GIFT GUIDE: Pampering the Hamilton homebody
Here are a few cozy, city-living ideas to help your favourite stay-at-home fans relax and indulge themselves.
There’s a special breed of person who’s perfected the art of staying home — and we’re not talking about lazy Sundays in old sweats (though those have their place). These are the intentional homebodies, the ones who understand that some of life’s best moments happen in conscientiously curated corners, under impossibly soft blankets, with a good book in hand and something to sip. These are the people who’ve turned their space into a sanctuary, and for whom comfort isn’t just a feeling, it’s a lifestyle choice. This year, whether you’re shopping for your favourite stay-at-home enthusiast or treating yourself (and honestly, you’ve earned it), we’ve rounded up five locally made treasures for anyone who knows that “going out” sometimes means moving from the couch to the kettle.
Comfort Zone
These microwaveable rice bags from Wrapped In Comfort are the closest thing to a hug when one isn’t available. Made with soft, pretty fabrics and filled with rice, they can be heated in the microwave for soothing relief on sore muscles, tension headaches, or perpetually cold feet, or tossed in the freezer to be turned into a cooling compress. These aren’t like your grandmother’s heating pads (though she’d probably love them); they’re a modern, handcrafted, warm embrace, and they make a perfect companion for anyone who craves comfort and solace in the everyday.
Pick one up online at wrappedincomfort.ca or shop locally at The Local Life on Locke thelocallife.ca
Wax Poetic
These carefully crafted beeswax candles from Candles by Natalia are the definition of tranquility in a jar. Each candle is hand-poured using locally sourced beeswax, coconut oil, and pure essential oils, which creates a soft, clean burn that fills the room with a subtle honey-like warmth. Plus, that cute little beeswax bee on top of the candles — their signature look — is too cute to pass up. For the person in your life who’s serious about ambiance, these candles will transform a quiet afternoon or evening into something rather special — whether you’re deep in a novel, journaling, or simply enjoying the stillness.
Find them on Instagram @candlesbynatalia or see the display at Dundurn Castle.
Glitter Era
Every Swiftie deserves a little sparkle, especially after a long week. Inspired by Taylor Swift’s latest album release, The Life of a Showgirl, this bath bomb and soap duo from Blazing Bombs is fresh and bursting with the scent of juicy blackberry and bright bergamot. Of course, it’s also topped with a bit of eco-friendly glitter for that just-finished-a-concert glow. Handmade in Ontario, these bath treats turn any tub into a headlining event.
Shop them online at blazingbombs.com
Steep Dreams
If there’s someone in your life whose favourite part of the day involves a kettle and a mug, Lake & Oak’s Tea Gift Box is a trio of sippable treats. The Hamilton-based company crafts delightful superfood tea blends from 100 per cent organic herbs, fruits, roots, and plants to create a delicious and restorative cuppa. Simply choose any three of their signature teas, and they’ll handle the beautiful packaging.
Order directly from shoplakeandoak.com
Cover Story
Do you know someone who treats their books like old friends? If so, these handmade sleeves from GarKnitAndPurl will keep their beloved reads (or e-readers) safe and snug as a bug. Each one is artfully stitched with padding and playful prints, offering protection for travel, commutes, or cozy, lazy Sundays on the couch. For the bookworm who always has a paperback within arm’s reach (or three stacked on the nightstand), these sleeves will be a genuine delight. For a little something extra, pair it with a handpicked novel from a local bookstore.
Shop them on Etsy or in store at The Local Life on Locke thelocallife.ca
