It’s never too early to start celebrating the holiday season and even though it may sometimes feel like it, gift-giving shouldn’t be chore. Before you get overwhelmed with your holiday shopping, our staff has created a guide to help you pick out the best gifts for your favourite gamer, jewelry fanatic and shoe enthusiast. These are just a few items that will (hopefully) be sitting under our trees during the holiday, so here’s an early present from our staff to you and yours.
Madelyn Chung, digital contributor
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
This year, I plan on gifting everyone in my family this miniature bluetooth speaker that also doubles as a selfie remote (just think of the fam portraits we can take!). It’s super compact, can attach to any bag or backpack and it’s just so darn cute. Plus, it comes in several different colourways, making it a great gift for both men and women. Xoopar Mini XBoy ($45 available at Holt Renfrew)
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
I never used to wear earrings, but they’ve become a staple part of any outfit for me as of late (seriously, I feel naked without them). Jenny Bird’s pieces are a fave of mine, simply because they exude of cool and make a subtle, but impactful, statement. On my wish list this year? These circular earrings in mixed metals, since they’ll pretty much go with everything. Jenny Bird Ossie Earrings ($110 jenny-bird.ca)
Lindsay Cooper, editorial assistant
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
I’m at the age where a lot of my friends are moving out of their dingy college digs and on to bigger and brighter things. And with all that space (not to mention the ovens that aren’t prone to gas leaks and functioning heating, pluming and electrical) those new apartments have been playing host to a lot of dinner parties. Yes, we still end up ordering pizza or making fries when the food comes out inedible, but maybe we’ll stand a better chance with some proper instructions and tools. Four Mini Cocottes with Cookbook ($134 shop.nordstrom.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
I always keep an eye out for up-and-coming brands to support and Montreal’s L’intervalle has only been around for two years. These patent black loafers of theirs remind me of Cher Horowitz and the closed toes make them winter appropriate, right? Celia Black Patent Leather ($158 lintervalleshoes.com)
Jacquelyn Francis, executive editor
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
As a parent, you really want to give the right gift. No one likes having their present thrown back at them (as my nephew once did to me). I’m not one for depriving my kids of electronics or TV since I want them to learn how to self-regulate. I also want them to fit in with their peers and be part of pop culture. So after three years of playing video games on MY tablet (the screen gets gross from their snotty fingers…), it’s time my boys graduate to a proper game console. And I get a clean tablet back. XBox One S ($320 bestbuy.ca)
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
I like jewellery. My husband frequently says he’s done buying me jewellery. He’s so funny! Seeing as I don’t have diamond earrings (unless black diamonds count?), these adorable stud earrings from Studio1098 are an absolute bargain. Handmade Diamond Graphic Collection Petite Stud Earrings ($400 studio1098customjewellery.com)
Lesa Hannah, beauty director
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
I’ll probably never wear it as a shirt, dress or coat, but I love a hit of leopard in an accessory. I’ve been stalking these flat boots off and on all fall and had a friend do some recon on her last visit to NYC because I’m hesitant to pull the trigger without trying them in person. They would add a bit of fun among all the black boots I already own. Sezane Low Arthur Boot ($225 sezane.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
My kids spend a lot of time at my mom’s, from PA day long weekends, to full weeks in the summer. My son has been using his older sister’s hand me down (it’s Ni Hao, Kai-Lin and I can’t believe he has yet to complain but I’m sure it’s coming) so it’s time he got his own. I also want something he won’t outgrow super fast so that means a hard pass on anything with cartoon characters. Crkt 18″ Kids Carry on luggage ($54 intl.target.com)
Greg Hudson, features editor
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
While we all might strive for complete selflessness in our gift giving, sometimes the gifts we give say a great deal about who we are. And so while this blanket ladder—beautifully crafted by Best Made Co (who have almost outgrown their urban hipster image)—would solve my Too Many Blankets, Not Enough Couches problem, I’m willing to bet that I’m not the only person who loves coziness, but hates the way even boxed blankets can make a room seem dishevelled. The Cedar Blanket Ladder ($498 bestmadeco.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
