These 15 Gifts Will Cross Off Every Name On Your List And Fully Support BIPOC-Owned Canadian Businesses
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These 15 Gifts Will Cross Off Every Name On Your List And Fully Support BIPOC-Owned Canadian Businesses
You know that old Santa saying: Support BIPOC local businesses this Christmas.
Canadians are known for being nice people and as a Canadian, I’ll tell you something that feels extra NICE….. Buying a super specific and well-made gift for my loved one AND supporting Canadian BIPOC-owned businesses at the same time!!
Here are 15 gifts that will give you that amazingly warm, extra nice feeling to give this holiday season:
1. Starting off DELICIOUS with Caramunchies, the 100% Asian and woman-owned snack shop has the perfect gifts for anyone in your life who appreciates a sweet treat. These handcrafted batches of creamy caramel are paired with crispy cornflakes to make a deliciously addictive cluster and the most satisfying crunch!
Caramunchies / Via caramunchies.com
The Snacker’s Faves Bundle is the perfect to Caramunchies world of deliciousness with 2 bags of their classic Salted Caramel batch, 2 bags of the Chocolate Drizzled and finally, 2 bags of their seasonal maker’s choice.
Buy The Snacker’s Faves Bundle for CA$51.00.
2. Jack 59 is an Indigenous, woman-owned company that creates natural hair care products that are sustainably made and ethically sourced. Jack 59’s founder, Vanessa, started making earth-friendly, plastic free and vegan shampoo and conditioner bars to give to her loved ones – and now you can too! Because what’s better than sharing in your love for the environment? Having LUSTROUS hair while you do it!
Jack 59 / Via jack59.ca
Jack 59’s vast array of gift sets include 1 shampoo bar, 1 conditioner bar of your choice and a 100% backyard-compostable shower caddy.
Check out a fan favourite, the Amplify Gift Set for $CA60.
3. Buff Experts is a Black, woman-owned body care line that targets common body skin issues like vulva care, ingrown hairs, razor bumps, body acne and hyperpigmentation. These juicy, colourful, plant-powered and cruelty-free products are guaranteed to make your skin GLOW from the neck down!
Buff Experts / Via buffexperts.com
Co-founder Sina Zere is no stranger to body skincare. As a wax expert, she had previously launched Buff Wax Spot, a chain of wax bars specializing in welcoming, inclusive, friendly and clean wax services for all bodies.
Check out Buff Experts Gift Bundles starting at CA$33.25.
4. If you’re shopping for any parents or little kids this year, give the gift of reading with a Faith and Sparkle original! Faith and Sparkle’s World is an empowerment company specializing in diverse children’s books inspired by child author Faith Abraham and her adventures with her sidekick dog, Sparkle.
Faith and Sparkle’s World / Via faithandsparklesworld.com
Pick between Doctor Faith and Superhero Faith – and good f*cking luck, cause it’ll be hard to choose! So buy both – and share these fun stories of empowerment from Faith herself.
Check out Superhero Faith for just CA$12.99.
5. Siempre Eco was founded by Rabia Dhanani as a way to bridge the gap between affordability and sustainability when it comes to living eco-friendly. As such, each artisanal and individually-curated product at Siempre Eco – from ethically sourced cleaning products to restorative bath salts – supports 3 to 4 other small businesses. On top of your loved one!
Siempre Eco / Via siempreeco.com
There are so many delicious flavours and scents of bath and shower products to choose from, but you can’t go wrong with the Crushin’ On You rose-scented shower fizzes.
Shop Crushin’ On You Shower Fizzies for CA$20.
6. Omi Woods jewelry pays tribute to founder Ashley Alexis McFarlane’s Afro-Indigenous Caribbean heritage with pieces that are meant to be contemporary heirlooms. These stunning collections are ethically handmade with fairly sourced African gold and responsibly sourced fine metals and gemstones.
Omi Woods / Via omiwoods.com
From flat coins to structural cuff stacks, the Omi Woods style is unmatched. If you’re looking to splurge on something that’s SURE to be an unforgettable and long-lasting gift, this is the place to do it. With pieces in silver and gold, and highlighting various gemstones, the only problem will be how to choose!
One of my favourites, The Double Up Coin Necklace Stack II, allows you to mix and match from different metals and collections for CA$263.00.
