It’s that time of year again when we have our lists and are checking them twice. We have a wonderful list of gift-giving ideas from local businesses and we hope to help you cross many items off your lists with these ideas.
We curate this guide to promote shopping local and supporting our communities, province and our region of Canada. This gift guide is sponsored by the businesses taking part, they apply using our call for submissions, we evaluate the application and promote the ones we have either personally shopped with or we believe in supporting them as they get started, like below with Treatlab. If a new to me business applies, I will try to shop from them or review their products before publishing the guide as well.
This year we have a lovely mix of products to promote and we will also be doing giveaways with many of these businesses as well. Follow our Facebook Page for the giveaways and how to enter.
Wild Lights At The Magnetic Hill Zoo
We love Christmas light displays and have enjoyed visiting the Wild Lights at the Magnetic Hill Zoo for the past few years. We went again this year, the night this guide is being published! With 10’s of thousands of lights strung in interesting displays throughout the zoo, this is an experience you will not want to miss. You can even gift some tickets for Christmas because the Wild Lights is running daily, from 5pm to 8:30pm, until January 4th, 2020 (closed Dec 24 & 25). Why not offer the gift of a fun family experience this holiday season?
You can find out more about the Magnetic Hill Zoo and their events on Facebook or on their website here: https://www.moncton.ca/magnetichillzoo
Homard Bound Gift Box From Sandy Toes Shop
Every member of our family owns a piece of clothing from Sandy Toes Shop, I own multiple items. These pieces of locally designed and made clothing are so comfy, they wash very well and are available to purchase online or at some of the local fairs and markets in season. Join Crystal in her East Coast Mermaid tribe, or sport the Professional Beach Bum line, there are clothing options for men, women, and children.
This holiday season is the perfect time to give a customizable Homard Bound gift box from Sandy Toes Shop! This Christmas my husband is getting this lovely gift box (I am claiming the apron and the pin though 😉 ) So I guess gifting him half the box…okay, it’s a couple’s gift then!
If you have ever found yourself longing for the beach, salty air, and rhythms of the waves, then head over and check out Sandy Toes Shop. You can pick up T-shirts, tanks, sweatshirts, hoodies, toques and more…
Find Sandy Toes Shop on Facebook, Instagram and their website here: https://sandytoesshop.com/
Sea Glass Treasures From East Coast Sea Gems
Salisha, the craftswoman behind East Coast Sea Gems, creates the most beautiful sea glass pieces from New Brunswick sea glass. I have a few of her sets of earrings, a couple of necklaces and a bracelet that she had crafted (you can see some of it in last year’s post). In addition to the jewellery, I now own the eyeglass chain and these lovely wine glass charms pictured here. We always pick up a bag of sea glass candy when we have the opportunity.
You can find East Coast Sea Gems on Facebook and shop through her Etsy Store.
Fun And Relaxing Way To Pamper The Whole Family With J&G Bath Bombdiggities
Aren’t these just the cutest bath bombs, just look at those snowmen! There are so many options and the prices are fantastic on these handmade local bath and shower products. From bath bombs and shower fizzies to foot soak bombs and bath scrubs, J&G Bath Bombdiggities has you covered for fun and/or relaxing bathtime.
We have tried all of these products, between Clayton and myself, I can see us being regular customers. Jamie continues to create unique colour and scent combinations to keep us wanting more! My favourite so far is the Breathe Easy shower fizzies. They are refreshing and clear your sinuses gently as you shower.
You can find them on Facebook.
They will be at the Christmas Craft & Vendor Fair in Shediac at the legion on Saturday, Dec 7th if you want to check out their products in person.
Customize A One Of A Kind Sweet Treat With TreatLab
Xavier Bulman is a 15 year old grade ten Riverview High School student and the proprietor of TreatLab. TreatLab sells pints of super-customizable ice cream, right down to the labels on the pints. You first select what quantity of TreatLab ice cream you would like from our Order Sheet… 4 pints, 8 pints or you can email for larger amounts. Next, you select one of three base flavours from the great selection of ice cream. They have Dairy, Non-Dairy/Vegan and Low-Sugar/Keto. After that, you decided what mix-ins you would like in your ice cream. From strawberries to chocolate bars there’s something for everyone. Lastly, you also have the option to customize your pint labels with the help of their team, to make that special moment that much more special.
You can follow TreatLab on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or visit their website here: www.treatlab.ca
Paper Flower Crafting Book & Workshops With Paper & Peony
There is something so satisfying about creating a beautiful flower out of paper. Paper & Peony’s Chantal Laroque has not only been teaching and sharing her craft in her book, Bold & Beautiful Paper Flowers, but she also offers in-person workshops.
