Joy to the Girls: The Best Gifts for Her 2017

Posted by Canadian Gift Guide on December 5, 2017 · 728 Comments

I don’t want to be super full of hyperbole and ask if you’re ready to have your mind blown but uh, this gift guide is pretty amazing. In fact, it might be the biggest and best Christmas gifts for her gift guide I’ve ever written. I’ve rounded up amazing ideas to suit virtually any interest, price point, and lady out there…so without further ado, here are some of my top gift ideas for her this holiday season!

Uashmama Bags – From $65
This is one of those gift ideas where once I spotted it, I couldn’t stop seeing it around. Uashmama is an Italian brand that produces bags with the look and texture of leather…but made from washable paper. I know, right? Originally designed for reusable bread bags, the brand has since expanded to include purses, totes, and more with ‘you won’t believe it’s paper’ finishes like metallic hues or slightly marbled finishes. Not only is it eco-friendly (producing leather is obviously not animal friendly and not so kind to the planet), Uashmama bags are lightweight, durable, and some styles are even waterproof! That’s an impressive use of paper if you ask me. Word to the wise – many of their bags are also unisex!

Sip & Savor Subscriptions – $99 / 3 Months, $195 / 6 months
Cheers to a New Year, quite literally, with this neat subscription box service that delivers three skinny bottles of vino to your door monthly! These 200 ml wine tubes are about the third of a typical wine bottle size, ensuring you still get enough to sample and discover a new favourite vintage. Plus, each month features wines from a different featured country, helping you to determine what makes one country’s grapes taste a little different than another. Not a sommelier-in-training, this subscription service also includes complimentary tasting videos so you can discern the unique notes you’re sipping on, and become a wine expert in no time. Plus, shipping is free, meaning you can get wine delivered to your house with next to no effort and plenty of tasty results.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Lustrous Blush Palette – $178
These days, it’s all about having a flawless face when it comes to perfecting your beauty routine. This stunning palette from beauty masters MAKE UP FOR EVER has everything you need to sculpt and soften your face, including 4 highlighters, 4 sculpting bronzers, and 4 blushes to suit just about any skin tone. Housed in a shimmering palette case, this limited edition set is great for any beauty mavens on your list – plus it’s an amazing value!

Jenna Rae Cakes Gift Box of 12 Macarons – $35
Macarons are hands down one of my favourite treats to munch on, and I have been waiting forever for a bakery to actually ship theirs nationally. Luckily, Instagram darlings Jenna Rae Cakes have finally started shipping theirs in a stunning gift box – across Canada! With photo-worthy presentation and mouthwatering flavours that change seasonally – this Christmas you can sample their candy cane, sugar cookie, and Ferrero Rocher flavours, to name a few – this is a seriously sweet choice to send to a faraway friend or any gal with a sweet tooth!

WonderBra Winter Line – From $46
If you’ve taken a poke around her lingerie drawer and think she could use some flirty, frilly new things, check out some of the latest designs from WonderBra. With sexy lace, smoothing cups, and wider straps for extra comfort, you might be surprised at how chic and stylish this lingerie mainstay has become as of late! Not only does their latest winter collection look gorgeous, it also features handy features like their unique X-Temp technology to keep you cool (and from sweating), and smoothing back panels to conceal any bulges.

BLACK+DECKER SMARTECH Robotic Vacuums – $349 – $449 @ Walmart & Walmart.ca
Vacuuming is one of those pesky must-do chores; but with this nifty gift from BLACK+DECKER you can actually give her the gift of ‘time’. No more hauling around a heavy vacuum up and down the stairs. Instead, you can control this robot vacuum from your smartphone, creating schedules, directing it to specific spots, and even customizing the LED colour on top (for select models). Using AutoSense technology, the vacuum automatically adjusts to carpet versus hardwoods or tiled floors, and has side sweepers to catch debris in nearly impossible to reach locations like under the sofa. With a filter designed to catch 99.9% of pet dander and dust particles, you’ll even enjoy fresher, cleaner air!

MOOV Activewear Leggings – $70 – $100
Shopping for your workout buddy? Your sweat-loving sister? Your fitness fiend spouse? No matter the case, MOOV is a hot Canadian activewear brand you’ll want to learn more about. Founded, designed, and produced in Quebec, MOOV’s signature move as it were is their unique, high quality textile designed to stretch to 5x its size before returning to its original shape. It’s this fluid, body-hugging fabric that is designed to inspire body positivity; forget about love handles or c-section scars. Also, their leggings are totally not see-thru, meaning you can skip wearing undies that might bother you during a particularly vigorous spin class or yoga practice. Available in a ton of cute prints, patterns, cutouts, and solids, these versatile leggings come in multiple lengths too, and are designed to take you from gym class to brunch to running around town.

