The Nation’s Christmas shopping guide
If only grown-ups wrote letters to Santa that featured detailed lists of what they would like for Christmas, included where to get them, how much they would cost, how long they would take to ship and what they would like to go with it.
While nearly every child can detail the wish list of toys they’ve sent to Santa Claus, gift shopping for the rest of the people on your list can be a bit more challenging.
This is why we at the Nation have scoured the Internet for the best in Christmas gift suggestions. Whether your special someone is a skillful hunter, glamorous gal, fashion-challenged fella, technology junkie, foodie, ultimate sports fan or a little one who can’t tell you what they want, we have lots of suggestions and web links that can help.
Glamorous goodies for girly girls
Whether she is the kind of gal who needs pampering or just your average hard-working super-woman due for a little bit of “me time,” Sequoia’s Native Inspired Bath and Beauty Products has a wide variety of handmade soaps, scrubs, body sprays, lotions, balms, body butters and bath bombs to help her unwind.
With products inspired by Native culture and legends, Sequoia features products with names like Turtle Island, Sky Woman, Warrior Blood and Red Clover and has scent lines that feature sweet grass, sage and blackberries, red clover and other scintillating, soothing or inspiring varieties.
With gift packages that start as low as $20, these fine cosmetics – handmade in Kahnawake by Mohawk women – have been featured in all sorts of major magazines and have become a treasured favourite for many around the world.
A perfect gift for the woman you like to give flowers, the Amazon Curated Collection line of jewellery, available exclusively at Amazon.ca, features all kinds of unique goodies for every taste.
Retailing for $33, this Sterling Silver Pressed Flower Oval Pendant Necklace with 18-inch chain is pressed flower jewellery handcrafted from real flowers and preserved in a clear resin pendant, to create unique feminine pieces for those who want to bring a tiny bouquet everywhere.
If you are on the market for the kind of gift that would make your curvy lady feel sexy on Christmas morning, look no further than Hips & Curves.com to order a gorgeous surprise for her to open below the mistletoe, when it’s just the two of you celebrating.
Featuring a wide variety of plus-sized lingerie and sleepwear, this online store celebrates a woman’s womanliness with lace, silks and everything else our minds can associate with sensuality.
If you are looking to go with something special for the holidays, why not go with this curve accentuating Glamour Girl Nightgown? For just $49.90, this long, lovely nightie will have you wrapped around each other, trying to decide whether it looks better on her or on the floor.
www.hipsandcurves.com/plus-size-glamour-girl-nightgown
For the gal who likes changing her look to suit her mood, the Sephora Collection Chroma Color Eye Palette is a eye makeup palette that features 54 eye shadows, 12 eye pencils and a double-ended eye shadow brush, all in a stylish case that resembles a book. This set is the ultimate gift for those who feel that a makeup palette should be unlimited and that experimentation with colours and shades should be unlimited.
On top of that, this high-end collection is great value at $78, but its actual value is $375 if you were to purchase each of these products individually.
If you are looking for splendid simplicity and she is a big fan of pearls, Costco has this 8-9 mm White Cultured Freshwater Pearl Drop Earrings that will without a doubt put a smile to her face. Conservative and sweet, these earrings also feature 14-kt yellow gold lever backing and are as comfortable to wear as they are elegant. Runs for only $99.99.
www.costco.ca/8—9-mm-White-Cultured-Freshwater-Pearl-Drop-Earrings-.product.10365600.html
If you want to give her something that glitters and purple is her colour, Birks has these incredible sterling silver and amethyst earrings that are guaranteed to have her sparkling with joy come Christmas morning.
These amethyst sparklers are both modern and classic, in a square cut with an ornate setting. Priced at $150, Birks is offering them as an online special only. So if you think it’s what her heart desires, she will thank you forever.
www.maisonbirks.com/en/sterling-silver-amethyst-earrings#more
If she is the kind of gal who is both classic and contemporary, Pandora has a gold and silver Vintage Allure Synthetic Green Spinel charm that will really stand out. Intricate and elegant, this pendant fuses antique charm with modern glamour and is a memorable gift at just $200.
www.pandora.net/en-ca/explore/products/necklaces-and-pendants#!390348SSG
For something unique and spectacular that features an Indigenous feel, Haida designer Dorothy Grant has been churning out mind-blowing designs for years and has something to suit any taste and budget.
If you want to indulge her and she is the shawl-wearing type, this crème, red and black silk shawl is fringe trimmed and is the ideal accessory for a gala soiree. At $350, this incredible shawl makes a statement without saying a word!
www.dorothygrant.com/product/accessories/triangle-eagle-silk-fringe-shawl/
And, because the holidays are also known as “engagement season,” if you are on the market for a special piece of jewellery to get down on one knee with, you have a lot of options.
