‘Tis the Season of Giving and Receiving!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and we are here to help you keep it that way with our annual Christmas gift guide. You’re sure to find something for everyone on your list, leaving more time for you to relax and enjoy this joyous time of year!
Art, Antiques, and Jewellery
Faith Grant’s On The Avenue
Faith Grant’s On The Avenue are dealers in a wide range of antiques. Their stock of 18th and 19th Century furniture, silver, china, paintings, and accessories is handpicked from Island homes and each item usually comes with a story.
Contact them at 250-383-0121, visit them at 1968 Oak Bay Avenue in Victoria or online at FaithGrantAntiques.com.
Julie King
Julie King is a Vancouver Island artist working in acrylic and watercolour. Her highly textured landscape paintings are inspired by the mountains and coastline of British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada.
Contact her at 250-715-0986, visit her at 6519 Genoa Bay Road in Duncan or online at JulieKing.ca.
MeddleArt
Metal sculptor Brad Allen uses recycled iron to create beautiful works of art from free standing sculptures to hanging wall pieces.
Contact him at 250-732-3261 to order, or visit him online at MeddleArt.com.
My Mondo Trading
My Mondo Trading Company was established to bring the very best of Pacific Northwest Coast First Nations art to a wider appreciation. Their art comes from many First Nations artists and they all bring a perspective rich in culture, legends, symbolism, and storytelling. Hundreds of pieces of artwork from dozens of artists go through My Mondo Trading Company each year.
Contact them at 778-350-3555, or visit them online at MyMondoTrading.com.
Peninsula Gallery
Peninsula Gallery features an outstanding collection of original paintings, sculpture and limited edition prints. Since its establishment in 1986, Peninsula Gallery has prospered into one of Canada’s most acclaimed art galleries, presenting quality paintings and sculptures of artists both local and of nationwide praise.
Contact them at 250-655-1282, visit them at #100 – 2506 Beacon Avenue in Sidney or online at PenGal.com.
Periwinkle Studios
Periwinkle Art Studios displays various art forms: figurative works of hand-made fabric with faces and hands sculpted in clay and painted in oils; jewellery as a mixture of fibre, weaving and bead work.
Visit them at #2 – 2333 Government Street in Victoria or online at PeriwinkleArtStudios.com.
Stephen Fortner Fine Jewellery
Stephen Fortner Fine Jewellery is located in Victoria and has a great selection of diamond engagement rings, gold wedding bands, earrings, pendants, solitaires and gems for anniversaries and religious motifs.
Contact them at 1-866-479-6413, or visit them online at StephenFortner.com.
Susan Koch – Atelier
Susan Koch – Atelier is an award-winning silversmith whose summers spent on Galiano Island inspired a lifelong fascination with beach stones and sea glass. Susan incorporates these elements in her hand-fabricated organic sterling silver jewellery, which are as unique as the people who wear them.
Contact her at 250-746-6874, or visit her online at SusanKoch.ca to order or find a retailer near you.
The Good Friday Project
Artist John Hood sells his piece, The Gaze of Jesus Crucifixion Art Print, to raise funds for the UN World Food Programme. 60% of the proceeds from his prints are given to the organization, and the remaining balance is split between printing, postage, the Canadian Food Bank, and a little for the artist.
Visit them online at TheGazeOfJesus.org to order.
The Tapestry House
The Tapestry House has a collection of European tapestry wall hangings in many styles and sizes. They have been selling wall tapestries for over 20 years – from traditional to contemporary including William Morris, fine art designs, and the famous Lady with the Unicorn tapestries. Produced by artisans for centuries, a wall hanging tapestry incorporates the past and the present. Tapestries bring beauty into your home and possess a sense of history.
Contact them at 1-855-858-4439, visit them by appointment at 11075 Salal Place in North Saanich or online at TheTapestryHouse.com.
