A Holiday Shopping Guide to Perth Ontario
If you're shopping for the holiday season, look no further than the charming town of Perth, ON. Finding the perfect holiday gifts for everyone on your list can be a challenge, but with so many great local shops filled with unique gifts, it's easy to find something for everyone in Perth - and probably some things for yourself too!
Peruse our in-depth gift guide to Perth and get some ideas on picking out that perfect present, plus get some insider tips on great finds tucked away in this quaint small town.
P - Pampering
E - Entertaining
R - Relaxing
T - Trinkets and Treasures
H - Home
P- Pampering
Spa Day
There's no better way to pamper that special someone in your life than the gift of the spa, and the Best Western Plus Parkside Inn & Spa is the go-to spot in Perth for a day of relaxation. From specialty massages like the Abhyanga head-to-toe massage (an ancient treatment using warm herbalized oils), to body treatments like the Rosemary Mint Wrap and the classic mani and pedi, a gift card for a day of indulgence is always a win.
The Beach House is also a great spot to treat someone to a day of spoiling. Book them a specialty body treatment like a pink hibiscus wrap or Malibu Beach scrub, or order an online gift card for a Pina colada pedicure or Indian head massage. The spa also specializes in aesthetics, with micro needling, lash extensions, spray tanning and laser hair removal all available onsite. To complete the look, a fresh cut or colour at the Curly Redhead will make them feel like a million bucks.
An at-home spa day is an equally amazing treat, and you can create the ambiance and serenity of the spa at home with luxury soaps and skincare products. Pick up some locally-made products by Perth Soap Co. available at Kelly's Flowers and Gift Boutique, Ground Waves or Fall River Fashion. Their Moroccan Spice and Sparkling Champagne body washes are invigorating, and their Bergamot Citrus or Fir and Grapefruit body lotions are perfect for soothing dry winter skin.
Other great local beauty gifts include Purple Urchin products, found at Foodsmiths, colourful locally-made soaps at Treasure Lane by the Tay, Bee Savvy body scrubs from Ground Waves, and bath bombs from Upper Country Living. Top it all off with a robe from Ever After Bridal for the ultimate spa day at home.
Weekend Getaways
A stay at the Best Western Parkside Inn & Spa is a great option for a weekend getaway in the city. With its convenient location directly beside Stewart Park, and only steps away from local restaurants and shops, it's a great base for city exploration. The indoor pool, luxury spa and top notch restaurant, the Locks, are added bonuses -the bow on top of a great holiday gift.
No weekend getaway is complete without dining out at one of Perth's wonderful restaurants. Pick up a gift card for a romantic dinner at the Stone Cellar or Bistro 54, or for O'Reilly's Ale House or Maximillian Restaurant for a casual night out.
Year-round spoiling
Who doesn't love a gift every month? For the gift that keeps on giving, try one of the great monthly gift subscriptions from some of Perth's small businesses.
Treat someone special to a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers, delivered right to their door every month with Kelly's Flowers and Gifts' monthly flower subscription. Choose from three sizes of bouquets, and give them the gift of cheerful blooms all year round.
For those who prefer to eat, the Perth Cheese Shop offers a monthly charcuterie subscription with a thoughtfully curated selection of meats and cheeses. Choose from the Italian box, with seven Italian-themed items including meat, cheese, sauces and pestos, or the Local Love Board, with local meats and cheeses, plus mustard, jam, nuts and fresh-baked bread.
A great idea for a monthly box of local goodies for the avid foodie is a Bubbles and Bites Box from North Folk Café. Order online or stop by in-store and create a box filled with your choice of local products like Ludwig chocolate, Bee Savvy honey, Wheeler's Maple syrup, Mighty Valley Coffee and Artizen Kombucha. Wrap it up for a gift under the tree, or have it delivered each month to friends and family in the Ottawa region, including Ottawa, Almonte, Smith's Falls, Kanata, Stittsville and Orleans.
For more ideas on great gift that pamper, check out Perth Tourism’s official gift guide here.