But, if you want to go with something simple and you have a modest budget, this ½-carat diamond solitaire ring is a delight and may just be what she has been waiting for her whole life. Featuring a round brilliant diamond claw set in the 14kt white gold band, this is just one of the many rings that can be ordered online from Michael Hill jewellers.
Luxuries for him that won’t insult his manliness
What to get the guy who needs a little indulgence after his day out in the bush or on the job?
Give him something festive to don on Christmas morning with these “festive heather plaid PJ bottoms” from the Gap. These cotton/rayon blend cuddly PJ bottoms are just the thing for him to lounge about in throughout the holidays and are the perfect thing for him to strike a pose for all of those special gift-opening moments. These well-made pants are available in all sizes.
www.gapcanada.ca/browse/product.do?cid=1015794&vid=1&pid=142591003
If you are looking to give him something snuggly that he can wear throughout the season, Sears Canada has this “Majestic Hooded Bath Robe,” that may just be the thing he lusts to put on after a long, hard day.
Cozy and absorbent for when he hops out of the shower, this robe is made of 100% looped cotton terry on the interior and then a cozy velour type of material on the exterior to make him that much more fun to snuggle with. Also stylish, bathrobe has four colour options and various sizes so that it can fit big or small.
Well made, easily washable and perfect for those very cold nights that Eeyou Istchee is famous for, this robe runs for just $69.99 and wraps up well under the tree.
www.sears.ca/product/majestic-hooded-bath-robe/645-000184655-41925
If he is a fashionable fella who wants to stand out, this unique beadwork print floral dress shirt by Mohawk designer Tammy Beauvais speaks style in volumes and is perfect for a formal event. Priced at $120, this 100% cotton dress shirt is also 100% Native and is a statement piece all on its own.
www.tammybeauvais.com/en/product/master-category/mens-clothing/shirt/beadwork-print-floral-button-shirts_123.aspx?id_page_parent=46
For the ambitious man, this special edition brown leather bomber jacket will have heads turning on the Rez! This fitted jacket – with a medicine wheel on the back and feathers on the sleeve – is durable, comfortably lined and the perfect fashion piece to display his cultural pride. Priced at $240 and in limited quantities.
For the guy who goes both ways when it comes to shaving – wet for that ultra-close softness or dry when on the go, the new Philips AquaTouch Plus Electric Shaver is a great way to give him the flexibility he craves for a shave.
This face-scraping tool is also the perfect thing for the guy with sensitive skin as it is versatile, can be used with gel or foam, glides smoothly over the face, comes with a pop-up trimmer for sideburns and moustache and has some other fun features like a three-minute quick charge for one shave and over 50 minutes of cordless shaving in one charge. A great gift for the guy who is always on the go, the shaver costs $89.96 at Walmart.
www.walmart.ca/en/ip/philips-at89020-aquatouch-electric-shaver-plus/6000020342794
For the old-school guy who prefers a traditional shave, this stylish set by Perma Brand features a three-piece shaving set that includes a nickel-plated/black holder, pure badger bristle brush and razor that includes one blade but is also compatible with Mach3 blades. Available at the Centre du Rasoir, it clocks in at $84.98.
www.centredurasoir.com/en/p-3_piece_shaving_set_pb_36_perma_brands-2-243-85982.php
A good scrub down in the shower can be had with this Jack Black Mr. Big Set. Priced at $102 from Sephora, this gift set features three of Jack Black’s most popular men’s products to shave, wash and moisturize. Including the Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser, Beard Lube Conditioning Shave and the Double-Duty Face Moisturizer, all conveniently packed into their own travel bag, your guy will be looking and smelling delicious.
www.sephora.com/mr-big-set-P391607?skuId=1653674
Also from Sephora, this Burberry Men’s Mini Coffret features a collection of five remarkable eau de toilette. Creating scents that are supposed to epitomize every aspect of the modern British man (which is great if you want to pretend that your guy is foreign), this masculine set includes 0.15 bottles of Touch For Men Eau De Toilette, Burberry For Men Eau De Toilette, Brit For Men Eau De Toilette, Sport For Men Eau De Toilette and The Beat For Men Eau De Toilette.
www.sephora.com/burberry-men-s-mini-coffret-P384320?skuId=1567171
For the guy who is looking to leave a lasting style impression, this charcoal grey Dorothy Grant men’s wolf vest will make him the envy of all of his friends and neighbours. Made of 100% virgin wool, this machine-embroidered vest features a wolf crest on the right chest and a larger wolf design on the back. With buttons down front, bound pockets and banded neck collar, this vest is versatile and remarkable.
