Glad Tidings

A holiday gift guide from local purveyors.

November 22, 2017 | | Made in the Hills

We’re in the mood to shop – for holiday presents, host and teacher gifts, and maybe a little something for ourselves. Luckily, local purveyors stock up this time of year. Browse for treasures at seasonal pop-ups, check out your local farm shop for holiday-themed goodies, or peek at a local artist’s oeuvre on Etsy to find just the right tokens of your affection to share. Consider your list started.

Indigo Dreams

This luxurious silk charmeuse scarf is one of a wide array Mono artisan Carrole Blakeman creates for her Copper Fox Design label using Japanese shibori techniques and indigo dye. This design is called arashi, Japanese for storm, and hints at darting sheets of rain. Carrole’s work is available at the new Alton Mill shop Rare Threads. ($65, Copper Fox Design)

Best Bling

For her Starry Dreams Jewellery Designs, Caledon designer Mary Elliott takes intriguing stones, such as this azure druzy, and finds a style to match. Here it’s in the form of irregularly heart-shaped gold studs. Look for more of Mary’s work during the Holiday Treasures show at Dufferin County Museum & Archives from December 2 to 17. ($35, Starry Dreams Jewellery Designs)

In the Spirit

If you love Christmas, don’t miss the Sisters Touch of Christmas shop on the picturesque grounds of the St. Kosmas Aitolos Greek Orthodox Monastery in Bolton. Along with all kinds of Christmas decorations, there are more than 20 varieties of baked goods for sale until December 24, including cheerful cookie characters and bags of divine sugar cookies made by the sisters. (Angel $6, sugar cookies $9.50/350 g bag, Sisters Touch of Christmas)

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    • Special Bites

    Woodfield Farm in Mulmur is a trove of edible delights, freezer staples, sheepskins and other locavore finds. Check out the cherry and walnut breadboards made for them by Hailey Livingstone of Snoopers in Erin and the house-made pickled jardinière vegetables or green tomato chutneys. An olive oil from the Sisters Touch of Christmas rounds out the menu. (Boards $50–$75, vegetables $5.99, chutney $4.99, Woodfield Farm; olive oil $23, Sisters Touch of Christmas)

    Art for the Tree

    A highlight of the Sisters Touch of Christmas shop is the glittering display of artful glass ornaments – hand-painted by Mother Superior Alexia and embellished by the sisters. ($10 and up, Sisters Touch of Christmas)

    For the Gents

    Mono skincare maven Heather Blahut of Purple Heather Natural Skin Care has turned her attention to men’s skincare needs with a new line called Heath. There’s a shaving kit that includes a cup, brush and soap infused with anise and peppermint. Or choose a coffee face scrub, a skin toner or a beard grooming oil. Heather will set up shop at Holiday Treasures in early December. (Shaving set $15, coffee scrub $13, toner $15, grooming oil $35, Purple Heather)

    Knit Wit

    Warm up winter for the tykes on your list with a monkey hat by Orangeville Flowers co-owner Joanne Woudenberg. She makes them in-house in various colours and sizes, along with blankets, pillows and other cozy gear. ($22.95–$32.95, Orangeville Flowers)

    Statement Piece

    Glass artist Carol Nesbitt channels winter with this icy blue 13-inch-tall vase adorned with silhouettes of winter trees and wildlife. Find other nature-inspired works by Carol at the gallery in Glen Williams. ($645, Glen Williams Glass)

    Miniature Masterpieces

    Look closely. Called “Three Sisters,” these dreamy avocado-coloured works of ear art by Bolton ceramist Christine Nnawuchi are porcelain adorned with 22 karat gold. ($119.50, Nawuchi Porcelain & Gold)

    Deck the Halls

    Quilter Leah Mitchell, a member of Riverbend Artists of Grand Valley, renders traditional holiday ornament patterns in cheerful, eye-catching colours. ($15–$20, Leah Mitchell)

    SOURCES

    About the Author More by Tralee Pearce

    Tralee Pearce is the deputy editor of In The Hills Magazine.
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