Six creative entrepreneurs offer sustainable gifting solutions that give event attendees a taste of Toronto’s diverse, innovative and creative soul.
Want to send your group off with meaningful mementos of their time in the city? Toronto offers a plethora of compelling and sustainable gifting options from diverse, BIPOC and women-owned creative businesses. Here are just a few of the gift suppliers that Toronto’s meeting and events community source from.
1. Craft Ontario
A champion of the Toronto craft community since 1931, Craft Ontario represents more than 250 artists.
The array of exquisite, handcrafted gifting options ranges from delicate jewelry and ceramics to captivating textiles and hand-tooled leather bags, not to mention a renowned collection of Indigenous art that includes Inuit carvings and stunning prints.
A champion of the Toronto craft community since 1931, the non-profit Craft Ontario represents more than 250 artists. In addition to plentiful online shopping options, operations manager Scott Coish says, “There is much more to choose from in person” at Craft Ontario’s downtown locations. Let passionate and knowledgeable consultants help you choose unique gifts perfectly suited to your group and budget that intentionally express your appreciation, all while supporting Canadian craftspeople.
Gift ideas: art prints; Inukshuks; beaded jewelry; hand-carved wooden bowls; leather goods.
2. Cup of Té Canada
There is major star power served up alongside the luxury organic, ethically sourced teas created by this female-Black-owned business. In both 2020 and 2024, Cup of Té made the list of Oprah’s Favorite Things. Beyond the glamour lies a powerful tale. Taylor Lindsay-Noel, a former aspiring Olympic gymnast, set up shop in 2018 after a life-changing accident left her paralyzed. “My future was very unclear. But I knew with the right motivation and focus I could do anything.” Oprah’s recognition validated her hard work, says Lindsay-Noel. “Even though you are disabled, or have the odds stacked against you, you can truly do anything.”
Gift ideas: loose leaf organic teas; premium tea bag sachets; teaware; luxury gift bundles.
3. WholeHearted
“We can tailor the experiences to a cause or group the organization wants to support."
—Catherine McGuire, Founder, WholeHearted
WholeHearted is a popular go-to for Toronto meeting professionals looking for CSR-based experiences and gifting. Founder Catherine McGuire says WholeHearted can put together impactful gift kits that delight attendees, spotlight local, diverse and/or women-owned businesses and benefit vulnerable communities.
Want something more out of the box? McGuire says, “Many groups are now opting for experiences,” noting her team loves dreaming up group activities with a community or environmental focus. “We can tailor the experiences to a cause or group the organization wants to support."
Gift ideas: art; gardening or charity-support experiences; eco-friendly drinkware and home goods.
4. Mofer Coffee
Treat coffee lovers to the joys of Ethiopia’s ancient coffee culture.
From cinnamon and smoky, to fruity notes, to rich espressos, this local, family-owned Ethiopian coffee business lets you treat coffee lovers to the joys of Ethiopia’s ancient coffee culture. Importing only sustainably sourced, hand-picked organic coffees from Ethiopia—known as the birthplace of coffee—this celebrated Toronto roaster offers beautiful packaging and whole bean, ground or green bean formats. A rotation of seasonal blends only adds to the sipping pleasure. Besides coffee, gifting options include mugs and gift cards. “Great coffee is our passion and we want to share it with you,” says Milkyas Tefera, founder of Mofer Coffee.
Gift ideas: roasted and green coffee beans; ground coffees; gift cards.
5. Butterfly Ethical Gifting
Butterfly sources all items locally and donates two percent of all revenue to charity.
Founder Jacey Schnarr says, “Our mission is to increase workplace engagement through meaningful gifts.” Besides offering technology solutions to facilitate gifting—like event landing pages where attendees can select gifts—Butterfly sources all items locally and donates two percent of all revenue to charity. Plus, everything is customizable, says Schnarr, allowing clients to target spending as they wish, towards eco-friendly businesses or “specific communities, whether Indigenous or 2SLGBTQ+ groups, or Black-owned businesses.”
“What's great about being in Toronto is we find a lot of the small vendors we partner with organically through things like farmers’ markets, flea markets, art shows.” When you're buying from a small maker, she says, “it's going to be unique and more meaningful to the recipient because they haven't received it a million times before.”
Gift ideas: ethical gift boxes; branded corporate apparel; drinkware; bags.
6. Pretty Clean Shop Toronto
The gifting options at Pretty Clean Shop all have one thing in common: They’re pretty and functional.
This delightful shop for sustainable living reflects founder Miriam Juarez Alcaraz’s dream of creating a one-stop shop that offers “zero-waste, minimal packaging and eco-conscious alternatives for every room in the house, everyone in the family and every part of the body!”
Whether it’s an intoxicatingly scented shampoo bar, colourful litter-less lunch accessories, refillable laundry soap or superfood tea blend, the gifting options at Pretty Clean Shop all have one thing in common: They’re pretty and functional, but you can also rest assured that everything speaks to this shop’s mission. Expect gentle, non-toxic ingredients, low-to-no packaging and local brands with an emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility.
Gift ideas: zero-waste starter kits; Irish wool blankets; curated gift boxes; artisanal bar soaps.
