Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Gifts that give back to the community
By: Jasmine Salazar
This holiday season as you shop for your loved ones, consider purchasing locally and/or supporting companies that give back to the community. All the items listed in this holiday gift guide support Canadian companies that give back to the community.
Happy holidays and stay safe!
Say it loud and say it proud, ladies—“I LOVE ME!”—with this tank from Edmonton’s Wear the Care Project. When you buy this tank, you help support women and children feeling domestic abuse. Portions from the sale of this specific item goes to support Edmonton’s WIN House.
Drinking the recommended eight cups of water should be easy to do when you have a cool water bottle to drink out of. This sleek stainless-steel water bottle from Anti Social Running Club—an Edmonton-based community that reinforces social distancing will maintaining an active lifestyle during COVID-19—carries 20 ounces of water and keeps it cool for hours. Plus, it can also carry hot beverages for hours without having to worry about it getting cold. A portion of the proceeds from this water bottle or any ASRC merchandise will be donated to the Edmonton Food Bank.
Of course, we’re including a mask or two on this list given our current public health crisis—they’re mandatory and make a really easy stocking stuffer. These washable and reusable non-medical face masks from Roots Canada are handmade at Root’s Leather Factory in Toronto and come in various colours. For every mask purchased, Roots will donate a portion of the proceeds to True North Aid, which is dedicated to serving and supporting northern Indigenous communities in Canada through grassroots efforts.
You can never have too many crewnecks—after all, it is winter and crewnecks provide warmth. Show your Edmonton pride with this unisex crewneck from Toronto-based apparel company, Peace Collective. Every garment sold from the “Home is Edmonton” collection donates three meals to an Edmontonian in need through the Edmonton Food Bank.
These slipper socks aren’t your run-of-the-mill socks—they double as socks and slippers. Made of 85% wool and 15% nylon, your feet will be extra cozy this winter. You might as well buy one for everyone in the family, because Province of Canada donates a pair of socks to a Canadian homeless shelter for every pair of socks—or slipper socks—purchased.
For the little ones on your list, get them this soft, plush limited-edition teddy bear from Holt Renfrew. Designed by Lisa James, this year’s holiday bear wears a t-shirt created by Canadian brand KOTN and decorated with the Holt Renfrew signature holiday pattern. $5 from the purchase of every bear will be donated to Make-A-Wish Canada to help create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
You can never have too much soap, especially during a pandemic where washing hands has become necessary. This gift set from Edmonton’s Wild Prairie Soap Company comes in eight different scents and includes a natural soap boar, handmade natural stone soap plate, hand and body wash, lotion bar, lip balm and a natural bristle brush. Wild Prairie Soap Company has also been supporting local organizationsthat support vulnerable Edmontonians – including Boyle Street Community Service, HIV Edmonton, WIN House, Wood’s House and Turning Point – by donating 1 kg of soap to them for free.
As mask-wearing becomes more commonplace, so do mask accessories. Mask chains solve a common problem: what to do with your mask if you’re at a restaurant or outside? These mask chains, handcrafted with mixed periwinkle Japanese Miyuki beads and 14K yellow gold-plated chain, are practical and a perfect addition to any jewelry-lover’s collection. When the world becomes mask-free again, these chains can be transformed into a necklace or wrap bracelet. To top it off, Blue Ruby donates 100% of the proceeds from this collection to Vancouver’s Cause WE Care, which supports single mothers and their children in need.
This quaint necklace features a hand stamped rainbow on a copper pendant, which will gain character and patina over time due to contact with natural oils and moisture. Portion of proceeds will be donated to local LGBTQ2+ organizations in Edmonton.
Wearing masks indoors is mandatory, so why not purchase one that can also help others while wearing it? These masks from Nonie and Sophie Designs show women of domestic violence that you are a safe person for them to approach for support. Wearing a m(ask)me mask invites anyone suffering from violence to approach you for support. In addition, $10 from each mask sold is donated to shelters and organizations across Canada dedicated to help victims of domestic violence. For more resources please go to maskmecanada.com.
Heart Print Threads is a Calgary-based company that has a social initiative embedded into its business model. For every blanket purchased, Heart Print Threads donates a blanket to someone in need. They are partnered with several local social agencies in Alberta including Edmonton’s Boyle Street Community Services. They are currently offering a promotion that provides free shipping and donates two blankets instead of one with code ‘GIVETWO.’ They have several varieties of blankets available including baby blankets, picnic blankets, throws and more.
This limited-edition box set features Métis artist Christi Belcourt artwork and includes three special edition shades—nude, red and brown—that can be worn alone or built up for a more dramatic colour. The lipsticks are vegan and cruelty-free. The packaging uses biodegradable paper, which can be recycled afterwards. Not to mention, they’re made in small batches right here in Canada. $5 from every purchase will go to support Nimkii Aazhibikong, a year-round, land-based language and traditional arts camp.
Keep your noggin warm this winter with a Raising the Roof toque (or hat), while supporting efforts to help end youth homelessness. This year, Homeward Trust, in partnership with Raising the Roof, are raising funds for the Community Health Empowerment and Wellness (C.H.E.W) Project in Edmonton, which supports LGBTQ2S+ youth who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
All prices are quoted in Canadian dollars. All prices quoted were checked shortly before publication, but prices change often and might not match what is found online. Readers should make sure to check in-stock and delivery status this year.
