Haven’t had time or energy to shop for gifts in-person yet? Wondering how you can get everything done within a week? Rest easy, ‘cause we’ve got you covered. This year’s holiday gift guide will help you find stores filled with unique items and experiences your gift recipient will love! From beauty to fashion, home goods, stocking stuffers, and more – we’re sharing our fave spots in the city to pick up a last-minute holiday gift for everyone on your list.
{TBR’s Guide to Last-Minute Holiday Gifts}
Disclaimer: The products identified with an asterisk were provided to me at no cost for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own.
Since online shopping options have been significantly limited by a labour dispute, many people have been choosing to shop in-person again. This is a phenomenal way to support small, local business, but can also be overwhelming for those who aren’t sure where to go. (*Procrastination has entered the chat*) Luckily, our TBR elves have heard your cries for help and are ready to direct you to some of the amazing Toronto stores filled with great ideas for last-minute holiday gifts!
Keep reading to learn more about why we love:
- The Detox Market
- Aaniin’s Eaton Centre Pop-up
- Juxtapose Cards & Gifts
- Socco Living
- Good Intentions
- Plus, keep reading for specific gift ideas!
Toronto Stores for Last-Minute Holiday Gifts
The Detox Market
Where: 116 Spadina Ave / 1170 Yonge St / 65 Front St W (Union Station)
Hours: Mon-Sun 10am-6pm
If the person you’re shopping for loves beauty, haircare, or bodycare, then The Detox Market should definitely be your first stop. Each of their three locations features a curated collection of high-performance, natural brands that will help you snag some last-minute holiday gifts that are as good for the planet as they are for your giftee. You can shop items from many of our faves at The Detox Market, including Graydon Skincare, Three Ships Beauty, Province Apothecary, Wildcraft, and Sahajan! BONUS: If the person on your list is more inclined towards experiences than items, you can pamper them with a gift certificate for one of The Detox Market’s services like facials or makeup lessons!
Aaniin Pop-Up
Where: Level 2, Eaton Centre
Hours: 10am-9:30pm
Aaniin is an Indigenous-owned department store that highlights Indigenous creators from across Turtle Island. Their Eaton Centre Pop-Up (only open until December 31st!) features amazing items ranging from streetwear to high fashion, home goods, accessories, footwear, art, and more. Over 40 brands are included in the pop-up – including TBR fave Cheekbone Beauty – making it well worth braving the mall for.
Juxtapose Cards & Gifts
Where: 430 Bloor St W
Hours: 10am-9pm
Juxtapose is probably one of the stores I visit most frequently in the city. I’ve been shopping there for years and am always excited by their unique offerings. Juxtapose’s stock rotates frequently, but they always have an excellent range of bath and body products, candles, games, trinkets, and kids’ items. They also carry many charmingly off-kilter items such as socks with swear words. For example, I have personally received a gold triceratops skull necklace, a Freddy Mercury Christmas tree ornament and a stuffed toy in the shape of a pancreas that were all purchased at this gem of a store. You absolutely cannot beat Juxtapose for if your last-minute holiday gift list includes stocking stuffers or someone with a good sense of humor.
Socco Living
Where: 1020 Queen St W
Hours: 11am-6pm
If your gift recipient’s taste veers more towards the chic, minimalist side of the spectrum, I would wholeheartedly recommend that you stop by Socco Living. This beautiful store offers items that look like they came straight out of a designer’s home tour. Socco carries many big-ticket items like stonewashed linens, pottery, and coloured glassware, but it also has a fantastic collection of more affordable finds like a peppermint foot mask, a book on hygge, or even a candle in the shape of tinned fish. Even just being in the store is aspirational, to be honest.
Good Intentions
Where: 1434 Danforth Ave
Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-7pm / Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm
As a West-end gal, you know a store must be good if I’m trekking all the way to The Beaches to drop by! For last-minute holiday gifts that you can’t find anywhere else, Good Intentions is worth the voyage along the Danforth. This collective of women-owned small businesses offers a range of jewelry and accessories, art, clothing, quilts, candles, home décor and more. Many items are handcrafted, meaning your gift recipient gets something highly original and you get added warm fuzzies, knowing you supported a local artisan. Head to the store’s Instagram for a preview of some of the cool gift ideas currently in stock!
Inspiration for Specific Last-Minute Holiday Gifts
Need a bit more guidance for your shopping trip? Here are some of our picks for specific gifts that you may want to check out!
Personalized Mini Gift Sets: I got this idea from Calen Mikenzie, my favourite Shoppers Beauty Pro. She recommends snagging a few different gift sets and splitting them up into personalized gift bags! Such a genius way to save money, get gifts for a bunch of folks at once, and still make everyone feel special by customizing the items for each person! Shoppers carries gift sets from tons of brands, but ones from Quo Beauty, Annabelle Cosmetics, and Marcelle caught my eye. Great products, great value, and a great way to sneak a little gift for yourself, too. 
Where to buy: Drugstores or other beauty retailers. Price: Varies (but usually $10-$50)
Wildcraft Beauty*: I’ve recently added Wildcraft products to my skincare routine, and I’m never going back. Handcraftted in small batches in Toronto, the Wildcraft line is plant-based, cruelty-free, high-performance, and (gasp) affordable! Treat your gift recipient to one of Wildcraft’s hero products like their Pure Radiance Vitamin C Eye Cream or their Revive Bio-Retinol Serum, or pick up one of Wildcraft’s holiday sets for an incredible bargain. Where to buy: The Detox Market. Price: Varies (ranges from $13-$45 per item)
Shark FlexStyle*: If you have a higher gifting budget and want to find something that your recipient will use long past the holiday season, check out the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System! It includes a (crazy fast) hair dryer, plus three different styling attachments, including auto-rotating curlers. This has now become my go-to hair tool: I’ve done everything from a blow-out to tousled curls with this baby! It has truly changed my hairstyling game, especially since I can go from wet hair to dry and set curls in under 30 mins. Where to buy: Canadian Tire. Price: $300
SodaStream Crafted Mixers*: To borrow a phrase from Jane Austen, it is a truth universally acknowledged that bubbly water tastes better than flat water. My SodaStream is probably the only reason I’m not an actual raisin at this point! If you’re looking for a last-minute holiday gift for someone whose passion for carbonated water equals mine, then you’ll want to snag a few of SodaStream’s new Crafted Mixers. They’re cocktail-inspired flavour boosts that you can add to your water with – or without – a spirit. Since more and more folks are becoming sober-curious of late, SodaStream’s Crafted Mixers are a great way to gift the fun and creativity of mixology with the added benefits of swapping (or reducing) alcohol in favor of water. Where to buy: Canadian Tire. Price $8
There might be just a few days before the holidays, but there is still time to get something meaningful, beautiful, and special for everyone on your list! So: now that you have all the info on the best stores to check out and even a few specific suggestions for last-minute holiday gifts, what are you waiting for?