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The Maximalist

For the person who knows that “more is more,” these gifts bring the drama, the flair and all the festive fun. Here’s how to thrill those who love to make a statement—whether it’s with bold colours, extravagant designs or luxurious details.

1. Bound for Style

Phaidon & Monacelli’s Love How You Live: Adventures in Interior Design ($84.95) is a design lover’s dream in hardcover form, perfect for adding inspiration—and style—to any coffee table. indigo.ca

 

2. Marble Marvel

The Marbleous Scallop bowl (7-inch $285, 11.8-inch $575) is a luxurious statement piece that doubles as a functional dish—ideal for anyone who craves a touch of extravagance on the table.  fullhousemodern.com

3. Bowled and Beautiful 

Gather your clutter in style with the Mapa bowls by Gardeco (starting at $2,369) —a vibrant fusion of colour and texture for any surface in need of some va-va-voom. aeonhabitat.com

4. Brass Act

For the incense lover with a taste for luxe, the polished brass 001 Stack incense burner ($620) by Populus Project is pure serenity. With three tiers—storage, ash catcher and a perforated lid for a mesmerizing smoke show—it’s as  stylish as it is soothing. providehome.com

5. Rooted in Style

Who knew a Christmas tree holder could look this good? For the design lover who needs every detail to be on point, the Root Christmas tree stand (regular $475) is a gift that truly stands out. dadeloft.shop

6. Deck the Halls

Vancouver artist Zoë Pawlak’s Vessels & Muses oracle deck ($64) is both a stunning piece of art and a mystical tool for introspection—perfect for your sister who always knows everyone’s star sign. shop.walrushome.com

7. Hang Time 

Give the gift of better hangs. Originally launched in 1953, the Herman Miller Eames Hang-It-All coat rack ($490) gets a fresh, colourful update with cast-glass balls in a playful new collaboration with Hay. inform.ca

8. Glow Getter Goals

Spark joy with the Papoa’kan Dream Catcher candle (10.5 oz $68) from Crowfoot  Collective, an Indigenous-owned business based on Vancouver Island. This beautifully designed candle combines rich scents with stunning visuals—because who says you can’t have it all? holtrenfrew.com

9. Holiday Cheers

Add a splash of fun to the tree with this mai tai cocktail Christmas ornament ($30). themodernbartender.com

The Minimalist

They’re sleek, practical and perfectly pared down—because less is always more, even during the holidays.

1. Silent Night, Glowing Light 

For tea lovers and anyone who appreciates a moment of zen, Molo’s chic Float tea lantern (small $320, large $380)—celebrating its 20th year—lets you watch the tea unfurl in the glass as you unfurl from your day. molodesign.com

2. Tray Chic!

Serve in style with Ligne Roset’s versatile drink tray ($55), featuring clean lines, a refined finish and clever finger inserts that make it a standout piece, hands down. ligne-roset.com

3. ’Tis the Season

A gift that’s simple yet refined: Kanel’s Minéral pure salt collection ($65) is all about elevating the essentials. jacksonsgeneral.com

4. Potted Joy

Give your indoor jungle an upgrade with Fable’s The Planter minimalist ceramic pots (small $85, medium $100, large $125). Cradle your giftee’s plant babies in monochrome style, complete with an extra-deep drainage tray to take the guesswork out of watering. fable.com

5. Curve Side Appeal

This exquisite, organic sycamore sculpture ($349) from Ethnicraft is the ideal gift for the art lover or the Scandi-chic minimalist who values natural forms with a hint of global sophistication.  fullhousemodern.com

6. Baggy Chic 

These versatile black cotton Peace pants ($185) from Vancouver-based Oge Ajibe are the ultimate wardrobe staple—classic, comfortable and designed for both lounging and stepping out in style. u-e-l.com

7. Blushing All the Way

Soft and simple, this Nude Mist glass vase in dusty rose ($299) is all about bringing subtle elegance to any room. atkinsonsofvancouver.com

8. Chill-Mas Vibes

Indulge in home-spa luxury with Obakki’s Discovery facial oil set ($88)—a simple way to pamper that minimalist with a skin routine to match. obakki.com

 

The Modern Eclectic

For the person who loves blending styles, these gifts bring together the best of modern design with an eclectic twist.

