Give the gift of the city with locally made gifts and only-in-Toronto experiences they can enjoy now or return for later.
Make your holiday giving effortless and meaningful with handpicked Toronto treasures. From luxe Yorkville to artsy Dundas West, Toronto is packed with indie makers, quirky shops and creative spaces.
This holiday season, skip the usual suspects and give something with a little more personality; think: unique artisan creations, local flavours and unforgettable experiences. Here are 10 Toronto gifts they’ll remember long after the season ends.
For the chocoholic: Chocolat de Kat
Chocolat de Kat’s artisanal chocolates are almost too pretty to eat. Classic flavours run the gamut from whiskey caramel to birthday cake, while holiday creations include flavours like gingerbread bonbons.
Last year’s whimsical advent calendars sold out quickly thanks to exclusive flavours like roasted banana and butter tart, while a Hanukkah box included raspberry rugelach and everything bagel. Keep an eye out for this year’s festive lineup or stop by the chocolatier’s new Summerhill location to build a box in person.
For the culture vulture: Crow’s Theatre
Theatre lovers craving a more intimate experience will love Crow’s Theatre, a mainstay of Toronto’s arts scene since the early 1980s.
Known for its thought-provoking productions, the company’s winter highlights include a stage adaptation of Canadian author Mona Awad’s dark comedy All’s Well (November 24–December 27, 2026) and A German Life (January 12–February 7, 2027), starring acclaimed Canadian actress Fiona Reid.
Housed in Leslieville, the venue has two theatres, one seating just 90 people, meaning there’s not a bad seat in the house. Gift certificates are available in any denomination and never expire. With a Piano Piano restaurant nearby, dinner and a show is a no-brainer.
For the little rebel: Olly Olly dolls
From David Bowie to Beyoncé (BEY) to Frida Kahlo, the famous faces behind Olly Olly’s handmade dolls have never been afraid to blaze their own trail. Made in small batches in a Toronto home studio, the 16-inch dolls are crafted from organic cotton, printed with water-based inks and stuffed with hypoallergenic filling. They’re released in limited editions, making them as much a keepsake as a cuddly companion.
For the wellness junkie: Hot and cold therapy at Othership
A sauna and ice-bath experience at Othership offers those on your nice list a welcome break from the holiday chaos.
With locations in the Entertainment District and Yorkville, Othership’s offerings—sauna sessions, cold plunges and breathwork—are designed to help ease stress and improve circulation.
Session-based gift cards let recipients choose their own adventure, from a two-hour Evening Social to a guided Down class (ideal for post-holiday decompression).
For the scent-obsessed: LOHN candles
Founded by two Canadian women with roots in Lithuania and Poland, LOHN takes inspiration from the Amber Road, an ancient trade route through their ancestral homelands. Handmade in small batches just outside Toronto, their candles use a coconut-soy wax blend and phthalate-free fragrances.
Sold at retailers throughout the city, including Yorkville’s posh Holt Renfrew department store, scents range from the woodsy Dym, with notes of spruce and woodsmoke, to the spicy Feu, featuring cardamom and saffron. Finally, a good excuse to cancel plans and stay home!
For the creative type: Collage workshop
Remember when cutting and pasting involved actual scissors and glue? Little Portugal’s Issues Magazine Shop hosts regular collage workshops led by multidisciplinary artist Alanna Chelmick, where participants can create their own works of art or vision boards using vintage and contemporary materials.
No artistic experience is necessary, and all supplies are provided. It makes for a fun night of screen-free bonding (and a healthy dose of nostalgia).
For the caffeine connoisseur: De Mello Coffee
Korean-born brothers Felix Cha and Won Cha first encountered specialty coffee in Australia—a discovery that led them to open their own café and roaster in Midtown Toronto in 2013.
Named after a Brazilian myth about the history of coffee, De Mello helped put Toronto’s specialty coffee scene on the map and now boasts four locations across Midtown, King West and Bloor East.
Its popular Dancing Goats blend, with notes of milk chocolate, vanilla and dark cherry, is just the thing for getting through a Toronto winter. Bonus: the cool packaging features a tiger inspired by Korean folklore.
For the art lover: MOCA membership
Tucked into a former factory on Sterling Road in the city’s west end, the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto is a good excuse to venture beyond the usual downtown art circuit. Current exhibitions include Bharti Kher’s Bones and Delcy Morelos’ Ombligo, an immersive, large-scale installation woven from sisal rope treated with soil and corn roots. (both on now through February 14, 2027).
A $55 individual gift membership includes a year of unlimited visits and invitations to exhibition openings. For a post-art Italian pastry or espresso, head to the nearby Forno Cultura café, where members also get 10 percent off.
For the winter wanderer: MTN Head toque
Nothing shouts Canadian winter à la Bob and Doug McKenzie like a toque (a.k.a. beanie). MTN Head’s unisex cashmere-merino toques are made in Canada and come in neutral and statement-making shades like poppy and mustard.
Pop into the brand’s cozy Roncesvalles storefront for a look at its other Canadian-made clothing and accessories, including fleece hoodies and wool blankets that would look especially chic in a log cabin.
For the music snob: Kid Icarus concert posters
Band tees are cool, but a framed concert poster is next level. Kensington Market fixture Kid Icarus has been turning out bold, graphic posters since 2007, many of which commemorate actual gigs at classic Toronto venues like Massey Hall, Lee’s Palace and Danforth Music Hall.
Designed by independent artists and printed by hand in the shop’s back studio, the posters are works of art in their own right. The storefront also stocks quirky Toronto greeting cards, books and knickknacks.
—This story has been updated with new details since it was first published in October 2021.
