We’ve all been there. Work life or home life or real life has just been crazy busy and here we are a mere week before the big day and our holiday shopping isn’t quite done. No judgement, friends! It happens, and sometimes we just need someone to point us in the right direction. That’s why this year I decided to do a local {Toronto/Oakville} Gift Guide for those who are panicking from the last minute rush. All of these gifts are ones you can pick up at a local shop in either Toronto or Oakville, and all of them are guaranteed winners under the tree. Ladies, you may want to pass this one along to your sweet man with an espresso and a hug and a wish for light traffic and easily-found parking spots.

ONE + TWO: I love a good piece of jewelry under the tree, and local love BluBoho has you covered with an absolutely gorgeous selection of treasures. These origami posts and this glittering half-moon pavé necklace are guaranteed to elicit squeals of delight. With locations in Toronto and Oakville, this is your one stop for all of the jewelry lovers on your list.

THREE: If you haven’t experienced the wonder that is Technical Cashmere yet, you need to get yourself into your local Kit + Ace. The only problem you’ll have is choosing what to give {and perhaps what to keep for yourself!}. I fell in love with the Bryden scarf and {hint hint} would love to find it under our tree Christmas morning. If their product wasn’t gorgeous enough, each of the stores {yes, there’s one in Oakville as well as Toronto locations} are uniquely designed by partnering with the local creative class on things like light fixtures and art installations that are truly inspired and unique. Clearly the folks at Kit + Ace speak my love languages. Technical cashmere + the creative class = all kinds of yes.

FOUR: I’ve had a design crush on Tom Dixon for forever and a day, and I’m thrilled to say that you can find a thoughtfully curated selection of his beautiful objet at the lovely Medulla & Co. on Queen St. This gorgeous trio candle gift set {gold, copper and nickel – oh my!} each have their own subtle and unique scent, the perfect gift for the design lover in your midst.

FIVE: If the design-lover on your list to really feel like you did your research, pop into your local Indigo or Chapters and get them a copy of Jean-Louis Deniot’s Interiors. This stunning volume will transport you to a place of Parisian perfection, with countless pages to drool over, filled with all of the delicious details that make Deniot one of the most internationally recognized designers of the moment.

SIX: I’m pretty sure that coffee is its own love language, and the folks at Pilot Coffee Roasters are definitely fluent. I’m not ashamed to say that heir beans are all you’ll find in our house. It’s worth the drive to East Toronto. If you can, give your love an experience along with a bag of perfectly roasted beans and take them to the tasting bar on Wagstaff for a wine-tasting-esque tour of everything from espresso to Chemex perfection and even the wonders of a deconstructed latté.

SEVEN + EIGHT: If you want to join the cult of Chemex, you’ll want to pick up the Chemex from Pilot and then get in line for the perfect pouring kettle from Monarch Methods. Hand crafted in Toronto, these copper beauties take the guess work {and weighing} out of a perfectly brewed Chemex experience, taking the ritual of coffee making to a whole new {more beautifully designed} level.

And that’s it, my friends! My top picks for lovely last minute treasures that will feel anything BUT last minute when they are unwrapped on Christmas morning!

More than thoughtful presents, my wish for all of you is that you would experience the gift of each other’s presence over the holidays. Slowing down to savour each other is truly the best gift we can give and receive at any time of the year.

Merry Christmas, lovelies!

xx
s.