Finding great gifts for family can be really, really, (really) tricky, especially when everyone has varied interests, lifestyles, and tastes. With that in mind, we took on the difficult task of curating a gift guide full of goodies that are sure to thrill even the pickiest members of your famille (including the ones you only see once or twice a year).
lululemon
Insulated and water-resistant, this jacket is the ideal option for outdoor adventurers and city dwellers alike. The slim design makes it easy to layer under chunkier coats and jackets when Canadian winter well and truly hits, but on its own, it offers windproof warmth that’ll keep them cozy and dry (even if they’re caught in a surprise rain or snowstorm).
Mastermind Toys
It may be a bit early for real ones, but you can introduce them to the wonderful world of music with this wooden playset. It comes with a selection of percussion and wind instruments so they can pick their favourites (and you can feel good knowing they won’t be munching on plastic or small parts).
Amazon Canada
Reviewers are obviously drawn to its aesthetic appeal, but they also love that it’s easy to set up and durable enough to withstand active child play. The fabric is machine-washable in case any oopsies happen, meaning they could even use it for their fur baby if that’s more their vibe. It also comes with a soft floor mat, a carrying case, and twinkly lights for extra ambiance.
Patchology | Holt Renfrew
Trouble spots don’t stand a chance when they slap on one of these X-shaped mini masks. They’re infused with willow bark and tea tree oil for maximum soothing power while sucking up any potential irritants or pollutants that led to breakouts in the first place. We can’t predict the future, but we think your skincare-loving sibling would love these.
Simons
When practicality is key, opt for a pair of classic shearling gloves that’ll keep their hands toasty from Christmas ’til spring. Since they come in several sizes, you could gift them to just about anyone, turn them into matching family gifts, or surprise Dad with something he’ll actually use.
Amazon Canada
They’ve watched every Star Wars saga (and are gearing up for The Skeleton Crew), so consider gifting them this homage to an iconic design: the Mandalorian’s helmet. The bricks come in varied shades of grey to mimic the helmet’s metallic finish, and while we’re not here to tell them they can’t go off-book, it does come with instructions so they can build their very own collectible. Reviewers like that it’s not overly complicated to assemble and say it makes a great addition to any fan’s collection.
Penguin Randomhouse
It’s no surprise that dads love a pun, so whip out this game when he really wants to tap into his best (and corniest) lines. Reviewers love that it’s both easy to learn and hilarious, meaning he’ll be able to spend less time learning the rules and more time having a blast.
Amazon Canada
The custom photo is cute enough, but the personalized song selection is really where the magic happens. The plaque will have a custom Spotify code that, once scanned with their phone’s camera, will play your chosen tune whenever the mood strikes. Reviewers say the light-up function makes it a welcome addition to their home decor.
Simons
Dry lips are no joke (especially in the winter), but one swipe of these balms will keep their kisser protected from now ’til summer. Unlike other butters and balms, these are totally non-sticky, have zero shine, and won’t feel waxy or gritty. They’ll get two mint-flavoured tubes, plus one unscented shea butter formula.
@vitruvi/Instagram
Benefits of indoor humidifiers include softer hair, a better complexion, reduced allergies, and happier sinuses, and if you’re considering gifting one, this is the option to cop. It’s whisper-quiet (great for bedrooms) and features an adjustable nozzle so they can decide where the mist goes, while allowing them to customize runtime and even control lighting settings for an uninterrupted sleep.
FuzzAMallows
Who doesn’t love an adorable stuffie? This sweet bird is ultra-squishy, making it the ultimate snuggle companion for long car rides, flights, or bedtime. Reviewers were surprised by how soft and durable it was and loved that keeping it in top shape is easy-breezy, too (just hand wash and air dry!).
Amazon Canada
Small enough to snip hairs wherever they’re hiding, this trimmer is equipped with a stainless steel blade that’ll never yank or tug (ouch!). It’s rechargeable, but luckily, one power-up will give them 45 minutes of run time. Not to put too fine a point on it, but reviewers say it’s the best trimmer they’ve ever used!
