Yup, with emails about Black Friday clogging up the old inbox (not to mention Cyber Monday), it’s time to think about holiday gift buying. If you’d like to get someone the quintessential Montreal gift, we’ve got some suggestions for you below.
For the Fashionista:
Frank And Oak Clothing
Frank and Oak has enjoyed considerable success, spreading across the country to Vancouver. But did you know the original store opened in Mile End? It was meant for men, but now has a women’s collection too. The minimalist clothing has a cool, urban aesthetic with pleasing shades and the kind of basics you’re happy to acquire, along with some not-so-basics that are pretty damned awesome. The company is committed to recycling and low-impact products, like yak wool sweaters and eco friendly dyes. Their stores include some funky stuff — barbers, stylists (okay, that’s not so funky for a clothing store), coffee shops. For a gift, try the Style Plan gift card. The box is prepared by a stylist and offers 20% off the cost of clothes. Kind of a cool gift for the fashionista who knows that you can care about the planet and dress like a boss. Click HERE for website or check out a store.
For the DIY Beauty Product Maker
Coop Coco
Need healthy, natural products to make soap? shampoo? your own essential oil blends? lip balm? Coop Coco sells everything you need to make your own products, including oils, colourants, emulsifiers, flavours, clays, powders, salts, herbs, botanicals, tools, molds, packaging and on and on and on. It’s a really fun store to wander through and a bit mind blowing when you realize how much stuff goes into making beauty products. The coop emphasizes renewable, ethically produced products and allows forplenty of recycling opportunities. For those who are opening their own Etsy store or mass producing lip balm, there are monthly subscription packages to give discounts on goods. Their monthly blog shares recipes for soaps and cosmetic products (for example a DIY shampoo to mellow out your hair). So if you know that your honey wants almond oil and shea butter, here’s where to get it. If you’d rather give an experience, try out the Ateliers de fabrication and learn to make mineral makeup, soap making, lotions, or more. Check the website HERE for some potential workshops.
For the chef
Lufa Farms
Anyone who’s eaten a Lufa farms tomato is happy to share that these are the best tomatoes you’re going to get in the city, especially in winter. Using rooftops as well as its own greenhouse atop an industrial building, Lufa provides fresh vegetables and herbs year round. The weekly subscription provides users to opt for baskets of different sizes as well as plenty of customizations. Ingredients are sourced locally and the emphasis is on organic. Add what you need — Yupick nuts, Werner’s farms fruits, breads from Arhoma, and plenty more, including prepared foods. Much to cooking trend, they also have meal kits. Weekly boxes can be picked up or home-delivered for an extra fee. Giving someone a month of Lufa makes a great gift. For info about Lufa farms, click HERE.
For the art collector
Station 16
After admiring all the murals from Mural Fest, now’s a chance to take home a piece by one of the participating artists. Many local urban artists sell their work through the Station 16 gallery. Who’s local? Stikki Peaches makes mixed-media collage. Jason Wasserman transforms icons of Montreal life into silkscreen prints. Whatisadam also takes known icons, like a can of pure maple syrup, and made silkscreen prints and sculptures (sizzurp!). Other locals include Waxhead, Emmanuel Laflamme, Chris Dyer, and more. Check out what’s on sale HERE.
For the yogi
Rose Buddha
It’s all about the leggings here. Ok, there are some tank tops, mala beads, and leg warmers too. These two Quebeckers realized they could make leggings better by creating leggings made of 80% recycled plastic bottles (OEKO-TEX) and printed using eco-responsible methods. You can feel good while you’re meditating, stretching, and om-ing your way to feeling good too. The website is HERE.
We’re always on the look out for local shops and products we can endorse during the holiday season. So if you know of something we should check out, give a shout out. Montreal Rampage has tried all of these products (and not for free) and gives thumbs up on all of them. Get in touch with your picks.
