Local love: Your Burnaby holiday gift guide

It’s shocking to think, but Christmas is just a few weeks away. If you’re the type to get all your shopping done nice and early—kudos. While the rest of us are ploughing a path through Metrotown on Dec. 23, you’ll be at home sipping on some well-earned eggnog!

And like the well-planned person you are, we’re sure you’ll appreciate our handy gift guide of  Burnaby-based vendors and artisans that sell beautiful, thoughtful gifts that everyone on your nice list will love.

Since 2016, this gem has represented dozens of local artisans, crafters, and food suppliers. According to their website, “Featured products include Fusion Mineral Paint, Iron Orchid Designs, pottery, handcrafted arts, local foods, crafts, DIY kits, & up-cycled home Decor. We offer the very best in DIY classes and crafty retreats.”

They also offer classes in such skills as candle making, DIY beeswax wraps, mandala stone painting, and much more!

Starting this year, Muckabout offers online shopping and delivery—so you can find the perfect treat for someone special without even leaving your couch.

Address: 4759 Hastings Street, Burnaby

Is there any better gift than pie? Yes. It’s Gabi and Jules pie. If you’re wondering what the big deal is about this bakery… just give it a try.

They’ve got all the sweet pies you’d want to take to that Christmas potluck, from apple to chocolate to pumpkin, plus some deliciously comforting savoury pies like their chicken pot pie.

The rest of their baked goods—like the sinfully tasty crostatas—will leave you wishing for more.

Alongside their breathtakingly fresh baked goods, they sell jams, preserves, house-made granola, pantry items, and more!

Address: 4568 Hastings St, Burnaby

If you’ve got someone on your list who you want to gift with something a little…ahem.. spicier, head to Forever Yours Lingerie. From gorgeous nightwear to men’s boxers, Forever Yours is the place to go for bras, undies, robes, and more.

Address:#103 – 3961 Hastings St

For a sweet gift, we recommend a gift card from Glenburn Soda Fountain and Confectionary. It’s the perfect way to treat someone to ice cream, which (in our opinion) is the best gift ever. Purchase your gift card online or in-store.

Address: 4090 Hastings St

Diamonds—and moonstone—are a girl’s best friend. For the person in your life who treasures delicate pieces and curates their jewelry collection with care, head straight to Moonstone’s beautiful studio in the Heights.

They opened up their brick-and-mortar location just before the pandemic started, and specialize in both ethically sourced ready-made pieces and custom-made jewelry—so you can work with them to design a piece that will stay close to your loved one’s heart.

Address: 4287 Hastings St, Burnaby

There’s no denying that food makes for awesome gifts, especially when it’s in the form of a beautifully packaged charcuterie board. Local charcuterie company Thyme and Rosemary offer up an assortment of incredible charcuterie board and dessert options. Keep in mind, orders may be limited as this small team is quite busy for the holiday season, and it is best to opt for a gift card option so whoever is on your list can order a charcuterie box the next time they are having a gathering, or want a delicious snack box all to themselves. Contact them here. 

Florals for Christmas? Groundbreaking.

If you didn’t catch that heading was a reference from The Devil Wears Prada that we just had to sneak in here somehow. But in all seriousness, you can’t go wrong with gifting a beautiful floral arrangement. Whether it be for your partner, parent, teacher, or even yourself, flowers or plants will brighten up their (holi)day. Check out Plush Floral Studio, Josephine’s Floral Expressions, Manites Flower Shop, Passion Floral Boutique, the Heart Company or Adele-Rae Florist Ltd for some flowery inspo.

The weather outside may soon be frightful, but it doesn’t mean you can’t give the gift of enjoying a day out on Deer Lake. Although boating season has come to a close, a gift card from Deer Lake Boat Rentals is a way to think ahead for spring and summer and provide experience folks can look forward to when the weather clears up. Get your gift card here.

Hoppy Holidays

Bring on the Christmas cheer with beer! Burnaby is home to some awesome local breweries like Studio Brewing and Dageraad Brewing. A gift card, specialty six-pack, or brewery merch all make for some excellent gifts for that one friend or family member who enjoys craft beer.