Crock-Pot 6 qt. Locking Lift & Serve Locking Hinged-Lid Slow Cooker – $69.99 @ Walmart, London Drugs and Home Hardware
From potluck lunches to workplace parties to book club gatherings, if you’ve got a full social calendar (and a love for cooking), a home appliance that can support you on the go is a must-have. Crock-Pot’s Lift & Serve Slow Cooker has a double-hinged lid that makes it easier to serve, eliminating the hassle of trying to find a place for your lid – plus it locks so you can keep your precious food cargo safe till you arrive at your destination. Plus like all Crock-Pots, it’s super easy to use, with a digital countdown control that lets you program in cooking times from as little as 30 minutes all the way up to a whopping 20 hours.

Andrea Shelley Designs Jewelry – From $15
A little sparkle is always welcomed come Christmas morning – luckily with cool designers like Montreal-based Andrea Shelley around, you don’t need to break your piggy bank open to afford it! This chic line features minimalist pieces with a twist (sometimes literally – like their twist bracelet that’s perfect for stacker sets). Rendered in classic materials like sterling silver, brass, copper, and oxidized metal, the line consists of delicate necklaces and bracelets, simple studs, and pretty rings to adorn your fingers. The price point is perfect for everyone from your friends, with plenty of styles under $30, all the way up to your lady love, with some pieces clocking in around $110.

Ole Henriksen 3 Little Wonders Holiday Edition – $86
The gift of better skin? That’s something virtually any woman will buy into. This trio of bestsellers from Ole Henriksen is specially packaged for the holidays and includes everything she needs to target visible signs of aging. Start with their Vitamin C-infused Truth Serum to brighten and firm the skin, followed by the Sheer Transformation Perfecting Moisturizer, which hydrates and gives off a luminous, flawless glow. Finally, don’t forget about your night routine, with the Invigorating Night Transformation Gel to smooth your skin’s texture out. Not only are these three potent products great for traveling or introducing this awesome brand to a loved one, they’re also designed to start transforming your skin in as little as a week!

JBL Flip 4 – $139.99 @ Staples, Chapters, Best Buy, London Drugs & Independent Retailers
If she can’t live without her tunes, this little Bluetooth speaker will be the perfect addition to her gym bag, beach bag, car, or backyard. Waterproof and ready to party in any weather, sync up 2 smartphones or tablets for impressively powerful sound for up to 12 hours. Coming in six colours, this rechargeable battery has a built-in noise and echo cancelling speakerphone for crystal clear conference calls. The JBL Connect+ technology wirelessly links more than 100 JBL Connect+ enabled speakers together for a seriously sonic listening experience, and you can even chat with Siri or Google Now without grabbing your phone.

At-Home Facial Mask Experience – $99 @ The Body Shop
Skip the played out spa gift certs this season. Instead, gift her something to create her own spa atmosphere – any time! This exquisite collection of face masks from The Body Shop is valued at $140, but is specifically value packaged just for the holiday season. Featuring five masks, each with their own unique features – from plumping British Rose to clearing Japanese Matcha – you can actually mix and match these masks for a neat layering effect (particularly useful to target various trouble spots on the face) or rotate them to give your skin a full-on facial experience at a fraction of the price.

Talii Towels – From $8
‘Building a better mousetrap’ is a phrase you hear a fair bit on entrepreneur shows like Dragon’s Den (which Talii Towels was featured on!) – and that’s exactly what these microfiber towels are all about. Made from a quick-drying, highly absorbent, antibacterial material, these versatile towels come in all the standard sizes you’d expect, and are perfect for outfitting her bathroom. Not only do they dry super quick (and get you dry in a flash), they also last forever, and are super resilient when being washed and dried. You can even get your Talii towels customized with their new laser cut technique, ensuring no more fights over who’s using what towel. My personal fave? The Talii Turbi, which helps speed up dry time on your hair while protecting it in its fragile wet state.

Breville Precision Brewer – $349.99
Coffee has never been hotter (ha) – at least when it comes to all the artisan ways folks are enjoying their brew. Now you can indulge in your coffee shop favourites at home, with the Breville Precision Brewer. Make cold brew, pour over, or a classic cup of coffee, with the ability to customize bloom time, temperature, flow rate, and more to personalize your very own ‘My Brew’ setting. Love a good cup but aren’t sure where to begin? There are a bunch of one-touch settings to choose from as well, including Gold (Specialty Coffee Association approved) Fast (delivers 12 true cups in less than 7 minutes) Strong, Over Ice, and Cold Brew. Best of all, it looks totally sleek and chic no matter where you place it in your kitchen!

