We’re going ga-ga for gift baskets this year — from local preserves to bath bombs, meats and cheeses, it’s time to spoil somebody (or yourself!) with one these fabulous hauls.
Cornucopias of Good Food
Snack ‘n Basket Co. “Charcuterie Starter”: We love this little kit from Snack ‘n Basket Co.! Jazz up a board of your favourite cured meats and cheeses with all-Ontario and sustainably grown nuts by Jewels Under the Kilt (cheeky!), a rhubarb raisin chutney from Ottawa’s Top Shelf Preserves, more delicious Stasis Preserves, and Enerjive quinoa crisps. If you like things spicy, check out the “Local Pantry Love” basket for three preserves and three No. 7 Mexican hot sauces — made right here in Toronto.
VG Meats “The Breakfast Club”: Feast On? Preferred Purveyors, VG Meats has pulled out all the stops with a selection of Ontario-made breakfast staples: need maple syrup, smoked back bacon, house made pancake mix, and peameal? You got it! Each kit also comes complete with a handy freezer bag.
Baskits “Canadiana”: Baskits is a GTA-based gifting service that makes baskets for pretty much any occasion. We love their Canadian-themed baskets, and are especially fond of the medium sized Canadiana box, which includes Sapsucker maple tree filtered water (one of our Feast On? Preferred Purveyors), coffee beans from the Muskoka Roasting Co., and 100% Ontario honey from London’s Glen Farms. There’s a lot of Ontario goodness in this box!
Foodie Pages Gift Baskets:
Food gift and delivery service Foodie Pages have a huge selection of locally-made and health conscious baskets. Choose from a variety of theme baskets or buy a Chef’s Box subscription for anyone who loves to try new Canadian-made products and experiment in the kitchen. Be sure to keep an eye out for Feast On? Preferred Purveyor Pristine Gourmet, whose all-Ontario cold pressed oils like to pop up in Foodie Pages seasonal tasting boxes (they sell their own too!).
Ottawa Valley Gift Baskets “Lil Taste o’ the Valley”:
Sample the best of the Valley with Ottawa Valley Gift Baskets, for Balderson Cheddar, Lanark County maple syrup, Perth pepper jelly, and handmade chocolates and fudge by Village Treats.
Bees Are Life Buzz Baskets:
Toronto storefront Bees are Life is your one-stop shop for 100% Ontario Honey products, whether you’re looking for buckwheat honey, beeswax candles, or honey vinegars. The store also has several gift basket combinations to choose from, whether you’re looking for a small crate of garnishes and dressings, or a big ol’ basket of anything honey bee-related.
Booze-Friendly Baskets
Stasis Preserves “Creative Cocktails”:
Stasis Preserves make great themed gift baskets and we love this great assortment of mixes and garnishes. The Creative Cocktail crate includes Walter Caesar mix, Dillon’s Black Currant biters, Ontario Chilli Salt made with scotch bonnet peppers, Stasis’s own Ontario Mulled Cherries (yum!) and Harvey & Vern’s Ginger Beer.
Spirit Tree Estate Cidery: The gift shop at Spirit Tree Cidery (part of the Feast On? team), is full of locally-made snacks and pantry essentials, all of which are ideal for pairing with their delicious ciders. They’ve also put together a great selection of gif baskets that include their own Estate Reserve cider, Feast On? Preferred Purveyor Pluck Teas, and Best Baa cheese.
Georgian Hill Vineyards’ “Baby Gourmand” & “Sweet Indulgence”:
Georgian Hills Vineyards have a great selection of curated gift baskets featuring home grown libations, dinner, and dessert! Share the Baby Gourmand basket with your loved one for a simple dinner and cozy night-in (you deserve it!), or indulge even more with the Icewine and Icewine Truffles package.
Southbrook Vineyard: Southbrook Holiday Gift Pack: Not only does Southbrook Vineyard make great Niagara wine, they make mustards, wine jellies, and vinegars too! Pick up a Southbrook gift box for a bottle of Framboise, the 2014 Connect White, icewine jelly, and a cabernet sauvignon mustard — it’s a must-try!
Honeydew Creations “Craft Beer Basket”:
Get your craft beer on with Honeydew Creations’ beer basket, featuring a great assortment of Ontario brews and handcrafted accoutrement from Toronto artisans Velha & Co.
Baskets for Bath time
From the Meadow Combos:
From the Meadow is a London-area farm and soapworks that makes all natural and all-Ontario products. In fact, they use home-grown ingredients in their entire line of soaps, balms, scrubs, and cleansers! Their best-selling Facial Kit basket includes a pumpkin scrub, spearmint and rosemary toner, and a peppermint cleanser, and who could resist adding this lump bar of Coal Soap for a stocking or two?
Butter Cosmetics’s Spa Basket for Wine Enthusiasts:
Etsy shop Butter Cosmetics make assorted bath bombs, butters, etc. and we’re really into their Wine Enthusiasts Spa Basket, for obvious reasons. Give the gift of a luxurious bathing experience with Ontario Chardonnay and Velvet Merlot bombs, and sooth dry the skin with Champagne Kisses whipped shea butter.
Need more holiday treats for friends and family? Head to our Holiday Headquarters for all your gifting needs!
