The post presented in partnership with Country Hills Village Shopping Centre
How are you on the holiday prep front? I bought tickets to all the concerts I want to go and finally got the house decorated over the weekend. What I’m behind on is gifts. Our family is tiny, but there’s still so many other people to buy for. There’s the dog sitters, teachers, coaches, and colleagues of mine to consider. And of course, our adorable mutt, Buddy. Last week I ducked into Country Hills Village Shopping Centre in north Calgary to make a good dent on my list. Here’s some gift giving inspiring for you, based on what I found.
Table of Contents
Country Hills Village Calgary
Global Pet Foods
Is there anything more precious than your pet getting super excited about a new treat or toy? The Real Phil Kessel (that’s him above) comes a close second. Sorry, Buddy! This pet celebrity calls Global Pet Foods in Country Hills Village home, and is happy to recommend product to you. Top of his wish list are these adorable bakery pet treats and reindeer poop (dog biscuits covered in carob – which is OK for dogs).
Besides all the options for pet stocking stuffers, you can snap up all natural hormone and antibiotic treats, squeaky toys and handsome knit sweaters made of plant-dyed wool. Just steps away is VCA Canada Country Hills Animal Hospital. Even if you already have a vet, you can pop in here to pick up Royal Canin products, quality biodegradable poop bags, cat feeder balls and assorted pet treats.
Diva Salon and Spa
This salon has all those awesome Aveda holiday gift sets. They’re already packaged up nicely, so you don’t even need to wrap them. (If anyone in my family is reading this, I’d very much like the Damage Remedy gift set, please!) Also, they have a super sale going on of Aveda hair pure-fumes at 40% off. For teachers and those random people on your list, the Aveda Comforting Tea or one of their candles should fit the bill.
Before you start browsing in earnest though, ask to get a complimentary scalp consultation. Diva uses this 200% magnification camera to do it and it’s way cool. Scalp treatments are going to be the next big thing. You heard it here first!
Music Makers Calgary
After recently participating in a Guinness Book of World Records attempt for the most people air drumming, The Huz really wants drumming lessons. I suppose that’s way better than asking for a drum set. Luckily, I was able to sign him up for classes at Music Makers.
Even if the person you’re buying for isn’t a musician, a harmonica is a super fun item to receive. Music Makers also has a good selection of Mahalo ukuleles, which everyone seems to love. Plus you’ll find a lot of little things to stuff into any music lovers stocking, like sheet music, guitar straps and strings. When my daughter Eve was around 8 or 9 years old, we got her an acoustic guitar, only the be followed a year later by an electric. They make great gifts for kids of all ages.
Black Earth Floral
Stepping into Black Earth Floral at this time of year is like walking into an enchanted forest. At first, I thought it was their greenery (Real! Fresh!), but no, it was their awesome Thymes Fraser Fir candle providing that heady woodland scent. Besides Thymes hand cream and soap, Black Earth sells pretty jewelry and artisanal wooden cutting boards.
You’ll find tons of uniques hostess gifts inside Black Earth Floral. I was drawn to their massive decor pine cones and twinkling lights set on fine wire. What I really love though, is their card selection made by Calgary’s Stevie + Bean. If you happen to receive a Christmas AF or I Love How We Don’t Have to Say Out Loud I’m your Favourite Sibling, you’ll know where I got it from. Oh yeah, Black Earth is legit a flower shop, so they can whip up bouquets, wreathes and table settings, too!
To inspire active living
In addition to funky boxing gloves (Camouflage! Rose gold lettering!) Rumble Boxing Studio has a super affordable boxing starter kit. For $35 you get a free class, sox and six hand wraps – all enclosed within a mesh laundry bag. Brilliant!
When in doubt
Starbucks always has fun items – think sparkly coffee mugs and snowflake-shaped marshmallows. Best are the scratch-off gift tags. You write a short message on the tag, then cover it with the gold sticker provided. The person receiving the gift gets to scratch the tag with a coin to find your hidden message. So cute!
Famoso is a choice spot to revive flagging energy levels, but there’s also a great gift to be found. Pick up a jar (or three) of their Campania tomato sauce. Every jar sold means Mealshare gives one meal to somebody in need. If you think about it, gifting this sauce gives you bonus charity points. Double score!
Nailing your errands
It’s the holidays, so likely there’s a few parcels you need to send out tout suite. The UPS Store can have your package delivered the very next day (within Canada). Pro tip: Don’t forget to whip out your Aeroplan card as they offer up to 3x the Aeroplan miles on packing and shipping.
Being such a busy time of year, it’s easy to forget things. Take a moment to review your driver’s license. The Alberta government has stopped sending out reminders. Should you need to renew your driver’s license, you can do that at the Country Hills Registry. Also in the complex is Country Hills Massage Therapy. Book in here for massage to use those benefits up while it’s still 2018.
