The holidays bring on a lot of different emotions. There's the magic and wonder that comes from seeing the city all aglow with twinkling lights, decorated with Christmas markets and festive pop-ups. There's the joy of feasting with friends and family. But there's also the stress that comes along with finding the perfect gift ideas for everyone on your list. This year, why not let someone else do the heavy lifting? These local companies take all the hassle out of gift giving with beautifully curated gift boxes to suit every palate. Nice List: sorted.
Whether you're shopping for the gourmet foodie who loves fancy cheese or the home bartender who's always whipping up festive cocktails, there's a gift box with their name on it. No matter which one you opt for, your friends and family are sure to love opening up a gift box packed to the brim with delicious surprises and high-quality items — especially when they're all from small, independent businesses. (Amazon, you've done enough.)
All of these delightful gift boxes can be delivered across the GTA, and most can be shipped across Canada, too. And they all range in size and price point so you can find a gift box for everyone on your list without blowing the budget. Stress-free holidays, here we come.
Six of the best Canadian gift boxes to send this holiday
1. The Gift Refinery
We absolutely love The Gift Refinery's boxes. They take all the guesswork out of gifting with carefully curated, high-quality items, all from up and coming Canadian artisans and makers. Each one contains seven to 10 full-size items that range from beauty, lifestyle and wellness products to pantry items, housewares and even jewellery.
The Hello Winter box is full of seasonal specialties like a festive cranberry tea blend and smart heated mug from Tease Tea. From Do Good Paper Co., there's a sleek eco pen and a plum notebook where your loved one can keep track of their own Nice List. Plus they can melt the stress and wrinkles of the year away with a cold therapy facial roller from DermaTech. Add in a pair of beautiful earrings from For the Seconds and a cute crossbody bag from Mytagalongs and you've got one fabulous gift that will wow anyone on your list.
If you really want to make someone's holiday, gift them a subscription to The Gift Refinery — they'll receive one of these specially curated Canadian gift boxes every season, each one full of new treasures.
2. Spirits with Smoke
Ever wonder how they make those deliciously smoky cocktails at your favourite bar? Spirits with Smoke has got the answer. Their cocktail kits come complete with everything your home bartender needs to take their creations to the next level. Each one includes either aromatic wood disks or a smoking saucer with alcohol-infused wood chips — just BYOB (bring your own blow torch). Depending on the kit, you’ll also get bar tools, bitters and coasters.
3. Wonderkind
Take all the legwork out of shopping local this year with a bespoke giftbox from Wonderkind. They source high-quality, unique items from small Canadian companies owned by women. Then they package the goodies in Toronto and send them out in a signature black walnut chest. Browse through their diverse selection of carefully curated Canadian gift boxes with tasty and beautiful items inside, or fill out their online quiz for a surprise box of delights tailored to you or your loved one.
4. Nibbl
Always a crowd pleaser, cheese makes a great gift for friends, family and coworkers alike. Nibbl's cheese-filled gift boxes come in all different sizes for the cheese lover in your life. Opt for a simple box with different kinds of cheese and adorable chalkboard cheese picks, or spring for one of their larger sets with all of the accoutrements and a beautiful serving board. Artisanal crackers and a balsamic glaze? Yes, please.
5. Present Day Gifts
From tea sets, spa baskets and tropical cocktail kits to snack boxes stuffed with sweets from aross the city, Present Day Gifts has a wide variety of beautifully curated gift boxes and baskets for every kind of foodie. Around the holidays, they offer festive boxes, too, with treats like hot chocolate and gingersnaps.
6. Grazerlicious
Full of fresh fruit, crackers, cheese and cured meat, the grazing boxes from Grazerlicious are the perfect solution to the dinner party gift conundrum. They range in size, feeding one to eight people. For a sugary treat, they also have a sweet treat boxes packed full of cakes, chocolate-dipped fruit and more.
