Advent calendars filled with a local treat for each day of December
To help count down the days to the festive season, two local companies are offering beautiful advent calendars that lean away from the traditional daily chocolate in favour of more adult tastes. Sons of Vancouver’s Whisky Advent Calendar contains 24 whiskies and whisky liqueurs in 50-millilitre sample bottles, 85 per cent of which are previously unreleased and three that are previously sold-out releases from the past year. Vancouver coffee mainstay Revolver similarly offers its sixth Revolver Coffee Advent Calendar, which includes 24 coffees from 24 international roasters. Each day December leading to Christmas brings a single serving to kickstart your morning.
Sparkling sake made on Granville Island
Founded in 2007 by Masa Shiroki, Artisan SakeMaker is Vancouver’s only sake winery. Offering a wide variety of sakes, including some made entirely with Canadian ingredients, the winery also has a tasting lounge at its Granville Island storefront, where you can sample its sakes to find the perfect gift. A standout is Artisan’s selection of sparkling sakes, including the crisp and fresh Osake Junmai Sparkling sake.
Assorted gourmet cheeses
Whistler’s beloved independent cheesemonger Flute & Fromage offers several cheese gift box options for the holidays. Designated holiday boxes include cheeses, holiday-themed snacks, and seasonal wines. Or you can opt for the year-round gift boxes, which also work well if you want to host a small party and have a memorable spread on hand. Flute & Fromage also has tote bags and cheese advent calendars to add to your gift-giving options.
Special sherry cask scotch whisky
Scottish distillery Bowmore has released a special boutique sherry cask edition of its single malt scotch whisky in time for the holidays. Rolled out in B.C. throughout November, the different age statements reflect rich flavours, with four expressions across the collection: 12, 15, 18, and 21 years.
Pre-mixed cocktails with a twist
Calgary-based Inversion Nitro Cocktails is a canned, ready-to-drink line of cocktails. These nitrogen-infused drinks are smooth and luxurious, with well-balanced flavours and luscious foam. And they’re not too sweet, leaning instead on subtle, complementary flavours. The cans can be purchased separately or as part of a gift pack with a coupe glass. Available flavours are classic whisky sour, classic margarita, elderflower gin sour, and spiced whisky sour. They need a hard shake to activate the nitrogen, but the final product is well worth the effort.
Local non-alcoholic spirits for your favourite mocktails
The holidays are often marked by cocktails and other spirits, and Lumette, a company on Vancouver Island, offers an alternative for those looking for a non-alcoholic option. Designed to be mixed into cocktails rather than served neat, Lumette’s complex gin and rum options are a great way to create mocktails that rival your favourite festive cocktails. And they make terrific gifts for friends planning to try Dry January or who aren’t drinking for any number of reasons.
Sparkling water for every occasion
A Barbet sampler pack can make a perfect gift as a cocktail mixer or a tasty non-alcoholic drink in its own right. Or you could stock up to have a refreshing alternative to serve to holiday guests. With beautifully designed cans and unusual flavours like cucumber and pineapple with lavender or blood orange and calamansi with jalapeño, Barbet sparkling water is several steps above your standard seltzer and adds a festive dimension to a classic beverage.
The best panettone in town
No doubt, everyone has their favourite source in the city for the classic Italian fruitcake, a holiday staple. Panettone can be an appropriate gift for a foodie friend or a delicious treat to serve guests. One of the best in Vancouver comes from Antise in Gastown. The bakery’s luxurious, handmade panettone features rich, complex flavours thanks to a traditional, slow proofing process and high-quality ingredients. The baked goods come in a variety of flavours, but the limoncello is a standout.
Cooking classes to wow your dinner guests
As many of us move toward minimalism and decluttering, gifting experiences can be a terrific way to show love without physical objects. A cooking class could be a thoughtful choice for a foodie looking to experiment in their own kitchen. The Northwest Culinary Academy offers courses at many levels, including one-night engagements for each, helping students learn the basics or build their existing skills, with each class centred on specific dishes.
Chef-approved recipes from the Okanagan Valley
Okanagan Eats collects recipes from some of the top chefs working in the Okanagan Valley, from some of the area’s best restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and wineries. Shortlisted for a 2024 Taste Canada Award, the cookbook is likely to appeal to anyone who likes to cook, but it has an appealing, regional twist, ideal for those who already love the Okanagan as well as anyone on your list who may want to learn about the local food scene.
A trip around the world of wine
Another possibility if you prefer to gift experiences is a ticket to the Vancouver International Wine Festival, which runs February 22 to March 2. The festival features over 100 wineries from around the world, including 50 from California, Oregon, and Washington State, representing the festival theme for 2025: West Coast U.S. Wines. Ticket holders will have access to tastings as they learn from representatives of each winery.
