Pickle Planet’s 12 Days of Local Gifting

We know that Christmas isn’t all about the presents, but it sure is fun to treat the people in our lives — and it’s even more special when we know we’re supporting local businesses and makers with our purchases!

This year, Pickle Planet called on a number of local moms and dads to share their picks for the best local gift ideas. We added a new set of gifts each day for the last 12 days of November, sharing ideas for everyone from your boss and co-workers to your kids, your brother, your sister, and we’re sure even a few ideas for yourself!

Links to the products featured are under each photo; many items are available online, while others you’ll need to head to the shops and craft shows to find. When in doubt, just contact the shops and makers directly.

This project was not sponsored in any way; none of the businesses you’ll see featured paid to be in this gift guide. It’s simply 12 parents like you sharing what local items are on their shopping lists this year. Enjoy!

First up, our Podcast co-host, Tosh Taylor!

Check Out Tosh’s Picks:
Big City Snack Foods “Maple chips, SO GOOD!” Watch the craft fairs and markets to snag your snacks this season
Rosemary Wellness Shopkin Bathbombs (We hear there was quite the rush on these after Day One of our Gift Guide!) available to order online!
Sparks of Love & Ginger Felt board and much more available online; local delivery options often available
Juno’s Whole Foods Chilli for our teachers & caregivers, available at Sequoia

Day 2 of our 12 Days of Local Gifting belongs to our great friend Matthew from Answer the Tullyphone.

Check Out Matt’s Picks:
DIY Studio Tons of ceramic items waiting for you to paint
Tartan Scarf from My HOME Apparel Celebrating one year in Moncton this weekend; check out their awesome anniversary sale on Saturday
YMCA of Greater Moncton Youth and Family passes include access to swimming lessons, social programs, and more
Sussex Beard Oil As seen on Dragon’s Den, available in Moncton at OWEE

Our next set of local gift ideas comes from Angela Harris of Work of Heart!

More about Angela’s picks:
Adorable Chocolat can indulge anyone’s sweet tooth, while meeting the highest of clean-eating standards.
D&M Sports has been helping local sports fans for nearly 30 years – no matter which team you’re cheering for!
Pura Vida Yoga is an eco-friendly yoga studio in Dieppe, with gift cards, merchandise, and more for the people in your life looking for a little peace.
OCDetailing can make your ride sparkle like the snow – I know it’s a gift many parents could use!

Up next, CrossFit aficionado and dad of two, John Gunn.

John’s Picks:
Kini Wellness for a float and massage to beat the winter blues
Sunny Brae Coffee – John recommends the John Brown or the Micro Batch single origin coffee!
Oh Baby creates one-of-a-kind grow-with-me clothes for kids that help you pick them out of a crowd.
Rosemary Wellness is back on the list, this time with a choice for mom – handmade soap with activated charcoal and refreshing mint.

The fabulous Carolynn Dubé is up next with her Christmas gift list – and a huge congrats from all of us here at Pickle Planet on the arrival this week of her twin boys!

Shopping Carolynn’s Christmas Gift List:
My Home Mercantile: Stop by their Main Street Moncton location – or if you’re at home recovering with newborns, you can shop online! Dozens of great gift ideas filled with local and national pride!
USVA Spa Nordic is the perfect getaway without getting away – I know a gift card (along with the time blocked to
A sampling from Les Gourmandes is a wonderful treat for so many gifting occasions.
Magnetic Hill Winery‘s Mystique Cranberry Wine is another sure bet for anyone on your list.

We hope you’ve kept room on your shopping list; this fabulous set of local picks from Ben Stevens of Ever After Acres (from where I’ve already purchased a few Christmas gifts, including Pokemon soap for the kids & soap nuts for the house) is full of great ideas you might not have considered.

Ben’s Picks:
Baci Italia gift certificates are great for the hard-to-buy-for on your list; restaurant treats are always tastier with they’re local!
The environmentalist on your gift list will love unwrapping a set of Dryer Balls that help conserve energy
Hey Buttecup! earrings are great for that special lady on your list – and if you’re worried about making the right choice, grab a gift certificate.
A case of beer from The Pumphouse is the perfect gift for your buddy; and even more perfect if he decides to share a pint with you.

Up next we have a wealth of awesome ideas from the Capitol Theatre’s Melannie Eldridge; honestly, I added so many things to my own list after her submissions! Check them out!

