In a lot of ways, $50 is a magic number I keep in the back of my head when working on this blog. To me, it’s a number that works for virtually anyone on your list (although perhaps your wife might be a little ticked if that’s all you spend…) for many different occasions. $50 is a good amount to spend on a best friend, a sibling, a parent, the in-laws, you name it. It’s probably a little ‘rich’ to spend on that second tier of giftees (neighbours, hostesses, teachers, your extended friend circle, cousins, etc.) but it’s a great budget for the people you call your nearest and dearest. With that in mind, I’ve picked up 15 fabulous gift ideas that’ll set you back no more than $50 – and in many cases, much less than that. Let’s shop, shall we?
Soap and Paper Factory Gift Tins – $40 @ Indigo
I kind of love everything about these chic gift tins from U.S.-based Soap and Paper Factory. I mean, without even touching on the amazing products inside, the packaging is so pretty, there’s really no need to gift wrap it. And even when you open it, the products are individually wrapped in a matching pattern, making it feel that much more luxe. I mean, the products are pretty swell too: they’re free from parabens, phthalates, and petroleum (aka stuff you don’t want your body to absorb) and suitable for sensitive skin. Each pretty kit includes four fabulous products infused with rich, holiday-themed scents like Creamy Peppermint and Winter Vanilla – from a soothing hand cream to a pure soy votive candle so you can relax in the bath, your office, and everywhere in between. For the record, Soap and Paper Factory products are sold in Canada at Indigo, but you can also check out their full line (they ship internationally) on their website - including two more varieties of their gift sets!
As You Wish by Cary Elwes and Joe Layden – $32
At this point, The Princess Bride has basically been cemented as a ‘classic’ family film, joining the likes of Wizard of Oz and Mary Poppins. Filmed in the 80s, this tongue-in-cheek take on epic romance has won legions of fans since its release, and now for the first time ever, Westley himself (Cary Elwes) has gathered a delightful behind-the-scenes look at the fabled film. Alongside tons of rare, exclusive photos are interviews with the movie’s producer, writer and director, as well as the stars – from House of Cards’ Robin Wright to everyone’s favourite Oscar host, Billy Crystal. The result is an ‘inconceivably’ good gift idea for any young fans of the movie – or nostalgic parents looking to recapture the magic of seeing it once upon a time.
La Vie En Rose Fleece Onesies – $49.95 each
Is there anything more snuggly than a onesie in the wintertime? I think not. That may be why this classic cozy cut has been rendered in about a dozen different styles as part of this year’s sleep collection at La Vie En Rose. From full-on footed pajamas to sporty styles that look like separates to festive nordic prints to cute hooded styles with animal ears, La Vie En Rose’s lineups of onesies are one of this year’s ‘it gifts’. They’re awesome for lounging around the house on a lazy Sunday afternoon, but equally perfect to slip into during those harsh and cold Canadian nights. Ultimately, these adorable PJs are a sweet and ultra soft gift for everyone from your teenage daughter to your lovely mother.
Image3D Sets – $29.95 each
Do you remember that nifty toy from your childhood – the View-Master? It was like seeing a little tiny world through the windows of a plastic, mini-slideshow player. Image3D has brought back the technology and opened it up to the masses. Now you can create your own custom image reels, tweaking everything from the tone of your pictures to the backgrounds to the scale. Since most people only have 2D images, as fair warning the Image3D will not magically turn your 2D pix into 3D ones – but if you add text on top of any images, it will automatically render in 3D. And if you do happen to have 3D images, there’s an equally easy and cool way to upload them and create the nu age photo reel of your dreams. Each Image3D set comes with a viewer, reel, and handout box, and if you order a bunch (like say, for a family reunion or to celebrate your wedding), the price drops. Once you have a kit, you can order additional reels on their own separately too. This is a cool gift for anyone in your family you don’t get to see that much – share your family vacation photos, pics of a new grandbaby, or your favourite snaps from a special family occasion, all year round!
Mary Macleod’s Shortbread Tin – $49.75
Dunking a shortbread cookie into a cup of hot cocoa is pretty much my idea of heaven – but add to the mix Canadian brand Mary Macleod’s super diverse lineup of flavours and you have me pretty much weeping with happiness. Made with real butter and using the eponymous Mary Macleod’s secret family recipe, these tasty morsels are available in a range of taste sensations, including orange chocolate, espresso chocolate, butterscotch, and a half-dozen others. Cookies make a delightful hostess gift, or a pick for all your nieces and nephews to gorge on when heading over to a family gathering. Mary Macleod’s shortbread confections can be bought in individual pieces (like a dutch chocolate ‘heart’ that would make a swell stocking stuffer), in custom-designed bakers boxes, or in pre-packaged gift sets, like the one I’ve highlighted above which comes in a reusable (and durable for shipping) tin and contains 35 delicious cookies.
