This holiday season, skip the usual socks (well, unless they're food-themed!) and give the food lovers in your life something truly memorable. Whether you're buying something for a culinary wizard, a snack enthusiast, or someone in-between, this guide is packed with Canadian gift ideas are stand out from the pack.
Think mouth-watering holiday chocolate collections, beautifully designed Canadian-authored cookbooks, easy-peasy (and tasty) baking mixes, and foraged tea blends that will make your giftee feel like they're sipping from a cozy cabin in Northern Saskatchewan.
From sweet indulgences to well-curated at-home dinner boxes and virtual pastry masterclasses, these gifts are sure to make anyone's holiday season extra delicious—and maybe a little messy too...but in the best way possible!
Boreal Heartland tea blends
Boreal Heartland offers a true sip of terroir by way of its wild-crafted, Indigenous-inspired tea blends that bring the flavours of Northern Saskatchewan into your kitchen.
These exceptional teas not only provide a unique flavor experience but also support Indigenous communities practicing sustainable harvesting methods. The Fireweed Mint Tea ($12) combines refreshing fireweed with mint for a soothing brew, while the Labrador Tea ($10) offers a smooth, earthy taste perfect for relaxing moments.
Enjoy a taste of the wild north while supporting eco-conscious traditions—available for purchase via Boreal Heartland’s online shop as well as select retailers.
Purdys Chocolatier Christmas chocolate collection
Rumoured to be the only other thing to have grown The Grinch's heart by three sizes, Purdys Chocolatier's 2024 Christmas collection is filled with festive goodies that we at Eat North HQ look forward to every holiday season.
Of course, there's the iconic Dear Santa Bar that sees $2 from each bar sold donated to food banks across the country. Then there's the Nutty and Chewy collection ($28.50), a fun mix of crunchy and chewy treats, perfect for anyone who loves a little texture in their chocolate. For something a bit more indulgent, the new-this-season White Chocolate Himalayan Pink Salt Caramels ($28.50 for a box of 18) bring a sweet and salty combo that's hard to resist, and the Snowballs (also a new release, and $28.50 for an 16-piece pack) are the perfect bite-sized treats to sneak while you wait for Christmas dinner to hit the table.
If you're looking for something plant-based, Purdys has you covered with their Vegan Chocolate Gift Set ($29.99), which is packed with rich, dairy-free delights. Whether you're treating yourself or looking for the perfect gift, these chocolates add a touch of magic to your holiday season, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Pamela Anderson's cookbook 'I Love You: Recipes from the Heart'
Pamela Anderson’s gorgeous cookbook I Love You: Recipes from the Heart is much more than just recipes—it’s an extension of the actress and animal advocate's warm personality.
Born from a collection of recipe cards she made for her sons, this whimsical treasure is packed with over 80 vegan recipes, from indulgent Maple-Glazed Cinnamon Rolls to refreshing Minty Pea-Potato Pierogis. Each dish is a celebration of flavor and compassion, crafted to delight your taste buds and nourish your soul. It's an engaging love letter to plant-based living, family, and the simple joys of cooking.
The book also offers much more than a collection of recipes too as Pamela Anderson keeps things interesting with tips on hosting, gardening, and homemaking, all inspired by her dreamy Vancouver Island home. The book invites you into her nature-loving world, where sustainability and warmth take center stage.
Whether you’re cooking for family or dreaming up a cozy dinner party, this cookbook truly does feel like a hug with each passing page.
Urban Butcher's food boxes (Calgary and area only)
Calgary's Urban Butcher has a great lineup of food gift boxes that cater to many occasions with gourmet selections.
The Charcuterie Box is perfect for holiday entertaining and offers artisanal salamis, pâté, crackers, and smoked duck breast for some elegant snacking. The Breakfast Box features locally sourced eggs, bacon, breakfast sausage, and pancake mix for a hearty morning feast. For outdoor dining, the Family Cookout Box includes burgers, sausages, chicken thighs, and steaks for grilling enthusiasts. The Family Cookout Box ($100) also doubles as a perfect at-home holiday steak dinner for two! It includes two Angus beef ribeyes, scallops, a hand-picked BBQ rub, and a choice of BBQ sauce. To complete the meal, there’s Jenny’s Stuffed Potatoes with bacon, cheddar and jalapeno.
Each box blends quality and convenience, perfect for gifting or entertaining. A 24-hour notice is required for pickup. Order via the Urban Butcher website or swing by the store to chat with a butcher.
The Pastry Nerd's virtual baking masterclasses
Saïd M’Dahoma of the wildly-popular Instagram account The Pastry Nerd offers a range of virtual baking masterclasses that can teach you how to perfect classic French pastries from the comfort of your own kitchen. Courses like mastering macarons, French tarts, and mousse cakes come with step-by-step guidance, lifetime access to videos and PDFs, and no need for professional equipment. For example, the croissant course explains the science behind creating perfect layers, making bakery-quality results achievable for home bakers.
Saïd’s teaching style combines technical expertise with a clear, approachable method that ensures you can succeed at any level. The classes cover essential techniques, troubleshooting tips, and ingredient science to ensure your creations come out perfect.
Whether you’re crafting delicate macarons or mastering a rich mousse cake, these courses help you achieve bakery-quality results at home. For more details, visit The Pastry Nerd.
Newfoundland Distillery Co.'s Seaweed Gin
For the home mixologist who loves experimenting with unique flavors, the Newfoundland Distillery Co.'s Seaweed Gin is a perfect gift.
