your ottawa
gift guide
featuring my clients (mostly) and their amazing businesses
to wear
I've been wearing Birch Jewellery pieces for years now and they're still my go-to accessory!
Most pieces are nature-inspired, but this year they've also added this paper clip chain collection that I just can't get enough of *star eye emoji*
For your mother in law: Birthstone necklace
For your bestie: Gold Flake Ear Jackets
For your sister: a Layering set with spacer
It started with tees and now has something for everyone!
Designed by us and our kids our goal is to make non-cheesy graphic tees that you actually want to wear.
For the new baby: Personalized onesie
For the wild toddler: Chaos crewneck
For the slight bigger kids: the Letter tee
For the dads: Volume Bar tee
experience
Perfect for the person who thinks the love to DIY but has no idea what they're doing ;)
Wonderful local places like Beacon Hill Craft Club collaborate with other makers and artists to teach new skills and let you walk away with something you can brag about making yourself when the compliments start rolling in.
Like learning to sew scrunchies and headbands with Lydia from OMASH!
TO eat & drink
I speak from experience when I say that when you buy from Artery you're supporting the BEST people who are also helping people living with disabilities find worthwhile employment.
And they roast really, really good coffee.
For the coffee geek: Funky Fruits
For the one who you don't know what they like: Taster pack
For your client: gift boxes & gift cards
I know you think you want to put "Christmas baking" on your to-do list this season, but just imagine giving yourself the gift of some not-jam-packed-moments instead. Highly recommend.
Three Tarts has the most delicious bakes from classic cookies to fancy-pants cakes and tarts. And what's even better? The humans behind the scenes making all these things are genuinely some of the best people. Win-win-win.
Some of my faves:
Small group workshops with Maria from The Cultural Kitchen are like no other! Give the gift of learning to cook amazing Mexican dishes from the best chef and an all around wonderful person.
And since there's group options you can probably invite yourself along too.. so it's a gift where everyone wins ;)
LOVE + CARE
Vie is the queen of self-care and her team is just the best! They're so knowledgable about your skin and the services that they offer.
Here are my fave gift ideas!
For your kid's teachers: Bathorium bath soak trio (pro tip: buy a few packs and split them up between all the teachers + staff!)
For the baby's stocking: Little Charlie Bubble Bath
For the one with the sun vacation booked: Coola Sun Silk Drops
For the one who works from home: Husht & Harlow candle
For the one who has never had a facial before: Spa Facials
I've been working with Michele for almost a year now and I can honestly say my life, outlook and yes event style has been drastically changed for the better because of her.
She has an amazing mentorship program (Mastering Image Confidence), but her book is the perfect gift for yourself and the woman that you know who wants to be "unapologetically true to who they are and what they want"
*photos of this one are not by me
If you're feeling overwhelmed with juggling work, parenthood and life's competing demands then putting "Coaching with Dr.Valerie" on your own wishlist might be one of the best things you do this year.
She is so caring and knowledgable. She coaches from her own experiences and background and on top of all that is somebody who makes it easy to share with and learn from.
Take yourself off "surviving" and autopilot and make 2023 the best year yet for your health and wellness.
FOR THE ENTREPRENEUR
I'm just going to go ahead and speak for a lot of us here, but people who decide to start their own business from a seed of an idea and a lot of enthusiasm have at least a little bit of weirdo in them.
And this is the perfect tee for them!
Made locally by Volume Two Clothing (also happens to be Matt's second biz. Even though he is firm in his belief that I am much more of a weirdo than he is..)
Paper Folk in Almonte (and online!) is filled to the brim with the most fun stationary and things that are perfect for the work from home / entrepreneur in your life!
A few of my faves:
aesthetically pleasing Perpetual Wall Calendar
this happy rainbow mug
the Foot Kushie for the one who's always cold
this gold BOSS pin
branding photo shoot
With me! I hope that was obvious 😂
Put this on your wishlist or gift it to your biz bestie! Just send me an email and I'll send you all the info you need + a gift card you can print off and put under the tree.
HOME + AWAY
The ultimate gift for a family or couple! Nothing will beat this, I promise.
Cozy forest cabins, wood fired hot tub and freshly prepared, seasonal and locally inspired meals delivered directly to your cabins.
Located in Val-des-Monts not far from Ottawa.
I don't know about you, but I love starting the new year with a fresh, clean house and everything in it's place.
But that can be super overwhelming especially after all the new things that the holidays brought.
Laura and her team at The Organized help organize homes (among other things including coaching!).
Ask for this for yourself or gift it to the person who you know would love an organized home in 2023.
shop LOCAL
makers + ARTISTS
I've given these S&J hand embroidered maps to a few people now because they're just so perfect!
They're such a meaningful gift to keep people connected to *their* place. My personal favorite is the connecting hearts map that joins 2-3 places together.
Emilie is a muralist, painter and illustrator who loves color and botanicals!
She has original paintings, prints, cards, stickers and holiday ornaments in her online shop plus she also offer murals by commission!
How cool would that be to get a mural in your home or gift one to your sister who's having a baby and wants the perfect nursery?
Kristin's art is super fun and clever. In a l ot of her art she takes people you know and puts her twist on them - like Darth Vadar playing a violin or The Mother of.. Dachshunds
She also has pine stamped ornaments this time of year and all year: postcards, greeting cards, sticker + magnets, notebooks and sketchbooks! Perfect stocking stuffers :)
