Happy New Year everyone! With 2022 here, we have a whole year of holidays, gift giving, and gift receiving to look forward to. When searching for gifts, why not also support small businesses at the same time? Here is a list of some of the cutest and trendiest companies and products in Canada for you to look into!
1. Jewelry
If you are looking for trendy, non-tarnishing, and affordable jewelry, you have to check out Evry Jewels. Based out of Montreal, they have rings, necklaces, bracelets, and anklets with gold and silver options, as well as some apparel like sunglasses and phone cases. Be sure to follow them on social media as they are always posting about sales and promo codes!
2. Cute Stickers and Apparel
Did anyone else notice the mushrooms and frog trend this year? Julia Roblin’s online store encompasses these trends perfectly. Her hand-drawn work consists of minimalistic designs of frogs, mushrooms, and fairies. She has turned them into the cutest stickers, as well as trendy tote bags and hoodies.
3. Hair Accessories
A fashion trend that resurfaced this year was claw clips; there are funny videos on TikTok that show almost every girl in a lecture hall wearing their hair up with a clip. Kov Essentials, based in Toronto, sells adorable hair accessories including claw clips, combs, and scrunchies. Their claw clips are around $20-$27, and are almost impossible to break, as proven many times on their TikTok account.
4. Greeting Cards and Notebooks
Does anyone else still appreciate a nice handwritten card? Denise Foley’s business, The Pretty Pink Studio, has the most adorable, hand-drawn greeting cards, note cards, and notebooks. Her Christmas-themed cards go for around $6.50 each, and her illustrations from animals to ornaments will make anyone smile.
5. Phone Cases
A small business I came across on TikTok this year was Erica Reid’s phone case store based out of Halifax. She takes custom orders in terms of colours and designs, but her signature look is eerily sketched faces. I recently received an order of a case with hearts all over, all with happy expressions. Although this gift may be a bit pricer, around $60, her unique art style is worth it.
6. Scrunchies
I joined the recently resurfaced scrunchie trend from a couple of years ago, and still love them today as they hold my thick hair so well. For those of you with super thick hair, XXL and Co is perfect for you! Based out of Belleville, this company sells super big scrunchies made out of satin or soft velvet. These materials are gentle on your hair, and the large size of the scrunchie will hold any hair up.
7. Candles
Looking for your next sleek, aesthetically pleasing, and delicious-smelling candle? Realm makes 100% vegan candles, with materials that are all sustainable, renewable, and recyclable. Some scents on their site are fig, rosé and honey, all going for $22. Their newest holiday drop includes vanilla, sugar cookies, and crème brûlée. Their minimalist, clean design is amazing.
8. Bath and Body Products
Wrenn and Rose is an online fashion boutique with adorable wellness products such as bath salts, body butters, sugar scrubs, and super cool shower steamers. In case you’re curious, the steamer almost looks like a bar of soap, but you place it on the shower floor where it dissolves and lets out a lavender smell. For a relaxing holiday break, make sure you try their products.
9. Skincare
Zeila Beauty is a plant-based, sustainable skincare company, inspired by old beauty rituals and emphasizing “less is more.” Their deep cleansing powder is the perfect gentle exfoliator to keep your skin soft and bright, especially during the upcoming winter months. The beautiful, trendy sage green packaging tops it all off.
10. Exfoliator Glove, Guasha, and Face Rollers
Continuing on the skincare train, Glow Away Skin has amazing exfoliator gloves to keep your skin nice and smooth during the dry winter. Run by two sisters in Toronto, adding their products to your routine will take self-care to the next level.
When thinking of purchasing gifts for loved ones, make it an opportunity to also support small Canadian entrepreneurs. Their hard work and incredible products are worth it, and I’m sure many others would enjoy as well.