Seemingly sneaking up on us yet again, we are getting closer once more to the most wonderful time of the year – a time to gather, entertain and give to family, friends and loved ones.
Making a list and checking it twice is one thing, but how do you figure out where to go to get everything you need?
Luckily, these four local Victoria businesses are ready to help you check off every name and find every gift, whether it’s something for the difficult, picky person in your life or the one you hold nearest and dearest.
From wow-factor gifts, adult stocking stuffers, entertainment solutions and more, you’ll find everything you need to celebrate the season in style.
Victoria Olive Oil
Cherilee Dick, owner and operator of Victoria Olive Oil and Gourmet Fine Foods, loves the holidays, and her excitement has grown even more this year. “With all the new products, we are able to help cross even more things off everyone’s holiday to-do list,” Dick explains.
Spoil the chef in your life with pre-prepared gift baskets—either with customized items of your choice or the store’s team can also help assemble for you—specialty food products, Italian imported goods, locally made products and olive oil and vinegar in small sizes.
Do you know a charcuterie lover? Of course, who doesn’t. Victoria Olive Oil also carries The Coombs Woodworks charcuterie boards, perfect gift for anyone who loves to entertain.
The store is the only place you can find a new line up of unique imported bags and baskets from Morocco, Italy, France and Sweden. “They make excellent gifts and gift bags for that extra special gift,” Dick says, “and we have plenty in store to fill them for you, and we won’t forget the wrapping!”
Goldenball Mercantile
The newly minted Goldenball Mercantile at 649 Fort Street will lure you in with its magically decorated windows, but it’s your experience inside the store that will make you a loyal client.
Goldenball's proprietor, Brooke Meeker, sources unique, high-quality products from around the globe, providing clients with an incredible shopping experience. The store stocks anything from Invermere's Om Organic Skincare to Ireland's Foxford blankets, zany California Zeedog petwear to Seattle's Viski Crystal Barware, original art by Christian Geissler from Cowichan Valley to Jana Aspeling in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Goldenball also carries Christmas ornaments, holiday decor, heirloom Advent Calendars, and Voluspa holiday candles, and offers a bespoke stocking stuffer ordering program.
"The first rule of Goldenball is that we are not selling anything that anyone ‘needs,’ but what we do better than anyone else, what makes us ‘golden,’ is ensuring that every client leaves our store happier than when they entered,” Meeker explains. “If you leave Goldenball thinking that it was the best part of your day, then we have done our job.”
Arc'Teryx
We all know that gift shopping can be a challenge. Luckily, Arc'teryx Victoria wants to help you get the best gear for your nearest and dearest this holiday season, with a wide range of pieces to keep you warm, dry and cozy in almost all conditions. To do so, the team has compiled a list to help with your shopping needs!
The Atom Hoody: An icon in the Arc'teryx lineup. Equipped with breathable side panels, a water-repellant and wind-resistant face fabric, and core loft compact insulation to keep you warm, this is the perfect jacket for excursions around town and can handle just about anything you can throw at it.
Covert Cardigan: A super cozy technical fleece with business casual styling, this cardigan will help to keep you warm and stylish on your trips around town or in the office. Equally equipped to handle the outdoors and life in the city, it's the perfect gift for everyone.
Toques: Arc'teryx Victoria offers a wide range of fun, funky and comfortable toques in-store for you to choose from, including the Grotto Toque, the Bird Head Toque, and even the fun Mallow toque to keep you warm on a chilly winter day.
These are just a preview of the durable, comfy, cozy lineup available to keep you warm this winter. Visit in-store to browse the full collection of gloves, socks, jackets, outerwear and more.
Artina’s Jewellery
All that glitters is not gold, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give your loved ones a little something special to help enhance their sparkle. Artina’s Jewellery is a family-owned business with two storefronts in Victoria (Lekwungen & WSANEC) and Vancouver (Musqueam, Squamish & Tsleil-Waututh). Their online store also ships internationally, providing top-tier accessibility and convenience for your holiday shopping needs.
Its products exclusively support Canadian artists, with the shop working for over 30 years to connect local Indigenous and contemporary artists, meaning many of its pieces are limited edition or one-of-a-kind. Most of the handcrafted jewellery is even signed and stamped for authentication by the artist.
The Artina mission is simple: share, respect and better appreciate Indigenous art. Going into the store is an enriching educational experience that promotes making purchases you will love and feel good about.