www.dorothygrant.com/product/apparel/mens-wolf-vest/
Of course, if you really want to go all out, Dorothy Grant makes a custom Haida lambskin leather jacket that is tailored especially to the measurements and the tastes of your guy. Available in different colours and with a variety of Haida designs by Grant, these jackets start at $2,800.
www.dorothygrant.com/product/apparel/lambskin-leather-jacket/
Goodies for the ultimate sports fan
For the guy or gal who wants to trick out their car in Habs gear to show their team pride or just taunt the neighbours, Canadian Tire has a great collection of Habs-themed car accessories to suit the fancy of any Canadiens fan.
To gussy up their steering wheel and keep it cozy for those long drives, this Montreal Canadiens Steering Wheel Cover is just the thing and is only $15.99.
www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/montreal-canadiens-steering-wheel-cover-0324480p.html#.VGY2UzTF_E0
To remind all of your passengers who you think should be bringing home the cup this year, these Montreal Canadiens all-season rubber floor mats go nicely with the steering wheel and retail for $29.59.
www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/montreal-canadiens-car-mat-set-2-pc-0312230p.html#.VGY1xTTF_E0
And, if you’re already buying the two aforementioned Habs-themed items, why not take your fandom one step further with this Montreal Canadiens seat cover? Not only is it a great way to protect a car’s original upholstery, these Habs logos are much more visible from a distance, particularly to Bruins and Maple Leafs fans.
At $21.59 each, they are the perfect way to round off a set of Habs-themed car gifts for the ultimate fan!
www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/montreal-canadiens-seat-cover-0326723p.html#.VGY3UDTF_E0
Remember those creepy inflatable clowns that had the sand in the bottom so that you could whack them and they would bounce right back? Well, now they have been brilliantly reinvented as “hockey guys” that can feature the logos of your most or least favourite teams so that the whole family can take out their frustrations on the team that’s messing with your heroes.
Starting at around $29.99, Hockey Guy Bop Bags are available in various team jerseys, depending on what you’re looking for – including New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers and Boston Bruins.
For Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs varieties.
www.babyskates.com/buy-your-baby-skates-accessories.php
For the hunter who loves the Habs, this special sweatshirt makes a wonderful Christmas present as it magically brings together both worlds! Available from the Habs official website, the Men’s Montreal Canadiens Old Time Hockey RealTree Hackett Hoodie! Retailing for $99.59, this gem is the perfect thing to remind your friends and family where your loyalties lie.
http://shop.canada.nhl.com/product/index.jsp?productId=52572946
Have you ever had extra family or friends over to watch the game only to realize that you don’t have enough seating for everyone? Well, Walmart has just the solution for you with these Inflatable NHL Chairs. Available in Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames and Detroit Red Wings varieties, not only do these chairs provide space-saving solutions but they are also a great way to show your team spirit – or single out the Maple Leafs fans in the room. Available exclusively online, these chairs start at $36.10.
www.walmart.ca/en/ip/toronto-maple-leafs-inflatable-chair/6000101492445
If you’ve ever heard the popular Quebec expression – “Ça sent la coupe” – this NHL Stanley Cup Popcorn Maker is a new twist on that phrase. Available online at the NHL’s official shop, this fantastic popcorn maker claims to be about as fast as a microwave since it is a hot air popper and so it makes your popcorn without oil. An officially licensed replica of the Stanley Cup, it’s just the thing to bring out to a play-off party or to the family hockey night for $99.95.
http://shop.nhl.com/NHL_Logo_Gear_Home_And_Office/NHL_Stanley_Cup_Popcorn_Maker
Of course, if you really want to go all out and spend some serious coin on your sports fan to let them know that they are loved and that they can watch their game in their special Habs (or any other team) throne, the TSN shop sells these Montreal Canadiens Big Daddy Leather Look Poly Urethane Recliners for $999.99.
https://tsnshop.ca/detail/3165
For the family cook or gourmet
Looking for a fun stocking stuffer for a tea lover and want to go with something that’s bound to give them a giggle every time they brew up their favourite loose tea, this Rock Climber Tea Infuser is perfect and cute.
Selling for $10 online at Amazon, the HIC Harold Import Tea Infuser with Drip Tray, Rock Climber, can be filled up with the loose tea of your choice and it’s actually a great eco-friendly gift as it does away with those pesky tea bags.
Also from Amazon.ca, if you want to give your foodie the latest in kitchen technology, these amazing new countertop gardens allow items like herbs and lettuces to be grown on your countertop year-round.