Yarnbox Subscription – From $35 / Month
You’re probably already aware of this – but just in case! – knitting and crocheting ain’t just for grannies anymore. Indeed, many of my friends are posting their latest yarn-spun creations to Facebook and Instagram on a weekly basis. With the rise of yarn and crafting in general has come the demand for more selection, from more sources, with more textures, colours, and other unique features to choose from. Yarnbox, a ridiculously popular crafty subscription service from the U.S., delivers just that. Each month they’ll send you a box filled with yarn from carefully curated suppliers around the globe, as well as some patterns to further inspire you. And the box is truly tailored to your preferences – you choose your needle size and tell them whether you knit or crochet, and they’ll make sure what shows up in your mailbox is something you’ll truly love. If you’re looking to just give them a one-time whirl, it’s a mere $39 +shipping (whereas you’ll be receiving between $50-$80 worth of yarn and goodies). The price goes down as you order more months – it’s $37.95 per month for a three-month subscription, and $35.95 per month for a six-month one. There’s also Yarnbox Luxe, which includes high end luxury yarns and goes for $69.95, with quarterly delivery. No matter which option you choose, Canadian shipping is an extra $5.95 so bear that in mind!
DIY Bubblegum Kit – $29 @ O.co
I remember how proud I was when I finally figured out how to blow bubbles as a kid. But I think I’d be even more impressed if I was blowing bubbles with gum I made myself. This creative, sorta scientific kit is a cool idea for any brainy-minded person on your shopping list that also loves to chomp down on some gum (kids, teens, adults – you name it!) This cool gift includes enough ingredients to make over half a pound of the tastiest, freshest, most lovingly made bubblegum you’ll ever have tasted, and should be good to keep the kids occupied for quite awhile (especially when they kick off a bubblegum blowing contest post-creation!)
Woodlot Candles – $29 each
I genuinely like giving candles as gifts for a few reasons. One, virtually no one is opposed to them. Two, they’re not the kind of thing you really buy for yourself all that often. And three, they’re semi-disposable – so even if you’re buying for that person who has everything, when they’re done with them, they’re done with them. If you’re looking for a candle that’s a little extra special, consider checking out Canadian brand Woodlot, which handcrafts each of their candles using clean-burning, petroleum-free coconut wax. Available in four refreshing scents, this chic artisan candles are a classy gift for everyone from your best friend to your minimalist aunt. Each candle features two wicks and burns for a good long while, infusing your home with essential oil blends like fir, cedarwood, patchouli & sandalwood or rosemary & mint for an uplifting rush.
Kaia Naturals Bamboo Tapioca Beads Customized Cleansing Kit – $38
I feature natural brands on this blog quite a bit – but I was truly impressed with Kaia Naturals’ offerings this holiday season, in part because I’ve never encountered anything quite like it. The brand’s signature product is their Bamboo Tapioca Beads, which are exfoliating spheres made from tapioca powder, white clay, and bamboo. You can use the beads on their own with a bit of water to help slough off dead skin and give you a healthy, refreshed glow in the morning – which in and of itself is pretty cool as the product is in powder form, making it perfect for travel. But the purpose of this kit is to illustrate all the other ways the beads can be mixed and blended to create a scrub or a mask that tackles your individual skin concerns. While the set comes with a tube of refreshing moringa oil (which, when mixed with the beads, actually functions as a makeup remover) and a cute mixing spoon for you to stir up your concoctions, there are tons of other ways to use the beads – with green tea or avocado oil, to name a few ideas – that’ll keep you looking healthy and lovely for months – naturally! Kaia’s products are available online and ship to Canada, but you can also check ‘em out at select retailers throughout the land (including Holt Renfrew).
Magnolia Silver Jewellery – From $32
Proof that you don’t need to spend a bundle to nab a pretty piece of silver jewelry? Just take a peek at all of the items I gathered in the image above – not a one of them are over $50, and all of them would make wonderful gifts for any gem-wearing gal on your shopping list. While the brand is known for their sterling silver pieces, they also carry an impressive array of designs inlaid with precious stones or gold-plated, shimmering designs. And with a huge – and I mean HUGE – selection of hundreds upon hundreds of items (climbing up to the $600 range) you should have no problem finding an item to match your giftee’s style…or alternatively, items for every gal you’re shopping for. The brand has a Canadian site too, making it a snap to shop and see exactly what you’re paying. My apologies in advance if you get lost spending hours on here making your wish list – or fulfilling hers.
LeapFrog LeapBand – $49.95
Do you guys remember Tamagotchi’s and the digital pet craze of the late 90s? LeapFrog has essentially taken that technology and made it a million times cooler – and smarter – for today’s kids. Each of their LeapFrog LeapBands comes equipped with a digital ‘friend’ that encourages your child to get active in exchange for points that help unlock new play activities. Because your kid has the LeapBand strapped onto their wrist, it tracks how active they are as they ‘hop like a frog’ or ‘wiggle like a worm’ or whatever physical activity their virtual friend is encouraging them to do. The lucky child donning one of these 21st century, health-oriented toys will get to choose their pet and name it (anything from a unicorn to a penguin to a robot are up for grabs), and along with literally leaping around, they’ll be taught some smart nutrition tips to encourage a lifelong affinity for health. This is one techie toy I can totally get behind – and so should you!