I will know I am an adult when one of two things happen: 1) I miraculously start enjoying blue cheese, and 2) I have an elegant place to put all the detritus I typically keep in my pockets, instead of loosely scattering it along my desk. Those shopping for me can’t help me with the former, but they can certainly help with the latter. These brass desk trays fit in with nearly every décor, and do their (admittedly simple) job. Oji Masanori Brass Desk Trays ($55 kaufmann-mercantile.com)
Meghan Mckenna, contributor
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
I can’t afford to fly my loved ones across the Atlantic, but I CAN afford to send them to a Moroccan inspired day at an exotic Toronto spa. Which is kind of the same thing, right? Magic in Marrakech ($340 mirajcaudaliespa.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
I’ve been eye-ing this scarf for a while, but I just can’t bring myself to drop $200 on a millennial pink piece of wool. If it isn’t wrapped under the tree, you better bet it’s how I’ll be spending my Christmas cash. Pink Canada Narrow Scarf ($190 ssense.com)
Souzan Michael, beauty editor
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
I’d love to give my mom this beautiful Tiffany & Co. palm tree necklace. Her name means “little palm tree” in Arabic so I think it’d be a cute, unique alternative to a nameplate necklace. Palm Tree charm and chain ($180 tiffany.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
I’ve been weirdly obsessed with finding a good, non-corny while leather jacket for a long time now. This one from Asos is just what I’ve been dreaming of. Gestuz Laika Real Leather White Jacket (£270.00 asos.com)
D’Loraine Miranda, production editor
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
This next-level mindfulness journal is something I’m definitely going to be gifting this season. Created in partnership with Flow Magazine, it features gorgeous illustrations, beautiful little detachable journals and postcards, stickers and more. Because stickers ALWAYS get the creative juices flowing. A Book That Takes Its Time ($38 chapters.indigo.ca)
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
I adore delicate jewellery and this ring by Mejuri is a piece I’ve been hoping to add to my collection for quite some time now The direct-to-consumer Toronto-based brand offers luxe jewellery at affordable prices. 14k solid gold and diamonds without the traditional retail mark-up? Sign me up! Mejuri Diamonds Line Ring ($200 mejuri.com)
Ben Reyes, video editor
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
My parents’ audio system still has a cassette player, which is why I’m bringing them into the 21st century with the Bose SoundTouch 20 Wireless Speaker. It’s small enough that it won’t get in the way, and offers the convenience of connecting your phone or computer wirelessly. You can also connect it to other Bose multi-room speakers and continue listening to the same song in another Bose SoundTouch 20 III Wireless Multi-Room Speaker ($450 www.bestbuy.ca)
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
Unfortunately this year’s must-have item (a one-way ticket to Mars on a SpaceX Rocket) is hard to come by, so this year I’m asking for the Soho Electric Wall Mount Fireplace. This is in part due to the poor insulation in my apartment building, but also because “Fireplace For Your Home” on Netflix just isn’t cutting it anymore. Soho Electric Wall Mount Fireplace ($460 canadiantire.ca)
Christiane Beya, fashion editorial intern
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
Two years ago I received one of the best presents when my aunt gifted me a teacup with an infuser for Christmas. As a tea lover – decaffeinated of course – I would like to spread this joy with David Tea’s glass weave Nordic mug. Glass Weave Nordic Mug ($23 davidstea.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
I am a fairly tall person but I’ve always been about my heels. A favourite pastime of mine is making a statement with my shoes, and my latest obsession is transparent heels (Yeezy definitely taught me). I would like to receive Steve Madden’s Clearer strappy heel. Whether you want to be formal or causal you can’t go wrong when it comes to these shoes. Clearer ($125 stevemadden.ca)
Emily Hall, photo intern
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
I’ve always loved collecting photographs of friends and family. Keeping them on my phone is easy but that always ends up taking up so much space! This polaroid printer connects wirelessly to your phone or tablet. Polaroid – ZIP Mobile Printer ($130 bestbuy.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
For as long as I can remember I have been obsessed with Paris. And once I went for the first time I came back with a few ideas on how to make my home feel more like it. The easiest way was food. The Cast Iron Crepe Pan from Le Crueset is a super easy way to bring a little bit of Paris to your home. Cast Iron Crepe Pan ($135 lecreuset.com)