7. Paris Jewellers is a Vietnamese-Canadian and woman-owned family jewellery business that is based out of Edmonton, Alberta. From silver to gold to personalized pieces, there’s something truly jaw-dropping for anyone you’re looking to surprise this holiday season!
Paris Jewellers / Via parisjewellers.com
From a humble 400-square foot jewellery repair store in 1987, Paris Jewellers now proudly operates 23 locations across four provinces in Canada.
Check out Paris Jewellers Gifts Under CA$100 here.
8. Sajin, meaning tea expert or “master of tea ceremony”, is a Canadian-based company that provides high quality, premium Green Tea from growing regions all over Japan… to regions all over Canada (and even America).
Sajin / Via sajin.ca
The founders of Sajin, Taq and Justin were brought together from opposite sides of the world – Taq from Japan and Justin from Scotland – in Manitoba, Winnipeg over the shared love of green tea. Tea steeped in friendship. Just like your gift of Sajin to your bestie would be!
Try one of four delicious blends starting at CA$30.00.
9. Northern Bars are made in beautiful British Columbia as an elevated take on the beloved Nanaimo Bar. Using the highest quality ingredients and employing artisanal techniques, Northern Bars are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. And, with packaging this pretty, you won’t even need to wrap it!
Northern Bars / Via northernbars.ca
As avid travellers, co-owners and life partners Samuel Hartono and Michelle Avelena founded Northern Bars to express their culinary creativity while also paying tribute to a uniquely Canadian delicacy.
Try the 16 piece Assorted Box for just CA$48.00.
10. Queenfidence Cosmetics was founded by Congolese born, Francine Bahati to disrupt the lack of inclusivity in the makeup industry. From day to night eyeshadow palettes to must-have matte lipsticks, unveil the Queen in you or your loved one with this purpose-driven, all-inclusive, vegan, and cruelty-free beauty brand.
Queenfidence Cosmetics / Via queenfidencecosmetics.com
Based in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Queenfidence Cosmetics is designed to empower customers through Francine’s own love of makeup.
Try the Full Glam Bundle for CA$150.00, originally CA$158.00
11. adewunmi Skincare uses a cutting-edge skincare algorithm to provide highly personalized, simple skincare solutions. adewunmi is also committed to using non-toxic and natural ingredients so that everyone can experience expert skincare while practicing ethical sustainability.
adewunmi Skincare / Via adewunmi.ca
adewunmi’s science-backed routine is customized to enrich and transform dry, acne-prone skin. And at the same time, a purchase at adewunmi is a donation towards the establishment of our first school in Nigeria.
Check out a classic – the “face the day” moisturizer for just CA$40.00.
12. The founder of SariKNOTsari, Priya Mohan works closely with a small family tailoring business in Delhi to repurpose and transform old and vintage saris into uniquely stunning new pieces that can be worn and layered for every season!
13. ai Toronto Seoul is Asian, women-owned and Canadian-based. The company works closely with a small shop located in Seoul, South Korea to create affordable, vegan and recycled luxury fashion.
ai Toronto Seoul / Via ai-co.ca
All of ai’s products are made in small batches in Seoul, produced from the highest quality Peta-Approved Vegan Leather and hardware. For any fashion forward people in your life, ANY of these bags is sure to make their eyes light up!
Check out Bags, from tiny cross-satchels to spacious backpacks, starting as low as CA$80.00.
14. frëkl is a Black, woman-owned swimwear and lifestyle brand that is made with mindfully sourced fabric. Meeca Tuttroen, the frëkl founder wanted to create a brand that encouraged women to feel comfortable in the bodies and skin that they’re in, “freckles and all.”
frëkl / Via frekl.ca
If you’re not in need of a bathing suit this winter, check out their other essentials.
Shop “the iconic collection” with pieces starting at CA$96.00.
15. Kokom Scrunchies are handmade by the incredible Mya Beaudry, a brilliant 10-year old from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation. These scrunchies are wearable art but you can also order bows and scarves – all of which make the perfect stocking stuffers!
Kokom Scrunchies / Via kokomscrunchies.ca
Since Kokum Scrunchie was launched in 2019, it has operated as a family run business. Together, they are committed to ensuring that all Kokom Scrunchies are handmade in Canada.
Splurge on Kokom Scrunchies World, the collection of all ten colours, for CA$80.00 – trust me, it’ll be worth it!
My list to Santa just got a whole lot longer writing this! What caught your eye?! Let us know in the comments below.
