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A bottle of vino or a fistful of flowers are fine in a pinch, but it’s fun to stray beyond the ordinary during the holidays. Whether your budget is high or low, or it’s for the boss or your neighbour, there’s something for everyone on this list geared to the home-focused set.
For the design enthusiast
Dangling from a hook or sitting on a shelf, this vivid Bauhaus Enamel Colander is a functional piece of art. Made from non-toxic paints and 100 percent recycled materials, it’s a good choice for an eco-loving design enthusiast. And it’s handcrafted by Darling Spring, a women’s design collective.
Made Trade, $130
For the aesthete
Add blooms or go bare. This bulbous beauty, the Renwil Delphi Vase by Canadian designer Arren Williams, looks lovely either way. Its matte terracotta finish and sculptural arms make it a showstopper.
Moko Home, Mokohome.ca, $170
For the eco chef
The FoodCycler Eco3 is a powerful and aesthetically pleasing electric waste recycler. With the push of a button, it blitzes food scraps into oblivion — or soil amendment for houseplants, actually. The unit is odourless, compact and quiet.
Foodcycler.com, $400
For the retro nester
Exhumed from the earthy vintage vibe of 1970s rooms comes this compelling set of candle holders shaped like stacks of mini doughnuts. The polished green onyx marble features swirling tones of green, red and brown, making each piece unique.
Shoppe Clover, shoppeclover.ca, $65 each
For the health nut
A new juicer from KitchenAid has dropped and it’s sweet. The no-nonsense Go Cordless Juicer squeezes citrus of any size, from grapefruit to lime, and is equipped with an auto-reverse reamer to ensure full segment compression. Bonus: it’s portable and dishwasher safe.
Kitchenaid.ca, $140
For the napper
A quality blanket never goes out of style — and this muslin one delivers on all fronts. Crafted from four layers of breathable cotton, it’s available in various shades including cherry blossom, eucalyptus and midnight navy, adding pizzazz to a napping spot, as any cat will attest.
Endy.com, from $135
For the baker
Designed in France and available in cheery seasonal red, as well as other plucky hues, this high-quality Baking Dish Set by Staub is ideal for the person who’s always the first to cart over a casserole when you invite them over.
Zwilling.com, $60
For the hardcore cook
With its distinct honeycomb pattern, the HexClad 3.3-quart Hybrid Deep Sauté Pan is made to last a lifetime. It features technology that combines both stainless steel and non-stick cooking for a good sear and easy clean up. It can also go from cooktop to oven and is induction friendly.
Hexclad.ca, $190
For the traditionalist
A whistling kettle is Pavlovian, evoking those Leave It to Beaver days, which is why we like this one from SMEG. Available in red, black, white and other colours, it gives any kitchen a dash of nostalgia.
www.thebay.com, $150
For the work-from-homer
The answer to tepid beverages: a VOBAGA Coffee Mug Warmer Plate acts like a heating pad so the recipient’s hot chocolate, tea or coffee won’t cool to an undrinkable temperate as the day wears on. The unit has three temperature settings, and an auto shutoff kicks in after four hours.
Amazon.ca, $26
For the green thumb
Not only is it pretty to look at but this Terra Cotta Seed Sprouter propagation set allows the user to watch the process of growth in real time. Each disc has tiny holes for sprouting microgreens such as alfalfa; or use it to hold a plant cutting upright.
Lee Valley, $22.50 for a set of three
For the joker
Farmhouse decor may be passé to some, but this resin Chicken Egg Lamp isn’t going anywhere. The gag gift will perk up their work-from-home setup, or it can be used as a night light in a kid’s room.
Amazon.ca, $60