E - Entertaining
The holidays are a season for entertaining, and it's important to be ready with all the best food and drink to celebrate. Whether it's a small gathering with family, a dinner party with roommates, or a virtual celebration with your entire crew, you can pick up everything you need for the perfect holiday celebration when shopping in Perth.
Cocktails and Brews
When it comes to entertaining, the all-important holiday cocktails can often top the list of must-haves! Top Shelf Distillers is a local Perth distiller creating delicious vodka, gin and 3-year old whisky. They also offer a selection of bitters in flavours like chocolate, coffee, mint, ground allspice, lavender, and peach, perfect for creating your own signature holiday cocktail. Pick up their holiday bitters 3-pack and let the holiday cocktails flow. Top Shelf Distillers is also known for their great selection of exotic moonshines. Flavours like gingerbread, maple, apple pie, butter tart, and Irish cream are sure to put a festive twist in your holiday celebration.
For those who prefer a good brew, Perth has some great local breweries. Stock your fridge with Perth Brewery's Last Duel Lager and Calypso IPA, or some Nautical Disaster IPA or Wreck of Boaty Mcboatface DIPA from Laketown Beer Co.
Good Eats and Sweet Treats
Perth is a foodie's paradise, and there are some essential stops when preparing for holiday entertainment.
For the ultimate charcuterie board, the Perth Cheese Shop is your spot. Create a custom board filled with local and international meats and cheeses, plus locally-made bread, preserves and chocolate. Choose from a modest size for an intimate gathering, or a charcuterie board to impress for up to 16+ people.
For fresh baked goods, be sure to stop by Perth Pie Co. in downtown Perth. Choose from sweet pie selections like strawberry-rhubarb, apple-blueberry, pecan, pumpkin, or mincemeat, or opt for a savoury selection as a main course, like their Guinness beef pot pie, tourtière, chicken pot pie and even butter chicken pie! Their pies come in regular and small sizes, perfect for smaller holiday gatherings or a night in for two. While they're known for their delicious pies, their butter tarts, maple cream cookies, and homemade pop tarts are also worth boxing up - even as a festive treat for yourself!
If baking at home is your thing, but from scratch isn't your forte, order a holiday Cookie Box from Penny's Place diner. Each box comes with 2 lbs of gingerbread cookie dough, 2 lbs of sugar cookie dough and 2 lbs of shortbread. For a ready-to-go cookie box, order a mix of home-baked deliciousness from Picnic Café + Catering. From salted chocolate tahini, to giant ginger molasses cookies, create your own box of tasty treats baked with love.
Those with a sweet tooth have plenty of options for holiday treats in Perth. Perth Chocolate Works is a local chocolatier with some decadent chocolate creations. Their truffles are top notch - you can watch them being created in their open kitchen, and their chocolate macaroons, cheesecake and brownies are fresh baked daily and ready to take away. Other things worth picking up are their scrumptious bear paws, chocolate-covered licorice, chocolate-enrobed coffee beans and their sinful sweet and salty cashew caramel bark.
Coffee and Tea
Nothing impresses like a good cup of coffee, and Coutts Coffee is Perth's go-to spot for locally roasted beans. Choose from a variety of whole beans to take away for rich brews at home, or select from their mix of unique and flavourful tea blends. Coffee accessories like pour-over pots, fun festive mugs and ornate tea pots also make great gifts. For a cool way to wrap bigger gifts under the tree, pick up one of their burlap coffee bean bags, whose proceeds from sales go to the Guatemalan Stove Project.
Another great place to shop for local coffee is North Folk Café. Known for their Artizen Kombucha and Bubbles and Bites Boxes, they also sell a variety of local coffees, like Mighty Valley Coffee Roasters and Engine House Coffee, as well as a variety of their own tea blends.
If you’re picking up some treats at Perth Pie Co., don’t miss their specialty loose-leaf teas, perfect for dipping a chewy cookie. Choose from green teas, black teas, herbal tea, flavoured teas and caffeine free options.
Kitchenware and Dinnerware
If you're preparing a festive holiday feast you'll need the right kitchenware and dinnerware, and there are some great places in Perth to pick up unique accessories to make any holiday feast special.