Why choose one of your fave snaps when this can display up to nine? And they won’t have to take out the tape measure to make sure things are properly aligned, either — they can simply choose their art and pop it in. If you really want to crank up the *giftiness*, consider popping in a few pics of your adventures together, whether that’s a family vacation, a fabulous night out, or any other fun memories. Reviewers use it to cleverly hide things like thermostats or electric outlets and say it’s almost laughably easy to hang up.
Aerie
You absolutely cannot go wrong with a cozy sweater. Whether you’re gifting it to your sister, mom, or partner, everyone would be thrilled to unwrap this plush cable knit number, which is perfectly oversized and begging to be snuggled. It’s made of recycled fabrics and has a raglan sleeve for easy layering over and under their other pieces.
@hoto_official/Instagram
Stuck on gifts for the die-hard DIYer? We’ve got you covered with this stylish (but still practical!) set that’ll make it easier than ever for them to tackle their never-ending to-do list. The star of the show is the precision electric screwdriver that’s lightweight, slim, and equipped with several torque settings so they can even do detail work on delicate items like watches, phones, and game consoles. The magnetic storage case is also loaded with various bits and bobs (like a magnetic pad to keep petite screws from rolling off their workspace).
Amazon Canada
Loaded with cool features (like a special spout they can swing or sip from), this TikTok-fave bottle will keep their beverage icy-cold for up to 24 hours while being leakproof to boot. The cap even has a built-in straw, a locking mechanism, and a carrying loop.
@monostravel/Instagram
Picky reviewers say they researched tons of other packing cube options before settling on these, and here’s why: they keep their shape even when they’re empty (though they can be collapsed if necessary), have dual-sided zippers for easy packing and unpacking, and have unparalleled compression powers so your jet-setting sibling will be able to fit even more stuff into their carry-on.
Amazon Canada
They may be too young to cook for real, but that doesn’t mean they can’t flex their creative muscles. This cute pizza set snaps together with velcro and comes with all their favourite toppings (like pepperoni and mushrooms) so they can whip up some tasty creations of their own. Reviewers love that it teaches their kids to safely use knives and other kitchen tools (it comes with a wooden pizza slicer and spatula) and say it was surprisingly engrossing for youngins.
Simons
A bottle of wine is a classic (and appreciated) host gift, but you’ll earn major bonus points if you show up with a bottle of this home fragrance instead. It has notes of tomato, basil, mint, lavender, cedarwood, and green pepper and helps to banish bad and persistent smells in just a few spritzes — seriously.
lululemon
Peach-soft and drapey, this cute sweatshirt is a sure-fire win, no matter who you’re giving it to. While it’s great for popping on over their workout ‘fits or wearing around the house, there are no laws that say they can’t rock with their favourite jeans or out for brunch on the weekends. Thanks to a generous fit, you won’t need to stress as much about nailing the sizing, either.
@kidsagainstmaturity/Instagram
Family game night just got a serious upgrade. It can be played literally anywhere, is easy to learn (even for young family members), and can be edited or adjusted depending on the age of players — just remove some cards! That said, reviewers have nothing but positive feedback, saying it’s fun for all ages and can be endlessly replayed for hours of laughs.
Crate & Barrel
A butcher block or cutting board is fine, but if they’re fond of snack boards and charcuterie, this marble and mango wood platter is where it’s at. The special touch is the inlaid brass initial, adding a touch of customization and thoughtfulness — just make sure you score an invite to their next dinner party!
Amazon Canada
A classic is a classic for a reason, and this kit is full of ’em. They’ll get eight of the brand’s most iconic flavoured balms (like cotton candy, kiwi, oatmeal cookie, and watermelon), and reviewers say they’re just as tasty — and moisturizing — as they remember. If you feel like getting creative, you can unpack the kit and use each balm as a fun stocking stuffer, too!
@nespresso/Instagram
At the push of a button, they’ll have a tasty cuppa whenever their caffeine cravings hit. They won’t need to fiddle with settings, frothers, or wands — this baby works by reading the special code on each pod, giving them a perfect cup every time (and with a dense, creamy crema to boot).