Shop Local For The Holidays.
November 14 2024,
This holiday season, we’ve got your essential guide to supporting local businesses and artisans in three neighbourhoods—Commercial Drive, Cambie Street and South Granville—as well as two maker markets. Read on to plan your best holiday shopping route.
Shop by Neighbourhood
Commercial Drive
For the kids in your life, look no farther than Dilly Dally (1161 Commercial), one of the finest toy shops in the city selling imaginative toys, fine cards and the largest range of Maileg toys in Canada. The Danish label, known for their iconic matchstick mice, has become a beloved collectable (read: great gift idea).
Next, pop across the street to sustainability-focused Gatley (1136 Commercial) to browse its beautifully curated selection of gifts, like sneakers by Finnish brand Karhu, Baggu laptop cases, Anto Yukon bath salts from Whitehorse and handmade salted caramels from Ladner’s Little b Confectionery.
For the creatives in your life, head to the Slice of Life Art Gallery's Gift Shop (1636 Venables), where you can find handmade art prints, t-shirts, earrings and more from 300+ local artists and support a radically inclusive art community while you’re at it. Look out for their Holiday Market, taking place December 4-24.
If you head a little further south, near Trout Lake, you’ll find Second Nature Home Boutique (3565 Commercial) for eco-friendly/organic products and custom gift baskets, and Flourist (3433 Commercial) for a handpicked selection of cookbooks, olive oil, wine and tote bags—plus a pastry to go.
Cambie Street
Stepping into Cadine (3345 Cambie) feels more like an elegant showroom than a retail store. Focused on elevated goods for timeless living, this is the place to scoop up sumptuous Scribe cashmere beanies, Flamingo Estate brick soaps (we love the tomato scent), fine leather cardholders and bags from their in-house label—along with a bunch of fresh flowers for yourself.
Next, head over to independently owned, design-focused Walrus (3408 Cambie) for functional and playful gifts such as canary yellow Nocs Provisions binoculars, scent diffusers from Finland, and stunning wool blankets that can double as art pieces.
Just a few steps away you’ll find Kaboodles (3404 Cambie) a classic local kids’ toy shop to please every kid on your list, and Paragon Tea Room (3361 Cambie)—the Baker & Tea Discovery kit, with baking matcha, hojicha power and earl grey powder catching our eye.
South Granville
For the ultimate host gift, there’s no better spot to source it than locally founded Fable (2871 Granville) where you can shop minimalist dinnerware, stemware and other home goods like vases and cutting boards before leaving with a coffee from their in-house Fable Café. For something else decorative and functional, Details by Mr. K (2717 Granville) sells a range of colourful, handpicked accessories from around the world—everything from bright pillows and rugs to ceramics and design books.
For the luxury lovers in your life, make a bee-line to womenswear mecca Boboli (2776 Granville) or pick up more casual clothes and accessories from Hill’s Dry Goods (2741 Granville) before stocking up on stocking stuffers at Purdy’s (2705 Granville)—they even stock a selection of vegan chocolates.
For Canadian-made artisan gifts and cards that give 100% of profits to the artists themselves, check out Artisan Avenue (2843 Granville). And, lastly, if you know of a spa-lover, Miraj Hammam Spa (1495 West 6th) offers gift certificates for its signature Turkish hammam and gommage treatments.
Shop By Market
Vancouver Christmas Market
1055 Canada Place
If this isn’t part of your annual holiday tradition, add it this year. Yes, there are festive lights, decor and European treats—think hot spiced Glühwein, juicy bratwurst and fresh strudel—but you can also check off your gift list at the 90+ vendor huts. Keep an eye out for decorations by needle-felting experts Elfin Atelier and charcuterie boards by North Vancouver’s Tundra Designs, along with stocking stuffer treats like soaps, candles and more.
Shop Makers
Various Locations
Local artistry and entrepreneurship reign supreme at Makers, a Vancouver-founded community selling artisan products that has since expanded to 16 locations across Canada. Pop into one of the brick-and-mortar stores dotted around the Lower Mainland, to shop everything from astrology candles to handmade jewelry, knowing that 100% of profits are going back directly to the makers.
