A valuable lesson we’ve learned this year is that our actions impact upon our community. When we stand together and support each other, we all become stronger. This Holiday season, make a massive difference in your community and shop local for your Holiday gifts.
We often don’t realize the power our dollars hold. By choosing to shop local this Holiday, you’ll be supporting local jobs, investing in your community, and you’ll even find some awesome unique gifts made by local creators.
We know picking out gifts can be hard work sometimes. Let us help! We’ve put together some ideas for Vancouver Island-based businesses where you can find awesome gifts for the holiday season. Yule be sorry to miss out on these awesome local businesses!
The Foggy Bean Coffee Co.Gift Idea: Storm Watch Dark Roast
Perfect For: The coffee lover
Location: Ucluelet
The Foggy Bean Coffee Co. have been roasting delicious brews since opening in 2012. This family owned and operated coffee company prides itself on creating sustainable, small batch specialty coffees using ethically sourced and sustainable beans. Whether you’re located on the island or not, they offer free shipping across BC and free delivery in the Ucluelet and Tofino area.
Gift Idea: Gift Certificate
Perfect For: The adventure seeker
Location: Victoria
Fresh Adventures offer year-round tours for thrill seekers and outdoor adventurers alike. Their services include hiking, camping tours and guided ski and snowboard trips. They offer guaranteed departure times, no group size requirements and no mandatory single supplements. Their award-winning tours use only local guides.
Tofino Soap Company Gift Idea: Stress Release Bath Soak
Perfect For: That caring person that also deserves some self-care
Location: Tofino
Tofino Soap Company specialize in sustainable, natural home and body goods that aim to inspire self care. They use environmentally sustainable packaging whenever possible, with less than 6% of their packaging containing plastic. All of their products are handcrafted and produced in small batches.
Gift Idea: White Rhino Signature Shoulder Bag
Perfect For: The conscious fashionista
City/Region: Victoria
White Rhino Bags offer a range of stylish bags and accessories made with 100% cruelty free vegan leather fabrics. A portion of proceeds from every purchase supports animal welfare causes, while 3% of all sales are donated to World Animal Protection US and their many campaigns. Check out their unique, practical and fashionable designs.
Tilly’s Galley Gift Idea: The Campbell River Box
Perfect For: The flavour loving foodie
Location: Campbell River
Pick up a delicious treat for the foodie in your life at Tilly’s Galley. Their high quality, natural GMO-free meal mixes and spice blends work to add a burst of flavour to any dish. All of their products are hand packaged in small batches and their meails are ready to serve in minutes. This Canadian, family owned business has been in operation for over 30 years.
Gift Idea: Gift certificate for classes
Perfect For: The aspiring artist
Location: Courtenay
Lupine Art Studio is a community art studio located in the Comox Valley. During COVID-19, they are offering classes online in clay, drawing and painting for beginners all the way up to advanced. Their art kits are available for sale in their online store.
These businesses are just a small slice of the awesome local entrepreneurs on the BC Marketplace. Your wallet has more power than you realize. This Holiday Season, make a difference in your community and shop local.
Kari Morgan is one of the foremost young Indigenous artists working in BC. She has displayed artwork across the Northwest, Vancouver, and Seattle, showcasing her distinctive minimalist style that blends traditional First Nations art with contemporary influences.
Read the Full StorySkwalwen Botanicals is a small batch botanical skin care business that harvests ingredients in a sustainable and respectful manner.
Read the Full StoryLynn-Marie and Melissa-Rae Angus are the sister co-founders of Sisters Sage, an Indigenous brand that hand-crafts wellness and self-care products inspired by their culture and traditions.
Read the Full Story
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We respectfully acknowledge our place of work is within the ancestral, traditional and unceded territories of the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and that we serve the Peoples of the many Nations throughout British Columbia.