{"id":5266,"date":"2015-12-17T13:48:42","date_gmt":"2015-12-17T18:48:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/meshell.ca\/blog\/?p=5266"},"modified":"2015-12-17T13:48:42","modified_gmt":"2015-12-17T18:48:42","slug":"toronto-vegan-holiday-gift-suggestions-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/meshell.ca\/blog\/toronto-vegan-holiday-gift-suggestions-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"Toronto Vegan Holiday Gift Suggestions 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the last few years I’ve been trying to put together a vegan-friendly gift guide, with a focus on local items and charities. Usually, I put out one post, with everything on it, but we’ve gotten so full of options, that yesterday I started with the Vegan Holiday Menus<\/a> that are available in our dear city, and now on to the gift list.<\/p>\n

This is, of course, \u00a0not all encompassing, since it’s limited by what I’ve found myself, but I’ve tried to poke around as much as time allows. Please feel free to add suggestions in the comments.<\/p>\n

Gift Baskets<\/h1>\n

I’ve seen a few prepackaged gift baskets around the city from vegan or vegan-friendly vendors. so I’d like to start with those (in alphabetical order)<\/p>\n

D-Beatstro<\/h2>\n

\"DBeatstro<\/p>\n

D-Beatstro<\/a> has a variety of fun looking gift baskets that are mostly priced under \u00a0$35. Packages that feature teas (blended by their in-house herbalist) or coffee or hot chocolate packs. There is something for everyone on your list, just pay them a visit.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Forbes Wild Foods<\/h2>\n

\"Forbes<\/p>\n

This Gift Basket Includes:\u00a0Single-source Ontario\u00a0Maple Syrup,\u00a0Pure Birch Syrups,\u00a0Wild Forest Mix,\u00a0Wild Balsam Fir,\u00a0Wild Spruce Tips,\u00a0Wild Mushroom Mustard,\u00a0Wild Canada Plum,\u00a0Wild Strawberries,\u00a0Wild Saskatoon Compote.<\/p>\n

If you ever go to any of the Toronto Farmers Markets, you’ve probably met someone from Forbes Wild Foods selling preserves, mushrooms, and other (mostly) foraged plants & fungi\u00a0from nature.<\/p>\n

They also have a variety of other smaller baskets too<\/a><\/p>\n

Live On Chocolate’s – Truffle Gift Boxes<\/h2>\n

\"Live<\/p>\n

Pre-order one of Live On Chocolate’s Organic fair-trade raw vegan truffle gift boxes for the holidays. Pick up in Toronto’s West end near High Park Subway Dec 21-23rd 6-9pm.<\/p>\n

Email orders to liveonchocolate@gmail.com or call 647-464-2462<\/p>\n

Nona Vegan Foods<\/h2>\n

\"Nona<\/p>\n

Time to get saucey with 3 different Nona Vegan Sauces<\/a> gift baskets. They’re available from the V Word Market<\/a>, and will be sold at the holiday market at Raise the Root on Saturday<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Through Being Cool Vegan Bakery<\/h2>\n

\"TBC<\/p>\n

TBC<\/a> has a few prepackaged gift baskets along with a bunch of preserves and in-house\u00a0made condiments that would be a great food gift for a foodie friend.<\/p>\n

They’re also having a TBC Flea market<\/a> on December 20th. (One of the vendors seems especially interesting to me, a body care company called Lavish<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Wood and Water Foods<\/h2>\n

\"Wood<\/p>\n

Known for their fantastic vegan cheeses, Wood and Water foods<\/a> has collaborated with a variety of other local businesses ((like n\u016bd f\u016bd<\/a>, Stasis Preserves<\/a>, & Giddy Yoyo<\/a>) to put together a really great looking gift basket.<\/p>\n

You can order directly from them via email, or find them at some of the holiday markets they’ll be at around the city (they’ll also be at\u00a0the RTR\u00a0Holiday Market on Saturday<\/a>)<\/p>\n

YamChops<\/h2>\n

\"YamChops<\/p>\n

Another spot – they have gift baskets with in-house made spreads and dressings, as well as locally made or other usually vegan friendly items.<\/p>\n