Theresa Makes Paper Dolls
If you enjoy fashion, art, history fairy tales, spies, pirates, and nativity sets then Theresa Makes Paper Dolls has something for you. Paper dolls aren’t just for children as they are great for any age to keep your imagination flowing. Paper fashion is a stress-free world and can help you relax. Paper dolls also make nice “sick day” gifts; a pretty doll and wardrobe can improve any mood.
Contact her at 250-598-6300, or visit her online at TheresaMakesPaperDolls.com.
Topgate Farm
Topgate Farm offers hand printed reproductions from select Canadian artists focusing on the imagery of Western Canada, in the form of fine art cards, note cards and custom prints.
Contact them at 250-480-8352 or 250-888-2728, or shop online at TopgateFarm.com.
Home Decor and Gardening
Blue Haze Farm and Holly Christmas
Blue Haze Farm in Metchosin grows Christmas Holly. Holly makes a lovely unique Christmas gift with both religious and secular significance that lasts through the holidays. Blue Haze also sells frozen organic apple juice perfect for apple cider during the holidays.
Contact them at 250-474-5043, visit them at 3817 Duke Road in Metchosin or online at HollyChristmas.com.
Doyle and Brown Home and Garden
Doyle and Brown is filled with unique home and garden accents, endless garden gift ideas, beautiful furniture and hard-to-find items in a refreshing shopping experience. For the interior or exterior decorator there is a selection of high quality accessories, indoor pots, frost resistant pots, statuary, original garden art and a myriad of beautiful items for inside and out.
Contact them at 250-514-5646, visit them at 6666 West Saanich Road in Brentwood Bay or online at DoyleAndBrown.ca.
Kenmar Flower Farm
Kenmar Flower Farm’s European hand tied bouquets are put together on a daily basis using only the freshest ingredients. When it comes to special events they take equal pride in servicing all events to ensure their clients have a great celebration.
Contact them at 250-727-6443, visit them in Victoria by appointment or online at KenmarFlowerFarm.com.
Whippletree Furniture
Whippletree Furniture carries quality new home furnishings, with a wide variety of unique product lines of top grain leather, upholstered, and wooden furniture.
Contact them at 250-746-4255, visit them at 4705 Trans Canada Hwy in Duncan or online at WhippletreeFurniture.com.
Food and Drink
Cakes Etc.
Cakes Etc. has been creating beautiful cakes since 1989. They take pride in what they do, and bake with the finest ingredients available, whether it’s chocolate from Belgium, or local cream and fruit from the farms and orchards in Victoria. They have a decadent Christmas menu available for those looking for some extra special treats this Christmas.
Contact them at 250-360-2390, visit them at 2821 Quesnel Street in Victoria or online at CakesEtc.ca.
Cheryl’s Gourmet Pantry
Cheryl’s Gourmet Pantry has been providing Gourmet Take Out, Catering Services, Picnic Baskets and Cooking Classes for over 26 years and has become well known for the high quality of food and services that they provide. Their Christmas menu is now available and December is already booking up fast!
Contact them at 250-595-3212, visit them at 2009 Cadboro Bay Road in Victoria or online at CherylsGourmetPantry.com.
La Roux Patisserie
La Roux Patisserie is a new French pastry shop that opened its doors in June 2016 in Chinatown in downtown Victoria. Their shop is the perfect place to reward yourself, to treat a loved one, to pick up a delicious gift on your way to a dinner party, or order your custom Christmas cake.
Contact them at 778-265-7689, visit them at 519 Fisgard Street in Victoria or online at LaRoux.ca.
Silverside Farm and Winery
Silverside Farm produces blueberries as well as award winning berry wines. In addition to fresh berries and produce they offer an assortment of jams, jellies, and syrups made right on the farm.
Contact them at silversidefarm@gmail.com or visit them online at SilversideFarm.com.
