Support Local: Ultimate Ottawa Christmas Gift Guide

Your Ultimate Ottawa Christmas Gift Guide is here! Supporting local means SO much to Ottawa businesses and I want to give a shoutout to support them. Together-apart has already put together this extensive list of black-owned businesses in Ottawa to support.

Another great reason to support local: Canada Post shipping can take ages to deliver packages during the holidays. Shopping local means you can pick up your gifts quickly, without the hassle of waiting for parcels to be delivered. Supporting local means avoiding shipping costs and wait times.

The gifts I’ve loved giving and receiving the most are thoughtful gifts that I know were purchased with that specific person in mind. If you’re trying to find the perfect gift for your friend, family or loved one, try to think about their interests. For example, I bought a kombucha dispenser for my friend to make it at home and for another friend I got her a subscription box of cards to be delivered to her for a few months in a row from a local card maker.

There are extensive lists floating around the internet for shopping guides, Christmas gift guides, and everything in between. I’ve worked on rounding up a few local Ottawa based stores for various interests and to offer some unique gift ideas. Even better, I’ve also included some links to Ottawa blogs who have put in a ton of work to showcase local businesses. Scroll to the very bottom if you’re a last minute shopper and need a quick gift! In addition, I have an entire post here dedicated to date ideas in Ottawa and here for activities to do with your BFF, if you’re looking for additional inspiration.

Advent Calendars

If you’re ahead of the curve, advent calendars are a great gift! It’s best if you can gift the advent calendar in advance of December 1 (or get yourself one to celebrate, too!) Here are a few local Canadian and Ottawa Advent Calendars to check out.

1. A cookie calendar from Batter Up Bakery. I love that there’s an option to only order the cookies if you have your own box, or a box from a previous year! Also, their sugar cookies are spectacular. I highly recommend this one for your sweet tooth giftee.
2. Grab a classic chocolate advent calendar. Try the Dessert Lab (previously Amicci Desserts), Chocolat Favoris or Anna Stubbe Chocolates.
3. Nita Beer Advent Calendar is an Ottawa favourite! Partnered with local breweries, this one is perfect for the craft beer lover.
4. Bar From Afar does a 12-day adult cocktail calendar. Their specialty cocktails that are ready to be made at home are fantastic! This one is perfect for someone who enjoys a well crafted cocktail.
5. Try a wax melt calendar from NB’s Aromas!
6. Maker House puts together an advent calendar filled with local Ottawa grafter goodies.

Holiday Markets

Supporting local is so much easier with holiday markets and pop-ups around the city:

1. Ottawa Artisans is home to more than 650 local handmade creators.
2. One World Bazaar is an international marketplace in Manotick is open for seven weekends leading up to Christmas.
3. Watson’s Mill Christmas Market in Manotick from December 3-4, 2022.
4. Ottawa Christmas Market at Lansdowne on weekends from November 25 to December 23, 2023.
5. Free Wheeling Craft virtual market. 6. Try a wax melt calendar from NB’s Aromas!

Cards and Wrapping

One thing to consider this Christmas season is to Go Green. Although some people re-use last year’s wrapping paper, many wrapping papers and gift bags contain non-recyclable elements like foil, glitter or plastic. Consider using brown paper, reusable gift bags or recyclable gift wrap to wrap your presents this year. I love these brown paper bags I purchased from Papery in the Glebe last year and I reuse tissue paper from previous gifts.

For cards, I love Paper Papier in the Byward Market, Ligaya Creative for beautiful hand painted cards (and more) and the Papery in the Glebe.

For the Scent Lover

Consider buying candles from a local candle maker, a diffuser and/or essential oils. If they’re crafty, why not purchase a candle making kit with essential oils for them to make themselves? Some local candle companies include:

1. Wick Witch Apothecary in Merrickville has wonderful soy candles. Their Orange Pekoe is amazing.
2. Blackett & Co. are hand-poured candles in Ottawa.
3. Lavendertree.co sells beautiful soy candles.
4. Lotus Flower Om is a black-owned business in Ottawa that also sells candles.

