BBB Local Holiday Guide: Gifts

Find beautiful, tasty, and fun gifts – within walking distance

By Tamara Miller (This article appeared in the December 2021 edition of the New Edinburgh News)

If you don’t want to worry about shipping delays for holiday gifts this year, consider shopping local to avoid the hassle. Many of our local business in Beechwood Village have curated wonderful holiday offerings for everyone on your list. Here are some gift ideas from local business to get you started.

ORESTA organic skin care is a boutique at 137 Beechwood Ave. specializing in clean beauty and wellness. Their ORESTA Holiday 2021 Gift Guide offers a unique selection of stocking stuffers and thoughtfully curated gift boxes, beautifully wrapped and ready to give, for everyone on your holiday list. The ORESTA team is here to help you find the perfect “I love it! How did you know?” gift. ORESTA’s beautiful shop is located at 137 Beechwood. Holiday hours are Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Find them online at oresta.ca.

The Jacobsons team at 103 Beechwood Ave. has prepared some truly special gift options from among their favourite seasonal items: from Santa-adorned Italian panettone, limited-edition drinking-chocolate sets, and a series of exclusive chocolate bars by Anna Stubbe, to sweet treats for your Advent calendar. Bespoke gifts are easy this year: with four sizes of seasonal tote bags to choose from, guests can fill a beautifully designed bag with their favourite items from around the shop. No need for wrapping! For those you want to really spoil, consider giving a subscription to Jacobsons’ Cheese of the Month Club, a specialty food gift set, or a gift box filled with fine foods and tied by hand with a bow. Lastly, the team at Jacobsons is always happy to prepare a gift certificate (in-store or online) if you would like to give the gift of choice. Jacobsons is located at 103 Beechwood Ave. and is open seven days a week. You can also find them online at jacobsons.ca.

“What strikes you as beautiful?” That’s the motto of Electric Street Gallery, a friendly, local neighbourhood art gallery at 299 Crichton St. specializing in uplifting, life-affirming, positive art – all locally made, of course. If you have ever strolled by the large shop windows, you know they often have themed collections, and their theme for the holidays is “Songs of Celebration.” Local artists have contributed fabulous, music-themed works including songbirds, whales (yes, whales sing!), guitars, a trumpet, and a French horn, and more. The gallery carries a wide variety of artistic styles and media, at a range of prices to appeal to a variety of tastes. And if you don’t know exactly what the art-lover on your list would like, you can always choose a gift certificate. The Electric Street Gallery is now open for extended hours: Wednesdays and Fridays from noon until 5p.m., and Thursdays and Saturdays from noon until 7p.m. The gallery is located at 299 Crichton St. Visit them online at electricstreet.art.

You may know Red Door Provisions (177 Beechwood Ave.) as a small, cozy coffee shop, but did you know you could also find the perfect gift for that special someone on your list this holiday season? Their seasonal, handmade, microbatch jams, marmalades, and pickles are always a treat. And this year, besides their food and drink offerings, you can pick up some of their merchandise, from a pink or cream coloured Red Door Provisions Cycling t-shirt, a black cycling hoodie, or a Red Door Provisions cycling water bottle! Red Door is open seven days a week at 117 Beechwood Ave. or online at reddoorprovisions.com

And don’t forget about two more locations where you might find that special something!  The Guardian Pharmacy at 5 Beechwood Ave. (corner of Crichton Street) has a wonderful assortment of items to peruse. There are children’s toys and crafting supplies, beautiful jewelry and clothing, housewares, and décor as well as some great stocking stuffers like candy and skincare items.

And there’s more than just books at Books on Beechwood at 35 Beechwood Ave. at MacKay Street! They have something for everyone on your list, including puzzles, children’s activity and sticker books, cards, stylish totes, and more. Check out Books on Beechwood’s staff book picks on page 30-31. Visit their online shop at booksonbeechwood.ca.