The Sugar Shack Ice Cream and Bake Shop
Located inside My-Chosen Café, The Sugar Shack Ice Cream and Bake Shop has a great selection of desserts and a variety of local artisan gifts. They are now serving their seasonal Egg Nog Cheesecake, After Eight Cheesecake, shortbread bars, beautifully hand dipped and decorated shortbread cookies and more! Want something easy and delicious for Christmas? You can pre-order your Christmas dessert for pick up!
Contact them at 250-474-2380, visit them at 4492 Happy Valley Road in Metchosin or online at MyChosenCafe.com.
Vanilla Blossom
Vanilla Blossom Flavours specializes in importing Vanilla Beans from all the major growing regions of the world, and offer a wide variety of vanilla products and flavours, such as Indonesian Vanilla and Madagascar Vanilla Beans. Vanilla Extracts and Vanilla Pastes are available at many grocery stores including Thrifty Foods, Country Grocer, Save-on-Foods and the Markets on Yates and Millstream.
Contact them at 250-893-9962 or 778-265-7797, visit them online at VanillaBlossom.com to find a retailer near you.
Retail and Luxury Items
Cuban Cigar Shop
Cuban Cigar Shop carries 24 brands of the finest Cuban Cigars, many different Cuban including collectible and limited editions, non-Cuban cigars from around the world, and a wide range of classy accessories.
Contact them at 250-592-7966, visit them at #938 Fort Street in Victoria or online at CubanCigar-Shop.com.
Mark’s Instant Sign Shop
Mark’s Instant Sign Shop creates a great presentation display for art, photography, posters, movie prints, awards, and more. These customized and distinct wall hanging prints make great gifts for businesses, family or friends. They are printed on Nes-Monet canvass with the image digitally printed using an eco-sol based ink. The sizes of the finished print range from 8″ to 48″ diagonally, with a depth of 1.75″.
Contact them at 250-746-0120, visit them at 750 Jubilee Street in Duncan or online at MarksInstantSignShop.com.
Out of Ireland
Out of Ireland is well known for their eclectic collection of wonderful Irish knitwear, clothing and jewellery for men and women. Their selection of luxurious merino wool, silk, and cashmere scarves and shawls complement the wraps and capes for which Out of Ireland is famous. You’ll find lines such as Guinness®, Belleek, Claddagh, Bewley’s, Avoca and more.
Contact them at 250-389-0886, visit them at 1000 Government Street in Victoria or online at OutOfIreland.ca.
Rockhound Shop
Rockhound Shop is Vancouver Island’s only complete rock and lapidary supplies store. Their retail store, for hobbyists and gift buyers, carries a wide range of supplies, equipment and books for the jewellery-maker, stone-polisher, soft-stone carver, rock and fossil specimen collector, and prospector.
Contact them at 250-475-2080, visit them at 777 Cloverdale Avenue in Victoria or online at RockHoundShop.com.
Sawyer Sewing Centre
Sawyer Sewing Centre has been providing Victoria, BC with sewing equipment and repairs since 1953. They have the largest showroom, and largest selection of sewing machines, notions, and accessories on Vancouver Island.
Contact them at 250-388-6228, visit them at 3400 Douglas Street in Victoria or online at SawyerSewing.com.
Stevenson’s Shoe Clinic
Stevenson’s Shoe Clinic is Victoria’s finest full-service shoe repair shop that carries hundreds of foot care related products, custom fit orthotics and arch support, and is Victoria’s only independent Samsonite luggage outlet and repair facility.
Contact them at 250-383-8615, visit them at 714 Fort Street in Victoria or online at ShoeRepairVictoria.com.
Literature
Corcoran Consulting Inc.
Corcoran Consulting and Coaching for the budding REALTOR® in your life, books from Bob Corcoran, founder of Corcoran Consulting and Coaching, a real estate broker consulting and coaching company focused on growing REALTOR®’s business.
Visit their online shop at CorcoranCoaching.com to view products and to purchase.
