We’re officially down to the wire. Christmas is 2 weeks away and while I’m sure the ultra-organized among us had all their gifts wrapped and labelled back in November, the rest of us are panic-scrolling and whispering “it’s fine” into our coffee mugs.
Some people are easy to shop for - they’ll hand you a list, a link and possibly a coupon code. Others are vague, mysterious and fully expect you to read their mind. But the hardest gifts? The people you don’t know super well but still feel obligated to buy for. You know the ones: your hairdresser, yoga instructor, kids’ teachers, gift-exchange randoms… and yes, somehow your spouse still ends up on this list! You could of course go the gift card route but to me, any gift card under $50 is kind of cheap so physical gifts are preferred for this.
The goal here: thoughtful, useful gifts that won’t live forever in the back of their closet. Bonus points if they feel a little indulgent - let’s go!
Quo Beauty Gift Sets (aka: one-stop shopping salvation)
Quo Beauty has seriously stepped up their gift-set game. What started as mostly makeup and brush sets has expanded into a little bit of everything, making it dangerously easy to grab all your gifts in one Shoppers Drug Mart run. Personally, I’m obsessed with:
Quo Beauty 12 Days of Bath - $27
An advent calendar, but make it self-care. Open a door a day and uncover bathy, spa-adjacent goodness designed to turn even the quickest rinse into a moment of calm.
Inside you’ll find:
A Bath Mesh Sponge for extra-foamy, luxurious lather
A Fuzzy Scrunchie because cozy hair accessories are elite
A Satin Sleep Mask for beauty sleep (or blocking out family chaos)
30ml Shower Gel with a holiday-inspired scent
30ml Hand Cream for winter-ravaged hands
30ml Bubble Bath to transform bath night into spa night
A Nail File for tidy tips all season
2 Bath Fizzers for a fragrant, fizzy soak
A Shower Steamer to make even a shower feel fancy
Spiral Hair Bands that don’t pull or crease
A Sparkle Hair Clip because a little shimmer never hurt anyone
It’s cute, practical, and universally appealing - the trifecta of gifting success!
Available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada, Real Canadian Superstore and I've also seen it at Loblaws.
Alternatively, check out the Hand Cream Collection - 5 x 50ml - $15 - because the scents are amazing and let's face it, everyone has hands (probably at least 2)!
I firmly believe you mostly can’t go wrong with alcohol (unless the recipient is under 19, in which case parents tend to get weirdly opinionated). Instead of defaulting to a basic bottle of wine, mix things up with something more fun:
Cowbell Brewing Co. Winter Mixer 2025 - $21.95
6 x 473ml featuring:
Hazy Days Juicy IPA, Absent Landlord Kölsch, Shindig Lager, Cerveza Mexican-Style Lager, West Coast IPA, and Chocolate Raspberry Pudding Cake Stout.
From hop-forward IPAs to a full-on dessert stout inspired by holiday chocolate treats, this pack is perfect for beer lovers who like variety. Standouts include:
West Coast IPA – crisp, citrusy, piney, and unapologetically bitter (as it should be)
Chocolate Raspberry Pudding Cake Stout – smooth, decadent, and basically dessert in a can
Available at LCBO stores across Canada and online at cowbellbrewing.com.
Socks: the glow-up we didn’t see coming...
Socks used to be the universal “I tried… barely” gift. Not anymore. These days, you can find literally any colour, pattern or personality imaginable! Grab a pair as a stocking stuffer, or go big with:
Good Luck Sock – Sock of the Month Club - 6 months - $80 | 12 months - $160
Truly the gift that keeps on giving. One fun, quirky pair of socks delivered straight to their mailbox every month - with free shipping across North America. It’s practical, fun and makes it seem like you put in way more thought than you actually did!
Check it out at goodlucksock.ca.
There you go: thoughtful gifts, minimal effort, maximum appreciation. Now go forth and conquer that last-minute shopping like the festive procrastinator you are!
- Lisamarie -
