Drake General Store chamomile maple syrup
Waffles or pancakes? The battle rages, but here’s one thing both sides can agree on: the floral touch of this chamomile maple syrup will add a sophisticated note to any breakfast. Also great for tea obsessives and lovers of fancy Canadiana.
($19, Drake General Store, 1151 Queen West and others, drakegeneralstore.ca)
LED Marquee Flamingo
Old Man Winter’s got nothing on this pretty pink LED-lit flamingo. It adds a tropical feel and retro vibes to any room and is the perfect gift for your decor-obsessed friend who has everything.
($22, Structube, 1112 King West and others, structube.com)
Jade roller
Ask any beauty buff and they’ll tell you that jade rollers are all the rage. Rolling it gently on the forehead, cheeks and under-eye area is supposed to increase blood circulation, assist with lymphatic drainage and diminish the appearance of fine lines.
($24, Easy Tiger, 1447 Dundas West, easytigergoods.com)
Toronto VS Itself tote bag
Tired of seeing Toronto vs. Everybody emblazoned on sweatshirts and other merch? Us too. Instead, bag this cheeky tote by No Fun Press. Printed on durable lightweight cotton, it captures our collective insecurity and need to be better than everyone else. We blame Drake.
($22, Philistine, 928 Queen West, philistinetoronto.com)
Gold Paw dog snood
Treat your four-legged pal to this warm and stylish neck warmer. The reversible snood comes in five colours and four neck sizes to keep Rover warm all winter. If only they came in human-size….
($21-$32, The Dog Market, 2116 Queen East, thedogmarket.ca)
AUXGOD Music Battle card game
Fans of Cards Against Humanity will like this locally made spinoff that tests players’ knowledge of hip-hop and R&B. Cards set the theme (booty call song male rap 2000-2010) and players find the best tune on their phone that fits.
($25, Sonic Boom Records, 215 Spadina, sonicboommusic.com and auxgodgame.com)
Kwik Tek Dry Pak cellphone case
This gift is perfect for that boss or life partner who claims to be “unreachable” because they are whitewater rafting. Not any more!
($23.95, yamaha-motor.ca)
Art prints by Flo Leung
For the friend still mourning the loss of Kom Jug Yuen or defending their love of greasy Bitondo’s slices to the death, there’s local artist Flo Leung’s charming illustrations of local food landmarks.
($20, $45 with frame and mat, Good Egg, 267 Augusta, goodegg.ca)
iLikeMaps Toronto Map Print
For the geo-obsessed urbanite or the friend who’s always getting lost, this black-and-white print makes a stunning and useful piece of wall art. Prints are also available in colour and for dozens of other cities.
(Starting at $22.60, Arts Market Leslieville, 1114 Queen East, artsmarket.ca)
Soul Chocolate Advent Calendar
Dreaming of a dark Christmas? Grab this gorgeous advent calendar from east-end chocolatier Soul Chocolate for a friend (or yourself). Each day features a piece of Dominican 70 per cent single origin chocolate – and as a bonus, the packaging is 80 per cent plant-based.
($20, Soul Chocolate, 583 Gerrard East, soulroasters.com)
For more gift ideas at every price point, visit NOW’s Holiday Gift Guide 2017.
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