Canadian Holiday Gift Guide: 65 Local Makers We Love

PleaseNotes turns ten this year, and a big part of that decade has been markets, pop-ups and booth neighbours. Turns out, the best part of a market day is the people on either side of you. (The second best part is the snacks.)

So this year's gift guide is a love letter to them. Every maker below is a Canadian brand, and I've listed each hometown where I know it so you know exactly who you're supporting. I'm proud to say that 98% of these businesses are women owned, and the majority of them are owned by women of color. Many have exhibited at the One of a Kind Show, and you can meet a lot of makers like them in person at the Christmas Show, November 27 to December 6, 2026, at the Enercare Centre in Toronto.

You'll notice that most of these makers are from Southern Ontario. That's because I've had the chance to meet many of the founders, taste their products and experience their magic at events close to home, and at events I'm attending or working at. These are people I've gotten to know, so I can tell you how special they are.

All prices are in Canadian dollars. Let's shop.

Journals, planners and paper goods

PleaseNotes (Toronto)

Yes, I'm putting us first. It's my blog. The Guided Gratitude Journal for Stress Relief ($49.95) comes in a handful of covers and walks you through a gratitude practice that fits into minutes, not hours. Add a set of Affirmation Pens ($14.95 for three) and the gift is ready to use the moment it's unwrapped. Still deciding? A PleaseNotes gift card runs from $10 to $200. New to gratitude journaling? Start with our post on why practice gratitude.

Pearl Spark Pages (Toronto)

Pearl Spark Pages makes journals for ambitious women, and The Female Founders Journal ($40) is made for the woman building something of her own. It's a thoughtful gift for the friend who just launched her business, or the one who keeps saying she will. Tuck in a good pen and it's ready to use.

STIL (Vancouver)

This Vancouver company makes planners and binders with personality. The A5 Binder in Studded ($44) holds your planning pages in style, so it's a gift for the person who loves a paper planner. Add the Garter Lace Binder Elastic ($8) for a cute finishing touch.

Maylay Co. (Toronto)

Maylay Co. (Tiffany Wong Design) is all about gratitude, with cards, notebooks and stickers made for women and moms. The So Delicate Gratitude Cards ($10.50) come as a set of 2 with a gold foil "i am grateful" stamp. Keep one to give and one to pass on, so it's a lovely stocking stuffer.

Do Good Paper Co. (Toronto)

A last-minute gift that arrives in your inbox. The Visioning 2026 and Beyond Agenda and Digital Workbook ($25) helps someone plan their new year, and it's ready to print or use on a tablet. Pair it with an Everyday Sling Stationery Carrier ($60) to carry it all.

The Paperhood (Toronto)

Holiday cards that feel like home. The Box of 8 Toronto Roncesvalles Holiday Cards ($26) comes with envelopes and is blank inside for your own message, printed on 100% recycled paper and shipped plastic-free. There's a Harbourfront version too, so you can pick the neighbourhood closest to your heart.

Art for the walls

Light + Paper (Toronto)

Ali carves paper by hand into original papercutting artwork, then lasercuts every piece herself in her small Toronto studio. The Anatomical Brain Wooden Artwork (from $109) is the showstopper for the doctor, nurse or therapist on your list. Shopping on a smaller budget? Her holiday collection under $20 is full of stocking stuffers.

Miss Moss (Toronto)

Miss Moss turns moss into art for your walls. The Wind In My Hair print (from $45) is a soft green and pink piece that brings the outdoors in, and Beneath The Surface (from $52) is a moody purple option. Your plant-loving friend will notice it from across the room.

Sunset Patterns (Toronto)

Toronto artist Michelle Stewart turns bold, joyful patterns into tea towels, zippered pouches and pillowcases. A tea towel is the perfect hostess gift, a pouch is a great stocking stuffer, and a pillowcase brightens up a bedroom. You can meet Michelle at the One of a Kind Christmas Show.

