Holiday Entertaining

It’s never been easier for a committed locavore to toast the holidays in style. Locally made nibbles and elegant cheeses will fuel your guests. Gorgeous handcrafted wood boards and rich-toned pottery on which to serve them all are plentiful. We’ve found a trove of gift-worthy items too, from affordable hostess offerings to big-ticket treats – and we know there’s much more out there!

Here’s to a season of searching out the best our region has to offer – and sharing widely with family and friends.

A Spread to Remember

A Spread to Remember

Betzy Wood Art cutting board by Mono wood artist Nathan Betts ($170-$200, From the Kitchen to the Table, betzywoodart.com).

Woolwich Dairy’s Chevrai Cranberry Cinnamon ($8.99, Fromage and major retailers) and Elite Cranberry & Port ($7.99, 
Owls in the Attic and other retailers, woolwichdairy.com) in a dish by Orangeville potter Martha Jackson Pagel ($15, Dragonfly Arts).

Roxie’s Boozed Up Christmas Cake relies on a treasured Guyanese recipe ($8.99, Inglewood General Store). Beth Grant’s beaded tray ($98, Dragonfly Arts, bethgrantglass.com) and beaded knife ($32, Farmhouse Pottery).

Spiced walnuts by Chef Pam Fanjoy ($10, Friendly Chef Adventures) in an Al Pace bowl ($26, Farmhouse Pottery).

A Warm Local Glow

A Warm Local Glow

Al Pace candle stand ($58, Farmhouse Pottery) and Randy Leitch’s beeswax candle ($13, Orangeville Farmers’ Market, leitchshoney.com). Al Pace cup ($28, Farmhouse Pottery) and cinnamon biscotti by Chef Pam Fanjoy ($3.15, Friendly Chef Adventures).

A Creamy Classic

Sheldon Creek Egg Nog

Sheldon Creek Egg Nog, made at their Loretto farm, is in production now. Cheers! (Recommended retail price $4.95, at area shops including Spirit Tree Cidery and Dave’s Butcher Shop).

The Party Solution

The Party Solution

Betzy Wood Art’s tapas coasters ($38 for a set of four, betzywoodart.com) fit atop wine glasses for easy mingling. Erin native Arron Lowe’s wineglass ($35, Owl’s Nest Gallery), Woolwich Dairy’s Chevrai Sriracha ($8.99, Zehrs) and fresh baguette ($2, Four Corners Bakery).

Art for the Tree

Art for the Tree

Pottery ornaments by Mulmur potter Jackie Warmelink add a rustic vibe to Christmas décor ($15 each, Dragonfly Arts, jackiewarmelinkpotter.ca).

The No-Brainer Hostess Gift

Soup Girl flavours range from Spicy Coconut Lentil to Smoky Split

Caledon’s Jennifer Clark has you covered with her locally made dry soup mixes that make a perfect lunch the day after. Her Soup Girl flavours range from Spicy Coconut Lentil to Smoky Split Pea ($8 each or in gift baskets ranging from $19 to $33 at shops including Heatherlea Farm Market, Rosemont General Store and The Naked Vine, localsoupgirl.ca).

Instant Décor

Instant Décor

Bowl by Shelburne potter Rosemary Molesworth ($140, [email protected]) filled with artificial seasonal décor ($7.95 – $11.95, Orangeville Flowers, plenty of real holiday greenery now available).