The 2025 Van Mag Wish Book: 68 Great Gift Ideas From Our Fave Local Shops and Brands

Our gift to you this year: the return of our supersized, super-local gift guide. We’ve scoured the city for the best bets from local brands and our fave neighbourhood shops so you can source delights for everyone on your list right here at home. The result is more than 60 hyper-curated items and experiences, guaranteed to spark some uniquely  Vancouver holiday cheer. (And here’s one more great idea: a free subscription to Vancouver magazine! Your giftee doesn’t have to know you didn’t pay a cent for it.)

 

Gift Ideas for Everyone On Your List, All From Vancouver Stores and Brands

MELLOW YELLOW

The mustard-coloured Loft coat ($265) from Anian is made from recycled wool here in Canada. anianmfg.com

WEST COAST WILLY WONKA

East Van’s Hype Chocolate is worth the, well, hype, with inventive (and aesthetically pleasing) concoctions like the Biscoff cookie butter bar ($30). hypechocolate.com

LAP IT UP

The silicone cup on the Springer Classic Flip dog travel bottle ($44) folds up and down to allow furry friends to drink straight from the water  bottle. shopgoodboy.com

 

KIDDING AROUND

Despite the name, Kid Sister’s Super Ego face oil ($85)—made with buriti fruit and hydrating tomato seed—is the ideal gift for siblings of all ages and genders (and skin types). kidsisterskincare.com

HIP CLIP

These candy-coloured Undo claw clips ($42) make the sweetest stocking stuffers. vincentpark.ca

RUFF STUFF

Do they take 20 extra minutes on each coffee run because they have to stop and pet every dog they meet along the way? They need this Tentree I Like Your Dog cap ($45). tentree.ca

BURNING FLAME

Get hygge vibes without setting off the smoke detector with these E&E LED taper candles ($74 for a pair), coated with real wax for an extremely realistic look. gildandco.com

YOU’RE A DOLL

Whimsical, femme, appropriate to wear if you’re cast as Clara in The Nutcracker: the Doll blouse from Vancouver brand Harly Jae ($245) covers all the bases. harlyjae.com

STICKY SITUATION

Otto’s 12-by-12-inch durable peel-and-stick floor tiles ($190 for 25) are a dream for renters and commitment-phobes alike. thisisottostudio.com

TOTALLY HOOKED

Bocci’s lights are Vancouver icons—maybe the company’s new line of 89 hooks ($95 each) will be next. livingspace.com

COFFEE BREAK

Even the packaging from Squamish’s own Counterpart coffee has us buzzing—the espresso blend ($16) features notes of chocolate, toffee and blackberry. welks.ca

BAG IT

The Mameyo Little Valerie petite bucket bag ($359) is made in Vancouver  by hand and comes with an interchangeable strap and handle. mameyogoods.com

CHEERS  TO THAT

Good Beast’s Amber Crushed cups ($55) are made from ultra-durable amber glass and enhance the experience of drinking everything from agua fresca to whisky on the rocks. goodbeast.ca

YOUR LUCKY DAY

Yeah, we put a lucky  cat in the last edition of this gift guide, so maybe this Beams Japan ceramic kitten (from $95) is overkill. But who doesn’t want more luck? outnaboutboutique.com

SUDS UP

There’s something satisfying about the size and heft of this giant exfoliating peppermint soap block ($42) from Flamingo Estate. sunjalink.com

CORD ACCORD

Add charms to Melanie Auld’s colourful new Cord bracelets (from $20) or just rock a stack of neon on your wrist. melanieauld.com

KID COUTURE

In these stylish five-panel hats ($30) from B.C.-based Feel Unified, your toddler will be the belle of the playground. feelunifed.ca

WATER WORLD

Owalas and Stanleys are fine and all, but if you want to stay hydrated without following the crowd, these insulated, 900-ml Asobu Cosmic water bottles ($35) are the way to go. welks.ca

BRINE TIME

Your favourite community gardener needs this beautiful guide to all things pickled and jammed from Jo Turner: The Preserving Garden ($40). oldfaithfulshop.com

WHITE STRIPES

There’s something Mediterranean chic about the low-backed, vertically striped Londre x Fairmont Pacific Rim Minimalist one-piece ($179), but the swimsuit is designed right here in Van and made from recycled plastic bottles. shoppacrim.com

THE SWEET STUFF

For the foodie friend who is always ruining your brunches by complaining about the Aunt Jemima, there’s organic, single-forest pure maple syrup from Cosman and Webb ($17). granvilleislandspiceco.com

MAKES SCENTS

This diffuser set offers Ollie and Co.’s bestselling Raincouver scent ($33; green leaves, moss, incense) in a minimalist, low-fire-hazard package. ollieandco.ca

