Vancouver may not be the most obvious choice when considering worldwide festive destinations. However, when it comes to channeling and emulating the West Coast lifestyle, the holiday season has a way of taking the chill, laid-back vibe and inviting hospitality the city is known for year-round and upping it to a whole new level.
So, why not give your loved ones a gift embodying all the best coast's top qualities?
Luckily, these local businesses have got you covered with items that are as thoughtful, sentimental, and practical as they are Very Vancouver.
1. VeloLifestyle
Bring an active element to the holiday season and put the festive pedal to the medal with help from VeloLifestyle. Apart from being a convenient method to get around – in arguably one of the most bike-friendly cities in North America – transportation is just the tip of the gift-giving iceberg.
VeloLifestyle offers a wide range of bicycles to suit every preference, from every day to leisure riding, specializing in European brands while maintaining values that place quality over price point.
Bestowing the gift of a bicycle expands far beyond getting from A to B. It opens a realm of new possibilities, unknown horizons and unbridled adventures you can share with those you care for most. The Danish-inspired boutique offers a wide range of options, including family cargo bikes, which enable families to enjoy quality outside and active time together, with a selection you won’t find anywhere else in Vancouver.
Even better, 95% of the shop’s brands possess internal gears, which provide a smoother riding experience without fear of the chain falling off or getting stuck. VeloLifestyle is also one of the few stores to offer bikes with Carbon Belt Drive systems instead of traditional chains, providing a low maintenance threshold that requires fewer repairs in the long run, allowing the good times to keep rolling all year round!
Shop VeloLifestyle bikes for the adventurous traveler in your life at velolifestyle.com, or visit their Vancouver store at 1350 Nanaimo St, Vancouver, B.C.
2. Petrichor Wines
This season, give yourself and your loved ones some sensationally scentful wines from Petrichor Wines. Widely known for its bold and enticing scents, these vivacious vinos from the Okanagan Valley are as pungent as they are pleasing to the palate. Petrichor by definition, means the pleasant, earthy smell after rain. According to Petrichor, the wine is “a tribute to this scent. Open a bottle, breathe in the evocative smell, and let it remind you of our lake country.”
For those who appreciate a whimsical white, the 2020 Sauvignon Blanc presents a lively character that will delight and ignite your senses, beginning on the nose with lemon zest and honey, featuring lime and tropical fruit flavours and just a slight lingering of lemongrass before its crisp finish. It’s as everlasting and enduring as the local rains we know so well.
For red lovers, the 2019 Cabernet Merlot will enchant and envelop your taste buds with a winning combination of bodacious black fruits from the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes beautifully balanced with magnificent hints of red fruits from the Merlot, offering a timeless taste whose appeal will last well after the holidays have come and gone.
Discover Petrichor wines at a nearby BC Liquor store or online at www.bcliquorstores.com.
3. Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism Association
You don’t have to venture far to indulge in an epic winter getaway. Whether you’re looking to whisk away a partner, treat your family or spoil a friend, giving the gift of quality time and shared experiences creates long-lasting memories you can remember and cherish for years to come.
Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism Association offers all this and more this festive season, with three unforgettable holiday vacation/staycation packages at a selection of lovely seaside hotels.
For the ski savvy, there’s the Grouse Mountain 2-for-1 lift ticket package, complete with hotel booking and access to the Peak of Christmas event, which includes breathtaking light displays, an 8,000 sq. ft. Ice Skating Pond, and maybe even the chance to meet Santa himself and real reindeer.
If you or your loved one is a sucker for decadent decorations, the Capilano Suspension Bridge Canyon Lights 2-for-1 ticket package is the right choice. Experience the awe-inspiring light installations that authentically capture the true magic and wonder of the season.
Last but certainly not least, give the gift that keeps on giving with the Sip, Shop, and & Stay package, comprising a hotel stay, a $50 gift certificate to The Quay Market & Food Hall, and a $25 brewery gift card.
