holiday party gift

10 ideas for unique gifts to bring to a party in Toronto

Forget the traditional bottle of wine, chocolates or bottles of mix; it's time to reward your holiday party host with a special gift so that you're invited back again next year. At this time of year, the city is ripe with festive gift options that are unique, memorable and often super useful.

Help the place smell festive

The North Standard Trading Post in Parkdale carries the Smells Like Canada line of candles and they all smell like Christmas - Muskoka campfire, double-double and Toronto Smoke are just some of the scents available.

Give the gift of ice

Because a house party always runs out, and some poor soul is always sent out in the cold to get some extra bags, put your host's mind at ease with a call to Toronto's Iceman. They'll deliver right to your door, but call ahead to make sure you're on their route that eventing.

Pineapple Coasters for their tables

Did you know the pineapple is the symbol of hospitality? That makes these golden pineapple coasters from BYOB the perfect present for your holiday party person. Help keep wet cups and glasses off of their surfaces so that no one is angry on cleanup day.

Reusable red party cups

Red party cups are a very familliar site at pretty much any house party, let alone a holiday party. Why not help your host reduce waste and clutter with these porcelaine red party cups from the Drake General Store?

Themed dishtowels

Keeping with waste reduction, think about bringing dish towels to the party so that the host and their helpers can look good while tidying up. Simons at Square One Mall has a ton of festive options and they won't break the bank either.

Bags and bags of candy

Sweet Addictions is the latest Toronto candy shop to open and it's at Dundas West and Ossington. It's packed with fun, toothache-inducing sugary treats. This is an easy, colourful, fun gift to bring to any holiday party that encourages sharing and sugar highs.

A beautiful holiday bouquet

Flowers might seem like a typical gift to bring for your host, but don't just bring some out-of-season vegetation. Instead have a holiday bouquet created at Sweet Peas, or any of these floral design shops. They make great centrepieces or wow-at-the-front-door stunners.

Toronto serving board

This gorgeous bamboo serving board from the Spacing Store is in the shape of Toronto! Help your host out by giving them this locally designed piece and make a typical cheese spread that much more special. You can wash and reuse it again and again.

Inexpensive wool blanket

Wool blankets don't have to break the bank. Saudade in Dundas West has a great selection straight from Portugal and they're only $100. And they'll lend a helpful hand in case any of your host's party guests get a chill.

Sage for the day after

Give your host the gift of sage from The Likely General on Roncesvalles Avenue. There were probably a bunch of questionable things that went on at your party, and sage helps clean the air and aura of the room, just like that.

Stella Artois

Brought to you by Stella Artois, the perfect beer to serve your guests this holiday season.

Lead photo by

Hector Vasquez


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