For the Plant Mom/Dad

Consider buying a new house plant, plant pots, plant accessories (like a mister or macrame holder) or a plant stand for your loved one! Succulents and peace lilies are super easy to care for plants and would be great for a newbie plant parent! Not all plants are safe for your kitties and puppies so do a quick online check if you don’t know (however, my childhood dog once ate an entire 5 ft cactus and lived a full life after so who knows). Here are some Ottawa Christmas Gift Guide based florists/plant shops:

1. Plant and Curio has a wonderful Instagram feed and even better selection of plants for all your needs.
2. Check out Scrim’s Florist on Elgin for a variety of plants, pots and garden paraphernalia.
3. I received a “plant garden” from Alta Vista flowers and it’s so beautiful!
4. Rosalind’s Garden Blooms are grown right here in Ottawa.
5. Luxe Blooms is another black-owned business and their rose boxes are gorgeous.
6. ForgetBKnot sells handmade macrame and fibre art to hold your plants.

For the One who Needs Self Care

Consider buying an array of spa items such as lotions, bath bombs, mani/pedi kit, eucalyptus leaves for a hot shower, etc. Here are some Ottawa stores that offer an amazing selection of scented, vegan, unscented and natural skincare products.

1. The Purple Urchin in the Glebe is a natural soap/skincare/bath store. They also have a great refill program (#GoGreen)
2. Terra20 has three locations in Ottawa. They also have vegan products and a refill station.
3. Lotus Flower Om also has a home spa kit!
4. twenty20 Skincare has 100% natural skincare products made with handcrafted Shea Butter from Ghana.
5. A gift card for nails or lashes from Vanism.
6. Support another black owned business by purchasing natural, organic makeup and skincare products from Afiya Beauty.

For the New Home Owner

The possibilities are endless! Try something for the kitchen, living room, bedroom, or a new painting or print from a local artist. Some of my favourite purchases/gifts when I first bought my condo were funny tea towels, a honey bear pot, beautiful serving platters, a small wine rack, cocktail glasses, a key holder (by my front door so I never forget my keys), and these reusable “paper towels”.

1. Try Framed! on Bank Street for a fun collection of home gifts and custom framing options. Sloane Tea is the BEST tea, is Canadian and and sold at Framed!.
2. Boogie + Birdie on Elgin Street has an assortment of gift ideas for the new home owner.
3. Machab Design is a black-owned business with decorative accessories for a home.
4. Pot and Pantry and Chef’s Paradise are Ottawa’s go-to kitchen and houseware supply stores.

For the Foodie

Gift cards to local restaurants are a great way to support a business today and maybe introduce your friend/family/loved one to a new place in the city. There is an overwhelming number of choices in the city so here are some fun ones in this Ottawa Christmas Gift Guide:

1. Supply and Demand in Westboro has never failed to disappoint my tastebuds.
2. Support a local baker like Jules (Jules’ Cakes) or Olivia (Inspiring Olivia) and pre-order some holiday treats.
3. Order meals for your freezer for later from Life of Pie. Their scones are scrumptious!
4. Check out this post by Nina Near and Far for an Ottawa Staycation including some food suggestions.

For the Alcohol Drinker

Beer: Breweries have to pay a premium, or produce a certain volume of beer to sell in the LCBO or Beer Store. Cut the middle man and pay the brewery directly by going in store. Plus, you’ll be able to talk to the owners and ask questions about likes/dislikes to pick the perfect beer for your giftee.

Wine: Wineries also have to pay a premium, or produce a certain volume of wine to sell in the LCBO. I don’t think I’ve met a single vineyard owner who wasn’t passionate about their wine and they’ll have great recommendations for your loved one’s palette. There are only a few wineries around Ottawa, but you can purchase from a Canadian winery directly, if they offer Canada wide shipping.

Here are some Ottawa Christmas Gift Guide ideas:
1. Put together your own gift basket to create their own cocktail at home or try Bar from Afar to have cocktails delivered directly to your/their door.
2. Whiskey, tea and a teacup for a Hot Toddy kit.
3. Beer Advent Calendar from local Ottawa Breweries (or create a 12 days of Christmas with local beer from Nita Beer Company, Kichesippi Beer Company, or Flora Hall Brewery). Read this post from Ottawa River Lifestyle for Twelve Craft Breweries in Ottawa.
4. A bottle of wine from KIN Vineyards.
5. This gift box from Maker House Co. for a caesar kit!
6. Vintage glassware from Bar from Afar for cocktails or browse thrift stores for unique glassware/beer steins, etc.