Muffle-Ups for Adults – From $95
I always love gift ideas for Christmas that suit the season – like cozy, cuddly hand-knit slippers from Canuck brand Muffle-Up! These unisex slippers are made with love, featuring non-itch thick and cozy wool, an upcycled leather sole, and repurposed sheep’s fur lining, so you can feel good and warm. Muffle-Ups come in different heights as well, from below the ankle up to mid-thigh, as well as dozens of cool colours (and custom orders are welcomed). There’s even styles for babies and kids so you can do some way adorable #twinning. While you can nab Muffle-Ups online, I’d also suggest checking their list of upcoming events and stockists so you can ogle their goods in person.

SensatioNail Express Gel Starter Kit – $59.99 @ Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall Stores
If she loves getting done up but never seems the fine to do it, this at-home gel nail kit will be a total life saver. Available in over a dozen shades, the starter kits include an LED light and a polish to give you a flawless, chip-free manicure in as little as five minutes. Plus you get to skip doing top and base coats, but still get amazing shine that’ll last for up to 10 days. Cure each nail for just 30 seconds for a stunning manicure everyone will think you got at the salon. Go for classic red or pink, or more adventurous shades like blue, white, and minty aqua green.

Global Wonders Lounge Pants – $40 each
Want to feel extra good as you snuggle down into bed on Christmas morning? Try these cozy pants on for size from Global Wonders, a social enterprise of the SA Foundation – which provides long-term recovery, housing, job training and more to survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The Global Wonders store actually contains a bunch of products, including these cozy cotton hand cut lounge pants, chic jewelry, scarves, bags, and more. All pieces are designed by women in the SA Foundation’s Vancouver program, which provides a safe environment to for these women to re-enter the workforce. Chosen designs are then sent to Nepal for production, where each design is handmade by women in the organization’s Nepal project – and the item actually includes a card featuring the name of the woman who made it! If you want to give a gift that truly gives back, you really can’t go wrong with this incredibly powerful and important organization (and its mandate).

Olang Boots – $178 – $285
In Canada, it’s no joke to suggest that you’re going to need new winter boots every few years, given they’re your go-to footwear for around a third of the year. Olang boots are made in Europe, but pretty much pitch perfect for trekking through a wintery fairy land, as it were, with their built-in swiveling and folding ice grips to increase traction on ice and snow. Designed to keep your toes warm all the way to -30 degrees Celsius, these boots also feature a waterproof membrane and insulating lining to battle literally all of the elements. Available in a ton of styles that hit at different leg heights and range from sporty to chic, these winter warriors are also available in styles for kids and men!

How to Cook Everything Vegetarian 10th Anniversary Edition by Mark Bittman – $48
When this cookbook was released a decade ago, the movement toward a more plant-based diet was only *just* emerging – and Mark Bittman’s book quickly established itself as a must-have resource for anyone interested in eating more veggies. 10 years later and it’s been revamped for an even broader audience, with more vegan options, a brand new chapter on smoothies and teas, and loads of brand new full colour photographs throughout so your mouth can start watering before you hit the kitchen. An absolutely essential addition to any cook’s kitchen whether they’re a vegan, vegetarian, or simply interested in spicing things up for Meatless Mondays.

Bikini Empire Swimsuits – From $74
So it’s definitely not beach season in Canada right now – but it’s definitely time to pack a fresh new swimsuit to hit the white sands and turquoise waters of whatever luxe resort you’re booking a trip to this summer (or even for paddling around a pool in your city). Enter Bikini Empire, a swimwear line that is sexy, functional, high fashion and ethically produced in Vancouver from fine Italian eco-fabric. Their suits come in a ton of covetable mix and match styles, from classic triangle bikini tops to one-pieces designed to show off your bod instead of simply covering it up. Given the brand is founded by surfer sisters, you can be rest assured all of their styles are tested and designed for anyone that loves the beach – and their bod!

Addictive Terre de Lumiere Collection – $89 @ L’Occitane
The days may be short during the winter, but when you use L’Occitane’s Terre de Lumiere line, you’ll be seeing nothing but sunshine. After all, this signature scent is actually inspired by the essence of Provence the hour before the sky turns from day to dusk – the Golden Hour. Housed in a beautiful golden box, this four-piece set is valued at over $115, and features an Eau de Parfum, Shower Gel, Body Milk, and Perfumed Soap, so she can lather up and wrap herself in this gorgeous fragrance all day long. Of course, this is one of a million gift ideas from L’Occitane – if she’s not familiar with Terre de Lumiere, you have plenty of other scent showcases to choose from!

