A Hyper-Specific Holiday Gift Guide for Everyone (Seriously, Everyone) on Your List

No matter how impossible-to-buy-for your giftee is, Vanmag’s got you covered. Arty skateboards, waterproof hiking gear, perfectly pink roller skates, fiery hot sauce, organic skincare, pajamas made to party and so much more—each one a gift that can win the holiday season in 2022.

28 Hyper-Specific Holiday Gifts for Vancouverites

For the disco-crazy BFF who exclusively exercises on the seawall

These beginner Rio roller skates ($129) in a Barbie-chic palette are perfect for a roll around the shore. They come with extra ankle padding to keep your giftee protected as they pick up speed (and you protected from sprained-ankle finger pointing). rollergirl.ca

For the homeware-loving auntie who throws a mean dinner party

Who says dinnerware needs to be tucked away in a cupboard? Arita-Yaki has been around since the early 1600s, and they’re still using traditional techniques to create pieces that are beautiful enough to display—like this Nikishi gold whirlpool pattern plate ($140).
aburimarket.com

For the dad who has a hot sauce obsession

Aji amarillo sauce ($8) is a Peruvian mother sauce made of olive oil, garlic and (surprise, surprise) aji amarillo chilies.
This one hails from local Vancouver food and natural wine joint Dachi, and brings a gentle but flavour-packed heat to any dish.
muckernextdoor.com

For the sibling who’s worn the same toque since middle school

This fox head patch ribbed hat ($90) from Maison Kitsuné will up your sib’s toque game and keep them toasty warm thanks to its 100-percent wool construction.
maisonkitsune.com

For the friend who makes a nine-step skincare routine her entire personality

Here’s a 10th step: Clara illuminating vitamin C serum ($81). From Vancouver-based The Other Skincare, this powerful (but gentle) potion is made with vitamins C, B3 and B5, plus extracts from milk thistle, orange, licorice and turmeric. It brightens, regulates oil production and stimulates both collagen and elastin.
theotherskincare.com

For the daughter who majored in art history

Created by La Soufflerie, a nonprofit run by a couple dedicated to keeping glassblowing alive in Paris, this handblown Vase Tête ($78) is made from 100-percent recycled glass and will turn heads with its whimsical-yet-elegant design.
obakki.com

For the die-hard commuter friend who needs to quit their job

Osprey’s Transporter flap backpack ($130) is sleek and element-ready, and there’s space for all the work essentials, including a padded laptop sleeve and two stretchy water bottle pockets. Perfect for keeping that two weeks’ notice letter dry.
osprey.com

For the menstruating sister whose misery is contagious

Period pain is real, and local brand Somedays is taking it seriously (and looking good doing so). Their super-aesthetic Better Period kit ($119) contains a cramp cream, “magic mud” for soothing baths and a flaxseed heating pad that’s triangle-shaped—so it fits above the crotch area quite nicely.
getsomedays.com

For the mom who’s always the first one up for coffee

The comfy Slumber robe ($170) from Nineteen Ten takes a classic style and makes it everyday-able with a lightweight, crinkled fabric that can take your giftee from frosty winter into the hottest months of the year.
nineteenten.ca

For the partner who always tries to get you to go camping

This DoubleNest hammock ($115) from ENO will fit two people, which means it’s the ideal outdoor cuddle spot whether you’re setting it up in the sticks or at Kits Beach Park.
mec.ca

For the kid who just watched Planet Earth for the first time

Symbolically adopt an endangered species ($50)—like this red panda—and your giftee will receive a cuddly plush, a personalized adoption certificate and an information pamphlet about the work your gift will do as part of WWF’s 10-year plan to fight the biodiversity and climate crises.
shop.wwf.ca

For the bi-coastal bud who’s always hyper-caffeinated 

This specialty instant coffee ($22) isn’t anything like the Nescafé you grew up with. Sourced from Honduras and brought to you by local Vancouver coffee roaster Pallet, this cup-o-joe tastes like toffee and red fruits, can be made anywhere and conveniently fits in a regulation-size stocking.
palletcoffeeroasters.com 

For the retro-loving dad who goes to the Templeton just for the jukeboxes

Sure, we can all play music from our phones—but this metal Bluetooth portable speaker ($175) from Muzen has a super enviable retro design, comes with an equally vintage-inspired matching carrying case and connects to FM radio.
bestbuy.ca

