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The Complete 2016 Holiday Gift Guide (Plus A Giveaway!)

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and yet, it's also the most stressful time of the year for some people. While I love to shop, I know many people don't find pleasure in walking through the mall in December, looking for the perfect gifts to give the people on their list. I've put together a holiday gift guide that'll help narrow down the choices of what to give the people you love this holiday season—from luxurious gifts like a getaway to The Hazelton Hotel to books and skin care products, there is definitely something here for everyone on your list.


Luxury gifts

The Hazelton Hotel: I love to travel, and I love gifts that have to do with travel. Even if it's a staycation, or a weekend getaway, I can't think of a better gift to give someone you love. I had the pleasure of staying at The Hazelton Hotel in Yorkville, Toronto, and I think this is a perfect gift to give. You can unwind and re-connect in the luxurious rooms and suites, enjoy the incredible spa treatments (the Hazelton Signature Scrub and Spa Pedicure are my personal favourites!) and dine at ONE Restaurant—the food there is amazing. Executive Chef Mark McEwan's cuisine is delicious. ONE also offers 24-hour in-room dining. Dining at ONE was one was perfection–the drinks, the food, the service, and the ambiance.





Rimowa: Luggage is not something people usually consider giving when it comes to gifts, but I can't think of a better gift to receive than a high-quality piece of luggage that will last for years. Rimowa is certainly the best there is when it comes to suitcases, and their well-designed luggage would make a perfect present for anyone who travels for work or pleasure.


One-Stop Shopping

Chapters-Indigo: My favourite store is Chapters-Indigo; before I had kids, I would spend hours walking through the aisles of books and picking up things I needed like gift wrap and cards, and cute home decor items. Once I became a mom, the store became more special to me because my children love books and reading, and spending time in Chapters-Indigo, as well. Chapters-Indigo knows how to make the holiday season extra special and festive, and it really is the best one-stop shop to get everyone on your list a little something special, whether it's books, electronics, hats and scarves, purses, toys, games or accessories for the home. 




HomeSense/Marshalls/WINNERS: One-stop shopping is key if you're pressed for time this holiday season. Shopping at WINNERS, Marshalls, and HomeSense totally takes the stress off of holiday shopping, because you can always find something special for the people on your list. The best place to shop for wrapping paper, gift boxes, tissue paper and gift cards is HomeSense, because they have such a huge variety of items, and they also have some incredible holiday decor items for the home, too.

I buy a new Nutcracker from HomeSense every holiday season; it's become a tradition for me, now. A great gift to give? A unique ornament for the tree. HomeSense has so many beautiful ornaments for the holidays! Another great thing about shopping at HomeSense, WINNERS and Marshalls? The prices. They just cannot be beat.



Stocking Stuffers

Cold-Q: As soon as the weather gets cold and the snow falls, illness is pretty much guaranteed to hit your family. Pop Cold-Q, an all-natural oral spray, into the stockings that hang by the fireplace in your house to help your family stay healthy and virus-free this holiday season. (Especially important if you're going to be traveling!). Cold-Q can be bought at most drug stores.

Clinique Happy Collection: Fragrance is always a great idea, and Sears has some cute fragrance sets in store right now that make a great stocking stuffer. Because of its small size, the Clinique Happy Collection is the perfect fragrance kit to pack in your carry-on when you`re getting away this winter. Sears is a great place to find everything you`re looking for this holiday, season, too, at very affordable prices.

Skin Care

SkinCeuticals: I was introduced to Skinceuticals at Gee Beauty Boutique in Bal Harbour, and I fell in love with the products right away. I love using quality products that help improve the appearance of my skin. Skinceuticals has a simple mission: to improve skin healthy, and to provide advanced skincare backed by science. SkinCeuticals products can be purchased through dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and at medical spas or online. Some of my favourites to give and receive: the Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 moisturizer. This anti-aging cream helps improve your skin`s appearance and provies 24 hour hydration—something we all need more of during the dry winter months. I also love their patented C E Ferulic, a vitamin C Antioxidant Serum, which improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while brightening your complexion.