For the gardener, the Miracle-Gro AeroGarden doesn’t just green up a space, but produces tasty herbs and lettuces and whatever else you want like to grow right before your eyes. Featuring three models, which range from $90-$265, these ultra space-age plant growers will bring the future to your kitchen and nutrition to your table.
For the wine connoisseur, the Xcalibur Corkscrew is a high-tech device that can have that pesky cork out effortlessly, in one simple motion.
Priced at $24.98 at Stokes, this handy device is fun to use as it not only extracts the cork with ease but also releases it simply. It also features an ergonomic design and comes with an extra worm screw and foil cutter.
www.stokesstores.com/en/gift-ideas/gifts-under-30/xcalibur-corkscrew.html
If your loved one is into beverage creations and wants something fun to play with this holiday season, a Soda Stream Starter Kit makes for a fun gift that the whole family can enjoy by making sodas at home.
This modern and sleek device can turn ordinary tap water into any kind of soda pop using the various sample syrup packages provided in the starter kit. Even if you’re not a fan of traditional sodas, simply carbonating water to spruce it up a bit has its merits. Costs $129.99 at Canadian Tire.
www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/soda-stream-starter-kit-white-0431256p.html#.VGoihzTF_E0
For the serious caffeine addict, consider an environmentally conscious espresso machine.
At Canadian Tire this Cuisinart Espresso Machine runs for $149.99 and is guaranteed to please your coffee lover. This machine has 15 amazing bars of pressure, a 53-oz removable reservoir, brews one or two cups using ground espresso or pods (in case that’s all you have) and features a stainless-steel nozzle for cappuccinos or lattes.
www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/cuisinart-espresso-maker-0430599p.html#.VGooWzTF_E0
The perfect gift for the person who is always cooking large meals for the entire clan and has a busy schedule, Crock-Pots allow the cooking to happen while you are away at work or taking care of other things.
And if your home cook is in need of a new one or your budding chef is looking for a home-cooking solution that goes well with family life, this Crock-Pot 6qt Smart Pot Slow Cooker with Probe and Digital Countdown could be the thing for them!
Only $68.93 at Walmart, this Crock-Pot of the future features an interactive interface that makes programming meals easy, uses a smart set probe that allows you to set the time and temperature, has three heat settings and is super easy to clean.
This indoor grill not only makes a wonderful surprise for Christmas morning but is the gift that keeps on giving.
The T-Fal OptiGrill takes all of the guesswork out of indoor grilling as it comes with six pre-set cooking temperatures and cycles for red meat, poultry, burgers/sausages/lamb, sandwiches, fish/seafood and a manual function for those looking to do something more specialized. Great for grilling any ingredient at any thickness, this baby features 600 cm² of cooking surface, detachable dishwasher safe plates and many other functions.
As grilling is a great way to retain the goodness in your food while doing away with excess fat, this gift is great for those looking to get or stay in shape. Priced at $178.88 at Walmart.
www.walmart.ca/en/ip/t-fal-optigrill/6000132329686
Gadgets and goodies for the technically inclined
If that special someone on your list happens to be into Star Wars and Apple products, the folks at Thinkgeek.com have something right up that person’s alley with the Bad That’s-No-Moon Rising Death Start Bluetooth Speaker.
Providing for wireless sounds from up to 30 ft. away, this speaker system is a statement piece for your nerdy love’s office, living room or bedroom as it lights up when in use and is easy to set up. At $59.99 US, this item embodies fandom meeting function meeting outright fun.
www.thinkgeek.com/product/hssk/?pfm=electronics-gadgets_newest_hssk_8
For the gamer on the go, the MOGA Ace Power controller allows for transforming an iPhone into a game controller. Compatible with iPhone 5s, 5c or 5 and 5th-generation iPod touch running iOS 7, this accessory provides for a full set of console-style controls such as dual analog sticks and L1/R1 and L2/R2 shoulder buttons, a D-pad and four action buttons.
Compatible with an incredible amount of games and apps, the MOGA Ace Power Controller also extends your battery life while you are playing as it can charge your phone like an auxiliary power source. It sells for $79.95.
For the person in need of constant connectivity while on the road, the Wilson Cell Phone Signal Booster might be just the gift for them as it can boost your signal in your car, giving you bars where you may not have had them before.
While it looks like a small cell-phone cradle, it’s an easy-to-use device that is geared towards hands-free operation in conjunction with a headset or Bluetooth device and reduces dropped calls, extends signal range and increases data while amplifying signal strength in weak coverage areas. Costs around $100.