You want to be shopping, baking and holiday entertaining this month, not doing laundry! Skip laundry duty with Fishman’s Wash and Fold service. Or drop off your pesky alterations (even shoe repair!) to have it returned looking like new.
And bookmark this for the New Year: January 26, 2019 is Kid’s Day at All Smiles Dental Care. No treatments will be going down that day, just check ups and a whole lot of fun and prizes. Don’t have dentist? What luck! They’re accepting new patients.
Country Hills Village giveaway
A few of the vendors at Country Hills Village Shopping Centre have banded together to give a variety of gift cards to one lucky Travels with Baggage reader. You could win four $25 gift cards from different retailers.
To enter:
- Comment below with what you buy for people when you’re really not sure what to gift them. Receive a double entry for liking the Country Hills Village Facebook page. (We cross-check this, natch.)
- All comments and likes must be received before midnight, December 16, 2018.
- Contest open to residents of Alberta.
Starbucks gift cards are my go to. I keep a couple in the cupboard for last minute gifts
Good one!
I like gift cards too but as a dog owner treats are always appreciated. I would personally like the Gym and tonic apron and as I have no food in my house right now the thought of some ready made tomato sauce is awesome.
I bought three jars of it over the weekend! It’s really good.
Wine or a bottle of their favorite spirits is always my go to
Nothing wrong with that!
I make up a small basket of wine, cheese, & crackers for those I’m in doubt about what to buy!
I like the Country Hills Village Facebook page as Krista Miller, thanks
Noted!
Always appreciated!
If I am unsure what to gift, I like to make up a basket with different kinds of treats and a gift card.
Oh that’s a great idea!
I give tickets to a theatre or gift cards for pampering at a spa or anything food and drink wise – everyone loves these! Even the difficult to buy for! :). Would LOVE this!!
Chocolates or Christmas baking
Liked their Facebook page
I like to gift edible gifts such as chocolate and wine. I liked the FB page. Thanks
If I don’t know what to gift them is usually my whole list of adults. I found with our older parents they love a huge food basket because getting out to shop just doesn’t appeal to them and they don’t know how to use the internet to order online. I clued into this when I ordered online a bunch a food to my mom in law who lives in a small town after I saw that she was paying double what was a normal price. She was thrilled. Then I tried it our with my mom. Again, she was more happy than when I buy her clothes or knickknacks. Thus Famoso & Starbucks could be in my homemade basket as I try to get something of everything for them.
Country Hills Village Shopping LIKED on FB = Janie Nowoselski It is just down Country Hill Blvd from my daughters house so this was easy 🙂
Awesome suggestions! Thanks, NormaJane.
I would say gift cards, they are super convenient but I am always trying my best to find the perfect gift!
Chocolate
Solid choice!
Board games! Everybody likes to have fun, and we usually end up cracking it open and playing that same night – a great gift and entertainment for the evening, all in one!
I would love someone to gift me some board games. Any faves?
For adults, try Secret Hitler (you can buy it online). It’s a social deduction game all about lying, it’s absolutely brilliant. For a mixed age crowd, you can’t beat Telestrations or Codenames!
I’ve never heard of any of these! Thanks for the recs!
Liked on FB! Food of some kind is usually a good choice – candied nuts, chocolates, peppermint bark… the options are endless!
I just got addicted to peppermint bark this year.
Consumables: especially nice olive oil and fancy salt – stuff people may not by for themselves on the regular. I’m going to go like that post now:)
Consumable gifts especially nice olive oil and fancy salt – things people may not pick up for themselves on the regular. I liked the CHV page:)
Great tip! I love getting fancy salts!
I buy them something local which they cannot find in big stores and something that is handmade and one of a kind.
So thoughtful!
Wine, Chocolates and a gift card!
Movie passes for a night out!
A basket of food! ????
I usually buy gift cards if I am not sure what to get them but other times I will maybe ask their significant others if there is something they want in particular
Asking is always a good idea.
I usually give gift cards or movie tickets for a night out!
Movie tickets are a great idea I keep forgetting about!
I make up a home made wreath with Christmas treats attached to it!
What a creative idea! Hope you don’t mind if I borrow it?
If they drink, I go with a bottle of nice wine. If not, Amazon gift cards are pretty flexible!
I like giving a beautiful plant.
That’s a great idea!
Chocolates and a gift card are my go to. I try to do gift cards to a coffee shop or movie theater so they are forced to use it for a night out.
When I’m not sure what to get (an adult) someone, a bottle of wine is always my go to. It doesn’t clutter up their house with something they don’t want and if they don’t want to drink it, they can easily re-gift it!