Christmas gifts in Canada

Why buy from Canadian shops

Most of this list comes from shops that ship within Canada. That matters more than it sounds. You pay in Canadian dollars, the price at checkout is close to the price you pay, and a return is a parcel across the country rather than across a border.

It also means a lot of the list is made or designed here. Stanfield's merino, Manitobah moccasins, Topsy Farms wool, Purdys chocolate, the Lunenburg crokinole board and a Montreal-published game like Sky Team all come from Canadian makers. For relatives abroad, a Jakeman's maple basket or a box of Purdys Hedgehogs travels well and says where it came from.

Shipping across a big country

Canada Post handles most small parcels, and many shops also use couriers such as Purolator, UPS or FedEx. In December every carrier is carrying far more than usual, and rural, remote and northern addresses always take longer than a city-to-city delivery. A parcel from Vancouver to Halifax is a long trip in a snowstorm week.

Our shipping deadlines page lists the last safe order dates for each carrier. Treat those as the latest you should leave it, not a target. Heavy or bulky gifts like the crokinole board or a wool blanket cost more to send and are worth ordering first. Anything with a December start date, like the DAVIDsTEA advent calendar, needs to arrive before the first of the month.

If you are cutting it fine, buy something that does not ship at all. The SkipTheDishes card arrives by email, the Chef Upstairs class code is emailed after purchase, and a Parks Canada pass can be wrapped as a card with a note while the physical pass follows.

Ordering from US or overseas shops

Plenty of good gifts only ship from the United States or further away. When they do, the total can climb past the sticker price. Imports can attract duty depending on the item and where it was made, sales taxes like GST or HST are charged at the border, and couriers often add a brokerage fee for clearing the parcel. That bill usually goes to whoever receives it, which is an awkward way to start a gift.

Before you order, check whether the shop charges in Canadian dollars and says duties are included, or whether it ships from a Canadian warehouse. Many larger brands do. If neither is true, expect extra time at customs and a fiddlier return. For a gift, that usually tips the choice toward a Canadian shop.

Black Friday, Boxing Day and winter gear

Black Friday sales now run in Canada as they do south of the border, and late November is a good time to buy bigger items like the Kanto speakers or the Arc'teryx hoody. Boxing Day is the other big sale, but it comes after Christmas, so it suits gift cards and the Kobo bought for yourself rather than the presents under the tree.

Winter clothing is the most useful category here and the easiest to get wrong. Check size guides for the Manitobah moccasins, Kombi mitts and Stonz kids' mitts, and keep receipts. A moccasin is not a snow boot, a light hoody is not a parka, and merino needs gentle washing. Pair the Stanfield's base layer with the Roots socks for someone heading out ice fishing, or the Pluck tea with a Cobble Hill puzzle for a slower week at home.

Budgets are easier to set by category. Socks, toques, tea samplers and chocolate sit comfortably under $50 and work for coworkers, teachers and hosts. Mitts, moccasins, games and subscriptions fill the middle. The Kobo, the speakers, the Arc'teryx hoody and the wool blanket are gifts for one or two people, not the whole list. One good item from a Canadian maker usually lands better than three cheaper things that will need returning.

Questions people ask

Will I pay duty on Christmas gifts ordered from the US?

You might. Depending on the item and where it was made, an import can attract duty, and GST or HST is charged at the border. Couriers often add a brokerage fee too, and the bill usually goes to the person receiving the parcel. Buying from shops that ship within Canada, or that state duties are included, avoids the surprise.

When should I order Christmas gifts to arrive in time in Canada?

Earlier than you think, especially for rural, remote or northern addresses. Our shipping deadlines page lists the last recommended order dates for Canada Post and the major couriers. Treat those as the latest point, and order heavy items like crokinole boards and blankets first. Advent calendars need to arrive before December 1.

What are good Canadian-made Christmas gifts?

Stanfield's merino base layers made in Canada, Manitobah Mukluks moccasins from Winnipeg, Topsy Farms wool blankets, Purdys Hedgehogs, a crokinole board from the Toy Maker of Lunenburg and Sky Team, a two-player game from a Montreal publisher. For an experience, a Parks Canada Discovery Pass gives a family a year of park visits.

Is it better to shop Black Friday or Boxing Day in Canada?

For Christmas gifts, Black Friday, because the gift is in hand before December. Boxing Day sales come after Christmas, so they suit buying for yourself, spending gift cards or stocking up for next year. Either way, compare against the shop's regular price rather than trusting the size of the discount.