For the friend who knows your moon sign, star sign and sun sign  

Friends don’t let friends place rings, necklaces and other precious items in a boring ol’ box when they can be displayed on a hand-shaped trinket tray with Maison de l’Amour print ($935) from Gucci.
gucci.com

For the eccentric cousin who’s the worst to shop for

The brightly coloured All Over Eyes blanket ($1,272) makes a statement with its signature Anya Hindmarch pattern, but also keeps you warm (it’s 100-percent lambswool). holtrenfrew.com

For the uncle who can’t wait for the Pantone colour of the year to be revealed 

These Pride edition Pantone espresso cups ($108) bring a pop of colour to grey Vancouver mornings and just so happen to be the perfect size for a sneaky Baileys coffee by the fire.
shop.vanspecial.com

For the friend who loves soup dumplings almost as much as you do 

Your giftee will dream of tasty treats when they rest their head on this xiao long bao pillow ($20) from Foo Hung Curios.
foohungcurios.com

For the co-worker who’s obsessed with longform cooking projects

When the chef of Vanmag’s Restaurant of the Year puts out a cookbook, you know it’s going to be incredible. Where the River Narrows ($45) is J-C Poirier’s homage to Quebecois cuisine—and it not only has some of St. Lawrence’s top dishes (I’m looking at you, rice pudding), it also highlights the way he cooks at home.
chapters.indigo.ca

For the boyfriend who’s always cold, despite insisting he’ll be comfy in shorts

The Crofton puffer ($1,050) from Canada Goose can not only keep your winter-loving guy warm at -30°C, it’s also easily packable: it tucks into its own pocket and transforms into a backpack or a crossbody bag.
canadagoose.com

For the streetwear-loving cousin who knows all the best thrift stores

These patchwork sweats ($169) from Vancouver-based Frankie Collective are made with upcycled vintage textiles that would otherwise end up in a landfill—and they manage to look pretty darn stylish at the same time.
frankiecollective.com

For the buddy who dries wildflowers in summer to display year-round

These ceramic bud vases ($50) from Kotn are handmade in Egypt’s Tunis pottery village using clay sourced from the area, bringing a uniquely organic vibe to any tablescape.
kotn.com

For the die-hard hiking friend who’s determined to reach Seymour’s third peak no matter the downpour

Lululemon launched their Hike line this past summer, and it was a thoughtfully designed capsule collection right from the start. The women’s pieces are particularly well crafted—made to stretch, move and work as you scramble or boulder or whatever the most avid outdoorsy type does. This water-repellant fleece ($178) manages to be both soft and cozy, and is perfect for whatever drizzle the skies want to throw at it. lululemon.com

For the gothic and extravagant little brother

These elegant floral candles ($75) are hand-poured in Chiapas by Doña Viviana, an artisan whose family has been making candles in the region for over 300 years. With their rich colours and delicate petal detailing, they make for a tablescape showstopper that will stun, lit or not.
obakki.com

For the daughter who still shreds Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater but lives in an art-less studio

A deck ($90) like this would look just as sick on a wall as it would taped up and ready to hit some pavement. This one’s a re-issue of a classic Ed Templeton design from 1991, which means it’s rolling in hot with vintage appeal.
thedriveshop.ca

 

For the grumpy neighbour who really needs to mellow out

Maybe your neighbour’s sex life is none of your business, but who doesn’t like salted caramel? This new latte blend ($21) from Vancouver-based Blume is made with schisandra and maca, and is meant to help you “focus on libido” and get “in the mood to enjoy the pleasures of life.” Hopefully, a side effect could be being less anal about recycling bins.
itsblume.com

For the niece who’s already a thrill-seeker 

The Newt suit ($80) from MEC will keep any kiddo dry, whether they’re running around at a rain-soaked playground or hiking on a muddy day—the tapered seams and waterproof fabric has their back. Plus, long zippers make for easy outfit changes, so this is a gift for parents too.
mec.ca

For the homebody-chic friend who hosts a yearly pajama party

Vancouver-based PAPER LABEL turns loungewear essentials on their head with the cozy, locally-designed Nicola playsuit ($89), which can take your giftee from day (couch) to night (bed) with ease.
paperlabel.ca

For yourself, because you deserve it

Whether you’re dropping a hint to your partner or picking this up in-store on a treat-yourself kind of day, this heirloom garnet ring ($700) from Mejuri is the type of bling that you can wear for years to come.
mejuri.com