of my foodie friends. And they were on sale so bonus!
A real stand out item, wow that’s tough as there are so many, but one that sticks in my head was about Indoor S’mores and it has a really cute campfire looking cooker.
I have not bought anything that you reviewed, since I’m a relative newbie around here & had already completed my holiday shopping before I stumbled upon your blog.
I’ve been really impressed with quite a few of the items you’ve mentioned, but one standout item is the Vegetable Keep Sacks. I’ve always wondered how to store my garlic & onions easily and in a way that doesn’t look messy. You found the solution. Thanks!
I have been a subscriber for about a year and without fail I check out at least one item from every list of gifts. That is very impressive as I am picky and a relatively astute shopper…. Bought the GelaSkin this Christmas because you suggested it and also checked out Elizabeth Grant for a gift too. Have not bought it yet – not sure about their ingredients since they don’t list them on the site. I love the Mocubo but ave not bought it yet. Another example would be l’Occitane – I love their products but I need occasional reminders about the brand… You had a fab giveaway, which I sadly did not win, but I bought several of their sets for gifts this Christmas too. Hoping to pick up a couple of the kids’ suggestions during the sales, the car and the kitchen! Thank you for making the shopping a bit easier and more fun!
Hi Brittany, just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas!! Been loving your gift guide this year.
I’ve bought a few things and learned of many new products that I may plan on buying after seeing them on your site. One that I can recall at the moment was the Nicki Minaj lime green polish.
I’m really new to your site and just started reading it. I haven’t bought anything that I have seen here yet, but I know I will in the future. I particularly like that you include great links to online shopping ideas which helps as I live in rural Manitoba and don’t get to actual stores that often. The thing that stands out to me about your site is that you find funny, quirky items that I would not really come across in my regular shopping, and provide the link to it which is great as I tend to do online shopping. Keep up the great work and Merry Christmas!
I loved the LuluLemon Om bag the instant I saw it, and actually went into a store to fondle it in person :0 That’s my standout gift, but I also love all the smellie girlie bath and cosmetic stuff you feature, and most of the Christmas ideas are fab. I love the Pantone coloured books, in particular.
Not so far, but I have been entertained and intrigued enought to visit the websites to check out what else is out there. Merry Christmas 😀 Thank you for all your wonderful blogs!
I’m a regular reader and have not purchased any items yet.
Hi; I have liked many of the ideas I have seen. I still like the Lululemon Daily OM Duffle Bag.
I love your site and find the layout very appealing. The things you’ve posted stick in my mind and I feel good knowing that you’re only a click away when I need a meaningful gift for someone. I’ve purchased Bath and Body works products and have checked out various websites at your recommendation. I was especially tickled when you featured my daughter’s artwork and consider that a highlight for 2012 for me! Thanks for all you do and the great giveaways. 🙂
i love the fact that when i doubt(which will start for my next year gift purchases) i know where to find the ideas for a perfect unique gift. I like the Lululemon Daily OM Duffle Bag today 🙂
I haven’t bought anything you showed in your posts but I’m new so had most of my shopping done already.
I’m really looking forward to reading your posts to get ideas for next year.
No, I don’t think I’ve purchased anything that I’ve seen in the gift guide, though I definitely enjoy reading the suggestions. One standout item that I recall is the Books Are Beautiful collection (and not just because you mentioned it again in this post. 😉
Good Tidings We Bring (Dec13) bonus entry #1: I haven’t bought anything I’ve seen on Canadian Gift Guide YET 😉 but I have been inspired to visit their online presence after seeing an item here.
Good Tidings We Bring (Dec13) bonus entry #2: I’m somewhat of a relative newbie – just started following this year. A particular standout idea/favorite pick were the EcoSphere self-sustaining ecosystem. I’ve always desired one & when you put one up for grabs, my desired peaked again. Maybe one day I’ll actually buy one for myself. I also like reading about the “10 for $10” section – the “Sock Monkey Clips – $3.99 @ Everything Monkeys” were adorable & I had never seen them before.
Thanks for a great year of new products, opportunities to win & an eagerness to see what’s new for us Canadians. Thanks for the blog & all the best for 2013!
1) Have you bought anything you saw on the Canadian Gift Guide this year? Or been inspired to visit a store after seeing an item here? If so, let me know in the comments below!
I’ve looked at many stores after seeing items mentioned here. Love the quirky items and of course the great things like the Royal Doulton bowls shown above!
2) Whether you’re a regular daily reader or a relative newbie, tell me: can you remember any particular standout ideas? Let me know what your favourite picks have been!
This is too hard to answer. You have introduced me to sooo many products I never would have known about without your posts. I really like your ten for $10 posts! Affordable and cool!
P.S. Congratulations on your engagement this year! How exciting! Hope you had a Merry Brittmas!
1. I am fairly new to CGG and have not yet purchased anything Ive seen on your site, but hope to soon!
2. I am relatively new, but I loved your gift ideas for teens, and gift ideas for her posts especially this holiday season. Though i didn’t buy those exact items, i definitely got a few ideas for something similar at least 🙂 And i know where to watch for all the upcoming birthdays and holidays!
I just discovered your blog tonight but will be checking in often for fun gift ideas! My hubby will be enjoying some beer soap after his birthday (I missed Christmas).
I found your site in the fall and I like to read up on gift ideas that you have. The Christmas list was completed quite easily this year, thanks
I have bought the hair brush with the towel built in and the headphone ear muffs!
I love all the different stuff you find that I would never know about!