Marc Jacobs Daisy Rollerball Trio – $45 @ Sephora
If you’re shopping for a fan of Marc Jacobs’ refreshing floral fragrance Marc Jacobs Daisy (one of my all-time faves) then you’ll definitely want to check out this cute and cost-effective gift set. Valued at $75, it includes three purse-friendly rollerball incarnations of Daisy – the original, Daisy Dream (which I wrote about here), and Daisy Eau So Fresh (a fruitier, lighter take on the original). It’s an ideal choice for that jetsetting sibling of yours, or you can buy the gift set, keep one for yourself, and gift the other two to your gal pals for something they’ll get use out of all year long.
black+blum Leaning Tower of Pasta – $50
How cute is this? Product design masters black+blum have taken inspiration from the land of pasta to craft this ceramic pasta holder, which yes, appears to have a lean like the famous tower it’s modeled after. It’s perfect for stashing spaghetti or other long noodles without causing them to break, and makes for an eye-catching piece of decor on the countertop of any design snob. Best of all, it’s got a secret savvy feature – when you take off the cork lid it has an indentation that allows you to properly measure the appropriate amount of pasta for different portion sizes. You can nab black+blum products at many retailers across Canada, as well as online, and I actually found this very pasta holder here.
Golla Air Wristlet – $34.99 @ iStore (come early December)
Looking to trim down your big bulky bag into something more streamlined for say, a playdate or a dinner out? Then check out the Golla Air Wristlet. Made from faux leather, this chic little bag is designed to fit most smartphones, as well as a few other essentials. With one large open pocket inside, plus three card slots and a front zip pocket, it’s got just enough room for your ID, credit card, some cash, and perhaps a tube of lip gloss – pretty much all any gal needs before heading out to meet her friends for brunch or the movies. The wrist strap also detaches, so you can use the Air Wristlet as a sub-purse. Just keep your essentials inside and tuck it into your bigger purse, briefcase or diaper bag – when it’s time to scale back, just fish around for your wristlet and you’ll be good to go.
Holiday Breakfast Box – $45 @ Foodie Pages
First up a bit of a history lesson for you: Foodie Pages is a neato concept that links you the consumer with some of Canada’s coolest indie food and beverage makers. You can purchase their extensive range of products a la carte – essentially making them an impressive online grocer – or you can take a peek at their pre-packaged, ready-for-gifting sets, such as the Holiday Breakfast Box pictured above. I love the idea of having a warm and toasty, homemade meal with your family around the holidays, and this elegant set includes everything you need to do so: a scone mix, granola, cinnamon & honey butter, blueberry & blackberry spread, and a bag of Earl Grey tea to round things out, all from Ontario-based producers. This is just one of many gift sets available on the site (plus plenty of other tasty individual gifts and stocking stuffer ideas) – so get browsing and listen up as your tummy grumbles!
Today’s prize package filled with some of the top gifts under $50 is valued at $444 – and includes the following:
- A Creamy Peppermint Gift Tin from Soap and Paper Factory
– A copy of As You Wish
– A gift code to make your own Image3D kit
– An assorted mini shortbread tin from Mary Macleod’s Shortbread
– A one-month subscription to Yarnbox
– A Woodlot candle
– Kaia Naturals’ Bamboo Tapioca Beads Customized Cleansing Kit
– A piece of Magnolia Silver Jewellery
– A LeapFrog LeapBand
– black+blum’s Leaning Tower of Pasta
– A Golla Air Wristlet
Want to win it? Here’s how to enter!
1) Leave a comment on this post by midnight on December 7 and tell me what your favourite gift ideas are from this list! You can pick as many as you like :)
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around December 8, 2014 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.
4) Bonus Entries: There’s a ton of ways to get extra entries into this super awesome draw. Do as many or as few as you want. For whatever Likes / Tweets / Pins you do, be sure to leave your proof in separate comments per bonus entry.
Follow Soap and Paper Factory on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway (tag me – @cdngiftguide too). Then link back to your Tweet in a separate comment below.
Follow Simon & Schuster (the publisher of As You Wish) on Twitter and tag them and me (@cdngiftguide) in a Tweet about why you’d love to read this book – don’t forget to link to this post! Once you’ve Tweeted, include a link to your Tweet in a separate comment below.
Like Image3D on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall telling them what you want to make a image reel of. Link back to your Facebook comment in a separate comment below.
Like Mary Macleod’s Shortbread on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall telling them which flavour or product you’d love to try. Link back to your Facebook comment in a separate comment below.
Like Yarnbox on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall telling them why you’re interested in trying out their subscription service. Link back to your Facebook comment in a separate comment below.
Follow Woodlot on Instagram and like / leave a comment on one of their photos, then link back to that photo with your Instagram username below.
Follow Kaia Naturals on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway (tag me – @cdngiftguide too). Then link back to your Tweet in a separate comment below.
Pin Your Favourite Piece of Magnolia Silver Jewellery to Pinterest. Then link back to your Pin in a separate comment below.
Follow black+blum on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway (tag me – @cdngiftguide too). Then link back to your Tweet in a separate comment below.
Follow Erikson Consumer (the distributors of the Golla Air Wristlet) on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway (tag me – @cdngiftguide too). Then link back to your Tweet in a separate comment below.