Ever since my daughter was born three years ago, my primary venue for gift shopping has been the World Wide Web; the 24/7 nature of online retail suits the sleep-deprived lifestyle of many a new parent.
But now that my daughter is older and I'm actually able to venture out the door to shop for my loved ones, I steer clear of the internet and remain firmly rooted in Vancouver.
Below are my top picks for gifts I'll be giving, the bulk of which are created right here in the 604 or benefit organizations doing good work in our community:
Dignity Purefume
Since 2000, Vancouver's Beauty Night Society has provided 36,000 makeovers to women in need — and Smell This! Aromatherapy is supporting this fearless organization with the aptly named Dignity cologne (created with input from Beauty Night's founder, Caroline MacGillivray). The alcohol-free, plant-based purefume contains energizing notes of lemongrass, peppermint, ylang ylang, rosewood and vanilla. $10 from every purchase benefits Beauty Night Society and the women it serves. $20 at SmellThis.ca.
Hand-crafted talisman jewelry
One of my favourite gifts to myself this year was my Writer talisman pendant from Pyrrha featuring a hand grasping a quill pen. I love the imperfection of the piece, the fact that it was cast in a Mount Pleasant studio using an antique wax seal, and my personal connection to the subject matter. This year, I'm going to spread the Pyrrha joy and hand out necklaces that I hope will be meaningful to each of the recipients. Starting at $114. Pyrrha.com.
Olive oil
Forget wine and fancy cheese: olive oil is my go-to hostess gift for the 2013 holiday season. No one in the city knows more about olive oil than the fine folks behind the Vancouver Olive Oil Company. Their Kitsilano location — part tasting room, part retail space — is the perfect place to wade into the world of flavoured and single cultivar olive oils and build an appreciation for aged balsamic vinegars. 2571 West Broadway.
Cutting boards
Just because an item is practical doesn't mean it cant be a work of art. Local carpenter Kate Duncan's walnut and maple cutting boards are functional (I love the handles) while also adding a stylish flair to any kitchen. Available in a range of sizes. $75 - $195 Parliament Interiors (115 Water St), Homewerx (1053 Davie), Atkinsons (1501 West 6th), and KateDuncan.ca.
Amanda Tapping by Dennys Ilic
Sci-fi icon Amanda Tapping is a dynamic beauty inside and out, and this limited edition book of images by celebrity photographer Dennys Ilic captures Tappings picture-perfect elegance, vulnerability, character, and grace. And how's this for beauty: proceeds go to Tapping's Vancouver-based, globe-spanning charity Sanctuary for Kids, which locally aids homeless youth in need through Watari. AmandaTappingBook.com.
Cooking classes
For the people in my life who buy what they want whenever they want it (hi, Mom and Dad), I lean toward experiential gifts. This year, I'm registering my parents for a couples' cooking class at the Dirty Apron Cooking School (540 Beatty) where they'll prepare a sexy three-course meal and whip up some new memories. $158 per person at DirtyApron.com.
