Looking for a last-minute holiday gift idea? Consider a field trip, a workshop or even an adventure for the person who has everything. These are unique experiences that align with their interests and hobbies, and can be redeemed close to home or perhaps somewhere they have plans to travel to soon. Here are some location-specific suggestions across Canada that would make for a memorable gift.
Food and Dining Experiences
For those who have a knack for baking or food in general, a hands-on, Japanese-style bagel-making class with head baker Yukiko Iikura at WA-BAGEL in Vancouver would be a treat. On the other hand, Cookery in Toronto offers in-person lessons to upgrade their knife skills in the kitchen. Students will learn techniques such as chopping, mincing, julienning and how to prepare several main and side dishes with Chef Anne Hynes.
For a more relaxed experience, consider treating them to an iconic afternoon tea experience at the Empress with a Fairmont gift card. The experience includes live classical piano accompaniment every afternoon, along with small sweet and savoury plates. There’s also an option to upgrade to the Champagne Tea experience which includes a glass of Laurent Perrier champagne.
Classes and Workshops
For those who appreciate creativity and art, a variety of workshops and classes are available across Canada. In Toronto, the OkayOk print anything workshop allows participants to decorate their own garments or textiles with heat transfer vinyl surface design. Meanwhile, Montreal’s Les Affûtés offers a three-hour class dedicated to the art of propagating and shaping bonsai trees.
For perfume lovers, The 7 Virtues Perfume Atelier in Halifax offers an intimate workshop where they can design their own perfume and leave with a 50-millilitre bottle of their creation. Families can also enjoy a two-hour clay class at Toronto’s newly renovated Gardiner Museum, where they can get instruction from a ceramic artist and have the opportunity to fire one piece of work.
Adventure Experiences
If your loved one is an adventure enthusiast, consider the WildPlay Element Parks season pass, which offers unlimited visits to the Classic Adventure and Extreme courses – think ziplines, tightrope walks and more – at all WildPlay parks in Canada. Flyberta in Calgary offers fly-fishing lessons in the field, as well as guided trips for individuals and groups.
Attractions
For art and history lovers, a membership to their favourite local gallery such as the Art Gallery of Alberta or a visit to Little Canada, a miniature model of Canada that recently debuted a new destination: Little North, a replica of Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon, would be a treat.
Spa Experiences
For ultimate relaxation, consider gifting a water circuit package at Bota Bota spa-sur-l’eau in Montreal or a massage treatment at Elora Mill Spa in Ontario. The latter also includes access to the Elora Mill Hotel & Spa’s outdoor heated pool, hot tub, sauna and steam rooms.
Style Experiences
If your loved one is a fashion enthusiast, consider a personal shopping package at Mabelle Style in Vancouver, or a Sequel Jeans gift card, where they can get a favourite pair of vintage jeans tailored to their measurements and preferences.
Subscription Services
Last but not least, subscription services such as Small Mercies fresh flower subscription in Winnipeg, État de choc chocolate discovery subscription in Montreal, or the McNally Robinson bookseller box, which includes gift items alongside hand-selected books (mostly by Canadian authors), would also make for thoughtful gifts.
