The holidays are upon us, and the season of giving is underway in YYC.
While there’s no shortage of places to find gifts this time of year, the Northwest is a great place to begin if you’re trying to support local Calgary businesses and brands.
No matter who you’re buying for this year, you’re sure to find something from our list of Calgary-based shopping destinations.
Locally owned and operated, Real Deals offers all things homey and decorative. There is a shop as well as crafting classes to delight all decor enthusiasts and DIY hobbyists. From tapestries, handmade signs, candles, clocks and mirrors, to a selection of accessories and seasonal pieces, the store offers something for everyone and anyone (designers, stagers and pedestrians alike) who hope to make their interior a little cheerier.
Calgary-born Purr is a one-stop-shop for a fascinating collection of chic clothing, accessories and miscellaneous delights like clever greeting cards, candles and other stylish odds and ends. Kensington’s store carries an eclectic mix of casual streetwear and beautiful designer pieces that rotate regularly, making for a new adventure each time you visit. Whether you’re looking for something as simple as a card or gifts like a vegan leather purse, an unexpectedly delicious cologne, or contemporary-yet-classic watch, Purr is a great place to find things that nobody else will be giving.
Looking to create a collection of favourite things for gifting? Your best bet might be boxSMITH, a Northwest Calgary brand that curates excellent selections of sweet, savory and sleek gift basket items. Both elegant and effortless, boxSMITH understands that most of us are busy, and their team helpfully takes the guesswork and time out from collecting various items from multiple sources to include within a larger gift. The end result is an impressive mix of hand-picked products perfect for holiday presents—these are available for both delivery worldwide and pick-up in Calgary.
Have an eco-conscious friend looking to shrink their environmental footprint? Trend Clothing is the way to go. Located in Kensington, this designer consignment store features a wide selection clothing and accessories for women that quickly rotate depending on the season and the influx of new consignments, making for a quick turnover of new styles. The Calgary-based brand is beloved by its following for its focus on the importance of re-purposing and re-homing clothing and accessories, an important part of cutting down on the need to constantly create and purchase brand new goods. The best part: all clothing consigned to Trend is either sold in-store or donated to charity.
Know of a gourmand looking for a delicious holiday surprise? Look no further than the Northwest’s Peasant Cheese. The Calgary-born brand offers a wide selection of fine cheeses, and a number of other spreadables and deli-favourites for a charcuterie board like no other.
Surprise the cheese-lover in your life with a subscription to Peasant Cheese Shop’s monthly cheese club. Your cheese-lover will receive three different cheeses every month for either three, six or twelve months, and the cheese packages also come with an accompaniment such as dried fruit, nuts and crackers.
What’s on your shopping list this year? Will you be stopping into any of the local stores we mentioned here? Let us know where you’ll be stopping this season on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
The University District blog is a resource for Calgarians who want to live, work, play, visit or buy in the northwest. We will provide you with information, stories, news and a closer look at the things that matter so you can live a more inspired, active and connected life in NW Calgary at University District… Life works here.
Join the Discussion