Shopping for your coworkers, friends or Secret Santa recipients doesn’t need to be stressful. There are plenty of fantastic shops in the city that carry fun, quirky and reasonably priced gifts. If you’re seeking a unique gift that will leave an impression, these stores offer plenty of great options – and there is nothing generic about them.
Digging through the fun and sometimes kooky items at this filled-to-the-brim store is always an adventure. In addition to an extensive collection of art, they also sell beautiful lamps, jewellery, purses, accessories, bath products and more. They carry many locally made items, including chocolate bars, and a lot of the artists they promote are Canadian.
This local chocolate company has made a name for itself with its decadent, gourmet truffles and chocolate bars, named after famous fashionistas. The business originated in Sherwood Park, and has since expanded to include a shop on the 104 Street promenade. If you can’t decide between the Jackie and the Marilyn, pick up the Artisan bar collection or one of the truffle collections, such as the Marie Antoinette collection. They also sell Advent calendars, sipping chocolate and various chocolate covered delights, such as dark chocolate covered cocoa beans.
In addition to flowers, this fun store stocks items specifically chosen by the shop’s owner. This includes home décor, jewellery, bath products, gifts and body products from brands such as Tokyo Milk, Casa by Pureliving, Creative Co-op and Library of Flowers. And, if you can’t find an appropriate gift, you can always go with a gorgeous custom bouquet for a gift!
Searching for a gift for a friend with a serious sweet tooth? Carol’s has you covered. This retro candy shop not only makes its own handmade chocolates but also stocks every candy and chocolate imaginable, including plenty of European goodies. You’ll find every kind of Jelly Belly imaginable, a wall of penny candy, candy sushi kits, organic hard candies and more.
This cute Whyte Avenue shop is the ideal spot to pick out a gift or three for your fave female friend or coworker. They sell an array of beautiful jewellery, purses, toques, gloves, scarves, mugs and more. You’ll even find little bags of delicious Christmas candies and chocolates, perfect for stocking stuffers!
If you draw a gourmet foodie or even an aspiring chef, you’ll want to stop by Evoolution for some gift inspiration. The store is beautifully organized, making it easy and quick to find a cranberry pear white balsamic vinegar or a Persian lime olive oil. In addition to a bounty of extra virgin olive oils and white and dark balsamics, you’ll also find sea salts (ranging from truffle to smoked) and a variety of other goodies, such as chocolates, Chardonnay hand-stuffed olives and jams. Best of all – they sell mini sampler packs of oils and vinegars, ideal for gifts.
If you’re looking for a eco-conscious gift that is still chic, this is the ideal shop. Carbon carries a large variety of items, including bath and body products, candles, décor, books and eco starter kits. They also stock a section for babies and kids. All of their products are sustainable, ethical, non-toxic and, when possible, sourced locally.
While you may not want to pick out underwear for your Secret Santa gift, the Briefing Room has plenty of other great gifts for guys. They also stock socks, ties, loungewear and swimwear, in addition to grooming and skincare items. A five-blade luxury razor, paired with almond aftershave cream and orange sandalwood aftershave soother is a slam-dunk gift for any man old enough to shave. Or, for the hirsute gentleman in your life, grab Bay Rum beard balm, an anti-static maple beard comb and organic peppermint lip balm.
This quirky, cute underground shop holds a plethora of fantastic gifts for everyone in your life, from your cool aunt to your favourite bro. They stock a variety of clothing, footwear, scarves, gloves, jewellery, hair accessories and more. You’ll find unique gifts you won’t find elsewhere, while making mental notes of what to add to your own wish list for Santa.
This store, located on Whyte Avenue, sells handmade fair trade items, such as jewellery, scarves, books, coffee, glassware and holiday ornaments. Artisans from 35 different countries contribute their talents to everything you’ll find in this shop. Their Christmas ornaments, in particular, are breathtaking and make beautiful gifts.
Located in Crestwood, in the shop formerly known as Lyndale Accents (same owners!), Harlow is a glorious mixed bag of amazing stuff – they carry everything from candles to locally-made chocolate bars from Violet Chocolate Co. Their collection of barware items, in particular, make for great Secret Santa gifts, as does their extensive jewellery stock. If you’re stuck on what to get, grab several made-in-Edmonton items, pick up one of their many greeting cards, and call it a day.