Arguably one of the most individualistic gins in Canada, this spirit is infused with seaweed harvested from the Grand Banks, this gin offers a salty, savory edge with a strong juniper kick, bringing the essence of coastal Newfoundland right to your glass. Its delicate balance of brininess and herbaceous tones evokes the fresh mist of the ocean, making it an ideal addition to a gin lover’s collection.
Awarded multiple prestigious medals, including a double gold at the San Francisco World Spirit Competition, this is truly a gin for someone to savour.
The Made By Marcus ice cream cookbook, 'Made By Marcus, Made By You'
Looking for a fun, creative gift for an ice cream lover or a budding home dessert maker? Made By Marcus, Made by You (the Made By Marcus cookbook) is a must-have!
Created by Marcus Purtzki, the genius behind Canada's beloved Made by Marcus ice cream shops, this book is packed with 50 quirky and innovative ice cream recipes like rose lychee raspberry, fried chicken and waffles, and even peach blackberry habanero. With beautifully designed pages and mouth-watering photography, it’s organized by season and even includes a chapter for daring, "weird" flavors to satisfy every sweet tooth. Perfect for any ice cream enthusiast looking to get creative in the kitchen!
(It's worth noting that the ice cream maker also offers fun ice cream workshops at their recently-opened Inglewood shop and classroom location in Calgary's Inglewood neighbourhood.)
Grab a copy of Made By Marcus, Made By You ($45) online or at one of their shop locations in Calgary or Edmonton. You can find it at select independent retailers across Alberta too!
PSA: There are TONS of Canadian restaurants offering gift card bonuses this month
This holiday season, why not spread some cheer with Canadian restaurant gift cards that come with a little extra magic? Calgary's acclaimed River Cafe is serving up a 20% bonus gift card with every purchase—perfect for treating a loved one to a cozy meal in their stunning riverside setting, while Vancouver hospitality group Sequoia Company is giving a bonus $25 gift card with every $100 GC purchase. Ever-popular JOEY Restaurants chain is offering a $20 bonus card with a $100 purchase, and the list goes on and on.
It goes without saying that these gift card promotions are a quick-and-easy gift idea for any foodies on your list, so search your region to see what's out there...and if you decide to keep the bonus GC, there is no shame in that!
Lazy Bake baking kits
Lazy Bake’s baking kits are the perfect gift for party hosts who want to impress with minimal effort. Whether you’re baking chocolate chip cookies, brownies, or beer bread, these easy-to-follow kits ensure even the most “challenged” bakers can pull off a delicious treat! They’re also great stocking stuffers—because who doesn't love something sweet without the stress?
No worries if you’re a self-proclaimed bad baker—Lazy Bake’s got you covered. These mixes work every time, even if your baking skills are a little... crumbly?
Monogram Coffee's limited-edition coffee roast "The Gift"
Created in collaboration with singer Ellen Doty as part of her 8th annual holiday giveback campaign, Monogram Coffee's "The Gift" roast, priced at $22 per bag, supports a great cause this holiday season. For every bag sold, $5 goes directly to the YWCA in Edmonton and Calgary.
Inspired by Ellen Doty's holiday single, the coffee offers a cozy, festive blend, perfect for the season. You can buy it online via Monogram’s website, at their cafes, and also at Edmonton's Brown Butter Cafe until December 31. Truly a warm (and caffeinated) way to give back while enjoying delicious coffee this month!
'Prairie: Seasonal, Farm-Fresh Recipes Celebrating the Canadian Prairies' by Dan Clapson and Twyla Campbell
Co-written by Dan Clapson and Twyla Campbell, this best-selling Prairie-themed cookbook is a delicious homage to the Canadian Prairies—with all the bison, cabbage, beets, and butter than you’d expect, but so much more.
This book takes you on an inspiring tour of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta, by way of unique recipes, dynamic food facts and cooking tips, where you’ll be sure to discover dishes that are as bold as the region itself. Whether it’s a cozy bison cabbage roll soup (because why not?) or a borscht that might just change your life, Clapson’s got you covered. It’s basically the perfect cookbook—though here at Eat North HQ are definitely biased!
If you think Prairie: Seasonal, Farm-Fresh Recipes Celebrating the Canadian Prairies is all about fancy restaurant food, think again. It’s packed with approachable recipes that even your most domestically-challenged friends can tackle. From the regional chefs’ takes on comfort food to the co-authors' playful spins on local classics, it’s a loveable, laughable, and utterly tasty guide to cooking with the seasons.
Get your hands on Prairie through national retailers like Amazon or Indigo and prepare to make your kitchen smell like... well, like the Prairies!
All-Clad D3 stainless steel frying pan
All-Clad's D3 Stainless Steel frying pan ($199.99 and up) is a trule kitchen superstar, built for even cooking and lasting durability. This is the most expensive item on our 2024 foodie holiday gift guide, but it's important to point out that having one good quality pan can be much more useful (and realistic!) than buying a cheap set of pots and pans. Quantity over quality in the kitchen!
Its tri-ply design, with an aluminum core and stainless steel layers, heats evenly and banishes hot spots. The sleek, non-reactive interior is perfect for searing, sautéing, and more, while the riveted handle and flared rims make it a breeze to use. Being both oven-safe up to 600°F (that's hot!) as well as induction-friendly, this All-Clad frying pan is an undeniably versatile and stylish must-have for any home cook.
