Top Gifts for Christmas!
Ontario Travel is offering the "Gift of Ontario" this season. In addition to the wonderful packages on their website, you can also enter to win 2 getaways including one as a gift. I'd also like to suggest some of the very best things to buy for your loved ones right here in Northwest Ontario. From top sellers to my own personal favourites, here is a list of the top things to buy for Christmas this year:
1 - Blossoms Fresh Fruit Arrangements
Take a peek at these fresh fruit arrangements at Blossoms Fresh Fruit Blossoms located at Kupper's Bakery & Restaurant in Dryden. These edible arrangements are both beautiful and delicious. There is a variety of bouquets to choose from such as the Deck the Halls Blossom, the Snow Berry Blossom, or the Snowflake Blossom. You can order online from the Dryden location or by calling 807-223-2419. If you live elsewhere, there are many other locations Canada wide, just put in your postal code on their website to be taken to the closest location. Follow Blossoms on Facebook for year-round basket ideas.
Deck the Halls Christmas Blossom Arrangement
2 - St. Croix Ice Fishing Rods
Gills Trading Post in Sioux Narrows has what you need to land all the right Christmas gifts this year. They have the latest selection of St. Croix Ice Fishing Rods including a few different styles of ice rods ranging from the Premier Series for $36, the Avid Series for $62, the Legend Silver series for $72, and the Legend Gold Series for $105. Gill's also carries a wide variety of open water fishing poles as well. For a limited time until Christmas, get a free hat and T-Shirt from St. Croix when you buy a rod worth at least $80. You can stop in at Gill's right off Highway 71 in Sioux Narrows or call 877-926-1594 and they can ship it out.
St. Croix ice rods available at Gill's Trading Post
3 - A Canadian Fly-in Fishing Trip
Do you have a loved one with a Canadian fly-in fishing trip on their bucket list? Help to make it happen with a gift certificate from one of the fly-in fishing outfitters in Northwest Ontario. Whether you buy a dollar amount or pay for their whole trip, the angler in your family will love you this Christmas! I had the pleasure of doing a fly-in for my honeymoon and it was such an amazing trip - countless walleye, good company, the remote wilderness and of course the float plane ride was pretty cool too.
Make someone's year! Give the gift of a Canadian fly-in fishing trip.
4 - Bos. & Co. Boots
Every day I walk by Seasons Gifts & Lifestyle Shop on Main Street in Kenora. And every day there's a pair of boots that calls out to me. There's a pair of Bos & Co Caird boots that simply have my name on them. (Hopefully, my husband is reading this and notes I fit a size 36 and like the boots with the laces. Hint, hint.) They have a wide variety of boots and mukluks. Many, like the red boots in the photo below, are lined with merino wool which makes them both comfy and warm. Seriously, if you're in Kenora go to Seasons right now and make your loved one (or yourself) happy and pick up a pair of these boots. 807-468-3267
Seasons has an amazing assortment of quality boots.
5 - The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
Granted you might be buying this for yourself as a Christmas gift unless you have a very loving spouse or parent, but this new mid-size truck would be a great addition to anyone's driveway. The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado has been named Motor Trend's Truck of the Year. This truck fills a void in the new mid-size truck market. Check out Dryden GM's website or their Facebook page for more info and holiday pricing. 1-866-638-3754
Motor Trend's 2015 truck of the Year, the Chevy Colorado available at Dryden GM
6 - Sheepskin Polar Mitt's by Egli's Sheep Farm
Apparently, they are predicting another cold winter this year, which makes these mittens even more relevant at this time of the year. Canadian made right at Egli's Sheep Farm in Minnitaki, these Polar Mitts are made of suede, soft sheepskin. They are the ultimate in warmth and comfort. Available in blue, pink, stoney brown, sand and chocolate (shown below). They are rated 5 stars on their website and got rave reviews such as "Wonderfully warm and cozy, and they grip well too. Perfect mittens!" by Melissa L. and "I just received these mitts in the mail and was very impressed with the quality and warmth of these." by Jessica V. I love the fact that they are Canadian made right here in Northwest Ontario. Egli's online store makes it easy to send gifts wherever they need to go. 1-800-465-2966.
Canadian-made Polar Mitts available at Egli's Sheep Farm
7 - Boston Pizza Gift Certificates
Do you need to buy for someone that has everything? Do you know someone that needs a night off from cooking? Then consider getting a gift card from the Boston Pizza in Fort Frances or Kenora. They have a special on right now: Buy a $50 gift card and get $10 off in January. See the Boston Pizza website for details. If you're really into the Christmas spirit you can even get a photo or logo on the gift card! Call Kenora at 807-468-5597 or Fort Frances at 807-274-2727.
Everyone can use a gift card from Boston Pizza for a night off from cooking
8 - Norval Morrisseau Design Ceramic Mug
The famous artist Norval Morrisseau spent the better part of his early painting years in Red Lake. I love his work and if you're looking for something small to get for Christmas, one of these mugs filled with hot chocolate, candy or goodies would be an easy gift. They are available at the Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre or you can call them at 807-727-3006 and have one mailed out to you. They also have some other designs of mugs, bags and keys chains featuring Norval's artwork on their website.
9 - A Wilderness Canoe Trip
A wilderness canoe trip was always on my dad's list of things to do with me and unfortunately, we never got to do it before he passed. It is still on my list, perhaps I will one day get to experience a canoe trip with my children. With so many lakes and wilderness parks in Northern Ontario, you could really canoe for days without seeing someone. If you have an outdoorsy person to buy for, why not give them a gift certificate for a canoe or kayak trip? We have canoe outfitters in the area who would gladly help you out to fulfil your outdoor lover's dream of a trip into the Canadian wilderness.
Give your loved one the gift of solitude - a wilderness canoe trip!
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas this holiday season. Regardless if you are celebrating Christmas or not, I wish you all the very best and I hope you get to spend time with your loved ones and friends. Cheers.