The ultimate Calgary business gift guide 2021

Author: Esther Gutman

Date Posted: Wednesday, December 1, 2021

We all know the feeling – November comes and goes, and we’re counting down the days until the holidays. As we’re sipping on our favourite holiday drink taking in all the sparkly lights, and basking in the gorgeous autumn hues of fallen leaves, there’s one pressing thought on our minds: it’s gift giving season.

Suddenly, December has arrived, and we’re left scrambling to find gifts for everyone on our list. Let’s be honest, we all have someone on our gift list who’s impossible to shop for.

To ease your mind as you shop, we have put together a list of carefully curated gift ideas from our favourite local stores, brands and creators around Calgary, including businesses that are Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) graduates and Team Calgary partners. Whether you’re fresh out of ideas or searching for that perfect present, here are 30 potential gifts from local businesses guaranteed to make everyone on your list smile.

 

For the foodies

• Build your own box from The Chocolate Lab, TAP Graduate: $11 to $59. The Chocolate Lab creates hand-crafted chocolate and customized chocolate boxes, tablets, and other goodies.
• Crave Cupcakes bake at home bundle from Crave Cupcakes: $68. The founders of Crave Cupcakes opened their first bakery in Kensington in 2004 using their grandmother’s and mom’s family recipes. Today, they have expanded to six bakeries and a staff of over 100 people.
• Spice sets from The Silk Road: $44.99 to $101.99. The Silk Road is a family business located in Calgary’s Inglewood neighborhood that aims to be your local go-to shop for spices, herbs, chiles and seasonings from around the world.
• Alberta blueberry & lime margarita cocktail kit found at Willow Park: $112.99. Willow Park is known as Canada’s authority on all things wine, beer and spirits related.
• Gift baskets from Bridgeland Market: $74.99 to $149.99. Bridgeland Market is a neighbourhood grocery store that offers in-house baked goods, an espresso bar, a deli, seasonal ice cream, produce, prepared meals and floral services.
• Boutique-y Scotch Whiskey Tasking Set from Kensington Wine Market: $51.99. The Kensington Wine Market offers a wide selection of beer, wine, and spirits, plus regular tasting sessions.

For those in need of a little self-care

• Touch of love bundle from Ellie Bianca Beauty, TAP Graduate: $145.99. Ellie Bianca Beauty is a non-GMO, cruelty-free and sustainably sourced skincare brand and supports the empowerment of women.
• Dirty hipster BASIC No. 4 Dream Cream from Routine, TAP Graduate: $32. Two sisters are revolutionizing our routines with Routine Cream, creating beautifully blended products for bodies, faces, hair and homes.
• Holly candle from Milk Jar Candle Company, TAP Graduate: $27. Milk Jar is a household name in Calgary that’s been regarded for their yearly donations to non-profit programs that support disabled people in Alberta and for being a role model for inclusive employment.
• Bungalow frosted candle from Land of Daughters: $44. Metis and female founded, Land of Daughters focuses on creating unique scents for their candles, aroma sprays and solid perfumes. 

For the self-proclaimed interior designers and homebodies

• Happy holidays coffee plant from Plantsie (co-owned by V Strategies, a Team Calgary partner): $39.95. Plantsie is a local plant shop in Calgary that delivers indoor houseplants as thoughtful, personalized gifts.
• Queen B-Bey celebrity print from Taytayski Art: $35+. TayTayski Art is a Calgary-based visual artist. She specializes in painting by commission, but also creates stickers and magnets. Her work can be found on Etsy or at Chroma Club.
• Knifewear knife sharpening starter kit from Knifewear: $92. Knifewear carries exclusive, scary shape, and high-performance Japanese knives, as well as sharpening stones, and chef’s tools.
• Orbit soak up round coaster Set of 4 from The Cardroom at Kricket’s: $18.95. Located right in the heart of Marda Loop since 1998, The Cardroom at Kricket’s is a gift shop selling cards, accessories, home goods, body care products, baby and child care products, and more!
• Ceramics from From Tree to Sea: $40 -$125. From Tea to Sea ceramics are made in small batches using a variety of stoneware and porcelain clay bodies. There may be no stock available online, but you may grab some in-person. Catch From Tree to Sea at pop-ups at Chroma Club from December 4 – 5 and The Livery Shop from December 18 – 19.
• Antiques and collectibles from Jayson's Corner: $1 to $500+. Since 1996, Jayson’s Corner on International Ave sells used furniture, antiques and collectables.
• Lifestyle goods from local brands and artists at Luke’s Drug Market. Lukes Drug Mart is family-owned since 1951 and Calgary’s oldest independently pharmacy in Bridgeland.

