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.