The Best East-End Shop for Holiday Gifts

Plus 2 More Shops Just Outside the City!

IMAGE: @IHeartScout — **IMAGE:** @IHeartScout

The hectic holiday shopping season can mean a whole lot of fa la la la last-minute trips to the mall. Rather than battling the crowds at Yorkdale, the Eaton Centre or Sherway Gardens, be inspired to #ShopLocal (or local-ish) this year.

Last week BlogTO released a stellar roundup of The Top 10 New Stores for Holiday Shopping in Toronto, each with their own array of gotta-have-em goodies. If you don’t want to drop the ball on a New Years Eve party gift Sugarfina’s Dom Perignon–spiked gummy bears will leave your host buzzing. And, if you’re trying to find a cheap and cheerful stocking stuffer for your weird Uncle Al, there’s a dollar store for that (yes, a dollar store!) called Miniso. I’m not going to lie, this one is located in the Eaton Centre, but the savings are worth sacrificing your sanity for an hour or so.

SCOUT

Leslieville, Toronto

My fellow East Enders will be pleased to hear that the popular Roncesvalles shop Scout has a second home on Queen Street East in Leslieville.

This new location opened just last month, and as BlogTO’s noted, Scout is “pretty much a one-stop shop for all things festive.” Scout has a great selection of handmade, Canadian and independent artisan–made items like quirky cards and cool coasters.

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IMAGES: @IHeartScout

WILLS & PRIOR

Stratford, Ontario

Artisanal candleholders, felted stockings, tartan slippers, Wills & Prior has thought about everything you could ever wish to give (or get for yourself!) and more.

Located in the quaint town of Stratford this is a nice excuse to road trip out of the city to snag a few prezzies and snap a selfie next to the Avon River.

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IMAGES: @WillsandPrior

CENTRO GARDEN

Burlington, Ontario

If it’s been a few years since you’ve hopped over to Burlington, we’d highly suggest making a day of it. There are cute coffee shops (Tamp), vegan bakeries (Kelly’s Bake Shoppe) and great pizza places (Son of a Peach) all worth a try.

Once you’re caffeinated and have a belly full of grub, take a stroll to Centro Garden for beautiful potted arrangements, mercury glass candles, artisanal cocktail accoutrements and so much more.

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IMAGES: @CentroGarden

Wishing you a holiday season full of merriment!- Andrew Dunn