1. Pawsitive Vibes Only 

Add a playful touch to any decor with this Lucky Cat ($50), offering a modern spin on the iconic waving fortune cat—each colour attracting its own special kind of luck.  foohungcurios.com

2. Bamboo Bliss

Roche Bobois’ Bamboo Mood candle holder ($820) is the perfect blend of Zen and glow, bringing a soothing fireside ambiance to your space. roche-bobois.com

3. Holiday Wrapping

Wilet’s linen long robe in deep juniper ($118) is the ultimate wrap for the relaxed eclectic—a rich, colourful linen dream that brings together maximum style and comfort. shopwilet.com

4. More Than Just a Pretty Watch

Monitor your health without sacrificing style with the Withings ScanWatch smartwatch ($400). It offers cutting-edge features—like sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, oxygen level tracking and more—all wrapped in a timeless, elegant design that doesn’t shout “smartwatch.” bestbuy.ca

5. Trophy Shelf

For your quirky friend with a taste for the eclectic, the Altitude wall shelf in walnut ($390) is a cool way to let them show off their niche treasures—whether it’s a troll doll collection or something equally, um, particular. cozey.ca

6. The Art of Oil 

Bring a splash of colour to your countertop with the Colour Block River olive oil cruet ($110). It’s just the right blend of function and flair for any kitchen artist. thecoastgoods.ca

7. Rise and Grind 

For the aspiring barista in your life, this bold KitchenAid semi-automatic espresso machine ($1,000) lets your giftee create their own café experience. In several beautiful colourways (red, white, black, stainless steel and juniper green), it’s also much quieter than a coffee shop. bestbuy.ca

 

The Old Soul

For those who love a blend of nostalgic and new, these gifts are perfect for bringing retro vibes into the “present.” (See what we did there?)

1. A Modern Glow-Up 

Gift the ambiance of a candle without the worry. The Wick portable lamp by Graypants (small $208, regular $222) delivers all the nostalgic charm of a Victorian chamberstick with  modern convenience—for anyone who wants that Ebenezer Scrooge vibe (minus the nightgown and cap). lightformshop.com

2. Duck, Duck, Vest!

This stylish Flat Head Duck vest ($495) is a throwback to classic, rugged fashion with a modern twist. privateandco.ca

3. Time Machine

Give the gift of quality time… keeping with this playful take on the classic cuckoo clock ($119) from Muji—a modern nod to a simpler era when clocks chimed without snooze buttons and TikTok was just the sound of a day well spent. muji.ca

4. Retro Bloom

Celebrating 60 years of flower power, the Unikko serving plate ($169) brings a touch of Marimekko’s classic design to the table—because who said plates can’t be iconic? marimekkovancouver.com

5. Taste of La Dolce Vita

A splash of Italy with a retro flair, Frances Mayes’s Bramasole olive oil (from $65) is for the foodie with luxurious taste who can’t help but romanticize their pasta. cocomain.ca

6. Picture Perfect

Capture memories the old-school way with this Pentax 17 half-frame 35mm vintage-style film camera ($680). londondrugs.com

 

The Natural

Spread joy to the world without harming it with these eco-conscious, simple and organic gift ideas that celebrate natural beauty.