Everyone Can Cook
Eric Akis, author of the best-selling Everyone Can Cook series of cookbooks, is a professional chef and pastry chef. He also provides services such as food styling, cooking demonstrations and recipe development. One of his main clients is Thrifty Foods, for whom he has created over 2500 recipes to date. Eric Akis is also a food writer, and his by-weekly, recipe-rich columns appear in the Victoria Times Colonist and other Canadian newspapers. The Everyone Can Cook series has seven titles which are available online and at local book retailers.
Visit him online at EveryoneCanCook.com to order or find a retailer near you.
Michelle Mulder
Michelle Mulder, an award-winning local author, writes books for young people. Her latest release is Pocket Change: Pitching In for a Better World, which explores the use of – and alternatives to – money. You may order her books through her website or purchase at local book retailers.
Visit her online at MichelleMulder.com to order or find a retailer near you.
Hiking Trails Books
Hiking Trails Books by The Vancouver Island Trails Information Society provides information about parks and trails on Vancouver Island. Since 1972 they have published, and routinely update, three hands-on books, each one covering a specific geographic region of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. The Hiking Trails series of books are also available as e-books in .pdf format.
Visit them online at HikingTrailsBooks.com to order yours today.
Radar Hill – Writing for the Web
Need a gift for the blogger, copywriter, or advertiser struggling to create headlines? Writing for the Web is a 34-page book written by Radar Hill’s own Google certified specialist, Kendra Savich. People read differently on the web than they do on paper, and websites need to reflect that. Search engines like Google have their own rules for content. This book has tips for balancing readability and search results, including choosing a good title, researching keywords, Google’s biggest “Don’ts” and the best ways to capture your readers’ attention. The book retails for $19.95.
Contact Radar Hill to order yours today.
Spas and Salons
Le Sooke Spa
Le Sooke Spa is located at the Premier Prestige Ocean Front Resort, and offers a tranquil escape for body, mind and spirit. Christmas spa specials, and gift cards, are available along with a full menu of spa treatments and services.
Contact them at 250-642-7995, visit them at 6929 West Coast Road in Sooke or online at LeSookeSpa.com.
Paris Styling Group
Paris Styling Group is a full service styling salon with a Paul Mitchell focus, dedicated to providing its customers with the ultimate salon experience. Paris carries a great variety of gift packs, gift certificates, travel size products and hot tools ready to stuff in those stockings.
Contact them at 250-709-2004, visit them at #106 – 80 Station Street in Duncan or online at ParisStylingGroup.com.
Spa A’lita Esthetics
At Spa A’lita they are committed to creating an oasis where the stresses of everyday life are left behind and your well-being is nurtured and protected. Treat your loved ones with a gift card for Christmas, or if you are in need of pampering before the holidays check out their pre-Christmas specials.
Contact them at 250-478-2252, visit them at #101 – 745 Goldstream Avenue in Langford or online at SpaAlita.ca.
For the Animals
Luxe Sport Horses
Luxe Sport Horses on the Saanich Peninsula produces beautiful and harmonious performance horses with the temperament, traits and athleticism to want to perform with character and spirit.
Contact them at 250-744-1945 or 250-479-3535, visit them at 374 Sparton Road in Victoria or online at LuxeSportHorses.com.
Pets West
Pets West is a full-line pet store, offering a range of pet supplies for dogs, cats, birds, fish, small animals, reptiles, and wild birds. They also carry live fish, birds, small animals, and cat adoption service in partnership with local rescue organizations.
Contact them at 250-744-1779, visit them at 220 – 777 Royal Oak Drive in Broadmead Village in Victoria or online at PetsWest.ca.
Located in Central Saanich near Elk Lake, Victoria Pet Sitting is a “home away from home” for your little pet. Whether you are out for a day or several weeks, Victoria Pet Sitting can take care of your bird, rabbit, cat, or small mammal in complete safety.