Clarins: Clarins products always make a great gift, and I love using their best-selling Double Serum. A great option to give as a gift (or treat yourself!) is the Clarins Advent Calendar. Better than chocolate every day in December until Christmas, you open a special gift from Clarins. It's the gift that keeps on giving... for 24 days! The advent calendar includes great skin care products, make-up, and three full-sized products, as well. It's sure to be best-seller, so make sure to get yours quickly.


Caudalie: I love the simplicity of Caudalie products, and how since the company's creation, they've always favoured natural and environmental friendly active ingredients. Caudalie always comes out with great gift sets for the holidays too.


Great Gift Ideas

Baskits: If you want to give a gift that you know will be appreciated, but don't have time to go shopping, check out Baskits.com. Baskits.com is Canada's leading gift service company and they make amazing and unique baskets for everyone on your list—for kids, for co-workers, for friends or for your family. These baskets are filled with lots of great luxury products, and you can even personalize your basket. They also deliver across North America. A few of my holiday favourites: Nutcracker, Sleigh, and Celebrate with Champagne.






Polar M600: The Polar M600 is a great smartwatch that fits every lifestyle and allows users to personalize their workouts and keep track of their health and fitness. It retails at Best Buy and Sports Experts for $399.00.

Cilque: Here's a unique and luxurious gift idea: silk sheets. Cilque is a Canadian brand that makes 100% silk bedding and apparel that adds a touch of glamour to the bedroom and your night time routine. Cilque uses premium 100% mulberry silk charmeuse in all its products, and the benefits are great too; silk prevents sleep creases and is more gentle on the skin than other types of sheets. These silk sheets are also hypoallergenic. The beauty sleep set retails for $99.00. For more information, visit www.cilque.com.

MICRO Pedi for Her and Him: I go for frequent pedicures, but I know many people prefer doing it themselves at home. The MICRO Pedi is a safe at-home, painless alternative to a salon pedicure that works just as well. It's available at Shoppers Drug Mart, and retails for $29.99.

NHL '17: Perfect for the game lover in your house, the new NHL '17 for Xbox One and PS4 makes the perfect stocking stuffer. Improved features include tape-to-tape passing, puck pick-ups, pivots, and everything else you'd love in a hockey game. NHL '17 retails for $79.99, and the Duluxe Edition is $99.99. I'm giving away a copy of NHL '17 for the Xbox. Leave me a comment below telling me who you would gift this to!

Hudson's Bay Limited Edition Barbie: This gorgeous Barbie is not just for children; this Barbie is perfect for anybody who loves style and fashion! This limited-edition Barbie is wearing a classic HBC striped coat and matching pencil skirt, black turtleneck, and cute ankle boots. Of course, accessories make the outfit, and this Barbie is rocking a pair of glasses and has her cute pet poodle, Hudson, with her, too. This Barbie retails for $59.99 and is available at The Bay.


Bulletproof 360 coffee: When it comes to stocking stuffers, coffee is a definite winner! And if you are looking to impress the health conscious coffee lover in your house, try Bulletproof coffee. Bulletproof Coffee is "upgraded" coffee, blended with grass-fed unsalted butter and Brain Octane Oil which is derived from Coconut Oil. Bulletproof Coffee is full of all the good stuff you need to fuel you all day long.

Adidas Golf: I'm not much of a golfer, but I know next summer I will be, because I love all the golf gear Adidas makes for men and women, no matter the season. Adidas Golf has some great jackets that are perfect to gift the golf lover in your life. 

Second Cup: Next time you're enjoying your latte at Second Cup, pick up some of the cute holiday themed tumblers and mugs and gift them to people you like. I love the idea of giving a gift card for Second Cup inside a mug as a hostess gift, too. Second cup also makes the best hot chocolate, perfect for staying warm around the fireplace this holiday season, watching your favourite Christmas movie. I'm giving away a $25 Second Cup gift card, too! Just leave me a comment below telling me one thing you love about holiday shopping. 