To gift all these awesome ideas from Melannie:
St. James Gate Boutique Hotel is a fantastic getaway without leaving the area! Amazing rooms and service, and the perfect spot from which to plan an entire night on the town together!
The Maritime Edit is a beautiful magazine showcasing the best of our region, from the heart of comedian James Mullinger. We love gifting magazine subscriptions and this is a perfect way to support local, too!
Hell’s Basement is a local comedy club; a great spot to bring the gang for a night out.
LuvPaws is a great spot to pamper your pet, and we love Melannie’s advice about going to pick up things on Wednesday night so you can indulge in Five Bridge’s wing night, too!

Now for some great ideas from mother and business owner Tosha Whalen of The Cocoa Room.

To pick up Tosha’s suggestions:
Sparks of Love and Ginger creates lovely handmade items to keep little hands and imaginations active.
Down East Coffee is locally roasted and incredibly tasty; perfect for so many people on your gifting list!
The Saucy Apron has so many awesome patterns, perfect for wearing in the kitchen or the classroom.
Acorn to Oak breathes new life into fallen trees, crafting playsets that are sure to spark creativity.

Now, some fun picks from the quirky mind of Steven Charlebois of Off the Wall Eyewear Emporium, a fabulous spot to visit for gifting for yourself or someone else!

To check out Steven’s picks in person:
Cara Shoes is a fabulous local shoe shop, featuring stylish and comfortable options and accessories. (He also suggests a gift certificate from next door at Klozet, as well!)
Any adult on your list would be thrilled with a massage at 360 Health Centre; we could all use a little help relaxing, no?
A date at Strict Union Tattoo is the perfect gift for your best buddy who is ready for some ink!
Nakai Spa offers a getaway for one or two, with couples suites available, either for a romantic date or a day out with a bestie!

Coming in at number 10 on our 12 days countdown is Eclair Lips mastermind Sylvie!

Sylvie’s Picks:
The gift of mindfulness and self-care from the about-to-be-launched, made-here-at-home My Soul Challenge, a project by Dr. Reneé Purdy.
The party hostess – whether that’s a dinner party or a tea party with stuffies! – will love a stylish apron, available in many sizes and styles from The Saucy Apron.
Chantal Larocque of Paper and Peony creates exquisite flowers from cardstock paper, and she’s offering up her tips and tricks in her new book and even DIY kits you can order online!
A print from the fabulously talented André Audet Photography, perfect for any nature lover or East Coast aficionado on your list. (For the photographer on your list, consider gifting one of André’s workshops!)

Now it’s Papa Pickle’s turn!

To check out Alex’s ideas:
This might be the best idea yet for a Dad who has everything, especially with the snow forecast this winter: a full tuneup for the snowblower at CR Yardworks.
Flying Boats is one of the area’s newest breweries, and their Empress Irish Red Ale is a favourite here at Pickle Planet HQ.
Mike’s Bike Shop is always tops on Alex’s list for himself, and I can assure you the staff will help even the most fitness illiterate find the perfect gift for the biker, runner, or swimmer on your list! Great accessories for kids’ bikes, too!
Sandy Toes Shop has something for every seafaring and seafood loving person on your list, from toques to tanks and much more.

Wrapping up the 12 Days of Local Gifting are four of my top picks … plus a whole bunch of bonus ideas after that! Don’t see your favourite? Be sure to share your local picks in the comments, too – there’s room for everyone on the list!

Jenna’s Picks:
Service Shoe Shop for everything from the latest styles to stocking stuffers.
Handsome Devil’s Barber Shop for a funky hair cut or shave for the hard-to-buy for guy on your list.
Teen nieces and nephews might appreciate some coin to spend at Surface Skate Shop in Riverview!
You can find an Eclair Lips flavour for anyone on your list, and her attention to natural products means it will also be safe for anyone avoiding dyes, products tested on animals, and so many other icky things that show up on other labels!

We loved sharing all these ideas from local parents, but we just couldn’t stop at 48 options when there are hundreds of local businesses, artists, and creators with great options to shop local this season. So … here are a few more ideas on the Pickle Planet Local Gifting List! Add your ideas in the comments, too; we love discovering new options!

In the Plush creates the most amazingly soft and adorable plush sea creatures. An ideal baby gift, it also grabbed the attention of our elementary crowd, and I’d personally gift these creations to many adults on my list, too! (Oh, and check out the shark tail stockings – so fun!)

