December is here! Christmas is quickly approaching so I've put together my 613 gift guide to make your shopping both thoughtful and easy. There are so many great gifts right here in Ottawa, and I've found ideas for everybody and every budget.
And since you know I love giveaways... one of you is gonna WIN MY WHOLE GIFT GUIDE WORTH $1000!
Let's get started.
meowy christmas, various $
Milk Shop in the Byward Market is one of my favourite local fashion shops. It's as affordable as it is fun, and they've always got something new (and often hilarious) on the shelves. If there's a crazy cat lady on your list (guilty as charged) then swing buy Milk Shop to check out their cat merch.
pair of saltwater float sessions, $89
Ever been to a float spa? Think of ISO Spa Floatation Centre as your own personal Dead Sea in the heart of the city. Located in Centretown at Bank and McLeod, their saltwater-filled tanks will melt away the stress of this busy time of year. For a limited time you can purchase a pair of floats for $89 (reg. $60 each) so you can float with a friend!
Brooklyn beanie & texting gloves, $63
Oh how I love T's Crochet Shoppe. She makes the most exquisite toques, scarves, gloves, and head bands, and I personally own tonnes of her pieces. Two of my staples from her shoppe: her Brooklyn Beanie ($38) and texting gloves ($25). It's the perfect cozy gift this winter! Here's fellow Ottawa blogger @whatemilysaid looking positively divine in her Brooklyn Beanie.
Mopify home cleaning, various $
I love giving Mopify gift cards because essentially you're giving the gift of free time. If you're shopping for someone who just moved, had a baby, or is hosting over the holidays, treat them to Mopify and they'll thank you forever. I suggest a $100 gift card because it's enough to cover cleaning for most homes and apartments. And you know what? Here's $20 to get you started!
woodsmoke & olive candles, $ 25 each
These handcrafted candles from Maker House Co. in Hintonburg are some of my absolute faves. They burn cleanly (and slowly!) and make any room more homey with their beautiful, natural scents. Woodsmoke & Olive's No.1 Balsam Fir is a classic Christmas tree scent, and No.11 London Fog is perfect for cosy days at the cottage. Grab them in-shop at Maker House!
COPPER bodum COFFEE PRESS, $65
Oh Pot & Pantry, I want everything that's in you. See that pretty copper Bodum nestled unassumingly in a wooden crate? This is THE gift to give the coffee lover on your list. And I'll bet you a dozen doughnuts they'll be snapping Instagram pics every time they make a pot. Just look how pretty it is! Throw in a set of Bodum's double-walled coffee cups and you're done. Visit this brand new boutique at 244 Elgin!
the dailey method CLASSES, various $
Give the gift of sweat! I adore this peppy barre fitness studio in the Glebe: The Dailey Method
is friendly, welcoming, and offers great workouts for all fitness levels. And this just in: Dailey Cycle is coming early in 2017! Barre + spin = YES!!! The Dailey Method has class passes and packages for all budgets, and your best bet for someone new to the studio is an unlimited intro month for just $79. Check out their gorgeous retail boutique too!
EABY CHIC HEADBANDS, $16-$18
I adore these locally made Eaby Chic headbands. I wear them to work, I wear them to sweat, I wear them all the time. They're so comfortable and don't pinch your ears! Available in a wide variety of styles for women, babies, and girls, they're a no-brainer gift for the fashionista on your list. Give a trio of Ella headbands: pick a solid neutral, a solid bright, and a fun print -- you can't go wrong.
Speaking of fashionistas, these headbands are approved by my lady crushes: Angela and Amanda of Vincent on Preston. How amazing do they look?!
sparkle wrap necklace, $88
Speaking of Vincent, that's where you'll find the next item on my list! This local women's shop has just about everything you or your bestie/sis/mom will need to look effortlessly chic: clothing, shoes, accessories, swimwear, even jewelry. I nearly fell over when I spotted this necklace by Canadian company BIKO Jewelry: it can be worn wrapped as a choker, tied with a bow, long and layered, and it even works as a bracelet. Available in Black/Gold and Champagne/Silver.
Festive florals & greenery, various $
Shopping for someone who loves to entertain? Give their home the perfect festive touch with a wreath, centrepiece, or arrangement from blumenstudio in Hintonburg. Deck their front door with wreaths starting at $40, or dress their dining table with a beautiful bouquet, potted plant, or centrepiece. Heads up to my west-end peeps: Kat recently opened a second blumenstudio location in Stittsville!
the good hair day gift, $71
Why not treat your bestie to the gift of a good hair day? Send her to see the folks at Westboro Spa & Hair Studio and she'l be in good hands. Leah did my blow-dry and she was awesome! For $71, treat your pal to a sweet blowout plus a professional hair care kit by Redken 5th Avenue NYC. Choose from options for fine, dry, damaged, frizzy, wavy, or colour-treated hair, and each kit includes shampoo, conditioner, and smoothing serum.
brew donkey beer tours, various $
BEER TOURS. Have I got your attention? Brew Donkey is a fantastic Ottawa company that offers an extensive roster of tours to our many local breweries, distilleries, and more. Treat your favourite beer lover to a Brew Donkey gift card or a tour, and everything will be taken care of for them. Tours start at just $42 per person and include transportation, lunch, snacks, and all the tastings! All they'll need to do is show up. Grab tickets or a gift certificate online!
mega christmas giveaway
One of you lucky ducks is going to win EVERYTHING in my gift guide. That's over $1000 in all-local prizes! Check back soon because the giveaway launches at 12:00pm right here on the blog.
There are 12 days of Christmas so you've got 12 days to enter and I'll announce the (very) lucky winner on December 12. When the contest closes, I'll provide the winner with an all-local treasure map so they can explore our city while collecting their prizes.
The winner will take home:
a Meowy Christmas gift pack from Milk Shop
a pair of saltwater float sessions from ISO Spa
a grey Brooklyn beanie & texting gloves from T's Crochet Shoppe
a $100 gift card from Mopify
two Woodsmoke & Olive candles from Maker House Co.
a copper Bodum coffee press & coffee cups from Pot & Pantry
an unlimited one-month fitness pass from The Dailey Method Ottawa
a trio of handmade headbands from Eaby Chic
a sparkle wrap necklace from Vincent
a festive wreath from blumenstudio
a blow-dry and Redken hair products from Westboro Spa & Hair Studio
a pair of passes to any beer tour from Brew Donkey
You MUST be a local resident of the greater Ottawa/Gatineau area to be eligible! Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below and all entry actions are optional. You'll get 5 points per action so the more you do, the better your chances of winning! Best of luck everyone and Merry Christmas. xo
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