Are you looking to expand your gift-giving acumen this year and want to move beyond electronics store gift cards and mall classics?
Many of us have learned over the years that the real joy of gifts at Christmas is getting something unique that makes the recipient feel good, and build great memories with them. While there will always be someone on our list who prefers the mall money, or even just cold hard cash, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite sellers, makers, and shops near our Coastal Inn locations to help you find that unique gift idea.
Located in downtown Dartmouth, KEPT is a fantastic spot to find locally crafted and created gifts for those on your list. From home decor items to gifts for the pet lover in your life, you’d be hard-pressed to not find something unique and wonderful here. Don’t worry though, if nothing catches your eye they offer gift cards, as well!
While you’re in the Dartmouth area, the Alderney Landing Farmers Markets is open 7 days a week with several permanent vendors, and expands to include some of the very best the HRM has to offer on the weekends!
On the Halifax side of the bridges, the Halifax Seaport Farmer’s Market, the oldest, continuously operating farmers’ market in North America. It hosts over 250 vendors every Saturday and Sunday, giving you the opportunity to find some amazing and truly meaningful gift ideas!
Halifax Seaport Farmer’s Market
If a long, slow-paced browse is your shopping style, Independent Mercantile Co. on Gottingen St in Halifax is your paradise. Offering everything from stocking stuffers, to barware, and anything else you can likely think of, Independent has it. For a great variety of local and exquisite, be sure to check them out!
The Independent Mercantile Company
Open from now until Christmas, OFF The WALL Gallery Digby gives you the opportunity to browse local creations, and see their artists at work! Nine local Digby artists work daily out of OFF The WALL, giving them an opportunity to sell and create their wares in one location, making the life of a working artist that much easier.
They say it’s all in a name, and that’s what you get with Antigonish’s The Made in Nova Scotia Store. Since 2009, they have offered all kinds of Nova Scotia products from jewelry to paintings, and all things between. They are also a retailer of locally produced Grohmann Knives, made with pride in Pictou, Nova Scotia.
Boasting over 200 artisans in their Assomption Blvd location, Starving Artist Gallery in Moncton provides an alternative to the big box stores, allowing you to buy something absolutely unique and amazing. They even offer classes on stained glass and pottery, and participate in the Downtown Moncton Centre-ville Inc. Gift Card program!
Starving Artist Gallery and Gifts
While we did mention that you may be trying to avoid buying gift cards in some circumstances, this one is definitely worth considering! The Downtown Moncton gift card is accepted at over 100 shops and businesses in the Moncton area.
You can buy it online.
And check out a list of participating businesses.
There are few gifts that can impact a person like a book. Tidewater Books & Browsery in Sackville NB knows that and offers an amazing experience browsing through their selection. Offering a great selection of CanLit, new books, old favourites, and everything in between, including a great kids selection, a stop by Tidewater is needed when you visit Sackville.
Finding special, thoughtful gifts for loved ones comes very naturally to some. Others, not so much! Often, finding something that would make a wonderful gift simply means heading off the beaten path and away from some of the big-box stores. Hopefully, this gives you some new ideas to explore as you start to cross off the names on your gift list this holiday season!
