This content was created by Xtra’s branded content team alongside BMO, separate from Xtra’s editorial staff.
The holiday season is a time for spreading joy and generosity, gathering with loved ones and seeing the smiles on their faces as they read a heartfelt card or unwrap a thoughtful gift. Better yet is being able to also put a smile on the face of someone who you have never met—by gifting products from an underrepresented business to the those on your shopping list.
It is that holiday cheer that BMO has been spreading for the past four years with its Wrap the Good program, that taps into holiday traditions to celebrate and showcase underrepresented businesses, including 2SLGBTQ+, Black, Latin, Indigenous and women-owned businesses. From scannable wrapping paper to shoppable ornaments, to holiday carols turned Business Carols, BMO’s holiday hacks are designed to break through the noise of big-box retailers and drive sales for underrepresented businesses. This year, BMO answers the age-old question of “what’s inside the box?”
BMO’s Unwrap the Good experience allows you to scan any wrapped gift – whether at home, in storefronts, or even in holiday movie marathons – and magically watch it unwrap using augmented reality. Every unwrapped gift reveals a promo code from BMO to use towards products from underrepresented businesses across North America.
One of the underrepresented businesses featured this year is 2SLGBTQ+-owned Not Just Cookies Wholesale Bakery, offering delicious soft and chewy treats, perfect for a stocking-stuffer or an office gift exchange. Its offerings include vegan chocolate chip cookies, melt-in-your-mouth butter cookies and scrumptious snickerdoodles.
Or, as a gift for your growing child, one of the comfortable garments from Apricotton, an 2SLGBTQ+-owned and Asian-owned Toronto-based teen and tween bra brand with the aim of helping kids feel confident during puberty.
Other great gift ideas featured include facial care kits from Indigenous-owned Sḵwálwen Botanicals in British Columbia, unique candles—including a holiday spice and peppermint mocha—from Black-owned Nzuri Kulture, and the at-home luxurious hair care treatments from Latinx-owned Queen’s Crown Essentials.
There are hundreds of amazing gifts at all types of price points and product categories waiting to be discovered. BMO’s Wrap the Good campaign runs to Dec. 31. Browse BMO’s gift guide at BMOWrapTheGood.com or start unwrapping today at BMOUnwrapTheGood.com.
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