We are so fortunate to live here on the South Shore of Nova Scotia! Our beautiful beaches and trails, our friendly and supportive communities and an abundance of talented artisans and committed entrepreneurs are just a few of the reasons this area is so unique. During the upcoming holiday season, we can do our part to support our local economy by spending our money right here in our communities and province. This is why we are so happy to present the Simple Local Life 2018 Holiday Gift Guide!
The goal of the Simple Local Life 2018 Holiday Gift Guide is to make it easy for you to locate unique local gift ideas for everyone on your shopping list. Some of this years Holiday Gift Guide is dedicated to makers, producers and creatives, and some of this years guide is dedicated to independent shop and business owners. Each wonderful in their own way and each providing beautiful good and services for us all to enjoy.
Simple Local Life Holiday Gift Guide
Amos Pewter
The artisans at Amos Pewter in Mahone Bay are proud to be keepers of time-honoured pewter practices and methods while at the same time offering innovative designs inspired by nature and our beautiful coastal surroundings.
Each piece of pewter is thoughtfully chosen by someone with a particular sentiment or memory in mind. From jewellery and ornaments to home decor you are sure to find a special gift for anyone on your list that will become a much-loved keepsake.
This years much-anticipated Annual Collector Ornament is Chipmunks.
Adopt a little of the chipmunk’s spirit and always try to find time to play among the bustle of the everyday. Work hard. Play hard.
Purchase any 8 ornaments from the Amos Pewter collection and you will receive one free!
Amos Pewter is located in open studios in scenic Mahone Bay, on the vibrant Halifax Waterfront, picturesque Peggy’s Cove and at lively Peake’s Quay in Charlottetown, P.E.I. as well as a storefront location at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. You can also order online.
Origins of Beauty Spa and Salon
Owned by 24-year old local Entrepreneur, Krystal Oickle, Origins of Beauty, Spa & Salon is a full-service nail studio located in the beautiful South Shore of Nova Scotia – Bridgewater to be exact.
Their mission is to aid their clients in improving and maintaining the health of their entire body through the maintenance, care and attention to their nails that they provide.
To accomplish this, Origins of Beauty, Spa & Salon provides high-quality nail care services including manicures, pedicures, gel nail enhancements, and a variety of specialty services based on the needs of their clients.
How about a gift for someone special that deserves a little pampering? Gift certificates are available, you can stop in and see Krystal and leave with a gift that’s ready to go and easy to wrap! Check out their website for more info, or book an appointment through their Facebook page or call (902) 530-2657.
Sand Dollar Silver
Sand Dollar Silver captures your loved one’s moments in time. Finger, hand, foot prints, even paw prints and hand writing can all be made into timeless pieces of jewellery in Sterling silver. They design and hand make your jewellery with care.
Their unique online ordering system and special print kits make it easy for anyone to order their personalized jewellery, take prints and create a keepsake to treasure for life. Choose from fingerprint necklace, Pandora style charms, paw print key chain and more. If you’re crazy about your pet than their nose or paw print jewellery makes a unique gift and keepsake.
Names and Stones Necklace
One, two, three or four Sterling Silver discs, hand-stamped with the names of your choice. Each disc is paired with a birthstone of your choosing. Discs are approximately 3/4″ across.
Check out Sand Dollar Silver’s website to see more of their beautiful offerings and for ordering information.
Chanelle Jefferson: Jefferson Artworks
Chanelle Jefferson is a born and bred Nova Scotian artist raised on fresh seafood, and leafy greens. She displayed an early passion for the arts that led her to study International Baccalaureate (IB) art classes in high school and pursue visual arts workshops in her free time. She currently works as an illustrator, painter and printmaker, while operating her business where she sells and distributes her works.
You can order items from Jefferson Artworks at her Etsy Shop as well some items are available at various locations on the South Shore.
Petite Riviere Vineyards
Wine from a local winery, like Petite Riviere Vineyards, make the perfect gift to bring along to parties or give to friends and family.
Shop Salty Coast
Check out the Etsy shop for more colour variations, follow us on Instagram @shopsaltycoast and use code SIMPLELOCAL10 for 10% off your order!
Haskapa
Haskapa dates back to 2010, when Dr. Evie Kemp and Simon Fineman started the first haskap berry farm in Nova Scotia. Their desire was to develop a crop that supported their own health wellness goals. This also translated into their farming practices, maintaining a respect for the local environment was critical. Haskapa only uses natural farming methods that are chemical free, bee friendly and bio diverse. The berries that are harvested are gently processed in order to preserve as many of the health benefits as possible. Impressed by the taste and fantastic nutritional profile, the Haskapa motto was created. Healthy Plants Healthy Products Healthy People.
A Novel Idea Bookstore
Located in Mahone Bay, A Novel Idea Bookstore caters to book lovers and writers. They carry a diverse selection of books, stationery products, and unique literary gifts perfect for any book lovers on your list! Board books for babies, young adult novels, popular local authors, puzzles, stickers, journals, mugs and more can be found here.