For the Tea and Coffee Drinkers

Inspiring Olivia has an extensive tea and coffee list. You can also consider unique gifts like this whiskey teacup from Nellie’s Room in Merrickville, these beautiful pottery mugs from Hintonburg Pottery, or tea accessories from Milk & Honey in Kanata. I also love The Treat Bombs: delicious tea bombs for an array of tea flavours!

For the Bookworm

Used book stores are a great way to support local. Unique gifts include book ends, a bookmark, personalized wine glass markers for your book club, fun socks or support a local author like Justin Joschko. Local used book stores in Ottawa:
1. Black Squirrel Books on Bank Street
2. Octopus Books in the Glebe
3. Books on Beechwood

For the Bedazzled

Earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, oh my! Some small jewellery businesses in this Ottawa Christmas Gift Guide include:
1. Magpie Jewelry.
2. Strut Jewelry (minimalist & modern jewelry handmade in Ottawa)
3. Birch Jewellery (handmade accessories designed and made in Ottawa)

For the Crafter

Beaded Dreams in Ottawa. (Their mission is to support indigenous artists and to keep this beautiful culture alive.)
The Papery also has a plethora of crafting supplies.
Fabrications for fabric, knitting/crochet supplies, sewing needs etc. They also have “Learn to Sew” blog posts.

For the Health and Fitness Guru

Purchase online/virtual classes, gift cards for memberships or contact a local personal trainer. Finding fun gifts like water bottles, a yoga mat, or home gym equipment for under the tree are great gifts that will last ages!

1. Yoga equipment from Pure Yoga. I use my yoga blocks and yoga tune up balls ALL the time.
2. Barre Belle (in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary) is offering online classes for $25/month (you can get a steal for a yearly pass on Black Friday).
3. Gift an NCC Showshoe or Cross Country Ski seasons pass.
4. Gift a pair of snowshoes and/or crampons! I’ve had Tubb’s Snowshoes for years and they’ve never disappointed me.

For the Eco-Friendly Shopper

I’m loving the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and eliminating single use plastics or one use items that end up in landfills. Here are some amazing products from local stores:

1. These reusable “towels” from KLIIN. They are machine washable and can replace up to 40 paper towels!
2. Alpaca Dryer Balls or Bamboo straws from Pokoloko.
3. A gift box from Maker House Co.
4. Reusable bamboo “cotton pads” that I swear by from Zero Waste Mvmt (in Winnipeg).
5. Abeego beeswax wraps from Kitchenalia.

For the Adventurer

There are an unbelievable amount of local adventure activities to do in Ottawa. Some fun ideas to plan/book a date night/grab a gift certificate for a future experience include:
1. Runaway Picnic (a luxury picnic service and they do all the set-up and provide the food!)
2. Snowshoe under the stars in Gatineau Park (you can bring your own snowshoes or rent them at the visitors centre)
3. Grab a Girl Gone Good hiking guide for hikes around Ottawa.
4. Book a dog sledding adventure at Escapade Huskimo!
5. Walk with Llamas at Serendipity Farm and Sanctuary. Llama walks can be booked year round but are impacted by weather so be compassionate if you have to reschedule!
6. Guess Where Trips and Unexpected Journeys are two surprise road trip itinerary companies. Unexpected Journeys is a local Ottawa company!

For the the Last Minute Shopper

Some other last minute shopping Ottawa Christmas Gift Guide ideas:
1. Check out Workshop Boutique in the Byward Market for awesome homemade items from local people.
2. Cheerfully Made in Almonte is your one stop shop for homemade goodies. Pick up a few things to create your own holiday gift basket or fill a stocking.
3. Hummingbird Chocolate who makes their chocolate bars with cacao directly from farmers so you can feel good about what you’re eating.
4. Create a “Year of Date Ideas” in Ottawa with my post here or a stay at home date idea here.
5. Book a mini portrait session with Danielle Murphy Studios. A friend of mine from high school who takes amazing family and couple portraits.
6. Give a gift certificate for dance lessons from Arthur Murphy Dance Studio (we got this as a gift last year) or 3sixty Dance and Fitness studio.
7. Have an event coming up? Book your significant other with a surprise make-up session with Paige Wood.
8. Purchase this beard elixir for the beard grower in your life.