Shopping local is a great way to support local businesses and find unique items that are sure to impress friends and family this season. You’ll have Santa beat with these gift ideas. This guide is for physical products but I also have a guide on experiences to gift. Here is a local Ottawa gift for everyone your list:
Ottawa Gift For The One That’s Hard To Buy For/One-Stop Shop
Did anyone else shuffle through the Sears’ wish book as a kid to build their Christmas wish list? Now that it’s gone, Maker House Co. has stepped up to the task of not only a wish book but one filled with Canadian goodies! Inside you’ll find everything from ornaments, cards, gift products, and more at different price points. Check it out here. It includes an impressive lineup of goods by Canadian makers. I already spotted a few items for the hard to buy for people on my list 😉
I collaborated with Maker House at last year’s Christmas market and know their products pretty well. Each item has been thoughtfully curated and you’re sure to find unique items. This whiskey maple syrup was a best seller from last year at the market. I gifted it to a few family members and you can throw it in cocktails, ice cream, pancakes, and more.
Gift For The Outdoor & Nature Lover
Some of my favourite memories over the years have been in Ontario Parks, from Algonquin Park to Sandbanks or Ontario Parks closer to Ottawa. The Ontario Parks store is full of incredible gives for the outdoor lover on your list, including sweaters, toques, ornaments, Ontario Parks passport, mugs, colouring books and more! The best part, all proceeds are reinvested back into the parks You can gift an amazing item that gives back at the same time.
There are items in the store for every budget, and they even have gift bundles to make gifting easier. If you love the outdoors too, gift some items from the store and then make a plan to visit a park in the new year together. Shop here.
Gift For The Chocolate Lover
Gift the chocolate lover on your list decadent chocolate from Hummingbird Chocolate. Visit them at their Shop in Almonte, find them at a retailer like Maker House or purchase a gift card online.
This award-winning chocolate shop uses carefully sourced quality cacao beans and handcrafts the chocolate in their small workshop in Almonte. They have many gift options, from their hot chocolate sticks to salted caramels to candy cane bark to chocolate bars. A unique item they have is their “chocolate salami.” It’s a chocolate bar that’s perfect for a sweet charcuterie board. You can shop their special holiday collection here.
My favourite chocolate of theirs is their Mayan chocolate which has a hint of spice. They also have mixed packs that are perfect for gifting multiple types of chocolate.
If you visit them in Almonte, you NEED to get one of their hot chocolates. These gourmet hot chocolates are the best I’ve ever tried! They have a beautiful location, and you can see the chocolate being made through their factory windows! Shop Hummingbird Chocolate here.
Ottawa Gift For The Cocktail Lover
Gift the cocktail lover on your list some unique spirits from Vodkow! Visit them at their Almonte location or at a pop-up around Toronto or Ottawa, like the Ottawa Christmas Market. Enjoy samples and then purchase some bottles to bring home. They also ship across Canada!
This distillery is unique because they make their vodka from milk byproduct, and because of their upcycling it has a low carbon footprint that they offset to make their Vodkow Vodka carbon neutral. Vodkow vodka is also the base for their delicious cream liquors; they’re lactose-free. Both their Vodkow Vodka and Vodkow Creamers and perfect gift gifting and celebrations over the holiday.
We tried all their vodka and creamers at their Almonte location. Each had such a unique flavour. If you visit from 10-7pm on Saturdays, you can visit their back bar for a cocktail.
They have multiple creamers to choose from, including egg nog, orange, coffee (using Equator Coffee), maple (using Fulton’s Maple), chocolate (using Hummingbird Chocolate), and cream. Each had great flavour, and the cocktail possibilities with them would be endless! You can get a 4-pack of 250 ml bottles that celebrate the bottles with different partnerships around Almonte: coffee, maple, chocolate, cream. This is a great way for the person you’re gifting to try a few different types.
100% Local Outaouais Box
This box is full of goodies from local Outaouais artisans that are perfect for gifting. It’s a great way to ‘travel the region’ through Outaouais products. Inside the box you’ll find a wonderful mix of honey, wine, snacks, sauces and more. I’d gift the box and then write a card of fun ideas of things to do in Outaouais for example, visiting one of these Outaouais skating spots and then heading home to enjoy the hot chocolate.
It already comes in a box and bow and is good to go! You can order the box online here. You can also get it at the LPG Christmas Market and 100% Croquez l’Outaouais. It’s available on December 23rd, but there’s a limited quantity, so don’t wait!
Ottawa Gift: Sparks Street Edition
Sparks Street is one of my favourite streets in the city, especially during the holidays. The street is lined with beautiful Christmas trees that have historical buildings as their backdrop. You’ll find some of Ottawa’s best local shops and restaurants here. Check out my full Sparks Street guide, including jewellery, makeup, and beauty. Make sure to check out their Winter Wander while you’re there.
Ottawa Gift For The One That Loves Sparkle…
This local jewelry boutique has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a classic piece or something bolder, True Bijoux has it! Stop by and they’ll help you pick out the perfect gift for who you’re buying for. Maybe you’re planning a winter proposal? 😉 Check out my guide to proposal spots and head to True Bijoux to find the perfect ring. You’ll find True Bijoux on Sparks Street. Check out this shopping guide for when you visit.