Wanderlust Travel Maps (Calgary, Alberta)

Push pin maps that turn your travels into wall art. The 3D Cork Push Pin Map (from $314.99) is a showpiece for the traveller who always has another trip planned. Add the National Flag Push Pins expansion pack ($29.99) so they can mark every country they visit.

Erica Mills Art (Toronto)

Toronto artist Erica Mills paints bright, joyful originals. 'Fresh picked' (30 x 30 inches, acrylic on canvas, $2,200) is bursting with life and the possibilities of what is to come. It's a once-in-a-lifetime gift for someone who loves art, or a lovely treat for yourself. See more of her work.

Cool gadgets

Ace Smart Accessories (Toronto)

Ace Smart Accessories (formerly Sachi Co.) engraves its NFC products in a Toronto studio. The Black NFC Tag ($35) is a tap-to-share gift for the networker, the small business owner or anyone tired of paper business cards. It's a small gift that makes a big first impression.

dott (Toronto)

Dott is a Toronto health technology brand founded by Natalia Banton, and it's moving intimate wellness and midlife health out of the shadows. The dott Wand ($250) is a luxury external massager made for women in perimenopause, menopause and postpartum recovery. Dott says its targeted vibration helps boost blood flow, ease pelvic tension and calm the nervous system. It's made of body-safe silicone, with 8 intensity levels, 20 vibration patterns and a travel lock, and it's waterproof, USB-rechargeable and whisper quiet. For external use only. It's a thoughtful, empowering gift for the woman who has spent years taking care of everyone else.

SeatSquare (Toronto)

Made in Canada for every parent who has sat on a cold bleacher. The Provence Kushee ($79) is a portable padded seat cushion that makes rink and field days far more comfortable. The OG ($25) is a budget-friendly stocking stuffer for the whole sidelines crew.

Happy Natural Products (Toronto)

An at-home spa night in a box. The LED Face Mask ($295) is a light therapy mask with near-infrared options, four light modes and four timer settings, all in soft silicone. It's the splurge for the skincare lover who has everything, and a lovely way to turn a quiet evening into a ritual.

Candles and home fragrance

Brightfield (Toronto, The Beach)

Candles, reed diffusers and room sprays, all handcrafted in a studio in the Beach, with a donation to Second Harvest built into every candle sold. The Cabin Candle ($48) smells like cranberry, cedar and sandalwood, which is the holidays in a jar. It makes a lovely hostess gift.

Lohn (Greater Toronto)

Founded in 2018 by Katerina Juskey and Victoria Mierzwa, Lohn pours coconut and soy wax candles by hand in a studio just outside Toronto. The Congrats Candle ($50) pairs grapefruit and neroli with a matchbook tucked inside, so it's a ready-made gift for the friend who just got the promotion.

Market Candle Company (Newmarket)

Market Candle Company is female owned and hand-pours clean-burning soy candles for over 160 retail partners. The Homebody Diffuser Reeds ($36, 4 oz) are my favourite, and I've got mine going at home all the time. Teakwood, vanilla, musk and mahogany make every evening in feel cozy.

House of Higgins (Toronto)

Higgins Aromar makes fragrance with a gift-ready feel. Velisa comes in a 10 ml ($40), 30 ml ($80) or 100 ml ($150), so you can match the size to the budget. For a bolder pick, look at Zenith Gold Edition (from $115), made for the person who loves a signature scent.

Jewellery

Olaeda (Toronto)

Talia Massaroni designs women-owned, handmade jewellery in 14K gold-filled and solid gold, and she now has a flagship studio in downtown Toronto. Her 12 day Demi-Fine Jewelry Advent Calendar holds 12 pieces of gold-filled and sterling silver jewellery in a gift-ready keepsake box. For a smaller gift, the Evil Eye Gold Filled and Crystal Bracelet is $40.

Kind Karma (Toronto)

Founded in Toronto in 2017 by Laurinda Lee-Retter, Kind Karma is a social enterprise where at-risk and homeless youth handcraft the jewellery, earn wages and get coaching along the way. The Golden Heart Necklace ($120) is a locket necklace inspired by love in all its forms. Every purchase helps build someone's future. You can also read their story.