Happy shopping, everyone! If you have any questions or need more information about any of the products I talked about here, please drop me a line and I'd be glad to help out.


I'll pick a Second Cup and NHL '17 Xbox winner randomly on December 1st. Please don't forget to leave your email address in the comment section, too! (One winner per prize). 




Disclaimer: I have received products and compensation for this post.

Comments

Kate said…
I love the sounds and smells of holiday shopping! Grabbing a festive drink from Second Cup and listening to all the carols as we go. The Best!
Mark said…
The Yorkville hotel looks so amazing. Those pictures were super! I also have a nostalgic love for The Bay Barbie. So cute! asselstinesatgmaildotcom
blogginggal said…
I love how happy everyone seems to be when they are out shopping (and the holiday music!)
Julie said…
I love the thrill of finding just the right present!
Judy Cowan said…
I love all the festive displays and the Christmas music playing when I am Christmas shopping. Also love taking my time and finding the perfect gift for each person on my list.

jlcmrc@gmail.com
kellyr78 said…
I would give the game to my husband and son. Thanks!
Kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom
ivy pluchinsky said…
I like going to the stores/mall looking at all the pretty things, picking out that one toy or gift that I know will bring a smile to their face! I would rather give a gift then receive one! ( pluchinskyi@gmail.com)
Unknown said…
I love thinking about what people's reactions will be to the presents I buy them! I just love Christmas!!
Amy Heffernan said…
What I love about holiday shopping is exploring. I love going to the toy stores and book stores and finding them perfect gifts. :)
Thanks
Email--> amyjaneheffernan@gmail.com
I love all the bright lights and decorations
remarkers@hotmail.com
jemrah said…
i am not a very good shopper - it pleases me when I find a great gift at a great price!
Nancy T said…
I love browsing and seeing all the decorations and lights.
nancy.tchilinguirianATgmailDOTcom
Gord said…
I don't really much care for shopping anytime of the year except Christmas. I like to see all the work that people and business's put into decorating their stores. My gf's grandchild is heavily into NHL games and would love to add this to his collection.
rob_afx@hotmail.com
Unknown said…
What I always love about Christmas shopping is finding the right gift for everyone! I love it when the grand-kids come with me shopping for people on their list, they get so excited for picking up gifts for other and are not even thinking about stuff for them self!
Unknown said…
What I always love about Christmas shopping is finding the right gift for everyone! I love it when the grand-kids come with me shopping for people on their list, they get so excited for picking up gifts for other and are not even thinking about stuff for them self!
lynnsbeans said…
oh my son would love this
Cheryl said…
I love the selection that most stores have!! So much more than the rest of the year :)
Flo said…
I shop early to get everything in the mail. I love the lights, decoration and music in the malls. I love to go and browse after I get all my gifts out of the way.
fossie@hotmail.com
Amber barrett said…
I like Christmas lights and my son's birthday is just before Christmas.
Anonymous said…
my favorite thing about holiday shopping is all the GIFT SETS!!! They are a great way to try out some new products while picking up a few favs at the same time
angelapsept@hotmail.com
maryanne said…
I would give the game to my husband! Mmattice at Gmail dot com
maryanne said…
I love that I get to hang out with various family members while shopping for presents.
jdarrell said…
Mmm coffee.Love the Canadian Barbie.jdarrell2009@hotmail.com
jdarrell said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said…
i love holiday shopping to see all the decorations and hear all the xmas music
Unknown said…
i love the holiday shopping to see all the docorations and hear the xmas music
Cheryl said…
I really love the way all of the store windows are decorated for the holidays. LOVE the lights the most. So pretty!

