LCC 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
Our annual gift guide is back! We know that holiday shopping can be stressful and overwhelming. Waiting in line/online for deals at big box stores isn’t our idea of getting in to the holiday spirit. Instead, why not focus your holiday shopping around supporting small and local businesses and the people who build them. As the saying goes, “when you buy from a small business, an actual person does a happy dance”. That’s why every holiday season, we show our support by spreading local cheer and featuring some of our favourite businesses. If you’re looking to support local and ease the shopping process, check out our list for the perfect gift for that special someone.
1. Gifts for Self-Care
The Spa at Ambleside
Who doesn’t love being pampered? In fact, the holiday season is the best time of year to pamper that special someone. Nestled in the suburban neighbourhood of Ambleside in south west Edmonton is a luxury spa - The Spa at Ambleside. Last year, we had the pleasure of working with them on their branding. Lucky for us, we’ve also experienced some of their best services. They offer a few different spa packages that would make a perfect gift for that special someone who needs a little bit of extra care.
Mousy Browns
If you’re ready for a change, getting your hair done is one of the best ways to feel refreshed before, during, and after holiday season! With two locations (Downtown and Old Strathcona), Mousy Browns has been the experts in hair for almost twenty years. They pride themselves in providing the best education to new stylists and are constantly keeping up with trends and new techniques. They offer gift cards for any of their services and hair products from some of their favourite suppliers. They’ve been long time friends with our studio, so you can trust our word on this one!
Buff Wax Spot & Buff Experts
Buff Wax Spot is Edmonton’s original wax bar, specializing in full-body waxing for every body. They’re BIPOC-owned and 100% women-staffed and take pride in offering a hyper-inclusive environment. Their wax services encompass every area, from head to toe. Purchase a gift card at any of their three locations, or gift clean and cruelty-free self-care with their in-house line of products, Buff Experts.
Prairie Soap Shack
Prairie Soap Shack creates wildcrafted, handmade soaps inspired by nature. We worked with them to redesign their packaging. Their sample soap box would make a beautiful gift for anyone on your shopping list. However, any of their all-natural skincare products and soaps provide a luxurious self-care at-home experience and make great stocking stuffers!
2. Gifts for the Foodie
Acquired Taste Tea
Established in 1996, this downtown Edmonton tea shop offers the finest traditional loose-leaf and packaged teas, and caters to the gourmet drinker, the adventurer, and the novice. When you walk into the Acquired Taste Tea shop, you’re welcomed with an eclectic array of teas, polish pottery, finely crafted traditional Japanese teapots, tea cozies, artful containers, and traditional tea accessories. Anything in their shop would make a great gift for a tea lover but if you’re looking for something seasonal, they have just launched their holiday collection: Christmas Comfort, Nutcracker, Snowflake Sencha. We recently had the opportunity to work with Acquired Taste Tea on their tea advent calendar packaging which is also available for purchase. It features 24 samples of their favourite tea blends.
THE Colombian
If you know someone who loves coffee, a monthly subscription service from The Colombian is a gift that keeps giving. All beans are roasted in-house and there are plenty of blends to try. Their Workhorse blend and Dark Mule Espresso are great staples for the everyday coffee drinker. Their new apothecary collection is three limited edition coffees that are great for the expert coffee connoisseur. Special for the holiday season is their Holiday Gift Box that comes with their traditional Christmas blend and a surprise Naughty or Nice surprise blend. If you just want the Christmas blend for yourself or to gift, you can purchase the bag by itself; $5 from every bag is donated to the Ronald McDonald House.
Annie Rue ICE CREAM
Ice cream isn’t just a summer treat. If you're looking for a gift for an ice cream lover, Annie Rue makes artisan handmade ice cream with new flavours every month. Last year we had the pleasure of working with Annie Rue on their branding and interior brand experience. Take it from us, their ice cream is delicious, handmade with love and made from the freshest ingredients. Fun fact, Annie Rue is named after Tanya's grandmas, both named Annie. You'll find elements of them embedded into everything they do, from their service to our flavours. For the ice cream lover, they offer an ice cream pint subscription. And if you’re just looking to gift a sweet treat, they have their lineup of holiday flavours ready for the season or you can purchase a gift card!
Odd Mums Gluten-Free
We’re currently working on something special for this local gluten-free bakery! Odd Mums Gluten-Free is exactly as it sounds - a bakery specializing in gluten-free goodies, from cakes to cookies. The business is run by two mothers. Their goal is to ensure that anyone with a gluten intolerance can indulge in baked goods that taste just like the real stuff. For the holidays, their freshly made cookies or take-home cookie mix make great stocking stuffers. You can also preorder their gluten-free gingerbread house kits for a fun festive activity!