REPUTATION ERA

This iron-on Petra Boase snake patch ($9) is from kids’ art shop Collage Collage, but we assure you, it would look just as cool on a 40-year-old’s denim jacket. collagecollage.ca

THE BENDS

The S.cab Mimosa planter holder (from $150) may look wiggly and wobbly, but the playful design holds steady. arkinteriors.ca

DRAWSTRING DREAM

The popular Emi pants ($298) from Vancouver denim gurus Decade Studio now come in a cozy fern-coloured cotton corduroy. decadestudio.com

SCRUB A DUB

All the soaps from Saturna Outdoor Research ($12.50 each) are inspired by colours discovered on wild and wonderful Saturna Island. thesoapdispensary.com

MARINE QUEEN

Canadian seaweed extract is the not-so-secret ingredient in this silky, hydrating Dear Lucy marine antioxidant serum ($140). dearlucyskincare.com

THE YOUTH!

If we’ve learned anything walking down the street past Kits High during lunchtime, it’s that teens love a grey hoodie. Gift this Vancity Originals Smiley UnDMC sweater ($75) and maybe earn a begrudging smile. getdipt.com

STICK ’EM UP

Stickers are the ideal stocking stuffer for recipients young and old; we like this bold Snack Pack ($6) of shiny vinyl designs from graphic artist Whitney Luu. shopmakers.ca

PRINTS CHARMING

Pleasant Shimo’s beautiful prints are each created by a local artist as a love letter to Vancouver’s neighbourhoods—available in either 6-by-9-inch or 18-by-24-inch sizes ($30, $100). pleasantshimo.com

NUTS TO YOU

Tiger nuts are high in fibre and naturally sweet—we’re predicting right now that this is the next big superfood. A jar of chocolate tiger nut butter ($15) from Vancouver brand Sowleil is a perfect little something for the smoothie- lover in your life. sowleil.ca

REMEMBER THE SUN?

Winter will end eventually (right? RIGHT?) and then they’ll be happily burning at the beach. This Fern and Petal Refresh after-sun mist ($19) hydrates and moisturizes. fernandpetal.ca

SEEING RED

All of Free Label’s garments run from XS to 5X, so the new Picante-coloured bamboo- and-spandex underwear  and bra sets ($98 for bras; $48 for bottoms) are comfy, curve-hugging options for anyone. freelabel.com

RUN, RUN, RUDOLPH

An oversized tongue and heel loops make these Robbie Dash sneaks (from $60) from Native even easier to slip on for little speedsters. nativeshoes.com

RIPPLES AND WAVES

Nathalee Paolinelli is your favourite ceramicist’s favourite ceramicist. Earn cool-kid points by gifting her beautifully organic Ruffle candle bowl ($125). obakki.com

STICK IT TO ME

These colourful Hay chopsticks ($65) are a vast improvement over the splintery bamboo takeout utensils. vanspecial.com

ZIP IT

These Studio zipper pouches ($60) from This Gallery are made from repurposed studio drop-cloths, so each bag is totally unique. thethisgallery.com

COLOUR  YOUR WORLD

Ceamy, easy-glide Ooly Chunkies paint sticks ($14) come in a pleasing pastel palette and are perfectly sized for little hands. kidsbooks.ca

IT’S A DRAW

These collaborative doodle books ($25) are available in options for Grandpa, Grandma, Mom  and more.  petiteforet.co

TOMATO, TOMAHTO

Tomatoes are the “it” fruit right now, and Oh Hello Leigh’s cheery handmade mugs (from $77) celebrate le tomate every time you pour a cuppa.  ohhelloleigh.com

ARCHITECTURE TOUR

Artist Donna Seto’s beautifully illustrated history book, Chinatown Vancouver: An Illustrated History ($30), also features plenty of delicious food guides. massybooks.com

LOUD AND PROUD

This handlebar mounted Bellbeats digital bicycle bell from Trek ($135) connects to Bluetooth to stream navigation alerts or their Cycle Jams 2025 playlist. westpointcycles.com

SUPERSIZED STYLE

It’s a super scrunchie! The silver Mercury hair tie from A Bronze Age ($32) is holiday-party ready. abronzeage.com

OCEAN PEARL

What could be a more West Coast gift than a mismatched oyster-and-pearl Elsa earring set ($198) from beloved Vancouver jewellery brand Wolf Circus? heyjudeshop.com

DRY HUMOUR

Can a Vancouverite ever have too many raincoats? This duo-tone MEC Aquanator rain jacket ($140) says no. mec.ca

GIVE IT A WOOL

Give them the gift of a new skill: Project Weekend’s beanie kits ($49) will have them casually dropping the word “purl” into sentences in no time. gatley.ca