For those who love their bling

• Peacock feather earrings from Moonstone Creation Native Gallery: $45. Moonstone Creation is an Indigenous-owned and family-run business that creates traditional art in-store and represents over 60 Indigenous makers and artisans from across Turtle Island.
• Astrid hoops from COUTUKITSCH: $30. COUTUKITSCH began as a passion project in late 2010 and opened a storefront in Inglewood in November 2014. The brand/company produces jewelry for the modern person.
• Find your way necklace from Cinder & Sage: $45. Since starting in Fall 2009, Cinder & Sage designs jewelry and accessories and is a boutique that sells cards, home goods and gifts from other brands.

For the DIY lovers & experience seekers

• Fox in phlox - DIY embroidery kit from Steeling Home: $38. Steeling Home is a modern general store selling unique, vintage and one-of-a kind pieces.
• LEGO minifigure puzzle found at Pages: $26.95. Pages is one of Calgary’s oldest independent bookstores located in Kensington.
• Build your own DIY terrarium from Plant: $40 per person + Cost of plants. Plant offers a unique, well-curated selection of indoor and outdoor plants, hand crafted home goods and living art.
• Macron 101 baking class at Ollia: $115 per person. Ollia is a Calgary-based French patisserie offering macarons, organic loose-leaf teas, and baking classes.
• First steps aromatherapy from the Apothecary in Inglewood: $145. The Apothecary in Inglewood is the destination for pure, therapeutic essential oils, wellness and natural body care.

For those who want to be cozy

• The giving toque from Local Laundry, TAP Graduate: $45. Local Laundry produces only Canadian-made clothing and builds community from the garments they sell to the charities they benefit.
• Golden sun t-shirt from Camp Brand Goods found in The Livery Shop: $55. The Livery Shop is the brick-and-mortar space for local brands Camp Brand Goods and COUTUKITSCH, and sells other unique, local and ethically made products.
• Genuine moccasins, mukluks, outerwear, crafts, and more from Bragg Creek Trading Post. Visiting the Bragg Creek Trading Post is a unique shopping experience specializing in genuine native crafts, moccasins, mukluks and real Cowichan knitwear.
• Men's ugly Christmas melting snowman socks from Friday Sock Co.: $16. Friday Sock Co. launched in January 2015 with the desire to create uniquely different socks designs that didn’t exist in the marketspace. Each pair of their purposely mismatched socks are designed in Canada, and ethically made in Italy.
• Cat full crew socks from Plainsbreaker Apparel: $14. Plainsbreaker Apparel is the only cotton fashion sock manufacturer in Canada. You can always count on your socks to contain 100 per cent organic cotton.

Looking for a great holiday card to pair with your gift? Many of these local businesses also carry an impressive selection of holiday cards that you can include with your gifts.

 

Christmas Markets around Calgary

If you need more gift giving inspiration and festive cheer, check out these holiday markets happening all around Calgary that are selling hand-crafted, locally made products and internationally sourced goods:

• International Christmas Market: December 3 – 5
• Inglewood Holiday Market: Until December 3
• Weihnachtsmarkt Christmas Market: December 4
• Artisan Collective Holiday Markets: Until December 5
• Calgary Christmas Market: Until December 23
• Saskatoon Farm Christmas Market: December 3, 4, 5 and December 10, 11, 12
• Market Collective Holiday Markets: December 10  – 12 and 17  – 19
• Christmas at the Nation: December 11 – 12
• Local Goods - Small Business & Artisan Market: December 11
• Little Modern Market December Edition: December 11 & 18
• A Christmas to Remember: Saturdays and Sundays until December 19

 

Calgarians are known for their collaborative, community-minded attitude. We’re ready to lend a helping hand to our neighbours in their time of need. Local businesses rely on our community support, and in the last two years have needed it more than ever.

This holiday season, consider shopping at a local business. Besides the undeniably warm feeling we receive when we support our local economy and real business owners, we’re gifting a special, thoughtful, and personalized experience.  

Happy shopping!