3. Gifts to Empower
THE Amanda Wagner
Amanda Wagner is a speaker, business and leadership strategist. Her focus is on providing business strategy and keynotes for the fiercely ambitious and who are hungry for more. We have had the pleasure of hiring and working with Amanda over the last few years, providing guidance and “business therapy” for our studio. She has recently launched her Business Fight Club, a work retreat for business owners who need time to focus on their business, gather feedback from other entrepreneurs, and finish something that’s always on the back burner. The three-day, two-night retreat is perfect for the ambitious business owner. Right now, applications are open to be on the waitlist!
Photography sessions
Emilie Iggiotti | Luminarie Creative | Amanda Gallant | Andrea Hanki
@emilieiggiotti | @luminariecreative | @agallant | @andreahankiphotographer
There’s no better way to feel empowered than with a photography session. For the strong female leader, Emilie Iggiotti specializes in portrait and brand photography for the empowered woman. If there’s a business owner in your life, a lifestyle or commercial photography session with Luminarie Creative would make a great gift. For a more whimsical approach, Amanda Gallant has a way of bringing out an individual’s true innate beauty through her photographs. Finally, every family could use a photography session; Andrea Hanki is a lifestyle photographer and magic maker whose candid photos capture the magic, messy, and authentic stories of families.
Women & Wealth Gala
Hosted on International Women’s Day, the Women and Wealth Gala empowers, inspires, and supports women across Canada who are or are on their way to becoming confident and passionate leaders of our businesses, organizations, governments, schools, and communities. The goal of the gala is to raise funds and seek help to close the gender gap and promote gender equality within our society. We’ve had the pleasure of sponsoring the gala for the last two years and next year’s gala is no different. For the 2024 gala, you can expect appearances by Ashley Freeborn (CEO and Co-Founder of Smash + Tess), Dr. Jody Carrington (Renowned Psychologist and bestselling Author), and Joelle Tomlinson (award-winning journalist). Tickets to this annual event are a great gift to a worthy cause.
4. Gifts for a Cause
The Branded Good
Speaking of gifts for a cause, The Branded Good is a side project we started at the onset of the pandemic. Creating high-quality garments for charitable causes is what the initiative is all about. The Branded Good collaborated with the Alberta Cancer Foundation and designed the We Cross Cancer collection. 100% of net profits from the collection will be donated to the Alberta Cancer Foundation to support priority needs, cancer research, and enhanced patient care. Launching this holiday season is also our Edmonton Collection! The collection was designed to promote local city pride. The collection consists of crewnecks and t-shirts with graphics representing the heart of the City of Edmonton. 100% of net profits from this collection will be donated to the Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS). Our donation will help to provide immediate and low-barrier 24/7 shelter, daytime resources and services, temporary supportive housing, and individualized wrap-around support for young people aged 15–24. Apparel from any of our collections makes a great gift that keeps on giving!
THE Black Bookshelf Project
The Black Bookshelf Project is an initiative that provides schools and early education centres with easy access to books and resources written and developed by Black people, Indigenous people, and people of colour (BIPOCs). Funds from each item on their shop help promote equity and provide Alberta schools access to books that celebrate diversity. Our team had the opportunity to assist in their initiative by designing and illustrating the affirmation colouring cards. They make great gifts for parents and children. You can purchase them on their own, with erasable crayons/markers - or with regular crayons/markers for the more confident crafter in your life!
5. Gifts for Anyone
Unbelts
Unbelts make belts for everybody. Their innovative, elastic belts are designed with everyone in mind regardless of size, age, or gender. Unbelts are incredibly comfortable and will fit your body exactly as you are today, and exactly how you might be in a few months' or years' time. The business is a Certified B Corporation. Each product is created to be as ethical and sustainable as possible with components sourced from factories verified to be providing living wages and safe working conditions. Their products range from the Classic, Intrepid or Kids’ 10-year unbelt, along with a variety of matching accessories!
The Makers Keep
The Makers Keep is the place to visit during your holiday shopping. Working with small creators, their mission is to make shopping local easier. Their eclectic mix of products will guarantee they have something for everyone on your list. We also suggest browsing their new Keepsakes Collection of apparel, mugs, and tote bags. Shop online or at any of their four locations (124th street, The Enjoy Centre, Kingsway Mall, and Sherwood Park).
We’re so happy to say we’ve worked with all of these businesses over the years and we’re proud to promote them in any way possible. In our opinion, the best gift is always a local gift! We hope you’ve enjoyed our 2023 holiday gift guide. We hope it helps you find the perfect gift for that special someone. Happy Holidays from us at Lianne Charlene Creative!
- The LCC Team