Guide to the Best Local Christmas Gifts for 2015
The holiday season is a great time to have a positive impact on your local economy. Kingston has a wide array of offerings to choose from, making it easy to find something for everyone on your list. From the foodie to the music lover to the socially conscious, Kingston has you covered.
Below, in no particular order, is a list of some of our favourite ygk gifts to give. Pick up your loved one’s favourite local treat or introduce out-of-town friends to some of the many treasures offered by Kingston businesses. Between boosting the economy and giving some love to local vendors and artists, you can’t really go wrong when you shop local.
Fat Goose Craft Fair: This annual event will take place this Sunday, November 22nd at Grant Hall from 10am-4pm. This ever-growing fair prides itself in featuring work that is local, high quality and original. It’s the perfect place to find something beautiful and unique.
Locally Roasted Coffee: Pick up a delicious blend from Coffeeco ($11.25) or Cooke’s Fine Foods ($14.95). Both offer a variety of locally roasted, and in Coffeeco’s case, fair trade coffees. Multatuli’s Christmas Blend (available at Coffeeco) is a favourite at this time of year and can be purchased online or at one of their two stores.
Cooke’s Special Old Cheddar Cheese: Who doesn’t love Cooke’s amazing old cheddar? I’ve been known to pop in to Cooke’s just to visit the cheese man and enjoy a sample and I’m sure I’m not alone. This delicious secretly sourced (although we are assured it is local) treat is a hit at gatherings and makes for an excellent gift (don’t forget to keep it refrigerated though!)
Local Art: A great new addition to downtown Kingston this past summer was Martello Alley. The alley, located just steps from The Iron Duke on Wellington St., features the works of local artists. Pick up a nature inspired painting by David Dossett or one of MP Tully‘s fantastic prints of Kingston landmarks. The alley is open from 10am-5pm every day year round.
Local Spirits: Prince Edward County has so much to offer when it comes to wine, cider, sparkling wine and now even vodka and beer! Take a short trip down the 401 to pick up some great local spirits to gift or serve at a holiday party. Many of the wines produced in the county are also available in our local LCBO. More of a beer person? Head over to Stone City Ales or MacKinnon Brothers and pick up a seasonal growler or squealer brewed right on the premises.
Kingston Olive Oil Co.: Last year I was given an incredible bottle of KOOC’s Black Mission Fig Balsamic and I enjoyed every drop and then went back to get more. This locally owned shop offers a huge variety of olive oils, vinegars, gourmet salts and even bath and body products. Can’t decide? They do gift baskets too!
Local Music: Kingston has a lot of local musicians. From rock and blues to Celtic and country, there is a huge variety of musical offerings to choose from and most of these bands have albums available for purchase. Visit the website of one of your favourites and pick up a CD or download for a friend. You will be making some local artists very happy. Need some suggestions? Check out our #ygkPlaylist, Six Questions and Live at The Option for some great ideas.
Grand Theatre Gift Certificate: Not every gift has to be a tangible item. Experiences are some of my favourite things to give. Why not gift someone with the opportunity to take in a performance from one of our local theatre companies or The Kingston Symphony? Between that and the many live bands and other performances coming to The Grand this year, there is definitely something for everyone in this gift idea. You can purchase gift certificates at the box office or online in whatever denomination you wish.
2015 Limited Edition Pewter Ornaments: Downtown Kingston’s 22nd installment of their annual pewter collection features landmarks including Robert Meek School, Ban Righ Hall and the LaSalle Causeway. A limited supply is available with proof of $25 purchase from select downtown businesses. Available at the Grand Theatre and K-Rock Centre box offices, as well as the Visitor Information Centre at Confederation Park.
Donate to a Local Charity: What to get for the person on your list who has everything…Why not make a donation in their name to one of many Kingston Charities? Joe’s MILL, Martha’s Table, The Boys and Girls Club of Kingston and Dawn House Women’s Shelter are just a few of the many charities that would benefit greatly from your donation. Visit this site for a list of dozens of local charities.
Gift Certificate to a Local Restaurant: We all know how lucky we are to have so many excellent, locally owned and sourced restaurants in Kingston. Share the deliciousness this year with a gift certificate to Casa Domenico, Le Chien Noir, The Iron Duke, Days on Front, Bella Bistro….I could go on forever! Gift certificates can be purchased at each restaurant and in some cases, online.
Local Lit: We have a ton of great authors living in Kingston. From historical to fiction, there is plenty to choose from when it comes to local books. The folks on your list will enjoy reading the words of YS Lee, Iain Reid and Aaron Asselstine to name a few. Head to Novel Idea to pick up a few copies.
Thanks to Multatuli, Lois Elling , Stone City Ales, Tara Aveilhe and Karen Maraj for today’s pics.