Dodo Leather is a fabulous local option for belts, purses, wallets, and so much more.

Who couldn’t use a ‘worry pas’ bumper sticker in their stocking or Christmas card? Dowd Street Studio has a great selection of gift ideas that are filled with local personality! (I’m loving their leather bracelets; the red especially!)

I have a rule when it comes to practical gifts at Christmas; they need to be fun and a little out of the ordinary. So, socks and underwear aren’t big on my list, unless it’s something like the awesome designs from Joli Undies! Yes, even your underwear can be supporting local this season! The patterns and styles are so bright and fun; available in kids and women’s sizes.

A few years ago I built a medal hanger for my husband for Christmas (we have a tradition in our family that the gifts we exchange are homemade), but I might be looking to upgrade now that I’ve seen Pierre’s creations at Alloy Fusion Metal. He can customize just about any local team logo or tailor the sign to any sport: swimming, hockey, running, dance, and more!

A custom piece from Pallet Woodworks would make a lovely addition to any home. I’m partial to the coffee tables and hanging shelves; take the time to go look for the Union Jack design!

Art can be a tricky thing to gift, but it can also be so rewarding! I’ve been enjoying Katie Doiron’s pieces online lately (the cityscapes, especially), and love the Matt LeBlanc paintings hanging in our house. A great spot to go browsing for art in various forms, from wall hangings to statues to smaller works, is Apple Art Gallery in downtown Moncton. (They even have some Moncton inspired Christmas ornaments I’ve been coveting!)

Don’t forget you can shop local for your holiday cards, too. Destination Art has some wonderful sets featuring his work. (I love gifting his prints, too!)

I LOVE giving and receiving Christmas music and books, and there are lots of great New Brunswick options. Matt Andersen and David Myles each have CDs that are in heavy rotation here, and David’s song ‘Santa Never Brings Me a Banjo’ has now been published as a lovely book. Jennifer McGrath’s Gadzooks the Christmas Goose is also a favourite here! But you don’t need to stick to Christmas themed music and books; you might also want to check out some titles from Chocolate River Publishing and pick up CDs from the likes of Chris Colepaugh (who has some Christmas singles available for download!) or Samantha Robichaud.

Stockings can be such a fun gift – fill them up with goodies or just gift them as is for the family! RMJ Handcraft is creating some incredibly fun designs that might just be perfect for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list!

For the littles on your list, a stylish outfit from Birdie & Bub is a perfect fit – especially with her attention to creating clothes that are meant to grow with your child!

We LOVE experience gifts in our home. Fit Rocks is on our radar to try, and our kids are always asking to head to Resurgo Place. Gift cards to either make great stocking stuffers!

The big gift in our home this year was a new mattress and box spring. Exciting life as an adult, right? We’re honestly quite happy, especially since we also kept this purchase local! We picked out our Springwall mattress at Lounsbury’s Furniture; what a treat to be able to make such a purchase that was made right here in Southeastern New Brunswick. Springwall describes itself as the only 100% Canadian owned and operated national mattress manufacturer; now with three plants across the country, the heart and origins of this family business are in Scoudouc, and we’re thrilled with the quality! Great service at Lounsbury’s, too, particularly the great delivery guys who had to navigate our house and craziness.

We’re going to stop here, not because there aren’t more awesome local gift ideas, but because we need to start shopping! If you have a local business you’d like folks to know about, please post in the comments!

A quick note about this Gift Guide:

Although we LOVE to work with other local businesses to promote their products and services, this guide was solely created and curated by Pickle Planet and the kind parents who shared their picks.

Each individual item/business listed took five to ten minutes to share – finding photos, linking to websites, writing a catchy line or two to grab your attention. There are nearly 100 items here, which means this guide represents eight to 10 hours of time of my time that I’ve given in free promotion to these companies and free service to you.

I hope you’ve all enjoyed it as much as I have, and I’d ask that you take a few minutes of your time now to share it with your friends and family – and come on back in January and February when you’re looking for Valentine’s Day ideas, too!

I’d also ask local businesses to consider the power of working with digital influencers on projects like this; how many ideas did you discover reading this? Now think of how many people had the same reaction to your business when they saw it listed here.

Many businesses featured have already reached out to let us know they’ve seen an increase in sales based on this guide. Pickle Planet would love to be able to say that, too! You can find more details about working with us here, and examples of some of the businesses we’ve partnered with over the past two years here.

Merry Christmas, everyone!