You want to decorate for Christmas, but you seek unique pieces that stand out from the standard offerings at your local big box retailer. Toronto offers a variety of shops and special seasonal shows sure to have everything you need to fill your house and home with the holiday spirit.
With a full entertainment schedule, including music, walking tours, carolling challenges and more, the Toronto Christmas Market is not to be missed. Grab a glass of Glühwein (mulled wine) or a hot toddy to keep you warm, and spend hours poring over kiosks from Canadian and international artists, artisans and vendors. Traditional merchandise includes hand-made ornaments and wood carvings, children’s toys and candles. There will be Scottish shortbread, eastern European nesting dolls, Ecuadorean alpaca fleece products…something for your home and everyone on your list!
Flatiron's Christmas Market is Toronto's year-round, all-season Christmas store that offers quaint charm and an old-time, Victorian holiday vibe. Flatiron's carries a huge variety of ornaments and so much more. Think beautiful Santa statues, gorgeous nativity figurines and a wide array of Christmas cards. Originally located on Front Street for 26 years, the business moved to its new home on Jarvis Street in 2010. You could easily while away an hour or more just looking at all the pretty things.
Putti Fine Furnishings is a home decor boutique that champions European style. With a series of departments within the Rosedale store, Putti makes room amidst its regular collection of art, lighting, tableware and furniture for a lovely Christmas collection. They have candles, decorations, sweets, tableware, tree toppers, wreaths, crackers, giftwrap - the list goes on! They even offer a collection of old world ornaments. Everything is too beautiful to resist - think silver linen stockings with embroidered king’s and queen's crowns for you and your special someone.
With one location on Roncesvalles Avenue and another in Yorkville, Sweetpea's is a flower shop and landscaping company that also brings out a touch of Christmas greenery. In addition to locally grown Christmas trees, Sweetpea's also sells custom and ready-made winter urns, unique ornaments, fir-scented candles and retro puzzles. Perhaps the coolest Christmas piece for your home, though, is the Grinch tree - locally grown Golden Cypress trees in every size and colour bound in wire to achieve the classic Grinch shape. They'd even warm the Grinch's heart!
Held for about 10 days at the end of November, the One of a Kind Christmas Show brings more than 800 artisans from all over North America to showcase handmade designs. DeSerres runs complimentary art-related workshops for children ages 8 and over, plus a selection of adult workshops (ornament making, anyone?). Expect a wreath-making competition, a knitathon for charity, an art gallery featuring original works and a green section showcasing eco-friendly goods. You'll always find something unique at this show.
Already famous as a year-round destination for party-planning needs, the Little Party Shoppe gets festive for the holidays, bringing in a special Christmas collection to suit your needs. Whether you're looking to dress up your table, your mantle or your tree, owners and sisters Linda and Marion have got you covered thanks to their selection of Christmas-themed napkins, crackers, stockings and ornaments. Just what you need for that extra bit of Christmas pizzazz!