Carmen from Tiny Adventures Journey recently attended one of Chantal’s workshops on our behalf and here is what she had to say about attending:
“Chantal Larocque of Paper & Peony is as exquisite in person as she is online. Her passion for flowers and art radiate when she walks into the room. And of course, she is kind and caring enough to help each individual in the class when you attend one of her paper flower workshops.
All the material is provided by Chantal, so no need to bring a thing.
During the two hour workshop, you get to create 3 different flowers, which need to be chosen ahead of time so that Chantal can bring the proper materials. But she also always has lots of extras on hand if ever you decide you want to change one up. The final look is very customizable with the different colours you can choose from, as well as the accessories such as leaves and vines.
This paper flower workshop is very easy, but it can also be great for more advanced creatives who are looking to add a little bit of their personal touch to their artwork. I had an amazing time both working on my project and chatting with Chantal and all the other participants. I would highly recommend taking a class or even gifting a class during the holiday season. It’s well worth it!”
You can find Paper and Peony on Facebook, Instagram and on their website at paperandpeony.com
Unique Style & Modern Technology With Off The Wall Eyewear
We love our eyewear from Off The Wall Eyewear. Off the Wall Eyewear Emporium is well known for its collection of unique and eclectic eyewear, specializing in handmade and one-of-a-kind frames. They carry anything from contact lenses to prescription motorcycle goggles, from baby & teen glasses to sporting sunglasses, and all the funky “off the wall” glasses you can imagine. They are also the only store in Atlantic Canada that carries EnChroma glasses and prescription lenses.
You can find them on Facebook, Instagram, their website and their retail location at 331 Elmwood Dr, Moncton, NB. Watch for our Facebook Live in the shop with Steve on Friday, December 6th (on our Facebook Page)!
Handmade Soap For The Whole Family From Rosemary Wellness
Add a bar of Lump Of Coal soap to the stockings in your home this Christmas, or how about some Snowman Snuggles? Rosemary Wellness offers a large selection of handmade soap for the whole family, including shampoo bars and dish soap bars.
Rosemary Wellness offers products that are vegan, palm free, synthetic-free, artificial fragrance-free, dye-free, and never tested on animals.
You can find them on Facebook and their website here: https://rwsoap.com/
Gifts Abound At Sequoia Downtown & Dieppe
Sequoia Downtown and Dieppe make an effort to source many of their organic food and natural health products locally. All products that you will find at Sequoia are certified organic, and/or use all-natural ingredients. Products are sourced locally where possible and are from environmentally ethical suppliers.
One of the amazing offerings at Sequoia is that there’s always a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN) available to help you while you are in the store. There are many items at various price points available for gift giving at Sequoia. If you have a hard time deciding what to buy, why not pick up a gift certificate?
You can find them on Facebook.
Pamper Yourself With Nourishing Gifts From Madame Thai
From hair oil and foot balm to moisturizing lipstick and bath salts, Madame Thai pampers you with beautifully handmade products. All-natural body care items.
Having tried the hair oil, moisturizing lipstick and foot balm, I am in love with these products from Madame Thai. Check our Facebook Live video with Madame Thai and DoDo Leather. Their retail location is 90 Weldon St, Moncton. You can go into their shops and browse the items and chat with the craftspeople behind the products.
You can also find Madame Thai on Facebook, and on their website at https://madamethainb.com/
Handcrafted & Stitched Leatherworks From DoDo Leather
From the moment you walk into their shop on Weldon Street, you can see the attention to detail Nataliia and Andrii take in creating and presenting their leather works. From coffee cup holders and change purses (pictured below) to custom bags and journals, they can do it all. They also provide repair services, do you have someone on your list who have a beloved leather item that needs repair? Or would you like to give a unique, one of a kind hand stitched item to a family member, then stop in their shop at 90 Weldon Centre.
You can find them on Facebook, Instagram or their Etsy shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/dodoleather/
Products and Services To Sooth Body & Mind With Crystal Lotus Creations
Crystal creates beautiful artwork, jewellery and more. Offering unique and one of a kind handcrafted items, both practical and functional, inspirational and asthetic.
You can find her pieces in Sackville at Ravenstone, where she is also offering readings and body balancing, and in Amherst at Maritime Mosaic. She also offers home parties. You can find her on Facebook and her website.
We hope our gift guide has inspired you to shop local this holiday season. Be sure to let these wonderful businesses know that you saw them here in our guide. We encourage you to support local businesses and try to give local products, services, and experiences this holiday season.
Merry Christmas, and Happy Shopping!
~ Ruth Ann