As supply chain woes drag on into the Christmas season, there are many ways you can give those on your Christmas list great presents without worrying that the items you want to buy are in stock. Below are some ideas on how you can avoid supply chain issues this Christmas.
Buy Services from Local Businesses
There’s never been a better time to support a local business. Buy a gift certificate from a local business that your loved ones can redeem for services they will love you for. A new local business worth checking out on Vancouver’s North Shore is the Ever Youth Lab run by sisters, Mary and Azy, who are billed as the North Shore’s Most Experienced Rejuvenation Estheticians. According to those in the know, Ever Youth Lab provides the ultimate combination of Laser and biotechnology, with over 20 years of experience from a professional team of medical aestheticians. Your loved ones will love the results. www.everyouthlab.ca
Buy Made in Canada
This season giving a Made in Canada gift will support the Canadian economy and ensure that those on your Christmas list will receive great presents created by hardworking Canadians. One of my favourite indulgences are handmade pyjamas made by 49th Apparel. Located in Sault Sainte Marie, 49th Apparel makes “Consciously crafted sleepwear for men and women” produced small in batches since 1992. www.49thapparel.com
Homemade Food Items
Do you love to bake or make jams and jellies? Gifting speciality food items are sure to put the personal touch on your gift-giving. If you aren’t handy in the kitchen check out Canadian Christmas markets such as Vancouver’s Circle Craft Christmas Fair www.vancouverchristmasguide.com/circle or le Marche Publics du Montreal. www.marchespublics-mtl.com/en/ Many Canadian towns and cities host great Christmas markets that will provide you with great shopping options.
Digital Presents
Canadian author, Jordan Peterson, teamed up with a software development expert and a McGill psychology professor, to create a digital Self Discovery Tool that has become popular around the world. According to its website, Future Authoring has been used by over 10,000 people and has been shown to help users achieve more while alleviating anxiety about the future through a feeling of clarity of purpose and direction. The Future Authoring e-commerce page makes it easy to give the gift of clarity this Christmas. www.selfauthoring.com
Donations Given in the Name of a Loved One
Many charities and non-profits that support the most vulnerable among us have been hard hit during the pandemic. Consider supporting a local charity in your community that provides important services by giving a donation in the name of a loved one. As an animal lover, my favourite charities include the SPCA (Vancouver) www.spca.bc.ca/locations/vancouver and VOKRA (Vancouver-based cat rescue organization) www.vokra.ca. Donations to animal charities this Christmas will help protect vulnerable animals and are perfect for the animal lovers on your list.
Elaine Allan, BA, MBA
Technology and Business Blogger
Vancouver, BC, Canada