When you support local business, the money stays in the community. On Vancouver Island, it’s especially easy to support local no matter what region you’re in thanks to a diverse selection of local creators and experiences. From food to decor and tours to spas, this gift guide can inspire and help offer gift ideas for everyone on your list.
CULINARY | ADVENTURE | RELAX | ISLAND MADE
Culinary
Vancouver Island is fortunate to be home to an abundance of local growers and creators, mixing together indulgent ways to savour the best the region has to offer. Whether it’s handmade jams like those from Salt Spring Kitchen, or tasty Pacific seafood from St. Jeans Cannery, there are so many creative ways to give the gift of flavour this season!
Culinary Gift Ideas:
Build a wine & cheese basket with local wine and cheese from Little Qualicum Cheeseworks.
An assortment of chocolates from a local chocolatier like Darkside Chocolates or RockCoast.
Build-a-cocktail bundle with products from craft distilleries.
Gift a craft beer experience! Pair a bomber with a beer glass from a Vancouver Island brewery.
Spice up homemade dishes with unique salt infusions from Vancouver Island Sea Salt.
Hook them up with a nearby food tour to explore new cuisine nearby!
Adventure
This year, give memories instead of material items. Treat your loved ones to something they’ve never done, or something they may never have thought to try! Whether they like the gentler side of nature or adrenaline-filled days, there are plenty of tour options across the island to help them explore like never before.
Adventure & Experience Gift Ideas:
Gift a cave tour at Horne Lake Caves.
Book a trip for the whole family to a nearby Wildplay Element Park.
Let a family member experience coastal wildlife on a whale watching and marine tour.
Give an alpine experience at Mount Washington to put towards skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking, and more.
Purchase a gift card or book a single-day or multi-day kayaking trip for you and a loved one.
Relax & Renew
When times get busy, it’s easy for everyone to forget to treat themselves to some personal time. Instead of gifting another department store bath kit, consider a truly authentic spa experience, like a dip in a mineral pool, a professional massage, or even a relaxing stay at a quiet resort. Best of all, these can be booked or redeemed at almost anytime for the year ahead.
Relax & Renew Gift Ideas:
Surprise your spouse with a getaway to a quiet cabin in the woods, like those at Tigh Na Mara or Dolphins Resort.
Pick up a gift certificate to an iconic island spa, like The Grotto Spa, Kingfisher Spa, Madrona Del Mar Spa, or Oak Bay Beach Hotel, just to name a few.
Island Made
Bath salts infused with local lavender, clothing blended from local wool, mugs thrown by local potters; these are just some of the many delights you can find in-store or online from many Island-based artisans and collectives.
A collective is a central location, like a store, that works directly with artists and creators to sell their products. These collectives are one-stop shops for all things Vancouver Island, including clothing, decor, bath products, and so much more.
Local Art & Decor Collectives:
The Other Side Artisan Collective – Coombs
Cultured Coast – Nanaimo
Island-Ish – Nanaimo