Shopping local is a great way to support your community, plus you know exactly where your products are coming from. It also means shopping thoughtfully, making your gifts that much more meaningful.
There are plenty of small shops across Canada filled with goodies that everyone on your Christmas list can appreciate.
This year, there's no doubt that the holidays will be filled with contactless payments. Interac® Debit and Interac e-Transfer® give you the worry-free option to buy whatever you want, whenever you want.
Interac®has always been an ally of small- and medium-sized businesses, offering low fees to help shops save money.
But this year, local shops are also getting help from apps like Instagram. Here's a list of 12 Canadian shops that are selling their stuff on Instagram right now.
1. Story Wild Studios
Why You Need To Check It Out: This little shop based in Edmonton, Alberta, believes that every life has a story waiting to be shared.
Owner, Jacinda Cote, aims to create custom products that mean more to people than mass-produced ones.
You can find mugs, wine glasses, water bottles, totes, and pins filled with funny quotes and phrases that suit you and your people.
If you're looking for a gift that's unlike any other, you can find it here.
2. Ocean Peak Designs
Why You Need To Check It Out: This shop based in Revelstoke, B.C., is filled with handmade yarn pieces.
Founder Jasmine hopes to spark feelings of warmth and happiness with her creativity, imagination, and of course, some colourful yarn.
She creates unique, wearable items like the Jessie Beanie and Fresh Tracks Mittens.
Her handmade items are made of sustainable, ethical, and natural materials, and are delivered in plastic-free packaging.
3. Elizabeth Lyn Jewelry
Why You Need To Check It Out: This female-founded Saskatoon business is run by self-taught jewelry designer Megan Elizabeth.
She uses delicate gold-filled and gold-plated chains, pendants, and findings, as well as semi-precious, ethically sourced stones and crystals.
Elizabeth Lyn Jewelry is created with meaning and intention for everyday wear that'll make you happy.
If you're looking for a personalized gift, their Zodiac Necklace is something to consider.
4. Lower Shannon Farms
Why You Need To Check It Out: Located in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, this fifth-generation family farm prides itself on being a no-waste farm!
If you're looking for a useful gift set to give this season, Lower Shannon Farms has the perfect selection to choose from.
They have great options like The Holiday Breakfast Box, filled with jars of honey and Christmas jams, or the O'Christmas Tea Gift Set.
5. Sweetness
Why You Need To Check It Out: It just doesn't feel like Christmas until you're surrounded by baked goods.
From Edmonton, Alberta, Sweetness is an online bakery that created Colouring Cookies (yes, you can colour them with edible ink before devouring them).
Why settle for a regular gingerbread house when you can colour and eat this Sugar Cookie House?
Shop their Holiday Collection to get into the sweet Christmas spirit. Freeze these goodies and take them out closer to the holiday season and they'll taste just as fresh as the day they were made.
6. Peppermint + Pine
Why You Need To Check It Out: From Calgary, Alberta, Peppermint + Pine sells handcrafted, gemstone mala bracelets that are inspired by nature.
The limited-edition Gratitude Stack is a great (and stunning) reminder of everything we have to be thankful for right now.
Each gemstone is carefully sourced and selected, plus gets delivered in beautiful packaging.
By partnering with One Tree Planted, they aim to help give back to the Earth with every purchase made.
7. Mugging Whales Coffee
Why You Need To Check It Out: Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Mugging Whales Coffee lets your tastebuds travel the world through delicious java.
Their fresh-roasted, single-origin coffees are as unique as the countries they come from, aka the major coffee-growing regions of the world.
With flavours of honey, butter, and roasted nuts, this Colombia Dark Roast is from the Coffee for Peace initiative, which helps farmers escape past violence through the production of specialty coffee in Colombia.
Bonus: If you return nine of their empty bags, you get a new one for free.
8. Deep Roots Candles
Why You Need To Check It Out: These high-quality, natural soy candles are proudly hand-poured in small batches in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
There are a variety of holiday scents available that'll bring you back to memories of Christmas past.
Their 8oz Mason Jar is available in many different scents, like Banana Nut Bread or Roasted Chestnuts and Brown Sugar, with a number of cute quotes that are guaranteed to make spirits bright.
9. iNO Activewear
Why You Need To Check It Out: Based in Waterloo, Ontario, this activewear brand is different from most.
Their goal is to simultaneously create high-quality pieces while fighting the stigma around mental illness.
Their message is that physical activity is an important part of strengthening mental health, donating $5 of every purchase to Fitness for Mental Health.
10. Treasured Toronto
Why You Need To Check It Out: As its name suggests, this sustainable furniture store is located in Toronto, Ontario.
They have a passion for beautifying spaces through sustainable products and practices. They highlight vintage pieces of furniture that you can purchase through their Instagram.
After furnishing your home with their pieces, you'll have the coolest home on the block.
11. The Bread Box
Why You Need To Check It Out: These freshly baked artisanal bread buns and focaccia are handmade with natural ingredients by Valeria Panzera, located in Terrebonne, Quebec.
Whether you're looking for something delicious to eat for yourself or to gift to others, The Bread Box has the perfect options to choose from.
How about buns for breakfast and focaccia for the fam?
12. Lunar Loungewear
Why You Need To Check It Out: Located in Montreal, Quebec, this luxe loungewear company is fit for sweet dreams.
Anyone can appreciate a pair of luxurious pyjamas on Christmas morning, especially satiny smooth ones.
If you want to take it a step further, Lunar Loungewear offers product personalization. You can have someone's initials embroidered onto their PJs for an added special touch!
It's nice to take a break from big brands every now and then.
Something about focusing on handmade or carefully crafted local products feels like the essence of Christmas, especially this year.
It's important to consider where you spend your hard-earned money, and to feel good about it too!
