GIFT GUIDE: Can’t someone else do it?
Tis the season… to feel totally overwhelmed by your gift list!
The holidays can be stressful when you’ve got a gift list as long as your arm that includes your clients, employees, teachers, the babysitter, your hairstylist, massage therapist, and mail carrier. Wouldn’t it be great to find a place where you could pick out all your gifts and have them delivered? Or maybe even have someone else put together some beautiful gifts that you know will be appreciated? This exists! Even better, there are many small businesses you can support right here in your own backyard that offer this kind of service that will save you a ton of time.
Donut Monster e-gift card
Starting at $10
Donut Monster, 246 Locke St. S., Hamilton
IG: @donutmonsterhamilton
donutmonster.ca/s/gift-cards
A very simple website page allows you to send multiple gift cards by email with the click of a button. Just copy and paste the email addresses of your clients, choose the amount of the gift card you’d like to give, choose the day you’d like them to receive it in their inbox, add a festive greeting, and you’ve done all your shopping! You’ll love the quick convenience, they will love choosing from the display case of decadent scratch-made donuts with wild flavours like pecan butter tart filled, kimchi fritter, and peach bellini cheesecake.
Pinch Bakery & Plant Shop e-gift card
$5 to $100
Pinch Bakery & Plant Shop, 183 Sherman Ave. N., Hamilton
IG: @shopatpinch
shopatpinch.com
The online gift card option starting at $5 makes Pinch a very quick and easy way to send small gifts out to multiple people on your list. Pinch is a small business with a big heart, constantly fundraising for various causes and rallying the community. Gift cards can be used to buy both scratch-made food and plants in the cozy café, and they’re even redeemable for custom baking orders.
Chocolate Box (with gluten free and vegan options)
Starting at $16
Genesis Chocolate Company, 97 King St. W., Dundas
IG: @genesischocolatecompany
genesischocolatecompany.com
Local delivery of delicious handmade chocolate confections might be the perfect gift for everyone on your list. There are artisan chocolates in innovative flavours available in a variety of box sizes. Confections include pretzels, licorice and sour keys dipped in milk, white, and dark chocolate. The Thank You bar in either milk or gluten-free vegan dark chocolate would make a great small gift for all the people that make your life a little easier. E-gift cards can be purchased and sent directly to multiple recipients with just a few clicks, in denominations starting at $10.
Succulent planter
Starting at $100
Westdale Florist, 1041 King St. W., Hamilton
IG: @westdaleflorist
westdaleflorists.ca
Send clients a gift they can enjoy year-round — a live succulent garden. The hardy plants are artfully placed in a modern planter, and will be a continuous reminder of your thoughtfulness. Support a local florist like Westdale Florist, which has been in business for nearly 80 years, and you can be confident in your gift, knowing it’s designed by an experienced professional, and hand-delivered. Free same day delivery available.
Coffee Lovers 3 Pack
$48
Relay Coffee, 27 King William St., Hamilton
For the coffee drinkers on your list, locally roasted coffee from a family-owned business that has been caffeinating Hamiltonians since 2008 might be just the thing. There are two varieties of the Coffee Lovers 3 Pack, one medium roast, and one for espresso fans. Each option gives your recipient a chance to brew and savour three very different flavour notes. Delivery is free within Ontario for orders over $45.
Weekend gift box
$100
Everyday’s Friday Custom Box Co.
IG: @everydaysfridaybox
everydaysfridaybox.com
The Weekend gift box gives your recipient the opportunity to stay in and curl up with a puzzle and hot tea. A perfect choice for a client gift, employee gifting, teachers, or host gift. This local business is online only, and the website is very simple and makes it easy to order a gift and have it delivered. Flat rate shipping within Canada. Gift concierge service also available if you’d like help creating and shipping custom gifts.
Teachers’ gift box
$26
Mela Bath
melabath.com
Support a small local business making delightful scented handmade bath and body products created with 100 per cent organic products. Choose from scrubs, froths, makeup remover, soaps, and bathbombs. This online shop also offers whimsical themed boxes for teacher gifts, Christmas, and more. Local hand delivery and free delivery is available to the Hamilton/Burlington area with a minimum order, with shipping options for those outside the local delivery area. E-gift cards start at $10 and can be sent directly via email to each person on your list.
Sophisticated Gifting gift basket
Starting at $12
The Workshop Sophisticated Gifting, 38 Forestview Dr., Dundas
IG: @dundasworkshopgifts
theworkshopsophisticatedgifting.com
If you love the idea of someone putting together the perfect gift and delivering it, trusting that it’ll be a beautiful and appreciated gift, get in touch with Shelley Paikin, who has been running her gift basket business for more than 30 years. Locally made chocolate pizzas are a favourite, along with a signature handmade bow that make the gift almost too beautiful to open. Your budget can be as little as $12, all the way to a $500 gift presented on a beautiful high-end serving piece. Delivery available across Canada.
Gift box full of Canadian products
Starting at $25
Canada in a Box at Rustic Daisy’s, 25 Main St. S., Waterdown
IG: @canada.in.a.box
Each box comes with a handwritten card showing the recipient where the items come from so they know everything is Canadian. Gift box items include gourmet food, teas, books, fun mugs, stationary, and more. Order through Instagram, and shop owner Cat McCrimmon will put together the perfect gift based on your budget and preferences, and will ship it to any address within Canada.
Local artisan-made gifts e-gift card
Starting at $10
The Handmade House, 374 Brant St., Burlington & 71 King St. W., Dundas
IG: @thmhshop
thehandmadehouseburlington.ca
Shop from a curated collection of hyperlocal gifts made by more than 100 artists living within two hours of the shops. Recipients can choose from handmade apparel, food, mugs and glassware, jewellery, bath and body products, and art.