Contact them at 250-746-4255 or visit them online at VictoriaPetSitting.ca.
Sports Equipment
Cycle Therapy
Cycle Therapy is more than your average bike store! Serving Duncan and the Cowichan area, Cycle Therapy provides full service with bike fitting, repairs and maintenance. But it doesn’t stop there, if you are looking for a buddy to cycle with, they organize weekly group rides. Keep updated on all the latest cycling news on their blog!
Contact them at 250-597-0097, visit them at #102-360 Duncan Street in Duncan or online at CycleTherapy.ca.
Kirby’s Sports
Kirby’s Source for Sports specializes in hockey, baseball, and lacrosse, and has recently expanded their offerings in Nanaimo with field hockey, football and soccer. They pride themselves on selling quality products at competitive prices and offer excellent customer service and support.
Contact them in Victoria at 250-480-5030, visit them at 894 Cloverdale Avenue in Victoria, or contact them in Nanaimo at 250-585-5066, visit them at 1925 Bowen Road in Nanaimo, or online at KirbysSports.com.
Krippled Fishing Lures
Krippled Fishing Lures are a unique line of lures developed in the salmon rich waters of British Columbia, Canada. ‘KRIPPLED’ lures were designed specifically for salmon and trout, and have been used with great success by thousands of local fishermen for over thirty-five years!
Contact them at 250-642-3834, visit them at 6871 Talc Place in Sooke or online at Krippled.ca.
Sawyer Trampolines
Sawyer Trampolines have been selling and renting top quality trampolines in Greater Victoria, and up Island, for over 35 years. They can provide delivery and set up service for both trampolines and trampoline enclosures.
Contact them at 250-388-6228, visit them at 3400 Douglas Street in Victoria or online at SawyerTrampolines.com.
Accommodations
Accent Inns
At Accent Inns, you’ll get a room so spotlessly clean and comfortable that you may be tempted to forego the gift opening and sleep in Christmas morning. Get the gift of space this holiday season with Accent Inns, at one of their locations in Victoria, Vancouver, Burnaby, Kamloops, or Kelowna. You’ll be able to bring your furry friends too, as all of their locations are pet friendly.
Contact them at 1-800-663-0298, or visit their website AccentInns.com to book your holiday stay!
* Are you leaving Victoria for the holidays and need somewhere for your pet to stay? Victoria Pet Setting can help look after your furry, feathered or scaled loved ones. *
Photography
Sweet Cheeks Photography
Sweet Cheeks Photography offers classic and timeless portraits, taking the time to capture the essence of the subject. They have done newborn babies right through to young graduates. They strive to create a meaningful remembrance of the subject – not just a picture.
Visit them online at SweetCheeksPhotography.ca.
Automotive
Automotive Sales Company
Automotive Sales Co. Ltd. is Victoria’s premier automotive paint supplier and exclusive distributor of Sikkens Paint. They provide high-quality abrasives, tapes, films, adhesives, and specialty materials for the manufacture, repair, and maintenance of autos, aircraft, boats, and other vehicles. For over 70 years, our family owned business has provided the experience and technical representation to meet your refinishing needs.
Contact them in Victoria at 250-382-5157, visit them at 1020 North Park Street, or contact them in Courtenay at 250-334-8867, visit them at 6-720 30th Street, or online at AutomotiveSalesCo.com.
Tin Man Auto
Tin Man Auto is Canada’s Car Enthusiast #1 choice for all classic GM and Chevrolet restoration and auto parts needs. Tin Man Auto sells fenders and radios and 327’s and a whole bunch more, with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Guys like classic cars, guys buy classic cars, guys need classic car parts. Tin Man has them.
Contact them at 250-743-7321, or visit them online at TinManAuto.com.
If you use any of the services above, let us know about your experience, and leave a review on any social media you use. Want to be featured in a future newsletter? Contact us to find out how!
The Team at Radar Hill