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Unique Canadian Stocking Stuffers: for all budgets


Christmas is less than 2 weeks away - yikes.  If you're doing a mental tally of your gift giving and it has as much "wow" factor as fish-faced selfie, you need to consider stepping it up (big-time) in the stocking-stuffing department.  After all, for many, it's the opening of the stockings that brings the most excitement anyway!

You know I love supporting Canadian businesses and you know that I love great, unique finds that are not mass-market items.  Here I have curated a group of great stocking stuffer ideas that will wow and surprise even the most grizzled of family grinches.  In fact, I think most of these items would make great stand-alone gifts too!!!

BEST STOCKING STUFFERS 
(TO MAKE UP FOR LACK-LUSTRE GIFTS UNDER THE TREE)

 Click here to watch my segment on CTV's Canada AM!

Canadian Companies

Hillberg & Berk: From Regina, this handmade semi-precious jewellery company is owned and operated by women.  Fast becoming one of Canada's best-known designers, their collection is well-priced, high-quality and full of impact and sparkle.  Add a bracelet, earrings or pretty necklace to someone's stocking!!  Visit www.HillbergandBerk.com to shop or find a retailer.


Virgin Hill Coffee Roasters: Located in Knowlton, Quebec (Eastern Townships), Virgin Hill Coffee Roasters is a family-owned business supplying smooth, rich, incredible 100% Arabica coffee to gourmet shops, cafes, restaurants and businesses across Canada and the globe.  Instead of a huge multi-national that mass produces, if you love coffee, you've got to try their fresh, aromatic and unique small-batch blends (Knowlton Blend is my fave).  Prices are very reasonable (under $6 per 1/2 pound) and available in whole bean, freshly ground and K-cups too!!!  Toss some java in a coffee-lovers stocking this Xmas!  www.VirginHillCoffee.com


Squish Candies: Montreal-based Squish Candies knows that you don't have to be kid to love candy.  Their gourmet, artfully crafted, high-quality, all-natural gummies feature classic flavours and delicious grown-up ones such as, Mulled Wine, Strawberry Rhubarb and Cranberry Elderberry, as part of "Santa's Picks" collection.  Beautifully packaged and ready for gift-giving, these trendy treats are available at select retailers and online. Starting at $6, check them out at www.squishcandies.com


Mother Earth Essentials: Founded by Carrie Langevin who comes from a long line of Cree Medicine women, this Aboriginal skin-care, body-care, candle and tea line is loaded with traditional natural ingredients based on recipes from ancestors.  From the finest essential oils to berries, medicinal and ceremonial plants.  A perfect stocking stuffer for anyone who deserves to be pampered.  www.motherearthessentials.ca

Over The Rainbow: A denim and apparel destination since 1975 in Toronto's swank Yorkville neighbourhood, Over The Rainbow offers some pretty cool winter accessories from the Tuck Shop Trading Co. that any hip, on-trend guy would love.  Check out their lumberjack plaid toques emblazoned with "YYZ" or "TRUE NORTH" lettering ($40.00).  Visit www.rainbowjeans.com


Other ideas...

 Under Armour: One of the hottest brands in athletic apparel and equipment, Under Armour offers something for the whole family with lots of great smaller accessories that fit perfectly in a stocking.  From the Ozsee Sackpack (for trips to the gym), the Boy's 4-in-1 Graphic Beanie, Fleece Band for girls, even boxer shorts, your local Under Armour store carries a huge array of products for any activity and sport loving man, woman or child!

EQ3: If you want to surprise a home cook or foodie with something really special, EQ3 has a gorgeous copper-finish measuring cup set for $49.99.  Really, a gift in its own right, wrap it up and put it in a stocking...especially great if the recipient is hosting Xmas dinner!!  High-end, high-quality and high-impact!  www.EQ3.com

Essence Cosmetics: Affordable, fun and high-quality - three words Essence Cosmetics uses to describe itself.  Makeup is always a fun stocking stuffer and a visit to Shoppers Drug Mart or Pharmaprix is all it takes to load up on a great red lipstick or other beauty must-have.  My faves are their "How to make smokey eyes" kit and " How to make brows wow" kit.


Charlotte Tillbury: As a UK-based makeup artist working with some of the most iconic faces across the globe, Charlotte Tillbury is the must-have, must-wear name in beauty today!!  This is supported by my own pal and makeup artist Joy Tilberg who's eyes bulged out of her head when I mentioned Charlotte's name!  www.CharlotteTilbury.com for a retailer near you.

The Face Shop: Located in most major malls, The Face Shop is a made-in-Korea beauty shop that's part of the Fruits and Passion family.  They have some incredible kits that make perfect stocking stuffers.  Check out their Hand Care Set - complete with Hand Mask, Hand and Cuticle Duo and Nail Serum.  With the amount of dishes I do, this is truly a beauty essential!!!

Canadian One-stop Shops...

 Dollarama:  This is your go-to one-stop shop for all the fun stuff kids and adults adore in stockings.  From craft supplies to stationary supplies to hair and beauty supplies, around-the-house goodies and essentials, Dollarama has it all and is conveniently located in most towns across Canada!  With items priced between $1-3, this is major bang for the buck!!

Indigo/Chapters: If I could spend 2-hours anywhere, it would be here.  Really and truly, this great Canadian retailer has so much more than books.  I would love to personally thank their buying team for continually amazing me with exclusive high-quality accessories for the home that I cannot find anywhere else.  They also have dedicated stocking-stuffers for the whole family throughout.  Shopping online is a great way to find deals too!  www.Indigo.ca

Winners/Homesense/Marshalls: As I type this, I am preparing for one of my thrice-weekly visits to Winners or HomeSense.  It is physically impossible to enter a location and leave empty-handed.  Just check my credit-card statement for proof.  Designer-finds, discount prices and loads of smaller items that would add a lot of impact and excitement to any Xmas stocking.  You can even buy stockings while you're there!!!  So fun.  www.winners.ca

Catch my segment on great stocking stuffers and a complete lineup of items from above, Tuesday, December 15th at 8:40am on CTV's Canada AM!Click here to watch!

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