If you’re looking for a unique gift for the hard-to-buy-for person in your life, Gardenworks at Mandeville is the place to go. From beautifully curated home decor to an incredible selection of plants, you just might leave with something for yourself too.

Address: 4746 Marine Drive

Conveniently located in Metropolis at Metrotown, this shop features tons of Canadian makers and is sure to have something on offer for everyone on your shopping list. They sell everything from jewelry to West Coast-themed candles to prints of local landmarks, all made by local artisans and all with the unique flavour of our beautiful province. Find them on the top floor of Metrotown near the bus loop.

Address: 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby

You can never go wrong when you give chocolate as a gift, and Bunny’s Makery and Truffle Pig Chocolate are some of the best local chocolatiers in town! Bunny’s offers up delicious chocolate concoctions with flavours like Candy Cane Cookie Celebration and Christmas Orange Pecan and some of its most popular varieties come completely vegan. Bunny’s strives to be a sustainable company and uses compostable packaging made right in Canada. Find out more and order online. 

Truffle Pig Chocolate is made from direct-trade, wildly-grown cacao from Nicaragua. They’ve got a range of delectable holiday favourites to satisfy any chocolate lover in your life.

Streetgraph Prints is owned by a local husband-and-wife team, Aaron and Jo, who run their business out of their North Burnaby apartment. This studio uses mapping software to create beautiful maps that are works of art. All of their designing, packaging, and printing is done in-house and they print maps for over 90 Canadian and international cities. And yes, if you’re wondering, they do have beautifully-designed Burnaby maps! 

Head to Posh Pantry for artisan and gourmet ingredients and kitchen items. If you want to give a more experiential gift, Posh Pantry also offers cooking classes as well, perfect for a beginner in the kitchen or the foodie who wants to try something new.

Address: 4548 Hastings St

If you’ve got a wine lover in your life, this is a gifting experience you’ll want to consider. The Fermented Grape allows folks to come in enjoy their “U-Brew” experience, which includes state-of-the-art bottling, corking, and labelling equipment. Treat whoever is on your list to a day out at The Fermented Grape. Keep in mind, you’ll have to make an appointment by calling 604-434-9463 or emailing [email protected].

Address: 3855 Canada Way

Who wouldn’t like to receive a dozen delicious donuts as a gift? Head to Twins Donuts for the best locally-made donuts in town. Chef Leslie Grana is the mastermind behind the donut operation and her goal is to serve up flavours that are unique and reflect the tastes of the Philippines, which is where she is originally from. You can pick from sweet flavours like Leche/Dulche Flan, Ube Coconut, Tiramisu, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Nutella Cheesecake. Twins Donuts also has a savoury menu, which includes its Chicken Adobo, Ham and Cheese, and Beef Bourguignon. You can order online and pick up your donuts at YVR Prep (A5- 5279 Still Creek Avenue) every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Order here. 

Heights Coffee is the place to go for locally roasted beans that make for a bold, smooth, and delightfully good cuppa joe (managing editor Simran Singh can attest to this because she drinks a cup of coffee made with Heights Coffee beans almost every day). Order online.

Local bakery J.J. Delights put together a very cute gift box filled with freshly baked cinnamon cookie cups paired with cinnamon hot chocolate. These make the perfect gift for a coworker or neighbour! Order here.

If the recipient of your gift is a tinier human, My Dear Heart is the place for you. This Burnaby-based maker specializes in adorable baby wear and accessories. Check them out online. 

If the person on your list is fond of mystery, puzzles, and games a gift card to Bamboozled Escape Games is a perfect option. This local escape room is offering gift cards at a discount rate until Dec 24 which becomes valid as of Dec. 25. Learn more online and visit them at 4429 Kingsway Unit #17.

burnaby gift guide

WUTCRFT’s wood-crafted docking stations make a great gift for the person in your life who has one-too-many tech gadgets and needs a hand organizing them all. For every product sold, WUTCRFT plants one tree. Check them out here.  

You can’t forget about the pup in your life! Head to Big Dog Little Dog Bakery to pick up treats, toys, and more for your favourite furry pal.Address: 4631 Hastings St