andrews_cheryl (at) hotmail (dot) com
flowerchild said…
I would gift the NHL '17 for the Xbox to my brother.
Thanks

flower_child_23(at)hotmail(dot)com
flowerchild said…
One thing I love about holiday shopping is finding the perfect gift for someone on your list

flower_child_23(at)hotmail(dot)com
I like shopping for people, finding them cool gifts, getting them things that will be very useful for them.
Bernice06 said…
My Son Cory has been asking for NHL 17 , would be a great stoking stuffer for him , and loving all the gift ideas ,
Bernice06 said…
My Son Cory has been asking for NHL 17 , would be a great stoking stuffer for him , and loving all the gift ideas ,

email bernice-mckay@hotmail.com

sorry if i posted twice
Josh S said…
I love picking out different gifts that I know my family and friends will enjoy.
Lisa Bolduc said…
I love everything about the holidays except the parking lots
Tainan Lu said…
I love picking gifts for my friends and family.

(Not confident with leaving my email. Please contact me via twitter @demon1102 )
Unknown said…
I love the Christmas atmosphere and I love the search for the perfect gift
Anonymous said…
I love hearing the laughter of children running through the malls, the shimmering Christmas lights and sipping on holiday drinks like an eggnog latte :)

@marlibu
On twitter
Unknown said…
I love everything about Christmas from kids opening gifts to baking with them!

cstamour@outlook.com
spike said…
I love it most when I'm finished, and don't have to deal with the crowds and traffic anymore - just stay home and bake!
Juliee said…
OMG I really want the Hudson's Bay Limited Edition Barbie. jfitze@hotmail.com
Astrid said…
Love shopping for the holidays and all the fab window displays! 1976.astrid@gmail.com
Unknown said…
the decoration , lights and the smiles and thoughts of giving gifts
Linda H said…
I like holiday shopping for all the discounts and deals.
Unknown said…
Those are some really nice gifts.
Unknown said…
My favorite thing about holiday shopping is seeking out the perfect personal gift for people on my shopping list. While gift cards can be more practical, I enjoy picking out special ornaments or collectible items that would be of interest to that person. For example a little girl on my list LOVES the Eiffel Tower and Owls, so that has been my focus for her holiday gifts this year.
Thanks so very much for the opportunity!
Unknown said…
forgot to include my email!
paydra@hotmail.com
Unknown said…
I love seeing the Christmas decorations and hearing the Christmas music.
Rhonda said…
I like hearing the Christmas music and browsing with a cup of coffee!
@johnda24.7@bell.net
Bee W Bedard said…
I love finding just the right gift for the person - TY
brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com
susanann said…
I love the music and I love it when my holiday shopping is done.
Shannon said…
I love the excitement of finding the perfect gift
Jeannie Lam said…
I would give NHL '17 for the Xbox game to my husband!

nomnombearinyvr at hotmail dot com
Jeannie Lam said…
I love looking at items and buying items that I know my family and friends will love. The WOW look on their face is priceless!

nomnombearinyvr at hotmail dot com
Ktanti56 said…
What i love about the holidays is getting together with family and feeding them a great meal with stories and lots of laughs. isaqueen101@hotmail.com
Jonnie (JB) said…
My teenage son would love the NHL video game
dftrew@gmail.com
Jonnie (JB) said…
I love the holidays because the kids are off school and my husband has time off from work so we get tons of family time.
dftrew@gmail.com
jenness m said…
I would give the NHL '17 to my son.
jenness m said…
The best thing about xmas shopping is listening to the xmas music!
Unknown said…
Christmas shopping puts me in the spirit. I love all the Christmas music, decorations and lights
Unknown said…
Christmas shopping puts me in the spirit. I love all the Christmas music, decorations and lights caryn_coates@hotmail.com
Jenn E said…
One thing I love about holiday shopping is the amazing gift sets that come out for the holidays. They are always a good deal and I love giving gift sets because the recipient gets a variety of things in one present. fifty.threee (at) live (dot) com