From Toronto icons to rising Canadian creators, celebrate local spirit in every gift.
From hand-painted puzzles to small-batch chocolate, bespoke jewelry to scent-filled candles, Toronto’s makers and local businesses are redefining what it means to give thoughtfully. This Toronto gift guide brings together the city’s most inspiring brands—from indie designers and artisans to sustainable beauty and fashion innovators.
Whether you’re visiting for the season or shopping close to home, each gift in this guide offers a meaningful way to experience Toronto’s creative side. Each gift tells a Toronto story—crafted by the people who make this city one of a kind.
Here are some of Toronto’s most inspiring creators and shops to explore this holiday season.
For the art & design lover
Growing Tkaronto
Growing Tkaronto is a queer, BIPOC-led contemporary floral studio reimagining what sustainable floristry can be. Founded by Sylvia, whose background in fine arts and design shapes every whimsical arrangement and dynamic installation, Growing Tkaronto is the city’s only 100% locally grown flower studio.
The studio is deeply committed to nurturing the land through regenerative farming practices, and every stem tells a story of care, creativity, and connection—florals that bloom for the community and the future.
Gift idea: A bouquet from Growing Tkaronto is a work of art in full bloom—design-forward, sustainably grown, and rooted in local love. Whether for a wedding or special occasion, each arrangement captures the beauty of the season and the joy of meaningful celebration.
The Paperhood
In The Junction, artist Malika Pannek captures Toronto’s nostalgia in playful, hand-painted designs for her paper goods studio, The Paperhood. Her sustainably made stationery and prints celebrate the city’s spirit through whimsical details and colour.
“Toronto is such a great place to build a business…we’ve had amazing support from local shops and the community from the beginning—I think that comes from our shared love for this city, which people can feel in my art”
Gift idea: The Toronto Island 1,000-Piece Art Puzzle brings the city’s favourite summer scenes—ferries, beaches, and bikes—to life for cozy winter nights.
For the luxury experience seeker
Fairmont Royal York
Since opening its doors in 1929, the Fairmont Royal York has stood as a symbol of timeless luxury in the heart of downtown Toronto. Its wood-panelled restaurant, REIGN, celebrates Canada’s landscapes and culinary traditions—crafting French-inspired Canadian fare from local farmers and sustainable producers.
Lovingly reimagined for the modern traveller, this storied landmark blends heritage and sophistication—where historic charm meets contemporary elegance. From grand suites and award-winning dining to the personalized service of Fairmont Gold, every detail is crafted to make each stay unforgettable.
Gift idea: A Fairmont Royal York stay invites someone special to slow down, indulge, and rediscover Toronto through the warmth and wonder of one of Canada’s most iconic hotels.
For the style enthusiast
aaniin retail inc.
The Anishinaabemowin word “aaniin” means “I see your light”—or, conversationally, hello. For founder Chelsee Pettit, that greeting became a call to action: to bring Indigenous languages and culture into everyday life.
After a chance moment on a Toronto street sparked her idea, Chelsee launched aaniin to reclaim space for Indigenous expression through fashion. Each piece features a sewn-in QR code that shares the translation behind the design—turning every garment into a conversation about language, identity, and connection.
Gift idea: The aaniin beanie blends warmth with meaning. Soft, timeless, and rooted in culture, it’s more than an accessory—it’s a statement of pride, language, and light.
Hilary MacMillan
From her Cabbagetown studio, Hilary MacMillan redefines contemporary Canadian fashion with her vegan, size-inclusive womenswear line. Each season, her team hand-designs and samples every piece in-house, with over 70% of the production being locally sourced in small batches—a reflection of her deep commitment to community, craftsmanship, and conscious design.
“Being close to our production connects us to our community, and allows us to create custom pieces and collaborate with new brands just starting out”
Gift idea: The Faux Fur Bucket Hat adds a touch of luxe warmth to winter days. Plush, playful, and cruelty-free, it’s the perfect statement piece for cold-weather style—ethically made and distinctively Toronto.
Lip Lab
Born from the vision of Bite Beauty’s founder, Lip Lab brings the art of lipstick-making to life at its Distillery District and Queen West studios.
Guests work one-on-one with a Colour Expert to custom-blend their perfect lipstick, gloss, or balm, choosing the shade, finish, scent, and even having their creation engraved. It’s a hands-on, sensory experience that transforms a beauty ritual into an act of self-expression, from the first smile to the final swipe.
Gift idea: Treat them to something truly personal—a Lip Lab experience that’s as memorable as the shade they create, a personalized treat for the beauty lover who believes their signature colour should be one of a kind.
The Fitzroy
In the heart of Roncesvalles, best friends Angela Pastor and Julie Kalinowski have built a space that feels as warm and inviting as it is stylish. As Canada’s leading dress rental destination, The Fitzroy makes getting dressed effortless, economical, and fun—offering a curated collection of designer dresses, jumpsuits, two-piece suits, and accessories for every occasion.
“The Fitzroy is all about helping women look and feel their best, while also making fashion more sustainable. We love creating unforgettable moments with our clients and sharing a little ‘dress rental magic’ along the way”
Rooted in Toronto’s creative community, The Fitzroy gives back by supporting local charities, schools, galas, and community events across Toronto.