FOR DIY DARLINGS

Main Street’s Urban Source will package up curated vintage papers and off-beat ephemera to create a one-of-a-kind collage pack ($18.50), perfect for gifting to crafty types. (Expect them to make you next year’s gift from these same bits and bobs.) urbansource.ca

READING RAINBOW

Sign up your bibliophile for Upstart and Crow’s book subscription program (from $200). With the help of a personalized questionnaire, book curators hand-pick titles each month for a delightful delivery. upstartandcrow.com

OH, SHOOT

Drag your giftee for a photoshoot in Slice of Life Gallery’s vintage photo booth, and commemorate the sienna snaps in a frame, magnet or keychain (from $3). slicevancouver.ca

BURN BABY BURN

These super skinny Maison Pechavy taper candles from Coco et Olive (from $9 a pair) come in a kaleidoscope of colours and “burn for the length of a dinner party.” cocomain.ca

FLY AWAY

Like a moth to a flame, we’re drawn to this Baby Luna pendant necklace ($425): a symbol of transformation and mystery, according to designer Melissa Caron. melissacaron.com

REP THE ’HOOD

Next year, we’re doing a whole list of restaurant merch; in the meantime, grab this stadium-style bomber from Mount Pleasant Vintage and Provisions ($280). mtpleasant.bar

SECRET WEAPON

These Noshinku pocket sprayers ($17) are the prettiest little hand sanitizers we’ve ever seen. Bring it on, cold and flu season. frontandcompany.com

PUDDLE JUMPERS

These 100-percent-waterproof, natural-rubber rain boots ($159) are made by the Wild Bird Society of Japan—all profits are spent on avian research. branchesandknots.com

CRYSTAL CLEAR

Amethyst allegedly promotes calm and reduces anxiety. This Chevron amethyst point ($150) from Crystalworks is worth a shot, right? crystalworks.ca

BOSS BEADS

This Ina Seifart Brillenkette Big eyeglass holder ($65) is made from wooden beads; so Granny chic. hillsdrygoods.com

SO FRESH, SO CLEAN

So cooling, so hydrating and smells minty-vanilla enough to eat, the Canadian-made Om adaptogen and copper peptide Multitasking Radiance mask ($56) is a weekly must. omskin.com

SUGAR RUSH

You can build the perfect box of treats from the pick-and-mix wall at Yum Sweet Shop, or you could just snag some of the jewel boxes of Foamy Shrooms or Prosecco gummi bears ($13 each)—a sweet gift either way. yumsweetshop.com

THINK SMALL

These scale mini accessories ($8.50 each) are supposed to be for Sam and Julia’s popular mouse dollhouses, but who among us wouldn’t be delighted to receive a teeny-tiny, 1:12 scale kitchen utensil set? Embrace whimsy! We dare you! dillydallykids.ca

CREATURE COMFORT

When you find an artfully illustrated Tide Pool garland ($28), West Coast Christmas Law says you have to include it in the gift guide. assemblyoftext.com

BUCKET LIST

Things we just learned existed: bucket hats specifically designed for running, as exemplified by this breathable, UVB+50-rated B-Osmosis chapeau from Fractel ($75). runasyouare.co

GREEN THUMB

This green Castart Taichi cardigan ($210) is Christmassy, but bright enough to qualify as spring-y when the weather eventually turns. rayrickburn.com

GRILLS, GRILLS, GRILLS

The lightweight Green Life Shichirin Konro charcoal grill ($120) will be their BFF come beach season. knifewear.com

WALL FLOWER

Vancouver law: you can never have too many plants in your apartment. Mimoko’s sculptural wall planters—like the Orbital vase (from $90)—make going green all the more stylish. mimoko.me

GIVE ‘EM THE BOOT

Your friend had a new baby and the baby needs these made-in-B.C. Padraig booties ($39)—breathable, made from super-soft New Zealand wool—and that’s just how it goes. hipbaby.com

GAME ON

This pocket- sized Whale to Look game ($30) will keep your orca-watching skills sharp for your next ferry ride. strategiesgames.ca

LEAF ME BE

Like we said, tomatoes are hot right now: this hydrating liquid soap from Loewe ($110) will keep hands squeaky clean and on-trend. holtrenfrew.com

CUFFING SEASON

Jewellery designer Adele Van Tonder was inspired by “summer night escapades” to create the interlocking yellow-gold Midnight Sun circle cuff ($750). zadeljewellerystudio.com

CHANGE ARTIST

Beach bums and surf-obsessives alike will appreciate the warm embrace of a Slowtide changing poncho ($95) in a winter-weight cotton terrycloth. thecoastgoods.ca