Ottawa Gift For The One That Loves Ottawa
Ottawa now has its own official candle 😀 This candle looks good, does good, and smells good. It’s no secret how much I love this city and can’t wait to channel cozy vibes through this candle all winter long. Here are the details:
- Looks good: the vibrant label was created by local artist, Fall Down G, and celebrates Ottawa gems and landmarks.
- Does good: ll net proceeds are being donated to The Royal to support youth mental health initiatives.
- Smells good: notes of cedarwood and musk, and undertones of sweet cherry, clove, and plum
The Ottawa candle has a burn time of 50-60 hours. It’s made in small batches here in Ottawa. There are limited quantities so make sure to order here.
Ottawa Gift: Wellington West Edition
Wellington West is home to more than 200+ unique shops. Use this guide to find something for everyone on your list. It’s one of Ottawa’s coolest neighbourhoods so you’ll also enjoy walking through the neighbourhood. Grab a warm drink and tackle that holiday gift list.
Ottawa Gift For The One That Wants To Be Cozy
Boogie and Birdie on Elgin Street is your go-to! From cozy scarves, candles, tea, mugs, bath soaks and more! Pair it with a perfect card from The Gifted Type.
Ottawa Gift For The Journaler
Head next door to The Gifted Type for a wide range of journals including regular and guided journals. My personal favourite is their two-minute morning journal, gifted to me by a friend! They also have some of the best cards I’ve ever seen. Sometimes I find picking cards out can be a bit cringey but not here. You’re sure to find one that fits perfectly whether you’re looking for cute, thoughtful or humour.
Ottawa Gift For The Plant Lover
Make your home festive for the holidays with arrangements and flowers from Scrim’s Florist on Elgin Street or Wild Willy’s in Hintonburg.
Ottawa Gift For The One That Loves Travel
2020 may have postponed travel but what about celebrating those destinations at home? Whether its somewhere they’ve been or want to go, get them a gift card to a local restaurant that they can use at a later date. Use this travel the world through Ottawa guide that pairs countries with a local restaurant.
Ottawa Gift For the Cook
You’ll find items every cook is sure to love at Pot & Pantry on Elgin Street. Make a gift package full of goodies from Pot & Pantry like cute mugs, hummingbird chocolate, cookbooks, kitchenware, kitchen accessories, cocktail kits, tea, syrups and more!
Ottawa Gift For The Fashionista
Ottawa and the surrounding area has some wonderful local shopping boutiques. Get them an item they’ll love or a gift card that they can use at a later date. Here are some shops to check out:
- Shop Tallow
- Milk
- Vincent
- Village Envy at Thirsty Maiden
- Check out this list of Wellington West shops
- Pembroke: Pick It Fence, Cork and Coral
- Cornwall: Love and Lee Apparel
Ottawa Gift For The Wine Lover
Savvy Company is an Ottawa business that’s sure to have something for the wine lover on your list. They have wonderful curated selections of wines, cheese, cider and more. Gift their wine subscription or one of these fun gifts.
Head to local winery, Kin Vineyards, to pick up some bottles for the holidays. Gift it to friends or families or pick some up for parties you’re hosting. You can also purchase select wines at the LCBO. My favourite is their sparkling vidal.
Ottwa Gift For The One That Loves Doing Good
Did you know that local shops Pokoloko, Hummingbird and Cloudforest are fair trade items? Not only do these shops each have amazing products but they’re doing good at the same guide. I have a full guide on these local businesses here.
- Gift for the chocolate lover: Hummingbird Chocolate
- Gift for the coffee lover: Cloudforest Coffee
- Gift for the one that loves home goods and being cosy: Pokoloko
Ottawa Gift For The One That Love’s Graphic Tees
Head over to BBxCollection for the coolest and cutest printed tees. Grab matching tees for you and your friend! You’ll find a great range of sayings and designs sure to catch your eye. Stop by their shop in the Byward Market and there’s sure to be plenty that catches your eye. Bonus points if you know where this quote is from 😉
Ottawa Gift For The One That Loves Cheer…
Head over to the happiest shop in Almonte, Cheerfully Made! Their shop is full of Canadian-made gifts. You’ll love browsing through their paper goods, accessories, home goods and more. Almonte is a popular Christmas movie destination so you’ll be sure to get in the Christmas spirit. You can check out my guide here.
Ottawa Gift For the Tea Lover….
Here are some great local shops to pick up tea. They offer a variety of items so pick up some more things while you’re there.
- Maker House
- Boogie and Birdie
- Pot & Pantry
Ottawa Gift For the Christmas Lover….
Ottawa’s Christmas destination is in Hintonburg at Tinseltown Christmas Emporium. Every ornament and decoration you can dream of can be found here. I’ve gotten seasonal glasses, ornaments, and candle holders here before.
Don’t miss these Christmas activities this season!
Julia started Little Miss Ottawa as a way to explore her hometown as a traveller would. She’s always planning her next adventure, whether it’s local or abroad. You’ll find her exploring with her camera in hand. She hopes Little Miss Ottawa helps bring you on new and fun adventures. Happy exploring :)
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