ROOZ Jewellery (Toronto)

For the big gift, ROOZ is a Toronto jeweller that works with rings and certified lab-grown diamonds. It's a great stop if a proposal or a milestone is on the calendar, and a lovely way to mark a moment that matters. See the collection and start dreaming.

Elais (Toronto)

Founded in Toronto, Elais is home to one of my signature pieces. The Eva Earrings ($65) are my favourite pair, and I wear them to every speaking event and workshop. They're even in my coloring book with me! These 18K gold-plated earrings are hypoallergenic, water-resistant and tarnish-resistant, with titanium posts, so they're ready for a long day on stage. Shopping for a smaller budget? The Frances Earrings ($50) and Grace Hoops ($47) are easy gifts too.

Laughing Sparrow (Alberta)

Handmade jewellery from Alberta with a little personality. The 2-Stone Earrings in Ruby ($98) are a classic pick, and ruby is the July birthstone. The Heart Ring ($68) is a sweet gift for someone special, so there's something for every kind of love on your list.

Coffee and tea

Samson's Daughter (Burlington)

This Burlington coffee roaster makes stocking stuffers easy. The Boulangerie and Sunny's House mini bags are $7 each (70 g), so you can build a tasting flight for the coffee lover in your life. For a cozy add-on, the Breakfast Sweatshirt ($70) features art by Toronto illustrator Yen Gabor.

Saltwinds Coffee (New Brunswick)

Roasted in Atlantic Canada, Saltwinds makes a flavoured coffee for every mood. Pumpkin Spice ($22 for 340 g) is made with 100% Arabica beans and warm autumn spices. For the friend who skips caffeine at night, there's a Decaf Toasted Hazelnut ($23). Both are great for a coffee lover who likes flavour.

Neighbourhood Coffee (Toronto)

Neighbourhood Coffee is a Toronto roaster of small-batch organic coffee. Their Annex Artisanal Espresso Roast ($17.99, ground) is rich, bold and robust, with the lowest acidity in their range and a sweet aftertaste. It works as espresso or drip, so it's a great gift for the coffee lover who likes to shop local. Shop the roasts.

Las Chicas del Café (St. Thomas, Ontario)

Founded in 2005 by sisters Maria and Valeria Fiallos-Soliman, this family-owned roaster sources coffee from its own family farm in Nicaragua. El Patron Espresso Blend is a medium dark roast, and a 65 g sampler is only $10, so it's an easy stocking stuffer. The full 1 kg bag is $57 for the serious coffee drinker.

Spice Girl Chai (Toronto)

Toronto's Spice Girl Chai makes chai concentrate you can turn into a cozy cup in minutes. The Original Chai Concentrate ($18) is a lovely gift for the tea lover, and there's an Unsweetened Chai Concentrate ($18) for anyone who likes to control the sweetness. Just add milk, hot or iced.

ITSO Coffee (Oakville, Ontario)

A women-owned brand from Oakville that brings ethically sourced Kenyan coffee to Canada. The Premium Kenyan Dark Roast Coffee Beans (300 g, $21.99) are rich and bold, and the 3-Bag Bundle ($59.37) lets you pick your roasts, so it's a generous gift for the coffee lover who wants variety.

Chocolates

Chocolat de Kat (Toronto)

Chocolat de Kat is a small Toronto chocolatier known for flavour-packed bonbons. The Holiday Cookie Bonbon Tin ($68) is a decorative 16 piece tin of cookie-inspired bonbons in 8 flavours, from classic Raspberry Linzer to cheeky Frosted Sugar Cookie and the Kitchen Sink. It's a showstopper for the chocolate lover who has tried everything.

Mary's Brigadeiro (Toronto, Danforth)

Brigadeiro is the Brazilian chocolate treat everyone falls in love with, and Mary's has a flagship store on the Danforth. The Brigadeiro Chocolate Bar ($18) is an easy gift, and the Cookie Box ($27 for six) is perfect for sharing at a holiday party.