A Novel Idea Bookstore is located at 662 Main Street in Mahone Bay and you can check their Facebook page for open dates and times.
Old Barn Pottery
Old Barn Pottery make mugs, beer barons, wine goblets and shot sippers with instrument names stamped in them so each player would know which one was theirs. The musicians want them for their late night jams, pub sessions, and kitchen parties. Their families and friends want to give them as gifts. Old Barn Pottery also carries stoneware for non-musicians and can create custom pieces.
Old Barn Pottery has an online ordering available on their website and be sure to follow their Instagram for information on local markets or pick-up.
Tummy to Mummy
Delong Designs
At Delong Designs they strive to live creatively and work responsibly. When you purchase from them you not only acquire a lovingly crafted piece, you also contribute to a social purpose initiative. They have recently partnered with the Kidney Foundation of Canada with ornament sales helping them in two ways. They are raising funds for the Foundation, and are also raising awareness regarding organ donation, a cause very near to their hearts.
Delong Designs is back this year with five new designs to their collection, featuring the wreath series as brooches. All of their unique designs are inspired by the natural beauty of the shores and lands of Nova Scotia. Each piece is designed in-house. They are cast in heirloom-quality pewter by Aitkens Pewter in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Our products are packaged by Bonny Lea Farm in Chester, a residential and vocational community committed to empowering individuals with special needs. Delong Designs offer a truly Canadian product!
Delong Designs has a convenient online shop or you can catch them at many of the local markets and shows.
Cocoa Organic Spa
Gifting an experience is something to consider over the holidays and a spa experience is a lovely gift to give anyone! Our lives can get so hectic and busy that it is nice to just slow down and take some time to yourself.
Cocoa Organic Spa & Boutique is a full service spa and beauty boutique located in beautiful Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. At Cocoa Organic Spa & Boutique they are committed to giving you the most relaxing and exceptional spa experience. Delight your senses with one of their soothing spa treatments or organic facials and experience the difference that using real active natural and organic ingredients can make.
Sherri’s Silhouttes
I started painting silhouettes in March 2016 as a way to help myself destress. I never dreamed that I was embarking on this journey to put myself in the “limelight”. I rather just blend into the background and not draw attention to myself. WOW, what a journey it has been so far! Each hand painted picture is unique. I may do a similar picture in a different font or different size, but no two will ever be the exact same. I absolutely love the simplicity of so few colors, maybe a few sparkles or a splash of color here and there, but I keep it simple.Most of my pieces are ‘one offs’ but there is a saying that I have been doing that has touched many people in different ways. The first one I sold, a gentleman came and looked at it and teared up and told me a story about his best friend, the second I sold came with a similar story and reaction. “In my darkest hour I reach for a hand and found a paw” I now do these in all 5 sizes I paint and there are 3 different hand/paw combinations.
You can find Sherri’s Silhouette’s at various craft shows through the season or you can connect with Sherri on her Facebook page.
Ecardfoundry.com
Krista’s Sheep
Krista Harding has a passion for offering local, naturally nurtured products that have been treated with care, respect and lots of scratches under the chin.
Shepherd, Farmgate, Nova Scotia LAMB MEAT…nurtured naturally, from conception to consumption. Farm raised. Butchered in Provincially Inspected facility. Order 1/2 or whole, with your chosen cuts, thicknesses and pack. Packaging brown paper wrap. Vacuum pack available upon request.
LAMB MEAT PIECES, wrapped and ready for the freezer $11.50/lb and up
SHEEPSKIN RUG $139 plus hst = $159.85
Soft, thick and natural, a sheepskin has a multitude of uses. A warm cushion for a hard bench in a cold hockey rink. A comfort when used on a bed or chair. A soft landing for toes on the floor by the bed. A bathmat in a guest bathroom. http://www.kristasheep.com/
All products come with the peace of mind promise that this local product has been nurtured naturally, from conception to completion. For more information or to check out Krista’s other products, visit her website or Facebook page.
I hope you have enjoyed this years Simple Local Life 2018 Holiday Gift Guide and are now ready to shop and support local this holiday season! I’ve had so much fun meeting new people, visiting local businesses and chatting about services and products being offered here on the South Shore. It’s never been easier to shop and support local….and I hope this Gift Guide shows that. 
We still have some Top 5 Gifts posts coming from a few of our gift guide participants, so watch for those. Check out our Facebook page for videos and also be sure to get your name in for give-aways that are happening over the next few weeks where you have a chance to win something from the 2018 Holiday Gift Guide!
If you know of someone who would appreciate seeing this local gift guide, please consider sharing. Happy Holidays!!!
Great ideas Jennifer!
Thanks Dawn. Happy to help. 🙂
Your Gift Guide is amazing and unique! The photos are lovely and yes it makes me want to shop!
So many great local shopping options here on the South Shore. 🙂