Holiday shopping is often perceived as one of the most stressful times of the year. The mad rush to the mall, the panic when your online order doesn’t arrive in time, and of course stressing over finding the perfect gift for your loved ones. We at datenight can totally relate to those feelings so we’ve come up with a complete Halifax Holiday Gift Guide that not only includes fun and unique items but also supports the amazing small businesses in our community. We also made sure our gift suggestions encompass a range of tastes, hobbies, and aesthetic preferences.
No matter who you’re shopping for this holiday season, there should be something in here that will remind them, at the very least, how much you love them!
This gift box created by local Chef and culinary expert, Chef Stephen Barrett, is a carefully curated selection of recommended products that come from local producers to enhance your food, drink, and dining experience. It’s the perfect gift for the foodie in your life, or a wonderful gift for yourself to spruce up your kitchen!
Price: $115 (Holiday Special includes free shipping in Canada and no tax!)
Where to Buy: www.seasonedplate.ca
Customize a super special gift for the wineo in you life with this beautiful handmade wooden wine box from Avondale Sky Winery. Fill it with two of their favourite ASW bottles, wine glasses, or other gift items to make a curated and meaningful holiday gift.
If you’re not sure which wine bottle to get, the 2015 Sparkling L’Acadie, Méthod Traditionnelle Sparkling wine won a Lieutenant Governor’s Award this year for Excellence in Nova Scotia wines!
Price: Gift box is $30.44, 2015 Sparkling L’Acadie is $47.82
Where to Buy: www.avondalesky.com
This is a must-have gift for any makeup lover! This gift set from local makeup artist and educator, Vicky Mina, includes four of their most popular and well-loved products in one iconic collection. It includes BB Cream, Brighten Up Veil, Sunkissed Bronzer, and Sunday Love Blush. The products are are all highly pigmented, super blendable, luxurious, and easy to use, all at an affordable price point.
Price: $170 (Currently on sale for $149!)
Where to Buy: www.vickymina.com
We don’t know about you but we love filling up our home with sweet, yummy scents especially during the holidays. The new Winter Collection from Alben Candle Co. truly encompasses Christmas memories of holiday treats and winter cocktails. The Winter Bundle is the perfect gift option if you can’t decide on just one of their holiday scents. And with options like Chocolate Orange, Gingerbread House, and Sosctice – why would you want to pick just one!
Alben Candle Co. was founded during the pandemic by two best friends with a love for candles making this the perfect gift idea for your bestie. Each candle is hand-poured in Halifax using 100% soy wax for a fresh and safe burn.
Price: $48
Where to Buy: www.albenlanecandleco.com
5. Lawrencetown Lodge Inc. Gift Card
Experience gifts are our favourite gifts to give for any occasion but they’re extra exciting during the holidays! It gives your recipient something to look forward to in the new year and creates memories for the years to come. We’ve all learned how important a staycation can be during the pandemic so why not give it as a gift?
The pine wood cottages at Lawrencetown Lodge Inc. are nestled minutes away from East Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia and are absolutely perfect for a romantic getaway. During your stay, you and bae can enjoy taking in the wilderness in one of their tiny home cottages and relaxing in your own wood-fired hot tub.
Price: Contact Lawrencetown Lodge Inc. for monetary amounts available
Where to Buy: Email info@lawrencetownlodge.com
Nothing says I love you more than a box of beautifully packaged holiday treats! Charm and delight family, friends, and coworkers with the Evergreen Holiday Cookie Box from luxury Halifax grazing company, Better in Boxes Inc. Filled with homemade gingerbread cookies and sweet meringues, this would also be the perfect addition to a holiday putlock or an at-home date night.
Price: $60
Where to Buy: www.betterinboxes.com
Do you know a young reader that’s on the hunt for a new book to dive into? Secrets of the Hotel Maisonneuve is a middle-grade adventure novel that tells the story of Jacob Jollimore, a 13-year old who finds an old letter that sends him on a treasure hunt. The book is published by local publishing house, Nevermore Press and was the winner of the Nova Writes Competition for Unpublished Manuscripts!
Price: $12.95
Where to Buy: www.nevermorepress.ca, Amazon, Chapters/Indigo
If you’re really looking to wow someone this holiday season, the Large Glendale from Props Floral is guaranteed to put a smile on their face! This large seasonal arrangement is beautifully placed in a ceramic-plaster container and contains fir, cedar, pine, magnolia, and branches along with richly-coloured seasonal floral. The price point is a bit steep for this one so we would recommend gifting it for a special holiday event/occasion. Or it could be the perfect gift for you and your siblings to split for your parents!
Price: $250
Where to Buy: Order at www.propsfloraldesign.com
Give the gift of relaxation this season with a gift card to The Highlander Spa! This local spa caters to men’s grooming but also offers ‘For Her’ services as well – perfect for a spa date for two! Choose from mani-pedi packages ($135), head to toe TLC ($99), a massage/facial combo ($199) or a full spa day of servcies from all departments ($249). You can customize the gift card amount to whatever service(s) you think they’d love best!
Price: Custom
Where to Buy: www.thehighlanderspa.com
10. Cabina Esterna at The Bicycle Thief
Plan a romantic date night out on the waterfront at one of the The Bicycle Thief‘s Cabinas! Each cabin is heated and ventilated and the absolute perfect spot for an intimate winter date. Treat your holidate to delicious Italian-American fare, an impressive wine selection, and cozy holiday vibes at one of the top-rated restaurants in the city.
Price: The Bertossi Group gift cards (valid at La Frasca, Il Mercato, Ristorante Amano and The Bicycle Thief) can be purchased for any amount between $25-$1000
Where to Buy: www.bicyclethief.ca
Looking for a gift that’s incredibly fun and gives back to a worthy cause? Look no further than The Good Challenge! This business was created to help charities engage their communities with philanthropic experiences that can be done from anywhere and are designed to foster human connection. Each Challenge Pack sold gives $10 back to one of the amazing Canadian charities they support (that’s at least 20% of each sale!) Choose from a variety of challenges including a Holiday Edition, Family Edition, Friends Edition, and our favourite – the Date Edition!
Price: $50
Where to Buy: www.thegoodchallenge.com
Looking for more Halifax date ideas for your holiday season? Click here!
