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As fall turns to winter and we mourn the loss of the warm sun, we instead get a little excited about snuggling up, drinking hot bevy's, and getting stoked for celebrations with friends and family. Gatherings for me can look all kinds of ways. Big, small, intimate, wild, and they usually include delicious food. And, if you’re like me, the slight pressure of what to buy for whom can start knocking at the door once Remembrance Day is behind me.
Full disclosure: I am not the worlds best consumer. Eek!
I definitely buy gifts, but in my circle we’re big on quality, community, sustainability, and equity. When choosing where to shop, I would love to say it’s 100% local, but let’s be real, I am a busy mama and work full time, so I absolutely participate in the online retail world and shop some big box companies just like I’m sure you do! That being said, I strive to support my local economy and community by shopping local for part of my gift giving. I feel good knowing that local shops know more about the companies they sell and know if customers are actually pleased with their products or not.
As a fresh-faced kid I was BIG on handmade crafts.
We would make ornaments or cute silly fun things. Fast forward to my 40’s and there is NOT ENOUGH time to knit 3 scarves, hand paint something, run a home, run a business, and try to fit in cardio and meditation (non-negotiables for me). My family began opting for simple gifts or no gifts at all, we choose to spend quality time and be more thoughtful. For us that prompted a serious shift toward making purchases that enhance our individual self care and the small joys in each of our lives.
Practice Mindful Spending
Physical gifts are not inherently bad, but there can be more intention and thought put into creating a more sustainable holiday tradition. Buying everything inexpensively on Amazon or focusing on quantity rather than quality has a significantly detrimental impact on the environment (as well as supporting an idea that just having more stuff makes us inherently happier - hint, it doesn’t). It also doesn’t necessarily mean a better gift for your loved ones. Approach your gifts with mindfulness and make an informed decision before buying. Reducing the overall number of gifts purchased also means your resources are more impactful. If you DO want to give a physical gift, consider the individual and celebrate them with a gift that shows you know them as a person and not as an obligation.
A Few Of Our In-House Favorites
We at The Spa have worked hard to curate a diverse collection of beautiful products that are loved by our staff and thoroughly enjoyed by our clients, but here are a few of my favorites as well as a bit about them.
Camp Four Candles
Lake and Oak Tea
Bathourium
Vitruvi
LoveFresh
Their Stories
Camp Four Candle Company is a small batch, hand-made candle business based in Banff, Alberta Canada.
These candles are carefully made using only premium grade products. They use only natural soy wax and phthalate-free fragrance and 100% essential oils. This company does not use any additives such as paraffin, UV stabilizers, or color. The subtle fragrances are inspired by the beauty and grandeur of Banff National Park and the Rocky Mountains.
At The Spa we are passionate about authenticity, quality products, and fragrances that awaken your subconscious. You will surely have your own personal list of favorite's, but we believe these scented candles will elevate your mood and bring back the best memories.
Lake and Oak Tea is a wellness brand dedicated to fostering self-care rituals that help bring a little joy and balance to your life. So naturally we wanted to partner with them. This company is known for their clean and functional Superfood Teas & Latte Blends that also happen to be the *best* you've ever tasted.
Their mission is to create unique, flavor-packed teas that are fun to drink and benefit the body and mind. Things you will never find in their blends are sugar, sweeteners or so-called "natural flavors" - the plants speak for themselves. All the teas are 100% organic, plant based and have a wide range of benefits. Glowing skin, digestion and sleep aide are only a few.
Welcome to the
world of clean bathing
Clean, decadent, and luxurious bath soaks
and bubble elixirs that are truly unique.
Formulated with detoxifying earth clays, rich vegan butters, soothing mineral salts, and organic botanicals & essential oils,
Bathorium products have been innovating and leading the bath industry for over 8 years.
Natural, nourishing, and never compromising
This Company sources ingredients globally and ethically since 2014, intentionally crafting every Bathorium bath soak with certified clean, cruelty-free and fair-trade ingredients, scented with organic essential oils and coloured with botanicals. Because they like to think nature is the best medicine and we couldn't agree more.
Vitruvi is beautiful, natural air care
This company is on a mission to help you feel at home in your space. Through intentional design, best-in-class quality, and an unwavering commitment to safe and natural ingredients, Vitruvi created premium air care products that elevate your home. All-Natural
Traditional air care products are made with toxic ingredients and cheap materials. We think it’s time for change, which is why we have brought this product into our space. All of Vitruvi's scents are natural, vegan, pure, and cruelty-free. They come in UV-protected bottles to preserve their quality, and are free from synthetic fragrances, formaldehyde, mineral oil, phthalates, parabens, and sulfates. These are pleasures you never have to feel guilty about.
LOVEFRESH is a Toronto-based luxury line of fun and natural beauty products that will keep your skin glowing.
Lovefresh was founded by Stacey Davis on the premise that you could have beautiful, glowing skin using all-natural products, that would be as luxurious as they would be healthy for the body. What began as a "kitchen chemistry" experiment in Davis' Toronto home soon evolved into the creation of a complete line of all natural, non-toxic and highly effective body care products – offering an "easy luxury" experience.
Every Lovefresh recipe is formulated with the best ingredients from local and global sources, including layered notes of beautiful, fresh-smelling scents. Davis is directly involved from recipe development and through every point of execution to the final package, ensuring that quality and integrity are always paramount. A simple moment of natural luxury – without compromise – is the promise delivered with each and every application of Lovefresh.
Lastly, giving a gift of an experience at THE SPA can truly leave a lasting memory for your loved one. Gift Cards are available in store or Online
Whether you're stuffing a stocking or wrapping a little something for yourself (self gifts are a thing, I promise), I hope these offerings can be a helpful option or at least offer some inspiration during this season of gifting giving.