Lovely Little Gifts ($30 and under)<\/h1>\n

Citchen Candle Co. – $15<\/h2>\n

\"Citchen<\/p>\n

Based in Toronto, these folks make heavenly smelling soy based candles in super fun scents – my favourite is the Grapefruit Basil, because what a unique combination! You can buy them online<\/a> or see them at a few markets around the city<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sparkle Collective<\/h2>\n

Do you like adorably cute and often cat related items? I don’t know if Britt, the wonderful creative genius behind this shop is vegan, but we eat in all of the same places and she’s based in Toronto. This store has stickers, buttons, patches, and tote bags, and all of them are so cute it almost hurts to look at them because I’m usually smiling so much.<\/del><\/p>\n

If you haven’t checked out the Sparkle Collective<\/a>\u00a0yet… I hope I have\u00a0encouraged you to change that.<\/del><\/p>\n

Store is on break for the holidays – hope you check them out in the new year!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Parkdale Butter – $24.99<\/h2>\n

\"Parkdale<\/p>\n

Their Holiday Gift Set<\/a> is priced at $24.99 and\u00a0includes their heavenly Cocoa Nut Body Butter (120ml) as well as their Espresso Face Balm (60ml). (p.s. They also have a “deluxe holiday gift set<\/a>” which includes both of these items as well as a lip butter, and an exfoliating soap for $54.99, but also includes free shipping anywhere in Canada.)<\/span><\/p>\n

DIY Vegan –\u00a0$29.99<\/h2>\n

\"DIY<\/p>\n

Written by Toronto’s own Nicole Axworthy<\/a> & Lisa Pitman<\/a>,\u00a0DIY Vegan is a\u00a0great guide for the new or seasoned vegan or foodie in your life with over 100 easy (or not-so-easy) recipes to create pantry staples, meal enhancers, treats, and more.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For bonus points, buy it at a local bookstore like Another Story<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sorauren Farmers Market Calendar – $20<\/h2>\n

\"Soraurent<\/p>\n

This Sorauren Farmers’ Market calendar at the West End Food Co-op<\/a> is full of beautiful inviting pictures of vegetables, and does not contain any icky meat or dairy photos, so you can just stare at beautiful plants all year round.<\/p>\n

Certain Days 2016 Calendar – $12<\/h2>\n

\"2016cover\"<\/p>\n

This is one of my favourite calendars. You can buy it online<\/a>, or in Toronto you can find it at Beit Zatoun<\/a> or Harvest Noon Cafe+ Co-op<\/a>. It’s usually around $12, and is produced by the Certain Days Collective in Montreal.<\/p>\n

Samana Naturals – $13<\/h2>\n

\"Lip-Balm-Kit-1-2T\"<\/p>\n

Made in Toronto this lipbalm trio<\/a> would make a great stocking stuffer or thoughtful gift for your lips. They also have a bunch of other fairtrade, vegan body care products that are great for this seasons drying effects.<\/p>\n

The Sky’s the Limit (over $30)<\/h1>\n

CAMP – The Little Things Discovery Kit ($60)<\/h2>\n

\"TheLittleThings_4\"<\/p>\n

CAMP is a Toronto based local luxury body care company, and they have a variety of lovely products that smell great, and have a positive impact on your skin. This Little Things Discovery Kit<\/a>, is a great way to meet or introduce a friend to CAMP Skincare, and also leave their skin feeling soft and lively.<\/p>\n

Sick on Sin<\/h2>\n

You cannot go wrong with any of their great t-shirts, stickers, and underwear. The designs are all so cute and fun, and they make great stocking stuffers. Sick on Sin is based in Ontario (between Cambridge and Hamilton) and if you’ve gone to any VegFests in the province, you’ve probably seen them there.\"Sick<\/p>\n

Check out the Animal Rights<\/a> filter if you’re keen.\u00a0But my favourite\u00a0thing on there is\u00a0still the adorable snuggling Apatosaurus t-shirt<\/a>. Most of their designs also come in infant and kid sizes too<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Chocosol Holiday Chocolate Boxes<\/h2>\n

\"Untitled\"<\/a>