I wasn’t joking about what an amazing gift guide this was…nor am I joking when I say I’m giving away everything you saw in this post, with a value of up to $2,735 (depending on what options you choose if you’re the lucky winner!) If you win this mind-blowing prize package, you’ll receive:

Uashmama Dark Grey Otti Bag
Sip & Savor Subscription Gift Code
MAKE UP FOR EVER Lustrous Blush Palette
Jenna Rae Cakes Macaron Gift Box
Wonderbra Bra
BLACK+DECKER Robovac, Model HRV425BL
MOOV Leggings
Crock-Pot Locking Lift & Serve Locking Hinged-Lid Slow Cooker
Andrea Shelley Nova Earrings
Ole Henriksen 3 Little Wonders Holiday Edition Set
JBL Flip 4 Speaker
Talii Towels Bath Sheet with Laser Name, Bath Towel, and Turbii
Muffle-Up Slippers
SensatioNail Starter Kit
$50 Global Wonders Gift Card
Olang Boots
How to Cook Everything Vegetarian by Mark Bittman
Bikini Empire T-back Triangle Top and Classic Cut Bottoms
L’Occitane Addictive Terre De Lumiere Collection

Worth playing for? I certainly think so (and will be legit jealous of whoever wins!) If you want to win, here’s how to enter for your chance:

1) READ THIS FIRST! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by December 27, 2017 telling me your favourite gift ideas for her from this post.

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around December 28, 2017 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entries – Complete as many of these as you’d like, leave separate comments for each one, and you’ll earn extra entries into the draw!

Follow Uashama Canada on Instagram, then tag two friends on one of their posts that you think would dig their reusable bags. Link back to the Instagram post you commented on in a separate comment below, with your IG username.

Like Sip & Savor on Facebook, then leave a wall post that tags a friend you think would be interested in their products. Link back to your wall post in a separate comment below.

Subscribe to MAKE UP FOR EVER on YouTube, then leave a separate comment below with your YouTube username.

Follow Jenna Rae Cakes on Instagram and like one of their posts. Then leave a separate comment below that tells me you’ve done so and includes your IG username.

Follow Wonderbra on Instagram, then tag two friends on one of their posts that you think would dig their products. Link back to the Instagram post you commented on in a separate comment below, with your IG username.

Follow BLACK+DECKER Canada on Twitter and Tweet about the giveaway, tagging them and me (@cdngiftguide) with a link back to this post. Leave a link back to your Tweet in a separate comment below.

Like MOOV on Facebook, then leave a wall post that tags a friend you think would be interested in their products. Link back to your wall post in a separate comment below.

Like Crock-Pot on Facebook, then leave a wall post that tags a friend you think would be interested in their products. Link back to your wall post in a separate comment below.

Follow Andrea Shelley Designs on Instagram, then tag two friends on one of their posts that you think would dig their products. Link back to the Instagram post you commented on in a separate comment below, with your IG username.

Follow Ole Henriksen on Instagram, then tag two friends on one of their posts that you think would dig their products. Link back to the Instagram post you commented on in a separate comment below, with your IG username.

Follow Erikson on Twitter, then send out a Tweet that tags them and me (@cdngiftguide) and includes a link back to this post, highlighting this awesome giveaway. Link back to your Tweet in a separate comment below

Like Talii Towels on Facebook, then leave a wall post that tags a friend you think would be interested in their products. Link back to your wall post in a separate comment below.

Follow Muffle-Up on Instagram, then tag two friends on one of their posts that you think would dig their way cute booties and slippers. Link back to the Instagram post you commented on in a separate comment below, with your IG username.

Like SensatioNail on Facebook, then leave a wall post that tags a friend you think would be interested in their products. Link back to your wall post in a separate comment below.

Follow SAF Global Wonders on Instagram, then tag two friends on one of their posts that you think would love their giving back lineup of goodies. Link back to the Instagram post you commented on in a separate comment below, with your IG username.

Like Olang Canada on Facebook, then leave a wall post that tags a friend you think would be interested in their products. Link back to your wall post in a separate comment below.

Follow Raincoast Books on Instagram, then create a post on your own feed (you can regram one of theirs or grab a photo off their site or even from this post) that tags them. Link back to your post in a separate comment below.

Follow Bikini Empire on Instagram, then tag two friends on one of their posts that you think would dig their ethically-made swimwear. Link back to the Instagram post you commented on in a separate comment below, with your IG username.

Follow L’Occitane on Instagram, then create a post on your own feed (you can regram one of theirs or grab a photo off their site or even from this post) that tags them. Link back to your post in a separate comment below.