One More Cocoa (Whitby)

Give an experience instead of a thing. The Town of Whitby Chocolate Making Workshop ($55, or $65 with wine) lets you make your own chocolates, so it's a fun date night or friend outing. Prefer something ready to eat? Their Chocolate Covered Strawberries are $16.95.

Aline Nasseh Artisan Chocolates (Toronto)

Aline Nasseh makes hand-painted bonbons in more than 20 flavours at her production facility in North York. The Mango and Saffron Event Tray ($138) features white chocolate ganache infused with mango purée and saffron, and it's a showstopper for a holiday party. You can also build your own box of favourites, and they deliver across Toronto and the GTA.

Carolina's Brownies (Toronto)

Fresh-baked gourmet brownies from a Toronto bakery, packaged to give. The Make Your Own Gourmet Brownie Gift Box ($22 to $62) lets you choose 6, 9, 12 or 18 brownies in your favourite flavours, so the gift is a little bit personal. They deliver locally in Toronto and the GTA, which makes it an easy thank-you for a neighbour or coworker.

Drinks

Gingerbug (Meaford, Ontario)

This Meaford, Ontario company brews organic, prebiotic ginger beer and landed a Dragons' Den deal. The Spicy ($45.99) is the one with a kick, and Smooth ($45.99) is the mellow choice. Either one is a fun gift for the ginger beer fan and the home bartender.

Beck's Broth (Guelph)

Bone broth you can sip as coffee or hot chocolate, made in Guelph. The Protein Instant Coffee ($9.99 a pouch, $49.99 for a 5-pack) has 15 g of grass-fed protein per serving and no refined sugar. It's a clever gift for the busy morning person who wants a quick, cozy boost.

Balloon (Toronto)

Sparkling water that turns any gathering into a party. The Party Pack ($40) holds 24 mixed flavours, which makes it a great pick for a host. You can also choose a single flavour, like Pink Lemonade or Lychee, for the person who knows what they love.

Classic Juice Co (Toronto)

Juice packs that make a gift feel like a celebration. The Sorrel Pack ($40) is the one to start with, and you can also choose the Punch Pack, Peanut Pack or Carrot Punch Pack ($40 each). They're a great hostess gift for a holiday gathering, and they make a festive centrepiece for the table.

Ginny (Toronto)

Ginny is an adaptogenic spritz, a sparkling drink for people who want something special in the glass without the alcohol. The Variety Pack ($30 for six) is a fun way to sample the flavours, which include Hibiscus Yuzu Ginger and Blueberry Lavender Calamansi. It's a great gift for the host who loves a fancy drink.

Snacks

EATABLE (Toronto)

Small-batch gourmet popcorn with fun, grown-up flavours. Poppin' Rosé All Day ($11.99 for a 125 g sharing bag) is air-popped popcorn in a crisp candied coating infused with rosé wine, with notes of watermelon and strawberry. It's gluten-free, and the bag is labelled in support of Breast Cancer Canada. A great host gift for the movie night crowd.

Purplesful (Toronto)

Purplesful makes popcorn from purple corn, popped in coconut oil, in plant-based flavours like sea salt, cheddar and Jalapeno Cheddar. A 3-pack is $19.99 and a 9-pack is $49.99, and 25% of profits support children's charities. Stock up on a few flavours and let everyone choose.

The Lemon Square (Vancouver)

Handmade and yummy, The Lemon Square has been called Vancouver's sweetest secret, and they bill themselves as Canada's favourite lemon squares. The dozen box ($50) holds 12 individually wrapped squares, each 2 x 2 inches, and it ships to your door. It's a bright, tangy gift for the dessert lover who is tired of chocolate.

Tropix (Toronto)

Tropix makes Jamaican coconut drops, a sweet, chewy treat with a lot of island spirit. The Paradise Pack ($23) is an easy pick for a stocking or a hostess gift, and the Island Breeze ($38) is the bigger box for sharing. A little taste of the tropics in the middle of winter.