For a huge selection of aprons, tea towels, pot-holders as well as festive napkin rings and kitchen tools, head to Ground Waves on Foster St. They also carry great glassware, locally-handcrafted wooden coasters and distinctive ceramic dishes. Red Brick Emporium also stocks some very funny adult-centric oven gloves and tea towels, great for a child-free dinner party, or a great gift for those with a sense of humour.
R -Relaxing
Comfy Clothes, Blankets and Pillows
A comfy home environment is the key to being relaxed, and there are some great gift options in Perth to amp up that cozy factor.
For soft plush hoodies and socks, stop by Where Dragons Fly or Fall River Fashion on Gore St. If you have a fashionista on your list, wrap up a wool cape from Strévé Design, or pick up some fashion-forward sweaters or leggings from Fashion Envy. Perth Brewery also has some great loungewear for men, including lumberjack flannel shirts and trendy branded hoodies, while Conway Men’s Wear has great cozy sweatshirts and a fun selection of socks for any personality. Bring comfort to the next level with a pair of warm luxurious sheepskin slippers from Riverguild Fine Crafts, made by Lanark Sheepskin, a local business specializing in hand-made wool products for over 20 years.
Cozy blankets and puffy pillows are the perfect winter gift, and Hay Design has an unbeatable selection of home decor. Choose from knitted wool blankets and fleece throws, available in neutral, rustic and holiday themed patterns. Kelly's Flowers and Gifts is another great spot with festive holiday pillows and blankets - you can even match them to their Christmas themed home decor!
Healing Scents
Essential Oils are great to add an ambiance of calm to any home, and Where Dragons Fly is a great spot to pick them up in Perth. For that person on your list who loves holistic and natural products, choose from a large variety of traditional scents with healing properties, or opt for a blend that matches their mood and personality. Different types of essential oil diffusers are also available, creating the perfect Christmas gift.
Relax the Mind
There's no doubt a good book is soul food for the mind, and curling up with an enjoyable book is the best way to escape and relax. Stop by one of Perth's great independent bookstores and pick up anything from colouring books and cookbooks, to fantasy fiction and intriguing autobiographies. The Bookworm and Backbeat Books and Music are loaded with gift ideas for the avid reader, and the Book Nook & Other Treasures has a great selection of books, as well as unique bookmarks created by local artists. If you're shopping for little ones, Balderzon Kidz has a fun book advent calendar, perfect for 24 days of immersive reading, and 24 days of relaxation for parents!
For more relaxation gift ideas, visit Perth Tourism.
T -Trinkets and Treasures
Finding a one-of-a-kind gift for someone on your list can be a challenge, but Perth has tons of great specialty shops where you can find some unique hidden gems.
Accessories and Jewelry
Queen Bee Millinery is the place to go for upscale, unique, and definitely boojie gifts. With stunning hand-made, delicate and detailed fascinators and hats, anything from this cozy boutique is perfect for a high tea, special event or wedding.
For the jewelry lover, there are many great options for finding the perfect necklace, bracelet or set of earrings in Perth. Where Dragons Fly and Fall River Fashion specialize in jewelry ideal for a night out, or for a statement piece to be noticed. Delicate designs, vintage-inspired finds and contemporary pieces can be found at Kelly's Flowers and Gifts and Red Brick Emporium, while artistic creations made with semi-precious stones and unique materials are plentiful at Riverguild Fine Crafts.
Arts, Antiques and Collectables
Riverguild Fine Crafts is a must-stop if you have an art lover on your holiday shopping list. Shop for hand-crafted pottery, wood carvings, whimsical paintings and intricate metalwork created by local artisans. You're sure to find that one-of-a-kind treasure, inspiring art piece, and maybe even something for yourself!
To find some truly unique trinkets, head over Gore St. Antique Market. Peruse a constantly-evolving selection of vintage jewelry, antique lamps, rustic wooden furniture and retro games. If you're putting together a holiday basket, pick up an old tin, rustic basket or wooden crate, and create a fun holiday package.
