Today I’m sharing some of the gift ideas that are tops on my holiday wish list. It’s really as simple as that. My loved ones have already seen my wish list as per my birthday being this month, but feel free to channel some inspiration for your own!
Benefit Cosmetics Girl-a-Rama Holiday Kit – $45 @ BeautyBoutique.ca
Benefit has a ton of cute face-shaped tins for their holiday gift offerings this year, and I love them all – but this little set is a particularly cool gift idea. For $45 you get an entire face worth of makeup. Start with the Pore-fessional for a smooth complexion, dust on the two-tone CORALista Rockateur blush, and tint your lips / apples of your cheeks with Bene-tint. Finish things off with a new duo shadow product in the universally flattering Brazen Bronze and finish off with a swipe of Roller Lash mascara. Not only is it a perfect sampling of Benefit’s covetable products, it’s also not a bad gift for traveling.
Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick – $34.99
This book just hit the shelves today and I’m sure it’ll vault onto plenty of wish lists for fans of plucky, Oscar-nominated, talented actress Anna Kendrick. It’s actually a bit of a surprising entry in the arena of celeb memoirs / essay books – most of the time you have comedian / writer / producer types like Amy Schumer, Tina Fey, or Lena Dunham releasing these tomes, but Kendrick is moreso known as just an actress (and an exceptionally funny Twitter user). What’s great though, is Kendrick defies the stereotype of image-protective actresses and delves into her weirdest and wildest and funniest thoughts in this fun collection of autobiographical essays. You’ll get snippets of insight into life as a movie star, but more than likely, you’ll just relate even more than you probably already do to this girl-next-door-by-way-of-Hollywood woman.
Alpaca Scarves – $120 @ El Mercado Peru
I recently took a trip to Africa and it gave me a newfound appreciation for handmade goods – and apparently I’m in good company. Peruvian Andrea Bocchio is based in NYC, but works with artisans from home that are known for their skilled craftmanship. She imports their goods and sells them at reasonable prices to the likes of you and I. While I was hard-pressed to pick some favourite items (no seriously, visit the site and see what I mean), the idea of a touchably soft scarf with baby alpaca fur was too irresistible! In fact, these super soft and covetable scarves are some of El Mercado Peru’s best sellers. Available in a range of patterns and colours, they’re the ideal gift for any woman that loves her gifts with a side of quality, culture, and high style.
Soap Slices – $8 each @ SoGa Soap
One of the great parts of writing this blog is discovering new brands – some of which may end up being in my own proverbial backyard. I had never heard about SoGa Soap until this holiday season. My sister and I went for a visit to their Winnipeg location and I was duly impressed. Made from fine, cruelty-free vegan ingredients, SoGa (short for Soap Gallery), started as a soap brand but has since expanded into all sorts of sweet-smelling goodies for your bathroom. From sumptuous lotions in scents like Sugar or Cafe Au Lait to cute little Gelato Mini Bubble Scoops for a frothy time in the tub to fizzy Bath Snowballs that’ll add a little zing to your relaxing, there’s a bevy of products for you to fall in love with. I have to say, between the selection of unique scents and finishes (parents of little ones will want to check out the new Frozen soap) to the totally reasonable prices, this may be my new favourite local bath products destination – and they ship online across Canada too! I will definitely be nudging my husband for a few of these goodies for my stocking.
BONUS OFFER for Canadian Gift Guide readers! Enter the coupon code Brittanylove for free shipping in North America!
The Square Bottle by Clean Bottle – $17 USD on Kickstarter (for a limited time)
I guzzle many, many bottles of water throughout the day and I’m always on the hunt for a new water bottle that’ll outdo my previous one. This one caught my eye for a few reasons. It’s still raising funds via Kickstarter, but the brand behind it has already released a previous bottle that’s been wildly successful. This new, bigger version of their square-shaped water bottle features some cool upgrades like a softer mouthpiece, but it’s the innovations their original bottle had that’ll really make you want this. My favourite feature is the fact the (otherwise leakproof) bottom unscrews for easy cleaning – even with a bottle brush I never feel like my other bottles get as clean. And it’s got an easy-carry handle on top, perfect for attaching it to a backpack, or swinging it by your side on a nature walk. And that square shape? It’ll still fit in most cupholders plus it’ll keep your bottle from rolling away. There’s under a month left in the Clean Bottle Square Bottle Kickstarter campaign, so nab one at a discount today!