Gift idea: For the one who loves a reason to get dressed up, a Fitzroy rental experience is the go-to for holiday sparkle—from dinner parties to New Year’s Eve celebrations. It’s a mindful way to elevate their style while keeping the celebration kind to the planet.
Two Cities
Two Cities designs jewelry that mirrors Toronto’s individuality, creativity, and cultural diversity. Each 18k gold-plated and gold vermeil piece blends timeless style with a contemporary edge, redefining everyday luxury. Proudly part of the city’s inclusivity, Two Cities celebrates confidence, connection, and the beauty of self-expression in every design.
Gift idea: The Alexandria Earring is designed for the style enthusiast who treats getting dressed as a form of art. Effortlessly chic and beautifully made, it’s rooted in local pride—a statement piece for the one who carries Toronto’s bold energy wherever they go.
Uppdoo
At his studio on the corner of Bloor and Ossington, founder Ricky Shi brings intention and creativity to Uppdoo, his Toronto-based brand devoted to hand-crafted bags and accessories. The name Uppdoo embodies two guiding principles—Direction and Action—values that inspire Ricky’s constant pursuit of new ideas in fashion and design.
“The underlying philosophy at Uppdoo is that ‘Life is Sweet’, so it‘s important to treat yourself and indulge in all of life’s delicious moments. Not simply just a brand of fashion, Uppdoo will inspire and uplift the everyday into a celebratory one"
Drawing influence from art, craft, interior design, and culture, Uppdoo’s style mirrors the city around it: urban, diverse, and full of energy. Each design is handcrafted, assembled, and packaged in-house, made with love that reflects the beauty of creating slowly and thoughtfully.
Gift idea: The ‘Commuter’ Deluxe Wristlet is functional art for life on the go—thoughtfully designed, impeccably made, and crafted with care for the one who appreciates pieces that last.
For the tastemaker
Cocktail Emporium
Born from a love of great drinks and Toronto’s vibrant hospitality scene, Cocktail Emporium set out to bring cocktail culture to the city—and into people’s homes.
With shops in Queen West, Kensington Market, and Union Station, this local staple has become a go-to for bar tools, glassware, and all things shaken or stirred. Their mission? To make home bartending inspiring, approachable, and fun—keeping the art of the cocktail alive for pros and enthusiasts alike.
Gift idea: The Signature Mini Martini Glasses are this season’s must-have for cocktail flights and festive gatherings. Perfectly petite, they keep drinks chilled and spirits high—an ideal gift for the host who loves to entertain in style.
Laura Slack Chocolate
Toronto chocolatier Laura Slack has been crafting edible works of art since 2009, transforming nostalgic treats and inventive flavour pairings into extraordinary confections.
Her meticulous craftsmanship and eye for design have made her one of the city’s most celebrated chocolate artists—blending culinary skill with creativity in every bite. Each piece reflects her passion for transforming simple indulgence into an elegant sensory experience.
Gift idea: The Drink of the Gods Ultimate Drinking Chocolate reimagines the ancient Mayan beverage that inspired modern chocolate. Rich, velvety, and deeply aromatic, this indulgent blend offers a luxurious way to warm up winter nights—a divine nod to chocolate’s storied past.
For the wellness & self-care-obsessed
LOHN
With backgrounds in chemical engineering and experience in the beauty industry, co-founders Katerina Juskey and Victoria Mierzwa turned their shared love of scent and design into LOHN—meaning “scent” in Estonian.
Vegan, cruelty-free, and proudly Canadian, each LOHN creation is handmade with care by a close-knit team of makers and women in STEM at their women-led studio just outside Toronto.
Gift idea: The Snowdrop Candle captures the cozy, yet magical, feeling of the first snowfall. Notes of wild ivy, soft freesia, and warm amber melt into a serene, sparkling, and fresh scent—like winter’s quiet beauty flickering to life.
Province Apothecary
When Province Apothecary founder, Julie Clark, couldn’t find skincare gentle enough for her eczema, she made her own—right in her kitchen. Today, the award-winning brand blends plant-powered science with holistic wellness to create pure, effective skincare for even the most sensitive complexions.
Each formula blends organic ingredients from across the provinces—such as seaweed from Nova Scotia and beeswax from Alberta—a reflection of the brand’s deep roots in nature and its commitment to ethical, cruelty-free beauty.
Gift idea: The Illuminating + Radiant Vitamin C Serum is like sunshine in a bottle—brightening and hydrating for radiant winter skin. It’s the kind of feel-good luxury every wellness devotee deserves this season.
When you shop local, you’re doing more than finding the perfect gift—you’re supporting the people, stories, and spaces that make Toronto shine.
Every designer, florist, and chocolatier adds their own spark to the city’s creative heartbeat. Together, they form a community built on connection, care, and craftsmanship.
This season, keep exploring Toronto’s neighbourhoods—discover local shops, studios, restaurants, and experiences that make giving (and living) here so special.
—This story has been updated with new details since it was first published in October 2021.