Bombchocalot (Toronto)

Bombchocalot makes gourmet popcorn, tea bombs and cookies. The Movie Night Box packs a large White Chocolate Butta popcorn, medium Red Velvet and Cookies & Cream popcorns, and 4 cookies. It saves you $5 as a bundle, so it's an easy gift for the couch and blanket crowd.

Sauces, syrups and sweet treats

Smoke & Tears (Toronto)

Chef-crafted, female-founded and made in Toronto since 2021, these plant-based hot sauces have won awards, including the Grand Champion title at The Royal in 2025. The 6ix Essential Collection ($75) holds six full-size 118 ml bottles in a gift box, with a burn rating on each so you can match the sauce to the person.

Truffles and Circumstance (Toronto)

Real truffles, made locally, without restaurant prices. The Black Truffle Hot Sauce ($24.99) is smoky and a little luxe, and it's lovely on eggs, tacos or mac and cheese. Want a pair? The OG bundles the hot sauce with Black Truffle EVOO for $45.98.

Heritage Bee Co. (Northern Ontario)

Honey from the company's own apiaries in Northern Ontario. The Liquid Wildflower Honey (375 g, $23.99 at the Toronto Botanical Garden shop) is a pantry gift anyone will use. Looking for something fancier? Check out their Bee Well gourmet honey gift set with gold spoon.

Iris Backayard (Aurora)

Gourmet Jamaican sauces, chutneys, rubs and fruitcakes. The Tropical Storm Peach Hot Sauce (150 ml, $15) is a bold twist of sweet and spicy, with refreshing peach and four different peppers. It's a fun gift for the home cook who loves heat, and a fruitcake would make a holiday classic to pair with it.

Goldrop Maple Syrup (Ontario)

Small-batch maple syrup crafted in Ontario. The Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup (250 ml, $19.99) has bourbon, caramel and smoky notes that are lovely on brunch, ice cream or in cocktails. Prefer a different flavour? Lavender, Cinnamon Swirl and Vanilla Bean are the same price.

Lignum Honey (Toronto)

Flavoured honey that makes a simple gift feel special. The Mango Honey ($17.99) is a sweet pick for tea, toast or cheese boards, and a Mini Honey Dipper ($1.50) tucks right into a stocking. Pair the two and you have a gift under $20 for the tea lover.

Bags, clothing and textiles

Roncy Packs (Toronto)

Every Roncy Packs bag is slow-made at home from reclaimed textiles gathered across Toronto, and the straps are detachable and interchangeable, so one pack becomes a few different bags. The Cherry Red Leather Detachable Pack ($145) is a pop of colour for a winter wardrobe, and a detachable strap ($30 to $50) is a smart add-on.

Dotty (Toronto)

Designed by Heather Bolt and made in small batches at Toronto factories, Dotty is built on fit, in sizes XS to 1X. The Royal Blue Wrap Top from the Fall 2026 collection is a holiday party answer. Not sure about size? A Dotty gift card solves it, and lets her pick her own favourite.

Mave & Chez (Toronto)

This Toronto slipper company is women-owned and has won over two of Canada's Dragons. Their slippers are designed to be podiatrist approved, so cozy and supportive can go together. The Michele Robe ($185) is the splurge, and the Mulberry Silk Sleep Mask ($50) is a lovely little gift. Browse the Michele Day Slipper ($235) for the person who deserves to put their feet up.

STE.MARG.SCOT. (Toronto)

Handcrafted in Toronto from heritage wool, STE.MARG.SCOT. makes pieces that last. The Frankie ($798) is a modern varsity jacket with a relaxed, waist-length fit, made from 100% wool and lined with breathable Tencel in vibrant, rich colours. It's a fall pre-order, so it's a gift for the woman who plans ahead, or a special treat for yourself.

