And so the holiday shopping madness ensues! Everyone seems to be EXTRA excited for the holidays this year, and rightfully so! There is so much stuff out there these days that it’s almost too easy to slip into a ceaseless shopping bonanza that looks a little bit like this: doorbell ringing off the hook with Amazon package arrivals, frequent trips to the human zoo – I mean the mall – and the plummeting sensation you feel in your gut as your wallet becomes lighter and lighter. But it doesn’t have to be this way! You can shop intentionally, selectively, and joyfully for the ones you love by supporting local brands that are sustainable AND affordable. Use this guide, and holiday shopping can be absolutely stress-free!
Instead of Bath & BodyWorks… 🧴
1. Lovefresh
Lovefresh is a Toronto-based luxury line of natural beauty products, founded and run by women. Their ingredients are all-natural, their packaging is plastic-free, and they offer bulk refills for a discounted price. My favourite product is the vanilla coffee sugar scrub. It feels so good to exfoliate during the winter months, and after using their scrub, I smell like I just walked into a coffee shop. It comes in a glass jar that you can reuse by buying a refill, or make your own! Tip: you can purchase items from their website, or Well.ca for free shipping.
2. Land of Daughters (LOD)
This Metis + women-founded brand offers candles, aroma sprays and solid perfumes with unique scent profiles such as Homebody – a blend of bergamot, lemon and vanilla. LOD is very big on coziness, celebration, and (most of all) community; they are heavily involved in important charitable initiatives that help heal and grow communities that have experienced hardships. They even sell merch featuring their tagline, “Let’s burn candles and the patriarchy.” Enough said, take my money!
Instead of Sephora…
Saint Cosmetics is a clean luxury Canadian beauty brand that was founded just over 5 years ago by Joanna Montesano in Aurora, ON. They use sustainable packaging and clean ingredients that don’t sacrifice aesthetics or performance. You can choose from a wide range of products, from foundation to eyeshadows, and 2% of each purchase is put towards helping abused women and children locally at Interval House, right here in Canada. Use code WELCOME15 to get 15% off your first order!
Instead of Shein, Aritzia, H&M, and Zara… 👚
4. Smash + Tess
Smash + Tess is a loungewear clothing brand based in Vancouver, founded and run by three women. They sell unbelievably comfy rompers and sleepwear that you will never want to take off. Their pieces are ethically sourced and produced in North America, using materials like bamboo and cotton. While their products are on the higher end of my budget, the quality and versatility really do justify the price tag. I desperately want to spend my New Years’ Eve waltzing around in their Sunday Velvet Romper.
Instead of Starbucks… 🥤
5. Blume
If you love lattes, you will be obsessed with this brand! Blume is a Vancouver-based company that sells latte mixes that are vegan, organic, caffeine-free, refined sugar-free, and chock-full of superfood ingredients. You simply add a teaspoon of their latte powder mix to your choice of milk, and you have an easy, luxurious latte – right in the comfort of your very own home! I like that all of their products are unsweetened; this way you can decide what kind (I enjoy using Backed By Bees honey) and how much sweetness you would like. I personally love their Gingerbread mix, which is part of their new holiday launch!
I hope you enjoyed discovering new brands with me! Canada has so many hardworking, high-quality businesses that need our love and support! It is so important to shop consciously, and know exactly who’s pockets your hard-earned money is going into. Let it be the pockets of female Canadians! So while you are shopping this holiday season, keep these brands in mind, and enjoy the gift of giving in a whole new way.