Gifts to Get: Week 3
This is the 3rd and final instalment of our Gifts to Get at the Winter Markets Guide, and the last week to stock up on local holiday food and drink before we close for the year (don’t worry, we return January 5 & 6). Read on to discover this week’s top holidays picks…
Get the holiday party started with some yummy veggie dips! BobAli will be at Riley Park and Hastings Park this weekend (Dec 22 & 23) with a unique selection of hummus, pestos, and tapenades. Also look out for SPREAD’EM and their delicious cashew-based spreads, available at Riley Park on Dec 22.
The cheddar cheese curds from Golden Ears Cheesecrafters make a great gift for that cheese lover on your list – grab some Dec 22 at Riley Park and Dec 23 at Hastings Park. Little Qualicum Cheese will be at Riley Park on Dec 22 with their wide range of cheese options – try their cranberry and black pepper fromage frais for a seasonal treat.
The discerning whisky lover on your holiday list will appreciate a bottle of the just-released single malt and rye whiskies from Odd Society Spirits. Crafted from 100% BC-grown grain, the Commodore Canadian Single Malt and the Prospector Canadian Rye Whisky are available – in limited quantities so come early – this Saturday (Dec 22) at Riley Park. Update: the single malt is sold out and only a small amount of Prospector Rye will be available at the market.
Keep it fizzy with the travel growler from SPARK Kombucha – great for hot and cold bevvies alike. Find SPARK with their selection of handcrafted, organic kombuchas on Dec 22 at Riley Park.
Take A Fancy Chocolate & Sweets has their their fleur de sel caramels, gooey pecans, chocolate bars and other delights gift boxed and ready for easy giving and stocking stuffing! Find them at Riley Park on Dec 22.
Kanadell Bakery makes Japanese milk jam in four different flavours – classic, matcha, earl grey, and coffee. Grab a jar this Sunday (Dec 23) at Hastings Park.
Also look out for Blackberry Hill’s brigaderios (Brazilian coconut fudge candy) and traditional rum balls – pre-orders are recommended for pick-up at Riley Park on Dec 22 or Hastings Park on Dec 23.
The Luminaire beeswax candle holder from von Hardenberg Candle Co. lasts forever and gives off the wonderful scent of natural beeswax. It comes boxed with a tea light and makes for a beautiful and unusual gift. Find them Dec 22 at Riley Park.
Don Asperin Woodworks crafts cutting boards, jewelry boxes, and small home accents from sustainably-sourced wood from the Pacific Northwest. They’ll be at Riley Park on Dec 22.
Pamper your mister with a selection of face and hair care from Scentimental Creations like Boss Beard Oil, Mane Tamer Styling Wax, and After Shave Splash. Find them Dec 22 at Riley Park.
Unique products from our farm vendors are sure to please the locavore on your list this year. BC Garlic has a number of giftable items like their garlic scape powder, garlic storage bag, and garlic 3-pack. Find them Dec 22 at Riley Park and Dec 23 at Hastings Park.
Dried beans make for an unusual stocking stuffer but the ones you get in the bulk bins just don’t compare with local beans from an organic farmer. Grab a bag of dried tiger eye beans from Forstbauers Farm this Saturday (Dec 22) at Riley Park. And may we suggest you pair them with an Instant Pot for best bean gift ever?
The folks at Klippers Organics have an amazing selection of dried and canned products grown on their farm in Cawston – their sunrise apricot-cherry jam just might be the prettiest out there. Find them this Saturday at Riley Park.
Kiki’s Kitchen has an entire vegan holiday line-up this year that includes tourtière, savour side dishes, and seasonally inspired soups. We’re partial to the sticky toffee pudding, but you can find them all Dec 22 & 23 at the Winter Markets.
If you’re missing the classic tarte au sucre (maple sugar pie) from your childhood back east, stop by Chef Enrick’s tent this Saturday at Riley Park and pick one up for your next holiday dinner. He also makes savoury pies and patés, as well as a fruit ketchup that pairs well his dishes.
Give the gift of culture (for your belly) with the turmeric and ginger sauerkraut from Alice Savage, available at Riley Park this Saturday. Also look out for Seed to Culture’s unique selection of ferments at Riley Park and Hastings Park this weekend, made from organic produce they grow on their farm in Lillooet.
Rocky Creek Winery produce a selection of red, white, and “special harvest” wines at their sustainable winery in Cowichan Bay. A membership to their wine club would make a great gift that lasts throughout the year – ask them for more details this weekend at Riley Park or Hastings Park.
East Van-based Luppolo Brewing is one of our newest breweries – look out for their tart wild ale with plum or the wild saison with pear this Saturday at Riley Park.
For those extra special holidays cocktails, don’t miss frostbites’ fun selection of cordials, or Mixers & Elixirs’ small batch shrubs. Both are available this weekend at the markets.
Many more holiday gift and food ideas can be found at the Winter Markets this week – view a full list of vendors for Riley Park here and for Hastings Park at this link.
Looking for a particular vendor or seasonal product this holiday season? Find them using our handy Vendor & Product Search Tool!