Because you can’t beat the Beats by Dr. Dre, Beats Studio Over-Ear Headphones are the ultimate in sound and design and are the next generation in headphone technology. Featuring a lighter, stronger and more comfy design than the first generation, these headphones are all about precision, bass and incredible Adaptive Noise Cancelling technology.
At $330, these headphones may cost a pretty penny, but if the person you’re trying to please is into music and recording music, they are a sure bet.
As the next step beyond a super phone is having a smartwatch to control it remotely, the Martian G2G Smartwatch makes for a great gift as it features style and high-tech design while allowing the wearer to talk, listen and initiate voice commands while the phone remains at a nearby distance through the use of Bluetooth technology.
Compatible with a wide range of Apple, Android, BlackBerry and Windows-based devices, this handy device allows access to a broad base of functions such as the usual calls, SMS messages, Facebook and Twitter notifications, but also weather and calendar reminders. Ultimately practical for the techie on the go, this smartwatch retails for about $248.98.
For the adventurer or documentarian of the family, at the top of many a Christmas wish list this year is a GoPro camera and rightfully so as it is the most immersive “life capture” available on the market and nothing can quite replicate the experience of using one.
GoPro HERO3 Silver Edition Camcorder is currently available at Walmart for $339.99 and for that you get a device that features 1080p30 stunningly rich video, 5MP single photos up to three frames per second, and an ultra wide-angle lens. This camera is also waterproof to 131ft (40m).
Ultimately easy to use, with built in Wi-Fi, the user can control the camera remotely through the use of another device, like a phone or tablet.
www.walmart.ca/en/ip/gopro-hero3-silver-edition-camcorder/600018912796
For the hunter(s) of the household
If your goal is to keep him unscented in the bush so that he can go undetected, the Underarmor (UA) Men’s UA ColdGear® Infrared Scent Control Evo Mock (shirt) makes a killer baselayer and keeps all his manly scent locked in so that his prey will never smell him coming.
Designed to keep him warm and dry at the same time, this product now features a soft, thermo-conductive inner coating to absorb and retain body heat as well as a dual-layer fabric with “an ultra-warm, brushed interior and a slick, fast-drying exterior.” Made with four-way stretch to accommodate mobility, this is some incredibly high-tech gear designed to keep him comfortable and cozy while out on the hunt. This item runs for $85.
www.underarmour.com/fr-ca/ua-cgi-sc-evo-mock/pid1248043-905
This Outdoor Edge SwingBlaze is a handy tool as it is a two-fer or a two-in-one that succeeds at being both effective as a drop-point skinner and a gutter.
Featured here in orange, according to Outdoor Edge, this is their biggest seller as the orange handle makes it incredibly easy to locate. Razor sharp, this knife promises to be so sharp that you can “open game like a zipper.” Once more, the blade is designed to cut under the skin so that it eliminates the chance of cutting hair or internal organs. It’s available from various retailers for around $70.
www.outdooredge.com/SwingBlaze-p/swingblaze.htm
For an efficient skinning knife, this Havalon Knives Piranta-Edge Skinning Knife is the talk of the Internet as it is tough, dependable and ideal for field dressing deer, elk, bear and boar. For $44.99 at Basspro, this non-serrated skinner features a 2.75″ blade, comes in easy-to-find orange and with 12 extra blades so that sharpening is never an issue.
http://www.basspro.com/Havalon-Knives-PirantaEdge-Skinning-Knife/product/120829053402968/
AcuRite’s Hunting & Fishing Activity Meter makes for a great gift as it can predict wildlife activity levels by combining weather observations with lunar positioning data.
Featuring AcuRite’s patented self-calibrating technology, this device will give its user a personal forecast for 12-24 hours that is generated by weather data from a sensor that comes with the device so that it can inform you about where you are.
Easy to read and easy to use, this gem clocks in at $60 from various retailers.
www.acurite.com/sportsman-s-hunting-fishing-activity-meter-with-weather-forecaster-00251-00252.html
The ATN Night Cougar LT Night Vision Goggles will have your hunter’s heart singing as they are high quality, fabulously functional, lightweight, compact, fog-and-water resistant, comfortable to use and among the clearest and brightest goggles available.
Billed as some of the smallest and lightest dual-tube night-vision goggle systems on the market, they feature a hands-free option as well as top quality night vision. Making them even more ideal for the north, they operate in -40 to +50°C and feature a wide 40° field of view, multi-coated all-glass lenses “and a powerful Total Darkness Infrared Illuminator System that provides the clearest and brightest images available in Generation 1 goggles,” according to the ATN Corp website. Priced at $693.28.
www.amazon.ca/ATN-Corp-Night-Cougar-LT/dp/B004QZKC5S