Flirty Pineapple (Ontario)

Flirty Pineapple makes hair accessories and cozy basics with a playful spirit. The Satin Scrunchie comes in colours from Black and Navy to Blush and Champagne, and sizes from Mini ($11.99) to Extra XL ($21.99). The Basic is $14.99, so a few of them fill a stocking and keep everyone's hair happy.

Nicnakknits (Sebright, Ontario)

Hand-knit chunky blankets made to order in Sebright, Ontario, for the person who's always cold. The Blanket and Pillow Combo (from $150) pairs a soft chenille blanket with a matching throw pillow, so it's cozy decor in one gift. Wrap it up and watch it become the favourite spot on the couch.

Pomp & Sass (Mississauga)

Pomp & Sass designs Turkish towels in Canada, with the art woven right into the cotton. The Everyday Luxury Turkish Body Towel in Red & White Canadian Bears ($60) dries fast, packs small and gets softer with every wash. Use it at the beach, the spa or as a light blanket, so it's a great gift for the traveller.

Skincare and wellness

Birch Babe (Ontario)

Natural Canadian skincare with a simple routine. The Unscented Heroes 3-Step Skincare Bundle ($117, down from $142) is great for sensitive skin and for anyone who dislikes fragrance. Three steps in one bundle makes it a ready-to-wrap gift for the friend who wants an easy routine.

Shandina Organic (Toronto)

Shandina's Silk Veil Perfumed Hair and Body Oil ($45 small, $90 large) is a lightweight, multipurpose oil that softens skin and adds shine to curls, braids and twists, with a creamy vanilla and amber scent. One bottle, two uses, zero fuss. It's a lovely stocking stuffer or a self-care gift for someone with curls who loves a little shine.

Ember Wellness (Toronto)

Ember makes solid, refillable moisturizing bars, and their mini bar sets are made for gifting. The Mini Bar Edit ($77.35, down from $136) is sustainable skincare that looks as good on the counter as it feels on the skin. It's a thoughtful pick for the eco-minded friend on your list.

Blair + Jack (Newmarket)

Skincare for men that's clean, cruelty-free and formulated with physicians' input. The Skin Essentials Bundle ($50) pairs a cleanser and moisturizer, and the Anti-Bump Treatment ($45) is the one for the shaving-sensitive guy on your list. Skincare is an easy gift for the man who never buys it for himself.

Blaque Wellness (Oakville)

Oakville-based Blaque Wellness has exhibited at the One of a Kind Show. Their chamomile-infused Magnesium Spray ($44) is made to soothe everyday stress, sleep troubles and muscle tension, so it's a lovely wind-down gift for the friend who never slows down. Shop Blaque Wellness.

Aste Wellness (Toronto)

Ritual-inspired skin and hair care. The Himalayan Hair Oil ($49.95) is a sweet self-care gift for the person who loves a hair ritual, and the Golden Hour Duo ($122.81) is a bigger treat for the one who deserves to be pampered. Both are easy to wrap and ready to give.

Aralumi (Toronto)

Aralumi makes balms, body care and spa boxes. The Ultimate Hydration Gift Box ($46.20) comes with a hydrating lip balm, a 2 oz body butter, a 2 oz sugar scrub and a mini wood spoon. It arrives gift ready, so it's a lovely pick for anyone who deserves a little self-care.

Where to find even more

If your list includes someone who's hard to buy for, our Ultimate Gift Guide For Men, By Women has you covered. Want to see us in person? Read about our Toronto holiday storefront. Whatever you pick, shopping Canadian means your gift lands twice: once with the person unwrapping it, and once with the maker who made it.

Happy holidays, boo. Chat soon.

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About the author

Cheryl Sutherland is a Toronto-based speaker, author and the founder of PleaseNotes Goods, a personal growth brand that makes guided journals, planners, affirmation cards and workshops focused on confidence, clarity and self-trust. She has run five successful Kickstarter campaigns and facilitates workshops for corporate teams, employee resource groups and HR leaders. Learn more at CherylSutherland.com.