1. Give from the Heart 

The love knot talisman ($285) represents an endless bond. Handcrafted in Vancouver from 100-percent recycled metals, it’s a gift that symbolizes lasting love—for your special someone, and for the planet. pyrrha.com

2. Merry and Bright

Brighten up the holidays with clean-burning, non-toxic Illuminated Intentions candles ($34). Each is inspired by animals like the bear and the killer whale to make for warm and mindful gifting. totemdesignhouse.com

3. Natural Beauty

The Hewn vase ($288) from Propellor is a sculptural piece made from salvaged Vancouver street trees—an artful tribute to B.C.’s natural beauty. propellor.ca

4. Sweet Tradition

Wabanaki’s barrel-aged maple syrup ($25 for 200 ml) adds notes of vanilla, caramel and oak to a rich, buttery finish thanks to time spent in Kentucky bourbon barrels. This Indigenous and female-owned business from Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) has created a sweet way to elevate your giftee’s pancake game (or whatever they seek to sweet!). wcwildflowers.ca

5. Golden Rings

Help them ring in the new year in eco-friendly, uber-chic sustainable style with this slim, gold-plated upcycled brass signet ring ($110) from Obakki. thecoastgoods.ca

6. Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Wrap them in the softness of nature with this Somn Comfort linen bedding set (double/queen, $436)—a cozy gift for those who want to sleep soundly and sustainably. somnhome.com

7. Birds of a Feather 

Warm their hearts and homes with this cozy Kanata Velura throw ($66), featuring the beautiful Lovebirds design by Northwest Coast Indigenous artist Israel Shotridge—a stunning blend of culture and comfort. cedarhousegallery.com

8. Tree Hugger

Fashionable, warm, sustainable—the men’s quilted Colville shacket ($108) from Tentree is also made from a blend of organic cotton and recycled materials, plus ten trees get planted just for buying it. It’s the gift of good karma. getplenty.com

9. The Sizzle Maker

A home chef’s secret weapon: the Kanatoko hand-forged iron frying pan ($550)— durable, beautiful and ready to bring the sizzle all year round. aiandomknives.com

 

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All I Want for Christmas

Designers share their best holiday traditions, gift ideas and inspo to design the best holiday memories.

Sophie Burke of Sophie Burke Designs, our 2024 WL Interior Designer of the Year

Early or Last-Minute Shopper? “A bit of both. I try to be organized, but inevitably there’s last-minute shopping that happens.”

Best Holiday Tradition? “I would have to say it’s putting up the Christmas tree. We always go as a family to choose our tree from the Scouts lot. The kids laugh at me because I have to see every tree before we make our final decision (and then usually pick the first one we pulled out). When it comes to decorating the tree, we light a fire, put on the same Christmas playlist and reminisce about all the cute ornaments that the kids made in preschool and all the other nostalgic ones that we’ve collected over the years.”

Clinton Cuddington of Measured Architecture, our 2024 WL Architect of the Year

Hardest Person to Shop For? “My wife. She is stone-cold practical.”

Best Gift Ever Given? “I proposed to my wife on Christmas Day with the hope that I could consolidate wedding anniversary, Christmas and her birthday. She was born on December 25. I thought this was a great gift idea… This could also be the answer to the question ‘What is the worst present you have ever given?’”

Early or Last-Minute Shopper? “Both. I’m a hopeless collector. I have a drawer that fills throughout the year, but there is always something to get in the final moments.”

Brianna Hughes of Brianna Hughes Interiors, our 2024 WL Robert Ledingham Memorial Award winner

Best Gift Ever Received? “Fitz [when he was 8] wrote me a five-page letter, and it’s hands down the best gift I’ve ever received. I’ve turned his heartfelt notes into a beautiful album so I can keep them forever.”

Favourite Places to Shop? “Montana Labelle is a Toronto-based brand that I love for design objects.  I shop her sale to stock up on marble and stone pieces that are perfect for gifts. I also love Holt Renfrew—their gift selection is so great every year,  and it makes it easy to find something special. Again, I love scent, so I go straight for the Byredo and Trudon candles. Aesop soaps, creams and scents are always good too.”

 

This WL Holiday Gift Guide was originally published in the November/December 2024 print issue of Western Living magazine.