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Unwrap Alberta: Your Ultimate Homegrown Holiday Gift Guide To Help You Shop Local
Posted on December 5, 2024 by Britanny Burr
Let’s dive into some of the best Alberta-made gifts to help you shop local and come up with awesome gifts for everyone on your list.
‘Tis the season to stress about gifts until the very last minute and then spend far too much on something you’re not even sure they’ll like. Isn’t it magical? Well, just your luck. We’ve got a solution for you. To help you support local and discover unique and cool gifts for even the toughest of relatives to buy gifts for, we’ve rounded up a list of Alberta-made gift ideas that will solve all of your holiday woes in one go.
What makes Alberta-made gifts so special? It’s the perfect blend of hospitality, mountain magic, and entrepreneurial grit that infuses every locally crafted item. When you choose local, you’re not just giving a gift. You’re sharing a piece of Alberta’s story and supporting the dreamers, the doers, and award-winning business owners who make our province exceptional. So, get out your shopping lists and credit cards. It’s time to explore some locally-made goods to stuff the stockings with this year.
Indigenous Treasures
Indigenous Tourism Alberta leads the way with stunning Indigenous-designed creations and accessories, including jewellery, apparel, and art pieces that tell stories of heritage and tradition. Each business creates beautiful pieces celebrating culture and connecting the past with the present, making for deeply meaningful gifts. Supporting Indigenous artists is essential if you’re looking for beautiful, high-quality, intentionally crafted and stunning goods. Whether you find an incredible artist via Indigenous Tourism Alberta or support someone you come across in your area, you can’t go wrong.
Outdoor Adventure
Camp Brand Goods captures Alberta’s adventurous spirit with locally designed outdoor apparel and accessories. Known for its stylish hoodies, tees, and cozy toques, Camp Brand’s laid-back vibe makes it a favourite for those who love the mountains, the campfire, and road trips.
Another hard-hitting outdoor brand is Lace Brick Design, which offers stylish lifestyle accessories, home goods, and apparel for adventure-minded women. From jewellery to mugs, there’s something here for your best friend, sister, mom, or coworker who embodies that fearless Alberta spirit.
For Comfort Seekers
Light up their lives with Milk Jar’s hand-poured candles, crafted in small batches with natural soy wax and incredible scent combinations that capture Alberta’s essence. These candles smell wonderful, and Milk Jar donates a portion of every sale to organizations that support individuals with disabilities. Choose from cozy seasonal scents to brighten any home. Another excellent gift idea is the gift of a candle-making workshop at Milk Jar. They’re a ton of fun and something you can do together. Who doesn’t love an activity-based gift?
For tea lovers, Jolene’s Tea House, located in Banff, offers hand-blended organic teas with the essence of the Rockies that warm both the body and soul. They’re perfect for those dark winter mornings or cozy evenings. We’d be positively shocked if you don’t have at least one tea lover on your list.
Natural Beauty
Alberta’s natural beauty extends to our body care products. Rocky Mountain Soap Co., Wild Prairie Soap, and Routine Natural Beauty are local, eco-conscious faves that create everything from handcrafted soaps to natural deodorants and chemical-free skincare that’s as pure as our mountain air. Perfect for the health-conscious friend who appreciates fun, sustainable, and clean products.
Wellness Wonders
Treat someone special to a luxurious spa day. The Cave Sauna Spa offers steam rooms, cold plunges, and infrared saunas, perfect for recharging after the holiday rush. The Cave is where a traditional spa meets modern wellness in a charming Albertan setting.
Spice Things Up
Add some heat to the holidays with the Hungry Volcano’s locally crafted hot sauces. These small-batch fiery flavours pack a punch and make the perfect stocking stuffer for the one who loves a good kick with every meal.
Entertainer Extraordinaire
From mustards to pickled treats and pepper jellies, Zinter Brown has been creating a collection of gourmet food for over 35 years. The epicure of condiments elevates any charcuterie board or appetizer spread. Ideal for the foodie friend or anyone who loves to host.
For the Chef
Prairie Cookbook and Rocky Mountain Cooking inspire culinary creativity with locally themed cookbooks. Prairie focuses on seasonal, farm-to-table recipes, while Rocky Mountain Cooking offers meals inspired by outdoor adventures.
For the BBQ Master
BBQ Beautiful offers everything the grill master in your life needs for year-round grilling at its finest. Get ready to wow your griller with sauces, rubs, and tools designed for the perfect barbeque experience. This Alberta-based biz knows how to bring the heat (and flavour) to your favourite dishes.
Liquid Gold
Mob Honey and Peace River Honey are buzzing with delicious, pure, raw honey that captures the essence of Alberta’s wildflowers and busy bees. They are ideal for tea lovers, bakers, or anyone who enjoys a spoonful of sweet wellness.
Sweet Delights
Satisfy any sweet tooth with creative treats from Cococo Chocolatier, The Chocolate Lab, and Wow Factor Desserts. These local chocolatiers and bakers create decadent masterpieces that are almost too beautiful to eat. Almost. Perfect for dessert lovers or anyone hosting holiday gatherings.
Coffee Culture
Monogram Coffee represents Alberta’s thriving java scene and is beloved across the province for its expertly roasted beans and brilliant brewing accessories. Pair it with a cute mug for a complete gift any coffee lover will appreciate.
Raise a Glass
Alberta’s craft beer and spirits scene thrives with plenty of locally brewed beers, small-batch gin, whisky, and non-alcoholic libations. Grab a mix-pack or gift card from a local brewery or distillery for any beverage enthusiast on your list. You can’t go wrong.
Getting into the holiday spirit is easy when you shop locally, there’s literally something for everyone. It isn’t just about finding interesting gifts—it’s about celebrating the innovative spirit that lives and thrives right here in Alberta. Each Alberta-made product tells a story of creativity and passion, supports our community of makers and creators, and gives gifts with heart. Whether you’re shopping for the foodie, the adventurer, or the style-savvy pal on your list, Alberta’s local businesses have you covered.
Let’s skip the big box stores this holiday season and wrap our gifts in local love. After all, there’s nothing more festive than discovering the perfect present that was made right in your backyard. Happy shopping and Happy Holidays!
Britanny Burr is a freelance writer and a contributor to Great West Media. This story was written for the Great West Media & Southern Alberta Newspapers Cool Winter Guide advertising feature. The Cool Winter Guide is a special feature about winter activities, bucket list adventures, winter attractions, events, and road trip-worthy food & beverage destinations across Alberta. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff.
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