Carole Nelson BrownI know that most of our favourite local shops are closed for indoor shopping but that doesn’t mean you can’t still spend your holiday money-grabbing great gifts and treats by shopping online for pick up or delivery. I am collecting links to all of the Toronto shopping collections and initiatives to promote local shops by neighbourhood. Please keep checking back as I will update as I find new links because I hope that more of these will continue to pop up as we move into December. *I have included a couple of links for things that extend beyond Toronto but everything is Canadian and everyone could use our support this year.
If you have any info that I might have missed, please leave it in the comments and I will add it!
Here is the low down for finding out what’s out there in the city:
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
Not Amazon
A brand new site with local online shops and users can upload stores to add to the growing lists! I will link to the Toronto list but there are also sections for Halifax and Calgary.Not Amazon
Toronto Market Co
Shop for swag from more than 90 local shops all at once – everything from food kits and baked goods to artisanal gifts goes into 1 cart and pay for it all together at Toronto Market
Look at this fab curated Dessert Dream Box for $55
Shopify
This easy to navigate site has everything divided up into helpful categories
General Toronto Small Business Guide by Shopify
The City of Toronto
Toronto.ca also has an extensive list of Toronto shops with links to their websites – these lists are not always Toronto based individual shops but they are all Canadian companies
Shop By Neighbourhood
Queen West Guide to What’s What
East End Arts Holiday Gift Guide
Nishe provides another great guide with sections for every neighbourhood
Bag of Toronto a curated assortment of specialty products from local vendors in five different neighbourhoods, delivered right to your doorstep. Each purchase is for one bag, this is not a subscription service. For $60, people can buy a curated bag of goods from one of five different neighbourhoods: Bloordale, Queen West, Bloorcourt, Ossington or College Promenade.
Zeroing in:
Great guide from Toronto New Moms with tons of great ideas for kids and people with new babies
BlogTO’s great list of Black Owned Businesses To Support
Second Story Press has compiled a list of Black and Indigenous Owned Bookstores in Canada
The Indigenous Art Collective of Canada has a list of online vendors as well
Other great ways to shop Canadian with lots of opportunities to seek out vendors who are local to you
To shop locally on Etsy, you can tailor your searches to only show you Toronto sellers like local knitters The Color Room wendwinKnits  or metallic foil prints from Peerless Gold
Sound-based stress reduction? Until you’ve been bathed in this unique therapy, you can’t explain the amazing properties you instantly feel. The quite ting to a full chambered note can invoke some serious feelings, even from home via Zoom. From Winter Stress Reduction Group & Live Online Sound Bath packages (from $145) to the Winter Wellness bundle that allows you to invite a friend or two ($270), this feel-good immersive therapy is a lovely gift for anyone looking to de-stress in 2021 (that’s everyone, folks).
You probably have some wee ones to knock off your list, leave Santa for the big stuff and instead adopt some quirky finds for your flock with made in Toronto, and very Toronto finds from T-shirts to pins, there’s a budget for everyone. Gear includes Blue Jays, Trash Pandas, Puffy Raptors and more emboldening this formerly on Bloor West shop. Curbside pickup is your best bet, shop hard and let’s get this baby back open on Ossington.
Bespoke custom kits from coast-to-coast are only part of the allure of Wonderkind. Channelling all their energy into female entrepreneurs and creators, the excitement only builds by building your basket. The effect doubles down when you lean in and discover their charitable initiatives. Boxes marry self-care, culinary and come in their handcrafted black walnut chest at various price points.
Canadian Women in Food has an array of decadent products, for contact-less delivery, with Gifts of Gourmet Goodness offering a Canadian made experience in each generous basket. Small business owners now have a new avenue to get their products bundled in time for the festive season. Get your kit before December 1st.
Likely General has a brick and mortar shop in Roncesvalles. Brooke and her team Alicia, Mo & Justine weave a unique variety of finds, you’re certain to snap something up for your bestie, and be totally tempted to treat yourself. Funky Egg hoop earrings, Metis beadwork created by Three Sisters by Emma, ceramic finds, teas, candles and a huge stock of all-natural deodorants make this shop an easy place to knock off gifts, stocking stuffers and something for you more ships within 15km of the shop, or grab curbside for some fresh air in Roncy.
We have been singing Marlene’s praises since our inception! Her flavour of fitness fun brings a loyal clientele. We suggest giving your sweetie a sweaty stocking stuffer with a gift card for Pilates classes that will be on-going throughout winter. You mainly only need a mat for this core restore workout, making it a perfect gift for anyone who needs a lift.