Gifting Locally

Over the weekend, our inboxes began to bloat with pre-Black Friday e-mail blasts. It's hard to ignore the siren song of those extremely, ridiculously tempting deals.

The thing is, when it comes to holiday gifting this year, I really want to shop more methodically and responsibly (and less like a trigger-happy maniac armed with a dozen discount codes). There is a small handful of specific, timeless items I'd like to buy (or restock) on the 27th -- I'm looking at you, UGG Adirondack boots and Glossier Moon Mask. Aside from those, I've challenged myself to support smaller businesses with the rest of my holiday shopping list.

Good news: If you're on the lookout for lovely local gifting in Montreal, the options are truly endless! Let me help get the ball rolling with a few of my favorites :)

  

The soy candles from Lycka Atelier are incredible. I recently bought two: blueberry muffin and pineapple-coconut. Both smell good enough to eat!

Raplapla is the sweetest Plateau toy shop for all the hipster babies in your life.

Goye makes such dainty, delicate ceramics and jewelry. I'm lusting after, well, EVERYTHING in the shop, but the floral bowls and planters (omg those scallop edges!) really have my attention.

On that note... Why not book someone a pottery class at Les Faiseurs?

   

For plants, dried flowers, cute pots, gorgeous fresh arrangements: Jardin de Mathilde (15% off your first order if you sign up for their newsletter) and Vertuose are my MVPs.

Drawn & Quarterly will satisfy all your literary needs. Don't skip their kid-friendly satellite shop, either.

While we're on the topic of books, Westmount's Appetite for Books offers cooking lessons -- often in coordination with a newly released cookbook. (Class sizes are obviously scaled back at the moment.)

  

Les Barbos and Lili Graffiti create the most beautiful prints and paper goods.

Boucle et Papier is my favorite stationary store in the city. (THERE, I said it!) They are a one-stop shop for checking off every possible gifting need on your list: greeting cards, gift wrap, paper products, party supplies, candles, calendars, and tons of tiny whatnots that make perfect stocking stuffers. 

Personally, I love Pitou Minou & Compagnons for all things pet-related -- ESPECIALLY their location on St. Laurent and Mont Royal. They aren't exactly a tiny company, but they are from Quebec and the staff is suuuper kind and knowledgable.

  

Swing by Amber and Smoke Vintage for one-of-a-kind trinkets and housewares. Ashley keeps her inventory stocked with treasure -- you have to move fast, though, because her stuff often gets snatched up quick.

Treat someone to a photo session with Sadie from l'orangerie photographie! She always brings out so much love, personality, and style in her work (but magically makes it seem effortless).

Book an online workout class at Studio Mile End (formerly Wanderlust Yoga). I've taken their Barre and Studio de Base -- they are loads of fun and super accessible for beginners!

  

Puzzles and board games are heroes of the pandemic. Randolph and Le Valet d'Coeur both have a seemingly endless selection of entertainment, as well as helpful staff.

For music fans and vinyl lovers: Aux 33 Tours, Sonorama, and Cheap Thrills. (Thanks for the tips, Josh.)

Boozy business: Veux-tu une bière?, Dépanneur Peluso, Ils En Fument Du Bon will satisfy any need for microbrew beer and/or intriguing organic wine.

Stocking someone's pantry Italian-style: Epicerie Conserva and Il Miglio are cherished all-stars in our house.

Consider a Th3rdwave coffee subscription for the caffeine addict in your life.

Not a groundbreaking idea, but an excellent one nonetheless: Gift cards to favorite restaurants, cafes, bars, etc. 

Donate to a meaningful local charity or grassroots organization in your loved one's name. Here are some ideas: Hoodstock, La Maison d'Haiti, Desta, Meals For Milton-Parc, The Open Door, Sun Youth, Chez Doris, Native Women's Shelter of Montreal.

*

There you have it! Even though this is hardly an extensive list of Montreal's local shopping landscape, I've hopefully given you enough juice to jump-start your Nice List :)

What are you planning to gift others over the holidays?

Image credit (top): Time Magazine
Images of merchandise come from their company's respective websites