The ultimate gift guide to shopping local this holiday

With the holiday season quickly approaching, it can get stressful finding gifts for your loved ones. Have no fear, The Gateway is here with a holiday gift guide. The best part? It’s a list of local vendors and Canadian small businesses that you can support this holiday season! Not only will you check off your shopping list, but you can also feel good about supporting small business owners. 

Unique Gifts

Shop Chop

Just off of Jasper Ave. right here in Edmonton, Shop Chop has an array of fun and unique gifts ranging from funny mugs, cards for every occasion, candles in explicit shapes, tote bags, stickers, pins, and jewelry. You can also find more traditional Christmas decorations such as mini decorative trees and ornaments. Shop Chop is the perfect place to stop by for stocking stuffers or gifts for anyone.

Unite by TMK

The newest hub to shop local vendors in Edmonton has recently opened its doors in Kingsway Mall. Unite by TMK is a collaborative space for local vendors at any business stage to grow and expand. With over 40 local vendors in one space, it’s easier than ever to support small businesses this holiday season at this one stop shop. Customers can shop apparel, candles, sustainable products such as beeswax wraps and reusable straws, soaps, home decor, delicious goodies, and even fresh flowers. 

Majesty and Friends

Located on 112 Ave., Majesty and Friends is a modern design boutique that carries a curated selection of local and Canadian artists, designers, and makers. You can find mugs, jewelry, pins and patches, stationary, and more at this fun and vibrant shop.

Home/Lifestyle

Lot 34

Located on 118 Ave., Lot 34 is home to unique, vintage pieces sure to stir up conversation. With interesting home decor pieces, books, and knick knacks, this is an awesome place to check out for that homebody, vintage fanatic in your life.

Gifts and Gadgets

As it says in the name, you can find gifts and gadgets at this independent business, located in Spruce Grove. Goodies include unique or hard to find kitchen items, perfect for the home chef or baker in your life.

Little Plant Shop

Located on Gateway Boulevard, this plant shop is the perfect place to kickstart someone’s plant addiction. A houseplant boutique and terrarium supply store, you can find exotic plants as well as locally-made wares and botanically inspired decor such as pot holders and macrame pieces.

Books/Music/Media

Blackbyrd Myoozik

With locations in Edmonton (Whyte Avenue) and Calgary (17 Avenue), Blackbyrd Myoozik is an independent record store that carries all the music essentials you need. From media such as vinyl records and CDs, to equipment such as turntables and accessories, stop by this local business to pick something up for the audiophile in your life.

Variant Edition

Check out this super cool comic book and graphic novel store located on 151 St.. Whether you are shopping for an avid comic book reader or starting someone’s collection, Variant Edition is here to introduce you to your next favourite story.

Ascendants Books

With three locations, Ascendants Books offers books on astrology, dreams, and psychics that aren’t widely available in mainstream bookstores. Additionally, it’s not just a book store — they also carry hand chosen crystals, jewelry, ornate statues, elegant clothing and décor, candles, fragrant incense, tarot cards, and natural essential oils. 

Fashion/Beauty

Pura Botanicals

Located on 124 St., this independent business is a green beauty apothecary and perfumery. With an in-house production lab, all-natural skincare, body care, baby care, and botanical perfume are made and sold on location in a beautiful boutique. Every product is earth-friendly, nutrient-rich, non-toxic, gluten-free, and cruelty-free. 

Lux Beauty Boutique

Stop by this original apothecary devoted to the hot, hard-to-find beauty brands loved by celebrities, editors, and beauty gurus this holiday season, located on 102 Avenue. With the option for a curated gift box or to pick out individual products by brand, this is a one stop shop for beauty lovers.

Pretty Whimsical

With five locations across Alberta, Pretty Whimsical puts the fun, eclectic, and exciting vibes in your bath with a creative collection of quirky characters, shapes, and unique bath products. Products include soaps and bath bombs. Check out this shop for some fun gift ideas!

Workshops/Classes

4Cats Art Studio

This studio offers art classes, workshops, and parties. It makes the perfect gift for your artsy friends or those that want to learn. Classes range from mug making, clay work, watercolour painting and more.

Fern’s School of Craft

This studio offers a variety of textile workshops including weaving, rug hooking, punch needle, embroidery, knitting, sashiko, indigo, shibori, natural dye, block printing, eco printing, bundle dyeing, fabric marbling, and basket weaving. 

Laurel’s on Whyte

With classes and workshops available to learn about designing with fresh flowers to start your own business, or how to make centerpieces and terrariums, Laurel’s on Whyte has options for the green thumb in your life!