CanadaHelps.org Gift Cards – From $25 (or pick your own amount)
So, this past year I made a fun New Years Resolution to donate $50 to a different charity each month. It’s a feel-good resolution I’m proud to say I’ve been keeping up and it’s exposed me to a range of initiatives I wasn’t previously aware of. Plus, to be sensible, it encourages you to donate year-round for tax purposes, as opposed to some last-minute donations on December 31st. A good portion of my donations were made through CanadaHelps.org, which basically serves as a fundraising portal for thousands of charities that don’t want to carry the (heavy) cost of fundraising software infrastructure on their own. I’d actually be quite happy if someone gave me a gift card to continue on this year’s NYR into next year – and I encourage you guys to look into it as well. A feel-good moment + a tax receipt goes a whole lot further than candy or a sweater anyway.
Psyche Jewelry – Lava Ring – $64, Shield Cuff – $88, Spectrum Necklace – $84, Horizon Cuff – $118 (all prices in USD)
Fair warning – I’m going to gush. Created by Texas-based jewelry designer Nina Berenato, Psyche Jewelry specializes in created hand-forged pieces with unique inspiration. Case in point? The latest collection, ‘Doors of Janus’, is partially inspired by the doorways and entryways of Austin, but also draws from the Romans, who worshipped a two-faced god that looked to both the past and present, called Janus. The look of Psyche Jewelry is practically otherworldly – it’s delicate yet bold, ancient yet futuristic. Virtually all of the pieces are available in sterling silver or yellow gold, and some with stones can be customized to your stone of choice. I could easily pick out a dozen pieces I’d seriously squeal at opening on Christmas morning…but I encourage y’all to browse for yourselves and share your favourites with me! Oh, and shipping is just $10 to Canada, by the by.
nugg Face Mask Variety 4-Pack – $12.99
I’m quietly addicted to face masks. I honestly see a difference when I use the 1-2 times per week so I’m always interested in trying new brands. nugg caught my eye for their cute packaging and promising results. The single serve pods mean you aren’t letting your mask air out or get bacteria in it upon opening. Plus, the ingredients are 90% naturally derived or totally natural – and I love that they’re free from fragrances and parabens. While I’ve highlighted this cute four-pack here, you can try all sorts of nugg masks in any combination you’d like – they make one for virtually every skin concern from dryness to acne. While shipping can be on the steep side if you’re placing a small order ($15) but it’s a flat rate, so stock up and gift some to all your closest friends. And your favourite blogger, if you have a few pods left over…
Enamel Mugs – $19 USD each @ WKNDRS
WKNDRS is one of those alpha cool shops that carries things you never realized you wanted until you saw them. Case in point? Enamel is having a moment right now – you’ll see another enamel gift idea popping up soon on this blog – and WKNDRS has capitalized on the trend with their enamel / metal mugs. Perfect for toting for a camping trip or just something reliable that your coworkers / dog / kids won’t knock off and shatter into a bajillion pieces, these cool mugs are all created with handsketched designs for an artisan look. While I’m feeling the mugs, I’d be just as happy seeing a pin or patch pop up in my stocking this year folks.
Me & Mats Candles – $28 USD each @ French Studio Imports (or in person at Bacci’s)
Hailing all the way from Amsterdam, these charming candles are winners on multiple fronts. First, you’ve got the way cute, pre-wrapped packaging that makes these beauties ready to hand over in a flash. Second, they come in a range of collections to suit your gifting occasion and recipient. I’ve highlighted a few from the happy collection because well, getting candles as gifts makes me happy, but you can also nab them in fun botanical prints or sophisticated black and gold varieties. The brand is quickly becoming touted as a must-have gift idea this season, popping up in a range of press around the globe – and I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing one under my tree!
Well here’s where I get jealous. I have a great prize package valued at $400 filled with some of my wish list items – all for one lucky winner to nab! If you win, you’ll receive:
Benefit Cosmetics Girl-a-Rama Holiday Kit
Alpaca Scarf from El Mercado Peru
Clean Bottle Square Bottle
Psyche Jewelry Shield Cuff
WKNDRS Badlands Mug
Me & Mats Happy Collection Candle
Interested? Alright keeners, here’s how to enter for your shot at winning my wish list giveaway!
1) First off! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by November 27, 2016 telling me your favourite wish list item featured here!
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 November 28, 2016 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:
Follow Benefit Canada on Instagram and either regram a photo or share a photo of your favourite holiday item from the Benefit website onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.
Follow El Mercado Peru on Instagram and either regram a photo or share a photo of your favourite item from the El Mercado Peru website onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.
Follow Clean Bottle on Instagram and either regram a photo or share a photo of your favourite photo of the Clean Bottle onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.
Follow Psyche Jewelry on Instagram and either regram a photo or share a photo of your favourite item from the Doors of Janus collection onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.
Follow WKNDRS on Instagram and either regram a photo or share a photo of your favourite item from their site onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.
Like French Studio Imports on Facebook and tell them what your favourite Me & Mats candle is in a wall post. Link back to your wall post in a separate comment below!
Fun reminder: You can check out all active giveaways by visiting the Winners Circle section of my site!