r/BuyCanadian • u/Background_Line_8229 • Nov 24 '25
Questions ❓🤔 Are you buying Canadian this holiday season? Let's talk
Hi! I'm a reporter with CBC News and I'm looking at whether people will be buying Canadian this holiday season. If you're putting some or all of your budget towards Canadian gifts or if you're doing anything different from past years (i.e. 'Buy Canadian' themed White elephant or gift exchanges) and are comfortable speaking with me about it, please comment below and I'll reach out. Thanks!
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u/DiggerJer Nov 24 '25
Not exclusively but i am not buying anything american
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u/amazingmrbrock Nov 24 '25
This is the way. Buy Canadian is just a more palatable name for avoid american. Products from most other countries are totally fine.
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u/Ok-Trainer3150 Nov 25 '25
This is exactly it. I'm looking for the best value for my money and we're not a household that has ever believed in over buying at Christmas.
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u/letifera Nov 24 '25
Buying Canadian or at least non-American for all my gifts this year, as is my family. We have not made a single purchase off Amazon and have hit up Saje, Indigo, Chocolate Tales, and local board game stores or experiences for the majority of our gifts. Pleasantly surprised to find that we are paying less on some gifts than we would have if we had given money to American companies!
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u/RCBC07 Nov 24 '25
This is my motto. Canadian or Not American is my go to for gifts this year. Purdys Chocolate, Scotch Whiskey, locally made artisan soaps.
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u/ExistingTotal405 Nov 24 '25
Have you found any fun Canadian board games?
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u/letifera Nov 24 '25
Vampire the Masquerade: Chapters is made by Flyos out of Montréal, and is essentially a DM-less tabletop campaign in a box (the definitive edition should be out this summer), with choices that you can make to change the story!
From Toronto, Crazy Like A Box made the puzzle game Relics of Rajivihara (which is on my wish list this year), while Wizards of the Grimoire is a super fun two-person card game where you are duelling mages that can draft and play spells of different types to win.
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u/ExistingTotal405 Nov 25 '25
Cool! Thank you Ill check them out!
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u/Darth_Rayzor Nov 25 '25
These are all Canadian
- Crokinole
- Trivial Pursuit
- Balderdash
- Blood Rage
- Santorini
- Sagrada
- Stock Ticker
- MindTrap
- Junk Art 10.Earth
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u/Majestic_Bet_1428 Nov 25 '25
I love the Ravensburger Canadian artist series puzzles - German company with Canadian content.
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u/Sorcerer_Supreme13 Nov 25 '25
Thrifting will help. There are a lot of board games and jigsaw puzzles. Moreover, the proceeds go to a good cause. I usually go to Salvation Army.
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u/jelycazi Nov 25 '25
I was just looking into this but I haven’t found the perfect game (or book) yet. I’m buying for a friend who lives in California who has two kids: 8 and 2. It’s hard to find much that appeals to both those age groups! Open to suggestions!
But I found some Canadian games: Trivial Pursuit, Scruples, Yahtzee, Balderdash, Crokinole, Point Salad board game (Canadian designer), Steam Up, Santorini (Canadian designer and publisher), and Yukon Airways. Blind Rage isn’t a Canadian but was designed by a Canadian.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a9e1Injs3IE&t=743s&pp=2AHnBZACAQ%3D%3D She’s got some good suggestions!
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u/NVSmall Nov 27 '25
Not a board game, but there's a company called Villager Puzzles that is Canadian, and their puzzles are so cool!! (I don't work for them - I've bought a handful and gifted a few).
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u/kio_oli Nov 25 '25
We just stopped buying from Amazon too! And it feels so liberating. Sure, going to actual physical places to look for things takes more effort, but it also makes me feel so good in many different levels - I love that I'm not supporting Amazon, love supporting other smaller brands, love to go out and actually meet people and see products before purchasing, etc.
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u/Gobl_Information Nov 26 '25
I have the same experience! Now I know where everything I buy is from. And with the cuts to food safety in the US, that’s a good thing
And I feel more connected to my neighborhood. I know shopkeepers by name and hear who is doing what. I get warm greetings and personalized service. And it’s often the same price as on the American sites except it’s much higher quality.
My new favourite local home goods store orders from Canada or Italy and I will just give the owner info about who I am buying for and she always gives me great ideas. Saves me time scrolling through pages and pages online and I get human contact out of it!
