Is 2020 over yet? It’s been a year. We hope everyone is doing okay and looking forward to a very different but very happy holiday season.

Usually at this time of year we are getting ready to celebrate with our team, our office, friends and family, it’s strange to have an empty calendar. Although the “parties” are on hold until next year, we are still very keen to support local businesses and spread some cheer through gift giving.

One idea I had was dropping off a “hostess gift” for all of the ladies in my life that usually throw lovely holiday get togethers at this time of year. A way of saying thanks for what you’ve done in the past and a reminder that we all be together again someday soon…and they’ll be stuck hosting again! wink wink.

I also love to have a stockpile of ready-to-go items for easy gifting. Whether you want to do homemade or store bought (preferably local!) here's what's on our inspiration list for 2020. Our goal as always is to think functional and thoughtful, with items that were either local, reusable or consumable.

Wrapping a tea towel or swedish sponge cloth around a favourite bottle (drinking bubbles or washing bubbles!) is a go-to gift for us. You can find the cloths at tenandco online or cloths and soaps locally at The Pretty Clean Shop.

Get some helpers in the kitchen with you and whip up some butters. Sweet or savoury whipped butters are THE BEST! By making up a bunch ahead of time you’ll thank yourself every time you have a ready-to-go gift this season. Package them up in a nice reusable container from The Cookery with a ribbon.

We are approaching Giving Tuesday so why not give a better gift by choosing to pay it forward this year. Purchasing "giving gifts" online has never been easier, so choose a cause close to your heart and write a personal thank-you / holiday note & let your host know they've made a difference. We love these giving-gifts for teachers!

Not everyone on your list will be a wine lover, so how about supporting one of our many amazing local breweries. Stop by and grab a mix of different bottles and maybe even a few of these reBeer glasses from Ecotique.

Brighten your besties day with a surprise delivery of flowers or greens. Wildhood & Willem & Joolst have a great selection and there is no better way to let someone know you are missing them this holiday season.

We are in Lockdown 2.0 in Toronto & that has really affected many of our favourite local shops. Since in-person shopping is closed locally until further notice you need to do some extra digging to find out who is open for curbside pickup, local delivery, and shipping. A few amazing humans have put together some lists for all of us! If you want to browse some local shops that tend to have a lot of Canadian labels for more inspiration, check out : this one and that one. It's the perfect time of year to support local shops & Canadian companies. Have a suggestion of where to shop, tag it below or on Instagram.

Happy gift giving everyone!