December can get overwhelming with everyone to shop for: siblings, friends, friends with benefits, mom, dad, daddy . . . the list goes on. While this guide can’t help you figure out whether or not you need to buy a gift for that guy you’ve been sleeping with, it should at least give you a few ideas for everyone else.
Here are a few picks to give you some inspiration as you try to cross people off your list.
Tickets to Twelfth Night — The National Arts Centre
Wednesday, Jan 20–Saturday, Feb 6, 2016
NAC English Theatre
53 Elgin Street, Ottawa
$25-75
Tickets are always a great gift because they come with an experience that you and the receiver can share. Full of visual surprises, this production brings inventive design from Calgary’s Old Trout Puppet Workshop. It’s an animated interpretation of Shakespeare as you’ve never seen it before. One of the Bard’s most popular comedies explores passion and the pain of trying to keep it a secret, raising the curtain on a mad scramble of misdirected desire, cross-dressing and a provocative love triangle. This unique take on the timeless Twelfth Night features pop music alongside Shakespeare’s buoyant wordplay and some of his wittiest love scenes.
Re in Car Nation Bags — After Stonewall
370 Rideau St, Ottawa
$135-195
Ottawa’s very own Art for Everyday Living shopping experience. After Stonewall showcases LGBT literature along with mixed-media, acrylic, oil, encaustic, clay, glass, wood, metal, leather, textile, sculpture and jewellery from over 60 Ontario and Quebec artists. For a unique gift check out their Re in Car Nation bags made in Perth. The unique bags are all made from car seats, truck tarps and seat belts.
Underwear of the Month Club Membership — Stroked Ego
131 Bank St – Unit 2, Ottawa
$25/month
Love it or hate it, your underwear is a critical part of your wardrobe. Take some hassle out of your man’s schedule and stroke underwear shopping off his to-do list for the year. A membership to Stroked Ego’s underwear of the month club will send a new pair of trendy underwear to his door each month. You can sign up for three, six or 12–month memberships and select style preferences ranging from conservative to no holds barred.
Warren Chase Urban Retreat for Men — Shaving Kit
$150
Train Yards
515 Industrial Ave. Unit 1, Ottawa
Or
Hudson’s Bay Rideau
73 Rideau, 2nd Floor, Ottawa
The Warren Chase Kit is perfect for achieving that barber-shop close shave, and comes with brush, razor, leather sleeve and stand. The kit is a great way to help the man in your life upgrade his grooming routine, or to drop a subtle hint that it may be time for some upkeep. Warren Chase Urban Retreat for Men was created by co-founders Paul and Trevor to provide the perfect venue to kick back, grab a beverage, get a haircut, enjoy a classic straight razor shave or clean up the hands and feet.
Luxury Gift Baskets
Baskits.com
$25–400
It may seem cliché but there’s nothing like getting a basket full of gifts. This Canadian luxury gift basket provider offers same-day Canadian shipping on gift bundles comprised of over 100 top food, drink and beauty brands. Hundreds of available basket themes allow you to find the perfect gift for your loved ones, holiday party host, or your own chocolate craving.
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