With a combination of new and vintage, Evelyn & Louise is an eclectic store in downtown Perth with an assortment of goods for the home. Search for antique treasures perfect for home décor, like wooden toboggans and interesting tapestries, and look for fascinating items by local artisans like a mason jar coffee grinder made with reclaimed wood and refurbished antique parts. Items in the store change frequently so check back for that one-of-a-kind gift.
If you’re looking for original art, Perth has some great galleries featuring work by local artists. Head to Katherine Muir Miller Gallery for colourful Canadian paintings, or Studio 87 for art in a variety of mediums, from drawings and paintings, to glass, stone and wood sculptures.
H - Home
Christmas Décor
To make your home holiday-ready for the Christmas season, look no further than the small businesses in downtown Perth. Kelly's Flowers and Gifts is an explosion of festive cheer with beautiful holiday decor to suit any taste. From traditional fun Christmas decorations, to more contemporary and elegant pieces, this small shop packs a powerful Christmas punch.
Hay Designs is also an amazing option for both Christmas and winter home decor. Some must-have items are stunning holiday table arrangements, beautifully decorated stockings and Christmas linens, burlap animal tree ornaments and an adorable wooden advent chest. Add that Christmassy scent with a holiday-themed scent sachet, perfect to add to a gift bag or any home-centric gift.
Other great spots to add festive flare to your home are Where Dragons Fly for adorable tabletop Santas and ornaments, Red Brick Emporium for rustic wooden decorations, and Ground Waves for an extensive selection of fun tree ornaments.
Whether you go fresh or decorative, a holiday wreath adds warmth to any home during the holiday season. Kelly's Flowers and Gifts creates custom wreaths and arrangements from fresh evergreens, perfect as a gift, or to add an authentic Christmassy aroma to any home. If decorative is more your thing, Treasure Lane by the Tay has some beautiful wreaths in many different designs incorporating burlap, berries and festive ribbon.
Plants and Greenery
If you're shopping for those with a green thumb, stop by A Propos Flowers for an assortment of tropical house plants, cacti, and cheerful floral arrangements. Beautiful pots, wall hangings and nature-inspired home decor are also plentiful, the perfect gift to green someone's life.
Fresh grown herbs are always a great addition to any kitchen, and the hydroponic grow kits from the Red Brick Emporium are a great gift idea for plant beginners. From chamomile and lavender, to parsley and basil, these self-contained mason jar kits are the perfect way to spice up someone's life during the colder winter months.
Candles
Candles are an amazing way to add scent and warmth to any home, and are a great gift for just about anyone. Perth has some great locally-made candles including Perth-themed scented candles from Kelly's Flowers and Gifts. With unique scents like Tayside Vibes (rosemary citrus), Sweet and Sticky (maple) and Perth Breeze (fresh air), they are the perfect stocking stuffer and a way to add a little piece of Perth to any home.
For candles with sass, Red Brick Emporium carries a line of Arrow it Forward candles with scents like Adulting is Hard, Last Minute Gift and Ugly Christmas Sweater.
Treasure Lane by the Tay also has some great rustic country jar candles, perfect for an effortless gift or as a fun addition to a holiday centerpiece.
Home Décor
To fill empty wall space or spruce up any home, stop by Treasure Lane by the Tay. With a huge selection of unique clocks, and plenty of fun signs to hang in any room of the house, you'll have no trouble finding a gift for any personality.
If you have a DIYer on your list, then a gift card for Red Brick Emporium is the perfect Christmas gift. With a wide selection of unique door-knobs, ornate cabinet handles, plus endless shades of Annie Sloan Chalk paint, it's the perfect gift for anyone looking to get creative at home.
Weekends in Perth this December
If you’re visiting Perth this December, don’t miss weekly events throughout the month including the Santa Claus Parade, Christmas at the Palace, and the Polar Bear Plunge.
If you’re shopping during the month of December, be sure to pick up a Shop Stamp & Win card from any participating downtown business. and be entered to win some amazing Perth prizes!
For more information on holiday events in Perth, click here.
*This gift guide was made possible with the assistance of Perth Tourism. All recommendations are, as always, our own.
