December 10, 2021

The Ferries 2021 Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for the perfect gift for that special someone? Let us help you find something for everyone on your nice list — complete with a Maritime spin!

It’s that time of the year again! Houses are lined with pretty lights, pumpkin spice is being swapped for peppermint and gingerbread, snow is swirling about, and children and adults alike are making their holiday lists and checking them twice!

We think it’s important to celebrate and support our local makers and economies — now more than ever! And we’re making it easy for you to do so with our helpful holiday gift guide! So, if you need a little inspiration for gift buying, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve rounded up some outstanding local vendors that are sure to have just the thing for everyone on your nice list.

Nova Scotian Gems

If someone on your list is looking for some outstanding art to decorate their new house, or perhaps their home office, try a print by Saltwreck. This local artist is known for their Nova Scotia heritage maps. Their designs range from minimalist maps, which would complement an office perfectly, to more unique ones, like a map of Hubbards, Nova Scotia, in the shape of an anchor. Their designs are unique and eye-catching. In fact, they’re so popular that Saltwreck has expanded to heritage maps from all over Canada, as well as distinctly Canadiana art. Whether you’re proud to be a Canadian, an art connoisseur, or a bit of both, this is a perfect gift.

For those folks on your list who never take a vacation and are in serious need of a getaway, we have two spots that will make an absolutely wonderful experience gift! First, the famous SENSEA Nordic Spa, which provides a perfect relaxation experience. SENSEA offers every kind of massage that you can imagine, as well as facials, thermal, and hydrotherapy. Plus, they also offer day passes so your loved ones can enjoy the space for an entire day!

If you have a busy bee in your life, a getaway to Ivy House in Lunenburg might be the perfect way to help them relax. This gorgeous boutique hotel offers three different suites, each fully equipped with high-end fixtures and luxuries, to give your loved ones a pampered stay. The owners of Ivy House are self-proclaimed staycation specialists, which means your loved ones will have a wonderful time in beautifully quaint Lunenburg.

Nova Scotia is home to many excellent and varied local breweries. There’s no shortage of options, from beers to world-famous wines to deliciously crisp cider. Avondale Sky has their ‘Dreaming of a White Christmas’ special pack going on, which is enough wine to keep any party going. Coldstream Clear, synonymous with Nova Scotia craft spirits, has holiday-specific liqueurs, including Candy Cane, Caramel, Coffee Rum Cream, and even Eggnog! These spirits are sure to take any holiday party to the next level. And, for the craft beer lovers on your nice list, a Tata Brew Gift pack from Tatamagouche Brewing Co. makes for a thoughtful gift. You can customize your own, with all their selection of beers, merch, glassware, and even posters! All these breweries deliver across Canada, so get your orders in and delight everyone from coast to coast.

Not to Miss Presents in New Brunswick

The last two years have really highlighted how important self-care is. Make your loved ones feel cared for with a thoughtful gift box of Beeswax products from Brettlynn Farms. These boxes are fully customizable, jam-packed with delicious New Brunswick honey, honey-infused soaps, and body creams, all made with entirely natural ingredients. Their products are the perfect gift to cozy up during the winter months.

Upfront Cosmetics is another great local brand to give this holiday season, entirely focused on sustainability and natural ingredients. These shampoo and conditioner bars make the perfect stocking stuffers. Each shampoo and conditioner duo targets a specific hair concern, with no synthetic fragrance or parabens and fully vegan formulas.

For something a little bit more personal, and for that person in your life who loves jewelry, consider a bespoke hand stamped necklace, bracelet, or pair of earrings from Element 506. You can customize any of their pieces with an important date, name, or word for the ultimate personalized and thoughtful gift.

Another unique local find that promises to blow anyone away is the incredible handmade works of TK’s Wood Works. These functional pieces of art are handmade in a New Brunswick studio run by a veteran and are fully customizable. From gorgeous coffee and dining room tables to cheese platters, serving trays, and even lamps, these unique pieces are sure to be a one-of-a-kind addition for that special someone!

A Taste of Prince Edward Island

For the adventurous eater in your life, consider a gift from The Preserve Co. Their well-curated gift boxes feature all kinds of locally loved delights. There’s the full Island Christmas Giftbox — complete with locally sourced tea, Grand Marnier Preserves, natural jelly beans, and even Cows Chocolate-covered chips. You can also try a specially curated Hot Sauce gift box, the all-natural Kid’s Candy Sampler, and even a Hanukkah Gift Box. The best part about Preserve Co. is that they have free shipping on all their gift boxes throughout Continental North America. So even if you’re away from some of your loved ones this holiday season, you can send them a custom-made gift box from the island to make them feel right at home.

We all have a coffee lover on our list. So for that person who obsesses over every aspect of their coffee-making ritual, why not give them a beautiful one-of-a-kind pour-over set inspired by the vistas of PEI. The pottery made at Island Stoneware is crafted by hand, with beautiful glazes and unique shapes. This pottery studio also makes dinnerware that you can mix and match, as well as serving dishes and kitchenware.

If you have a child in your life who’s obsessed with the stories that have made PEI famous, why not give them an adorable crochet Anne of Green Gables made by Crochet 4 Chocolate. This local artisan also does custom crochet hats, sweaters, and mittens for little ones. Speaking of adorable, you can’t get a much cuter gift than the fluffy alpaca toys by Green Gables Alpacas! You’ll feel the love in every fibre as the yarn used in making these toys is from alpacas born and raised right on the island. In addition, Green Gables Alpacas also sells their own dye yarn, socks, and unique alpaca products perfect for the winter ahead!

This Holiday Season Think Beyond the Box

This holiday season and every season, give the gift of travelling to these fantastic locations! There’s no gift comparable to travelling by ferry and exploring these unique vendors and destinations for yourself! Gifting anyone a ferry travel voucher is a wonderful excuse for them to experience all the local businesses and hospitality that the Maritimes has to offer!

As you gather this jolly holiday season to spend time with those people in your life who mean the most, remember to support local. This season, a gift will mean more coming from a local business that thoughtfully creates unique products.

From all of us at Northumberland Ferries and Bay Ferries to all of you, have a safe and happy holiday season. We look forward to sailing with you soon.