From the Canadian Prairies with Love!

It makes sense to support as many local businesses as possible any season, but more so this year. So I wanted to make a list for those that are interested in not only some outstanding, meaningful, and fun gifts, but also gifts that can support our awesome local businesses! Sure, Amazon does have some small and independent businesses that need support too, but if it is better for that business to have their products bought through their website, then be in support of that. Since this is not an article on the evils of corporate giants, let’s get on with the list!

I live in a small city in the Canadian Prairies, so I am starting with some of my favorite places where you can get gifts from right here in my own city and some ship nationwide!

Those Girls at the Market - Raw Organic Chocolate

These 2 sisters started their Chocolate making back in 2014 and have since grown to having a shop making some of the best and delicious chocolate available - raw cocoa chocolate to be exact! Pure ingredients that are ethically sourced make for a decadent experience. You can follow them on IG @thosegirlsatthemarket or take a look at their website: https://www.thosegirlsatthemarket.com/

They do ship nationwide (within Canada at least)

Uncle Mike’s All Natural Products - products made with powerful essential oils

Starting in 2008, the first product of Uncle Mike’s All Natural Products began with a salve. The small company then began to create everything from soaps (including a special shave soap!) to beard oils and beard balms to keep your man lookin’ dapper! Anyone can enjoy these products that are filled with high quality essential oils such as lavender, patchouli, bergamot, sweet orange, among others. They ship nationwide AND internationally! You can check them out on IG @unclemikesnatural or take a look at their products on their website: https://unclemikesnatural.com/collections/products

Boreal Heartland Tea - sustainably harvested local herbs

Have a tea lover in your life who you want to gift a unique and local product to? Then check out Boreal Heartland Herbal Products! They offer a selection of healthy and delicious teas made from local and natural ingredients such as wild mint, goldenrod, and fermented fireweed that would make any tea lover feel cosy in the chilliest of seasons. They also have an outstanding mission which you can learn about here: http://borealheartland.ca/

They appear to only ship within Saskatchewan and you can follow them on IG @borealheartland and check out their teas online at: http://borealheartland.ca/shop/teas/

Road Coffee - handcrafted coffee that supports something bigger

You can’t forget the coffee lovers on your list this year! And what better way to show your java loving friend that you care about their caffeine addiction by gifting them with this rich, smooth, sustainable coffee! Road Coffee was started with a strong commitment to and relationship with coffee farmers, making it one of the best ways to not only get some amazing coffee, but to also help keep that relationship between coffee farmers and consumers ethical so everybody wins! You can follow their stories @roadcoffee on IG and check out their list of coffee here: https://roadcoffeeco.com/collections/all-products

And right now they are offering free shipping on orders over $45 in Canada! Check out their amazing story here: https://roadcoffeeco.com/pages/about-us

The Soap Box Bath Company - sweetly scented soaps and body products

I had a great summer - I got to see one of the most important people in my life get married! And one of the things about weddings are the wedding favors. My dear friend had given away the most deliciously scented and rich soap as party favors. I was indeed hooked. The Soap Box Bath Company is a small online company that has a range of delightful products - everything from yummy scented bath soaps to specific skincare soaps to creamy whipped body lotions. Right now they are only selling their products on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/soapboxbathco/

You can get most of these luxurious bath products shipped throughout Canada for a $15 shipping fee.

Remai Modern Art Gallery - Museum of contemporary and modern art

A beautiful art gallery that is right on the banks of a river (well, CLOSE to the banks of a river) is the Remai Modern Art Gallery. Why not give someone the gift of a beautiful piece of artwork OR a function piece of artwork found in their gift shop? Remai Modern has items for everyone on your list, from young to old and from jewelry to toys - heck, pick out something from one of the Canadian artists! They offer shipping in Canada, as well as internationally. They have an IG @remaimodern and check out the gift shop at https://www.remaimodern.org/shop

If you’re in Saskatchewan, don’t forget that many of our businesses here offer delivery or pick up if you’re nearby them! Want to get out (safely and wear your mask!!) and have some delicious local food to celebrate the holidays? Some of my favorite places that you for sure should check out are below. When you’re gift giving this year, don’t forget that many places have GIFT CARDS!!

Shelter Brewing Company https://www.shelterbrewing.ca/work

Tacos AND beer you say? Yes - both enjoyed at Shelter Brewing. A nano brewery that has some of the most refreshing and unique beers around. Not to mention some super great tacos!

Thirteen Pies Pizza and Bar https://www.thirteenpiesyxe.com/home

Who ended up on Canada’s top 50 bars list in 2020? Thirteen Pies that’s who! And for good reason; with a dope atmosphere, some of the best ‘za in the biz, and the best cocktails, literally every reason for you to visit!

Ace Burger https://www.aceburgeryxe.com/

What started as a food truck then became a hot spot for some of the best burgers, fries, and shakes (can’t forget those shakes!) Ace Burger is a go to for your burger needs and dreams.

Primal Pasta https://primalpasta.ca/

Christie Peters, a Saskatoon chef that has appeared on Food Network’s Wall of Chefs, has this amazing restaurant called Primal. If you want some pasta that may leave you weak in the knees, this is the place to go.

Darkside Donuts https://darksidedonuts.square.site/

The Darkside has the donuts. Soft, fluffy, less-evil-than-a-Sith-Lord, donuts. Enough said.

Hearth Restaurant https://www.hearth.restaurant/

Ending up on the top 100 restaurants in Canada, it’s no wonder why Hearth ended up on that list or why people rave about it. Food made with prairie ingredients and love.

One last thing; homemade baking is a great gift!

Lemon Bars:

1 cup butter

1/2 powdered sugar

2 cups flour

Cream together the butter and sugar. Add Flour, press into an ungreased 9x12 pan (I used an 8.5 I think - turned out fine!) Bake for 20 minutes at 350

For the filling:

4 Eggs

5 to 8 Tablespoons of lemon juice (I always fresh squeeze my lemons)

2 cups sugar (cut back a little bit if you like more tart bars)

4 Tbsp flour

1/2 tsp salt.

Beat your eggs, add lemon juice, add sugar, flour and salt. Mix until creamy. Pour over baked crust, and bake for about 25 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar when they are out of the oven.

I find these are much better when they are in the fridge chilled. A nice little gift to give to those you love.