Christopher S. Nelson 
These locally available gifts will impress without breaking the bank
Hot Docs Curious Minds
For that person who needs to know everything. The documentary film lecture series featuring faculty, writers and cultural commentators returns with in-person events in 2022, but also makes its classes accessible year-round.$ 49, hotdocscinema.ca
Cheekbone Beauty Sustain Lipstick in Makoc
Ontario Indigenous-owned Cheekbone Beauty has gone from cult status to Sephora supplier. Their moisturizing yet buildable Sustain lipstick is available in a shortlist of shades, including Makoc, a rich beef blood red perfect for the holidays. Bonus: Cheekbone donates the profits to a variety of initiatives supporting indigenous women and youth.$ 32, sephora.ca
The Double Happiness Cookbook: 88 Wellness Recipes & Culinary Stories from Trevor Lui
The Toronto chef shares his culinary history and what he’s learned about food along the way. From quitting his corporate job to working in the food industry and discovering the culinary scenes in Toronto, Los Angeles, New York and Taiwan, Lui’s book is packed with vibrant, visual stories. It also includes 88 comfort food Asian fusion recipes, from BBQ pork over rice to bulgogi beef tostadas.$ 37.99, chapters.indigo.ca
The Flyer Vault: 150 years of concert history in Toronto
Started as an Instagram feed of classic Toronto concert posters and flyers (and ads from NOW magazine), The Flyer Vault is now a book, with a preface by Rush’s lead man Geddy Lee.. $ 35, dudurn.com
Love and basketball (Criterion)
Twenty years after its initial release, Gina Prince-Bythewood’s romantic drama about aspiring professional basketball players (Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps) still resonates on many levels – it’s a landmark romantic comedy about black love and his keenly observed vision of the world of sport which avoids the usual clichés. Now it gets the Criterion Collection treatment, filled with new documentaries and features.$ 29.95 (DVD), $ 41.95 (Blu-ray), baystreetvideo.com
Three Sisters Native Themed Four-Course Dinner Package
Chef Charles Catchpole promotes Indigenous food sovereignty through his cuisine. This four-course dining experience is based on corn, squash, and beans. Catchpole calls the Bison Shepherd’s Pie with the 3 Sisters vegetable layer entree the star of the dinner package. The finisher is a sweet infused cedar tea with honey.$ 48, chargeraliments.com
Tashi earrings
Jewelry can be one of the most difficult and personal things to gift – but this simple set of sterling silver nails from BC Tashi brand should appeal to hypebeasts, hippies and anyone who has ever asked you for your jewelry. date, time and place of birth so that they can make your birth chart.$ 45, letravaildamour.ca
Purple Punch Mints
JOI Botanicals gets high marks for its THC content and flavor of grape juice and blueberry muffin.$ 48.99, canacabana.com
Bodum Bistro Electric Milk Frother
If you’ve got someone on your list who loves coffee but hasn’t used the pandemic to save $ 6 on oat milk lattes, this is the right gift. This electric milk frother is optimized for skim or skim milk, including alternative milks, and makes you the perfect latte, cappuccino or flat white – no barista needed. Play Feist in the background for that coffee sensation.$ 49.99, iqliving.com
Versatile headlamp
Whether you’re a nighttime jogger, camper, or even a pedestrian braving a dangerous intersection after the sun sets, this versatile headlamp could save your life. If you don’t use it as a headlamp, you can just detach the torch and use it as a flashlight. Plus, it’s waterproof up to 3 feet.$ 49.99 at Canadian Tire, canadiantire.ca
– by Enzo DiMatteo, Ramona Leitao, Natalia Manzocco, Kevin Ritchie, Glenn Sumi and Richard Trapunski
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