With Christmas on the way, our independent stores and makers are busy getting their holiday offerings ready. To help you shop local and support our small businesses, I’ve put together a little Gift Guide to Gibsons of some of our favorite spots to hit during the holidays. Click the business names to check out their websites.
- One Flower One Leaf Gallery | From local ceramics, soaps, art and jewelry to my favourite hand made individually numbered wooden bowls, this is a treasure trove. At the holidays they also bring in the most exquisite custom cookie platters by order.
- Good Fridays Cheese Co / Good Fridays General Store | Entertaining and gift giving is 100% easier with Good Friday – order gorgeous custom charcuterie platters from the cheese store on Venture Way (also packed with snacks, stocking stuffers and drinks) or pop down to the General Store in Lower Gibsons for vintage and new clothing, vintage housewares, a fantastic selection on non-alcoholic wines & cocktails, jewelry, ceramics, stationary and more.
- Sunshine Coast Olive Oil Co | A fantastic choice for the food lovers on your list, this store has more flavours and styles of oils and vinegars than you thought possible, plus gifts to pair. Staff is always super helpful and informative making sure you can find just the thing.
- Reasons to Live Books | There’s nothing better than curling up with a good read for the holidays and Reasons to Live has you fully covered with an awesome selection of new and vintage books plus magazines, and the greatest assortment of deep cut local merch a small town could ask for.
- Sunday Cider | Not only is this local cider house turning out some of the most delicious concoctions ever made with apples, but their sought after holiday boxes are out again! Beyond that they have an awesome array of new merch with their distinctive artwork and their collab Sunday socks with Local Tourist are next level cozy.
- Seamonkey Coffee | The vegan brunch that made me rethink the concept of eggs. This adorable food truck at Sunday Cider offers incredible coffee, brunch, baked goods, and now an amazing frozen grab & go service plus incredible meal delivery. Whether plant based and omnivore, a gift certificate from here would be a really welcome gift. (Hint Santa).
- Sweet Emotion Baking Co. | Our one woman Willy Wonka of cookies makes some of the heftiest and tastiest treats you can think of! I treat my clients to custom flavors from here and there have been tears when they’re gone. 🙂 Available to order online or catch her at multiple markets as well as the Good Friday Cheese Co.
- Gibsons Building Supply | Self explanatory why this place is so excellent. All the essentials for country living are here. Get dad (or mom) that gorgeous new chainsaw they’ve been eyeing.
- Painted Lady Art & Framing | This wonderful store carries a gorgeous selection of pens, paints, papers, pastels and pretty much everything you need for that creative friend on your list.
- Hand Reef & Sew | Locally hand made leather & canvas goods made to last. Choose from bags, belts, pet leashes, journal covers, wallets, dop kits or a gorgeous custom order.
- Coast Kids Reshop | Just like their site says “They have what coast kids need” and this is a fabulous place to pick up ‘new to you’ clothing, shoes and even costumes for the tickle trunk.
- Morgan’s Apothecary & Essentials | Fancy tea and chocolate, aromatic remedies, beautiful clothing; a perfect place to find a way to pamper someone over the holidays.
- Gibsons Museum & Archives | About as local as it gets, you’ll find tees, postcards, an array of books on the history of Gibsons plus handmade gifts and our personal favourite, the “Gibsons Water” glasses made from upcycled jars.
- Fongs Market | Local legend and favorite pit stop for snacks, hard to find grocery items and gifts, Fong’s is your local hook up for specialty items like Peking Duck to lemon grass and savory mochi. Treat your food loving friend.
- The Kube | A coastal institution. Original art, gorgeous and fun home goods, vintage and new clothing and a million and one other pieces, this is a must visit any time of year but you can’t miss their Christmas market Saturday, Dec 6th starting at 11am.
- Wabi Sabi Collective | Natural beauty products, lovely cleaning supplies, refills and cute containers to keep it all in. This is a self care haven for your pals and their homes.
- Rainflorist | A fool proof gift, Rainflorist is the go to bouquets and greenery all year round.
- Coast Flow Yoga | Give them what we all want to year – a little inner peace. Classes, yoga gear and if they’ve been REALLY good, a 10 day retreat to Peru.
- Shaggy Jacks Mushrooms & Food Market | Specializes in local, wild, artisan and sustainable foods you’ll be able to get everything from gourmet ice cream and perogies to organic veggies and treats perfect for holiday meals.
- B&K Landscaping | If you have a friend who likes to play in the dirt, this is a great stop. Garden tools, art, gifts and plants plus holiday workshops await.
- Gibsons Butcher | Packed with perfect stocking stuffers, excellent culinary gifts or just ready to take on the stress of prepping your holiday meal by stocking everything you need to entertain, it’s no wonder they needed to open a second location in Sechelt.
- The Salty Sailor Gifts | You’ll find kids clothes and baby gifts, delicious candles, the ever popular Mint cleaning product line, hand picked accessories and the BEST popcorn you’ve ever tried.
- Ikhaya | Dangerously well stocked with beautiful home goods, clothing and lovely bits of all descriptions. Everyone had the cloud sofa on their wish list.
- One Foot Crow Distillery | Local gins & vodkas make an excellent host gift.
- Sandy’s Bake Shoppe | No time to bake means a trip to Sandy’s for their awesome cakes, frozen meals and packs of buttery chocolate dipped shortbread. Keep extra around for unexpected company and movie nights.
- GM Fitness | BigRiggs Fitness | One of the coast’s favorite ways to have it’s a$% kicked. Grab a pack of classes, treat a pal to yoga on the beach or grab some protein cookies and their merch to at least pretend you’ve worked out. I won’t snitch. And don’t forget to say hi to Pig the dog.
- Gibsons Pet Supply | All the treats for your fuzzy friends plus pictures with Santa during the holidays. I mean, come on 🙂
- Quality Pet & Garden | Don’t forget the furry pals! Quality is loaded up with your pet’s favorite treats & toys cause they have been so good this year.
- Whimsy Gifts | Gifts right there int he name! Calm coastal vibes in this local Lower Gibsons staple. There’s a grumpy frog stuffy in the window who speaks to my soul 🙂
- Peggy Sue’s Childrens Clothing | Everything from baby gifts to rain gear and dance apparel, Peggy Sue’s has adoring grandparents covered when they want to spoil the kids.
Did I miss a favourite that should be included, shoot me a message at arnett.nicole@gmail.com
Happy holiday hunting everyone!
