The holiday season is upon us, and finding the perfect gifts for everyone on your list can be a daunting task. Whether you’re shopping for parents who appreciate practicality, grandparents who value sentimentality or tweens with ever-changing interests, this guide has something for everyone. Best of all, these gifts are available online and include unique Toronto experiences to make the season truly special. I see you last minute shoppers – I got you! By the way, I ALWAYS believe that travel is the best gift of all, but also heard your request for non travel gifts, which is why this guide was created!
Disclosure : This post contains affiliate links (at no additional cost to you) and includes some items that we received as samples over the year.
Gifts for Grandparents
WineClub Subscription
Treat the grandparents to the joys of discovering new wines with a wine gift subscription. This Canadian-based service delivers curated VQA wine from the Okanagan Valley to the Niagara Peninsula. You can send a personalized note to the recipient to let them know how special they are and you can choose Red, White or Mixed wine subscriptions. What I love about this Canadian wine subscription is that you can choose between sending 2,3,6 or 12 bottles and you can also choose a one-time purchase or monthly subscriptions to ensure they have the perfect bottle for every occasion.
Why they’ll love it: A thoughtful and indulgent gift that transforms any night into a special occasion.
Toronto Culinary Adventure Gift Card
For grandparents who love good food, gift them a culinary experience like no other. Toronto has a wealth of food tours and cooking classes that allow participants to explore the city’s diverse cuisine. Companies like Culinary Adventure Co. and Secret Food Tours offer options such as market tours and food walks through Toronto neighborhoods like Kensington Market and Chinatown.
Why they’ll love it: An unforgettable opportunity to savor Toronto’s vibrant food scene.
Toronto Theatre Tickets
Toronto’s theatre scene is thriving, with popular productions at venues like the Royal Alexandra Theatre, Ed Mirvsih Theatre and Princess of Wales Theatre. Gift the grandparents tickets to an upcoming show. We watched Moulin Rouge with my mom recently and she loved it. While she didn’t know all the tunes, she knew many of them and had a fantastic evening! It’s about time the grandparents went on a date night, right? It also goes until Jan 12, 2025 so you can book tickets to beat the post Christmas blues!
Why they’ll love it: A night out filled with culture and entertainment.
Weighted Blanket
Help your parents enjoy better sleep and ultimate relaxation with a premium weighted blanket from Hush, a Canadian brand. Weighted blankets are known to reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality. This might actually be good for grandparents and the tweens!
Why they’ll love it: Cozy comfort for long winter nights.
Our Place Always Pan or Perfect Pot
Upgrade the grandparents’ cookware with a versatile and stylish piece from Our Place. The Always Pan and Perfect Pot are designed to replace multiple kitchen tools, making cooking more efficient and enjoyable. With non-toxic, non-stick coating and vibrant color options, these pans are perfect for everything from slow-cooked meals to quick stovetop dishes. We have quite a few Our Place pans and have gifted some to friends and family as well. Everyone loves them!
Why they’ll love it: Practical, easy-to-use and beautifully crafted cookware that simplifies meal preparation.
Smart Indoor Garden
Parents with a green thumb will love an indoor garden like the Click and Grow Smart Garden. These kits make it easy to grow fresh herbs, veggies or flowers year-round, regardless of the weather. Great for the condo families too!
Why they’ll love it: It’s low-maintenance, sustainable and brings a touch of nature indoors.
Google Pixel 9 or Pixel 9 Pro
Help grandparents stay connected with the latest tech by gifting them the Google Pixel 9 or Pixel 9 Pro. Not only do these devices have exceptional cameras (for all those selfies and video calls) but it has many health features (via Google Fit) that will enable you to keep tabs on their daily habits and monitor their respiratory and heart rate. Its security features also provide peace of mind. Preloaded with tools like Google Assistant and voice typing, it’s user-friendly even for those less tech-savvy.
Why they’ll love it: A smart, sleek device that keeps them in touch with loved ones and simplifies their digital lives.
Gifts for Tweens
LEGO Creator Expert Sets
LEGO remains a perennial favorite among tweens. The Creator Expert line offers advanced builds like the Icons Flower Bouquet or Space Shuttle Discovery—perfect for sparking creativity and offering hours of fun.
Why they’ll love it: Hands-on fun that results in a stunning finished product.
Customizable Hydro Flask Water Bottle
Help tweens stay hydrated in style with a Hydro Flask. Add a personal touch by customizing it with fun colors and accessories like straw lids or boot covers.
Why they’ll love it: Functional, trendy, and uniquely theirs.
Nintendo Switch Games
Tweens who game will appreciate the latest Nintendo Switch releases. Titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons or The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom provide hours of engaging entertainment.
Why they’ll love it: Games that keep them entertained and challenged.
DIY Craft Kits
Encourage creativity with a DIY craft kit. Options include jewelry-making kits, slime sets or even paint-by-number kits. It’s a great way to calm tweens down when their emotions need some down time.
Why they’ll love it: A fun way to explore their artistic side and calm their thoughts.
Subscription Box
Subscription boxes are a hit across all age groups to be honest and this is why we’ve rounded up some awesome Canadian subscriptions! You’ll find everything from baking to books.
Why everyone will love it: Surprises delivered to their doorstep year-round.
Virtual Reality Headset
For a gift that bridges generations, a VR headset like the Meta Quest 3 provides immersive entertainment. Families can explore virtual worlds, play games or even exercise together.
Why everyone will love it: Cutting-edge fun that appeals to kids and adults alike.
MrBeast Lab Mutators
Tweens who are fans of MrBeast and love experimenting will be excited about the MrBeast Lab Mutators kit. This fun, interactive science toy lets kids create wild chemical reactions, slime experiments and colorful fizzing creations. Each kit includes everything they need for educational entertainment, sparking curiosity and creativity while letting them feel like a YouTube star themselves. I am so excited to surprise Apollo with this under the tree this year… or maybe it’ll make it to his Santa list! Let’s see!
Why they’ll love it: Hands-on, messy fun that blends science and fandom in a way only MrBeast can deliver.
Snow Globe Blend & Brush Gift Set
For tweens starting to explore makeup, the limited-edition e.l.f. Cosmetics Snow Globe set is a perfect introduction. Featuring festive packaging and easy-to-use brushes, this set is fun, age-appropriate and budget-friendly. Plus, e.l.f.’s cruelty-free and vegan formulas make it a thoughtful choice for young beauty enthusiasts.
Why they’ll love it: A sparkly way to experiment with makeup while embracing the holiday spirit.
This year, make gift-giving stress-free by choosing items that cater to the unique interests of grandparents and tweens. Whether it’s a luxurious subscription to WineClub.ca, a memorable Toronto experience or an engaging DIY kit, these gifts are sure to bring smiles and create lasting memories.
Happy shopping!
