I know many people are stressing the importance of shopping local this holiday season, and I’m eager, too, to share news of some of my favourite gift shops in the Waterloo region. (I’m sharing a few outside the region’s boundaries, too, because I want to.) So here we go…
Home
In the home category, I suggest the following shops:
- UpMarket – a new shop with beautiful textiles (blankets, pillows, scarves), pottery, wood cutting/serving boards, Belmont Village
- The Art of Home – a lovely selection of homewares, womenswear, kidswear, Cambridge
- The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery – unique art (pottery, glass, jewelry), Waterloo
- Porch Swing Candle – lovely scented candles, Waterloo
- Wills & Prior – the most beautifully curated shop, new offerings include locally made pottery and wood items, Stratford
Clothes & Jewelry
In the clothing and jewelry categories, I suggest the following shops:
- Erban Corner – high quality womenswear, many European brands, Waterloo
- Hello Again – high quality consignment, Belmont Village
- Channers – high quality menswear, Waterloo
- Harmony – pretty, affordable, delicate jewelry, Waterloo
- Frank’s Jewellers – high-end jewelry, Waterloo
Miscellaneous
And here are a few more shops that offer items beyond home and fashion:
- Gifted – impressive selection of novelty socks, cute baby gifts, unique made-in-Waterloo items, the best selection of funny greeting cards, Waterloo
- The Witty & Co. – impressive selection of specialty food items, beautiful items for the kitchen and entertaining, Cambridge
- Charmed Flowers – pretty selection of flowers, Waterloo
- Words Worth Books – independent bookseller with knowledgeable staff, Waterloo
- Langdon Hall – my favourite, book a stay over winter to enjoy the fireplaces, Cambridge
- Walper Hotel – unique boutique hotel in a prime location, Kitchener
- local restaurants – consider supporting places like White Rabbit (Waterloo) in Waterloo and Grand Trunk Saloon (southern comfort food) in Kitchener
- distilleries – Some distilleries like Kinsip offer more than just the usual stock of spirits. This year (like previous years), I’ve ordered several bottles of this delicious maple syrup
