Here’s something you can feel good about this holiday season: giving great gifts and supporting local businesses. You can easily check off your gift list in Kitchener-Waterloo and spend some time browsing amazing small businesses. Not only will you be able to find lots of unique products, but you will be able to enjoy the hard work our local business owners have put into their shops to create amazing festive atmospheres.
Here are some great gift ideas from KW businesses for some people who might be on your nice list:
- Foodie
- Movie Buff
- New to KW
- Homebody
- Beer & Cocktail Lover
- Sweet Tooth
- Bookworm
Local Gifts for A Foodie
- A cheese box from Eby Street Bodega.
- Crumby Cookie Dough Subscription delivered right to their door!
- Wander the aisles in Vincenzo’s and you’re sure to find a basketful of delicious gourmet treats for anyone on your list. This is a great stop for stocking stuffers too!
- A delicious gift basket from Dana Shortt Gourmet.
- Relish Cooking Studio cooking class.
Local Gifts for A Movie Buff
- Appolo Cinema merchandise like their Neon 90’s shirt. They also sell buttons, pins, mugs and more. Or grab a gift card!
- Princess Cinema – Sponsor a seat for the movie lover in your life. You can dedicate a name and a message that will go on a brass-plated plaque.
- Gifted carries stylish movie posters by Concepción Studios that will fit any home’s aesthetic.
Local Gifts for Someone New To Town
- KW Famous KW Squad Shirt. They also carry stickers to commemorate KW landmarks and more.
- GRT EasyGo fare card. Grab any KW newcomer a card so they can easily ride the LRT and transit, and throw in a route map.
- Region of Waterloo Bike Trail Map. You can find free hard copies of the map around town
Local Gifts for A Homebody
- A cozy pillow from Devitt House.
- A Tea Time Advent Calendar from Queen of Hearts Tea House & Gift Shop.
- Give the give of art with a unique piece from the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery shop.
- Conestoga River Pottery mug
- A bag of coffee from Smile Tiger Coffee Roasters. Plus they have some cool merch you can add to your gift.
- A candle from Harp & Fin
Local Gifts for A Beer & Cocktail Lover
- Cocktail Simple Syrups UpMarket. Pair it with some of their beautiful glassware and bar accessories.
- Give the gift of the Purple Teeth Thirsty Wine Club. Choose from a selection of frequencies, types of wine or packs.
- Descendants Beer with some unique beer merch (buttons, candles, and bath bombs). You can even make your order a gift and they’ll wrap it and add a card.
- A TWB Coop glass and their favourite beer to go with it.
- Bottles, cans, merch and clothing from Counterpoint Brewing Co.
- Short Finger Brewing Co. (Kitchener’s only Sci-Fi Punk Brewery) shirt, hat, toque, or other merchandise along with a bottle or two.
Local Gifts for Someone With A Sweet Tooth
- A box of apple fritters from The Fritter Co. at the St. Jacobs Market
- Esta Chocolates signature truffles gift box.
- Rheo Thompson Chocolates may be just beyond KW in Stratford, Ontario but you can find their famous Mint Smoothies at a few local places in Kitchener-Waterloo.
Local Gifts for A Bookworm
- Best the best fiction of the season, local author picks, 2022 biographies, travel books and beyond at Wordsworth Books.
- Grab a preloved book for the reader in your life from KW Bookstore
- Pair a book from a local bookstore with Bookish Things from Gifted (bookmarks, book-themed socks, pins, pizzles, mugs, and more)
Happy Gift Giving!
