17 Local Gifts for Christmas

Christmas is just around the bend! Although some see the holidays as a big money grab, I like to focus on the fact that Christmas celebrates the act of giving. This Christmas, my goal is to take advantage of all the local products and services that Ottawa has to offer.

I find that by buying local, not only can you feel good about supporting your community’s local businesses, but you can also find very unique and thoughtful gifts. We are lucky to live in a region that is rich with local businesses. Due to this abundance, I’ve had to narrow my gift list down to a target audience for this blog post. Here is a short list of unique, local gift ideas that are perfect for families with young children and babies. Please click on the business name to view their social media page or website.

Services

People often forget about services as options for Christmas gifts, but sometimes these can be the best of gifts since they can offer very memorable experiences and encourage new talents!

Jess Laurel Photography: Looking for a gift that will be treasured forever? Jess Laurel specializes in documentary-style photography, highlighting the beauty found in everyday moments. Her packages include “A Day in the Life” sessions that capture your reality to forever preserve in photographs.

123 Petits Pas: How about gifting an educational experience for Mom & Baby? 123 Petits Pas offers fun, beginner French programs for parents and their infants & toddlers. Their programs offer little ones a head start to French language learning and are sure to be a memorable experience with their action-oriented activities, songs, rhymes, and much more.

Joyful Cleaning: This cleaning team is passionate about helping others and strives to create friendships with their clients. Joyful Cleaning services the Orleans area, but search around if you live in another area because the idea of gifting a clean house is gold!

Percolator Theatre School: Looking for an experiential gift for the kids? Percolator Theatre School is based in Gatineau and aims to help children develop communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and spatial-awareness skills through bilingual, laughter-filled, theatrical play. Students create masks, puppets, and sets, and use their creations to stage unique shows.

Willow and Rose: Willow and Rose is a fusion of modern and rustic style with a touch of whimsy, blended together to create the perfect wooden art pieces for your home. This can be a combination gift of both experience and product, as they also offer workshops that allow you to leave with a wooden art piece designed by you!

Local Products

JenEric Coffee: What parent can’t use a good dose of caffeine to get them through the day? JenEric Coffee is a small home roasting business that specializes in flavoured coffee with a geeky twist. “Pirate Butter Rum”, “Muggle”, and “Captain Canuck” are just a few examples of the fun gourmet coffee that they offer.

Nameable Gifts: Looking for a personalized touch? Nameable Gifts offers a variety of customizable products including: backpacks, blankets, stockings, pillows, toys, and more. What could be more personal than a gift with your name on it?

Jasmine’s Sweet Boutique: For the person with a sweet tooth, or a unique dessert that is sure to impress guests, Jasmine’s Sweet Boutique offers beautifully intricate, chocolate-covered strawberry or marshmallow bouquets.

Tag Along Toys: Tag Along Toys is owned and operated by a Registered Early Childhood Educator with over 20 years experience. From birth to adulthood, toys for any age can be found at their two locations: Kanata & Ottawa South. They carry safe, fun, and educational toys. Ask their friendly and knowledgeable staff for help finding the perfect gift!

Krooked Stitch: Selling handcrafted purses, bags, and children’s clothing with a vintage flair. Here you’ll find a variety of purses, clutches, lanyards, diaper bags, festival wear, aprons, and so much more. They also take custom orders!

Keeliego: Looking for all things baby? Keeliego offers baby carriers, teethers, car seat canopies, bandana bibs, baby room decor, and much more. All products are made from quality material and sold at an affordable price.

The Loot Bag Lady: Holding a party and looking for children’s gift bags? The Loot Bag Lady creates quality gift bags that emphasize play, discovery, creativity, and fun. No matter what the occasion, she will make your loot bag dreams a reality!

Terra20: Terra20 is one of the larger local businesses in Ottawa. If you haven’t been yet, it’s really worth a visit. With products featured across more than a dozen home and lifestyle categories including cosmetics, personal care, fashion, cleaning, home solutions, cooking, kids/baby products, and more, Terra20 has a little something for everyone!

Fraid Knot: Fraid Knot is a Gatineau-based business that specializes in crocheted, knitted, and quilted items made with love and by hand. They handcraft baby and children’s clothing, selling hats, sweaters, booties, neck warmers, and more.

Pocketful of Parties: Want to hold a party but don’t have the time to decorate and plan activities? Have Pocketful of Parties add some pop to your child’s party. They provide loot bags, craft kits, children’s gift baskets, and many other party necessities.

Kathleen’s Kreations: Looking to fill a stocking for a little one? Kathleen offers chewable baby and children’s accessories. Her teething necklaces are made of 100% food grade silicone and are 100% BPA free. She also offers custom orders if you have specific colours or styles in mind.

The Bundle Box: Are you finding it too hard to choose the right gift? Bundle Box is a new business that will do the work for you. They offer pre-made bundles that include hand-picked, practical, and trendy gifts for a variety of occasions. Currently, they are specializing in themed baby bundles such as “Christmas”, “Newborn”, and “Bath” bundles.

If you’re more of a hands-on shopper, take a stroll down the main streets of Ottawa’s neighbourhoods- Westboro, Hintonburg, the Glebe, etc. have many great local shops. You can also take advantage of the local festivals that take place around Christmas time. “Showstoppers” is an example of a local winter shopping extravaganza that is taking place in Westboro at the Q West Sales Centre on November 25 & 26th from 10am-6pm, where entrance is $2 and proceeds go to the Westboro Region Food Bank.

Although this list might seem comprehensive, it is actually a very short list in terms of the local businesses that serve the Ottawa region! I hope I have sparked your interest in buying local this Christmas. Follow the links to the webpages of the businesses listed, take a stroll through the streets of Ottawa, or begin your own search for local gifts online; I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what you find!