From home comforts that up the cozy quotient to creative ways to find a little fun when the snow begins to fly, here are some of our very favourite gift ideas to get you ahead of your shopping list in Hamilton Halton Brant!
Gifts For Passionate Crafters and Art Lovers
Shopping for someone who values handmade artistry means seeking out spaces local makers share their work with care and authenticity. The Arts Burlington Holiday Sale at the Art Gallery of Burlington on November 22 & 23 brings together over 90 artisans offering beautiful, handmade gifts of every medium; from photography and wood carvings, to woven and painted creations. Handcrafts Unlimited in Georgetown has operated since 1983 as a volunteer-run outlet showcasing handmade crafts by local seniors.
The Handmade House, with locations in Burlington and Dundas, connects shoppers with work from 100+ local artisans. Browse jewellery, candles, and home décor that’s truly one-of-a-kind. For gold and silver jewellery reflecting Indigenous artistry, Sapling & Flint in Six Nations offers a wonderful selection of beautifully crafted accessories.
Gifts For Kids Who Need A Technology Break
Help the young ones in your life discover the joy of hands-on creativity with thoughtful craft supplies and engaging activities. Mary Maxim in Paris offers over 10,000 square feet of fantastic crafting supplies, including sections overflowing with craft kits, puzzles, and Diamond Dotz to keep little hands and minds busy on cold winter days. Citizen Kid on Hamilton’s Locke Street features sustainable, non-toxic toys and craft supplies that parents appreciate and kids love exploring.
For younger makers, Mastermind Toys in Hamilton also carries a hand-picked selection of educational toys and books that inspire creative learning or visit the Art Gallery of Hamilton that has an incredible selection of creative toys and activities for children.
Gifts For Lavender and Honey Lovers
Transport loved ones back to sunny summer days with lavender products that bring calm and comfort through the colder months. Terre Bleu Lavender Farm offers gorgeous lavender products ranging from essential oils and bath items to culinary creations including lavender shortbread cookies, teas, maple syrup, and cheese. Weir’s Lane Lavender & Apiary in Dundas provides another fantastic option for lavender enthusiasts on your list.
For those who appreciate the benefits of local honey and beeswax, Humble Bee creates sweet, organic honey from over 200 hives across Hamilton while Backed by Bees takes it a step further by creating in-house, natural products like Honey Soda and alcoholic Mead. Their raw, unpasteurized honey and handcrafted beeswax products make wonderful natural gifts that celebrate a unique agricultural from the region.
Gifts For Fresh Air Fiends
The gift of an annual park pass encourages outdoor lovers to explore new trails and natural spaces throughout the year. A Conservation Halton membership offers access to seven parks, including Rattlesnake Point, Crawford Lake, and Mountsberg. Hamilton Conservation Authority membership provides entry to 11 parks plus free admission to public programming at Westfield Heritage Village. The Grand River Parks membership includes access to 11 parks along with vouchers for exclusive rewards and freebies, including two-for-one paddling and cross-country skiing offers.
Royal Botanical Gardens membership delivers year-round access to Canada’s largest botanical garden, along with food and gift discounts and special rates on ticketed events throughout the seasons.
Gifts For Craft Beer Fans
From creating the ultimate six-pack of unique craft beers to branded merch from a favourite brewery, life becomes an adventure when you explore Hamilton Halton Brants’s distinctive breweries. Cameron’s Brewing Company in Oakville combines consistent, quality craft brewing with their welcoming taproom experience. Furnace Room Brewery in Milton pours creativity into every pint, while Flux Brewing in Scotland offers small-batch brews with distinctive character that goes perfect with food from their rotating menu from the Manna Kitchen.
Collective Arts Brewery in Hamilton fuses craft brewing with inspired artwork from around the world, featuring limited-edition label designs that make each can collectible. Go on Hamilton Halton Brant’s True Brew Path to explore even more breweries, cideries, and wineries throughout the region.
Gifts For Foodies
Make cooking at home more luxurious this winter with artisanal ingredients and time-saving kitchen tools that celebrate local flavours. Springridge Farms’ Barn Market features a wonderful selection of preserves, many available in their online shop for convenient ordering. Farmhouse Artisan Cheese in Oakville’s Kerr Village specializes in products from local and international producers, offering delightful collections of cheeses, cured meats, and charcuterie essentials.
Paron Cheese, The Udder Way Artisan Cheese Co., and Summit Station Dairy & Creamery in Hamilton offer artisanal cheeses and dairy products that will spoil your tastebuds with recipes perfected across the generations. The Market Hall at Paris Wincey Mills provides another fantastic option for discovering delicious farm-to-table foodie finds from local producers – from gourmet popcorn to the most delicious lobster mac-n-cheese and barbeque ribs in the County.
Gifts For History Lovers
Give the gift of year-round exploration that connect history enthusiasts to the region’s fascinating heritage sites. Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum membership offers free admission for an entire year, including access to nearly 50 aircraft and the chance to see one of only two airworthy Lancasters remaining in the world.
Museums of Burlington membership delivers unlimited admission to both Joseph Brant Museum and Ireland House Museum, featuring three galleries and interactive programming that explores Burlington’s development. Brant Historical Society membership grants access to both Brant Museum & Archives and Myrtleville House Museum, with a collection of over 60,000 artifacts preserving the stories of Brantford and Brant County.
Gifts for Purveyors of the Arts
Give the gift of year-round cultural experiences through memberships that inspire creativity and connect loved ones to the region’s vibrant arts scene. Art Gallery of Hamilton membership, membership with the Oakville Galleries or becoming a Friend of the Arts with the Art Gallery of Burlington provides access to world-class exhibitions, special events, and exclusive member programming throughout the year. Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant showcases contemporary exhibitions in a beautifully landscaped sixteen-acre park along the Grand River, with classes, lectures, and special events that celebrate artistic pursuits year-round.
Or be a patron of the stage with membership to the Burlington Performing Arts Centre or Sanderson Centre of the Performing Arts to receive ticket discounts, advance purchase windows, and access to the members’ lounge for every performance.
