You know it – the gift that you’re waiting until last to wrap, because you keep hoping to find something else reasonable for that person, so you can keep that gem of a gift for yourself…. Or you’re making mental notes to go back in early January to get another one for yourself…read on for a quickie Riverside tour of your must haves (and can’t give aways!)
As soon as you’re over the bridge, stop in at Mary Macleod’s Shortbread (639 Queen E) – where you’ll have to buy at least one extra tin of cookies just for you! Need a last minute gift for a dinner host? Something sweet for your granny? Or maybe you just don’t have the time to bake cookies for Santa. Mary Macleod’s Shortbread has you covered! Their baker’s boxes are perfect for the holidays-you can choose from 12 flavours to customize your box and get exactly what you want (p.s. they also deliver!)
Just a few blocks east and across the street are Empire by Bullet and Keep Me Posted (724 ½ Queen E), a two-in-one store bringing you the best gifts and home furnishings from both the United Kingdom and France (and Keep Me Posted has products that are 90% all-Canadian products!). Empire is the perfect place to find stocking stuffers and gifts for British expats and fans of British culture. Keep Me Posted features a variety of Canadian made product including customizable throw pillows, scented candles and reed diffusers, and even an exclusive new line of Canadian-made bath bombs called “Drop an F Bomb in Your Bath” (of course after you’ve bought for your Secret Santa, you’ll have to get one to drop in your bath!)
Walk east to the Irish Design House (756 Queen E) – the place for unique + beautiful + handcrafted gifts. From the stylish pebble candles, to the wood-crafted snow house, and luxurious scarves – your Secret Santa will love their gift (but unfortunately you won’t be able to let it go!)
Next up, for something to soothe the body, is UNTITLED Hair Salon (792 Queen E) with personalized gift packs that make your hair, hands, and home smell so nice – and are good for the planet! They have gift boxes of clean, healthy beauty products, and candles in the ‘Davines’ memorable, uplifting, signature scents as well! These products are super eco-friendly too (Davines will actually break down to nothing in drain water, in about 50 days). So you’ll need to pick some up just for you 🙂
Then, for the ladies, just pop across the street to Bergstrom Originals’ (781 Queen E) which has their 2015 Holiday Collection bringing you ‘Bond-girl Glamour’! You simply won’t be able to give away the Kashmir Tunic Dress, so you’d better just pick one up for yourself now.
Last stop, for your ‘healthy foodie’ Secret Santa gift, is Pulp Kitchen (717 Queen E) has trays of healthy yummy treats, and while you’re in you can purchase a gift certificate and a nice green juice for yourself, to fuel the rest of your shopping ;).
Happy shopping & Happy Holidays from Riverside neighbourhood!