It’s the time of the year for gift giving! But as fun as it is to shop for the perfect presents for our family and friends, holiday expenses are not always so kind to our budgets.
From unforgettable experiences to items that will brighten and delight the home, here’s our guide to some of the top local and Canadian brands that are offering amazing gifts that are affordable at under $50.
THE NOOKS
Gifts for the Coffee Lover. Photo: The Nooks.
This pop-up in Gastown is giving BC Makers a new home and Vancouverites a new way to support local.
Canadian artisan community The Nooks is providing a retail space for over 60 B.C. makers and artisans from now until December 31. Much like the holiday craft markets we know and love, you can find a variety of unique handmade goods in store, including clothing, jewelry, bath and body products, candles, home decor, and food.
They’ve also put together themed gift baskets featuring products under $50 for easy, curated gifts — such as the “Gifts for the Coffee Lover” basket, which includes a mug by Made By Madelaine, a Dulcey Latte chocolate bar from Melt Confectionery, and a Columbian Espresso Candle from Kohu Creek.
In addition to their retail pop-up space — located at 38 Water St. in Gastown — The Nooks has an online marketplace with even more crafted items to shop for. You can even filter merchandise by Under $50, Eco Friendly, and BIPOC Owned Businesses to customize your gift shopping even more.
Better yet, you can feel good about shopping at The Nooks, as 100% of every sale goes directly to the maker.
For more info, visit thenooks.ca.
FLYOVER CANADA
Photo: FlyOver Canada by Pursuit.
The holiday season in Vancouver might look a little different this year, but a visit to FlyOver Canada should still be at the top of everyone’s wish list — especially for those who are longing to hop on a flight and travel.
Experience the magic of Christmastime as you Fly Like Santa across Canada and up to the North Pole.
Utilizing state-of-the-art technology to give you the feeling of flight, this soaring ride will have you hanging suspended, feet dangling, before a 20-metre spherical screen with mind-blowing scenery that will whisk you away on an exhilarating 8-minute journey across the nation from east to west. Added special effects — including wind, mist, and scents — are combined with the ride’s motion to create an unforgettable experience.
For more info, visit flyovercanada.com and follow them on Instagram.
GARMAZ PIEROGIES
Photo: Garmaz Pierogies.
Garmaz Pierogies is serving up a brand new Cheesy Jalapeño pierogi to spice up your holiday feast!
Inside their latest offering is an exciting combo of jalapeño, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and dry cottage cheese. This tantalizing mix of flavours POP in your mouth without being too spicy to handle.
This family-run local business specializes in delicious handmade Polish-style pierogies that range from classic favourites such as Pork and Sauerkraut to inventive concoctions like their popular Fauxtato & Fauxmage pierogies designed for vegans. With such a variety of flavours on their menu, you’re bound to find a pierogi that’ll suit the impeccable taste buds of your foodie friends.
With between 15-35 pierogies packaged in a bag for $20, they’re a great deal AND easy to prepare with simple-to-follow cooking instructions available right on their website.
Garmaz offers free delivery across the Metro Vancouver region — including Burnaby, North Vancouver, and Richmond. They also offer pickup at their location on 2655 Cranberry Drive.
To order pierogies this holiday, visit garmazpierogies.com.
HUNTER BROWNS
Photo: Arosahliny Photography and Dana Lu for Hunter Browns.
Created out of love and passion, Vancouver-based Hunter Browns is on a mission to bring brown butter into every home.
Hunter Browns' award-winning, innovative pre-made Brown Butter Cubes make it easy for anyone to elevate their dishes from ordinary to gourmet in no time. With its caramel aroma and toasted nutty flavour, the “truffle oil of butter” is made of pure butter that’s been caramelized and browned to perfection.
Each Hunter Browns’ Brown Butter Cube is equal to one tablespoon, making it a super easy ingredient to use in cooking and baking. To that end, brown butter has multiple uses in the kitchen, from acting as a butter and oil substitute to being used as a rich spread.
Brown butter elevates both sweet and savoury recipes — from pastries to pasta and more. So treat the at-home bakers and chefs on your gift list with this irresistible and delicious ingredient that will become the next quintessential staple in their recipes!
Hunter Browns is available at retailers throughout the Lower Mainland, for local delivery through Legends Haul, and for nationwide delivery on wellseasoned.ca.
For more info, visit hunterbrowns.com and follow them on Instagram.
OVRY
Photo: OVRY.
Good things come in small packages—and Ovry’s Combo Boxes are proof of that.
The Canadian company offers tiny discreet pregnancy and ovulation test strips that are more affordable than store-bought tests, and just as accurate. Ovry acknowledges that not everyone is hoping for a positive test, so they don’t only put their focus toward those who are trying to conceive.
Their products are sold exclusively online, so you don’t have to browse the aisles at your local drugstore or worry about awkward moments at the checkout counter. Shipping is super fast and is always sent in stealthy packaging. As a bonus for the environment, almost all of their packaging is fully recyclable and their tests use 99% less single-use plastic than any store-bought version.
For the holidays, you can wrap one of these tests up as a cheeky gift for a friend (you never know when they can come in handy). You can feel good about your purchase too, as Ovry donates a part of their proceeds to charities that support women and help fight climate change.
For more info, visit myovry.ca.
MEZZACORONA PINOT GRIGIO
Photo: International Cellars.
With over a century of winemaking experience, Mezzacorona is one of Italy’s most dynamic wineries.
Featured this year in Wine Enthusiast’s ‘Top 100 Best Buys’ wine list, Mezzacorona provides a fantastic example of Pinot Grigio from Northern Italy’s Trentino region.
This light and lively wine exhibits mineral aromas, floral undertones, and bright fruit character. Crisp green apple, citrus and honeysuckle notes lead to a tangy and refreshing finish.
Good to note, Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio is also extremely complementary to all types of cuisine — from roast duck with crispy potatoes to cheese and charcuterie boards, this is the perfect pairing for holiday feasts.
The award-winning wine is the perfect holiday gift — or why not gift yourself a bottle for those cozy winter nights by the fire?
Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio is a great valued wine priced at only $17.99; available to buy at BC Liquor stores with $2 off throughout December.
Visit bcliquorstores.com for store availability and to learn more.