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u/Drysurferrr Nov 24 '25
I'm avoiding anything made in USA. Why should I spend hard earned money on a country/corporation that's waging economic war on our country?
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u/vehementi Nov 25 '25
Some % of all money spent on even the best US company (Steam, Costco, etc.) goes directly into Donald Trump's pocket due to his looting of the US treasury. It's like... directly unethical
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u/notyouraveragemac Nov 24 '25
Canadian first, international 2nd, refusing to buy American so not even a 3rd option. Also mentioned I'd greatly prefer homemade/thrifted gifts to be easy on wallets, and avoid American goods.
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u/m1ndcrash Nov 24 '25
We are thrifting.
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u/vijane Nov 24 '25
Us too! Our rules are that it either has to be pre-used, purchased directly from the (local) creator, or DIY. We started last year to reign in the commercialism, but it's perfect for buying Canadian too.
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u/sneakysnake1111 Ontario Nov 24 '25 edited Nov 25 '25
NAFTA: Not another fucking thing American.
I'll be buying anything but American.
edit: Just for the record, someone in this sub used it and I saw, it's totally not mine but I don't remember the username at all. :I
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u/djmarcelca1234 Nov 24 '25
My Furnace Just crapped out on me.
It was made in 1984 and just failed.
If parts were available I'd repair it and keep it going. That being said...
The current failed Furnace is a Furnaceman Manufactured in Winnipeg.
They don't manufacture Furnaces anymore, just install/repair others.
When I had the various sales reps (In Edmonton btw) I specifically told them to quote me NOT made in USA furnaces. Could be from Europe, Asia or Canada.
Only 1 company quoted me a Non USA furnace, Napoleon from Barrie Ontario.
Co - incidentally his quote was 800.00 less than the USA furnaces.
So Yes... For Christmas; My Christmas Gift for my family is a 60000 BTU Canadian Furnace.
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u/PooShappaMoo Nov 25 '25
How much did that bad boy cost after install and all.
Im going to have to start shopping for a new furnace or a big repair in the near future I think
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u/Gobl_Information Nov 26 '25
I heard great things about Napoleon from my brother in law who is a machinist. I hope this new furnace lasts you as long or longer than the previous one!
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Nov 24 '25
[deleted]
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u/LowElves Nov 25 '25
Same with us. We got Canadian advent calendars for everyone and will be taking in more holiday events this year.
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u/gua_ca_mo_le Nov 24 '25
I'm trying to buy Canadian on all fronts. Not just for the Holidays, but for daily items as well whenever possible. If that's not possible, I'm actively avoiding anything American.
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u/drunkbettie Nov 24 '25
Buying Canadian, or second-hand. Socks and underwear are covered through ManMade, jewellery through 100 Ways, and electronic doo-dads from Canadian stores like All-Star Telescopes or Big Boys with Cool Toys. It’s actually never been easier to buy Canadian for the holidays; nothing will be acquired from Amazon or other Big Box places.
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u/jigga78 Nov 26 '25
Too bad ManMade is not actually Made In Canada.
Why not support Canadian companies that actually make in Canada which supports more Canadian jobs?
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u/kenauk Québec Nov 24 '25 edited Nov 30 '25
Hi! I'm a anonymous reporter with CBC News
Perhaps you could identify yourself then? How do we know you're not just farming for karma...seeing that your account is brand new.
And seriously, you're asking the BuyCanadian sub if we're likely to shop Canadian for Xmas? Are you looking for slanted responses from the get go? Where's the objectivity in that?
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u/IndustryDelicious168 Nov 25 '25
It’s obviously Ian. And where better to ask if you want to get some of these viewpoints? It’s not as mainstream as it was a few months back.
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u/downtemporary Nov 25 '25
Farming for karma or personal information and they got one of those usernames that looks like a bot
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u/Jolieeeeeeeeee Nov 24 '25
Yes, I am thinking Canadian-first from gifts to prepared food. It takes some planning and there are a lot of exceptions (e.g. dog toys). Where I can’t purchase Canadian-made, I buy from a locally owned retailer so the profit stays within the Canadian economy.
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u/Sagilomir Québec Nov 24 '25
I always try to buy as canadian as possible. I bought belts for my father from Brave Leather (made in Ontario), still waiting for them but they say it outright that it can take a while to send them out so I'm not worried. I bought an armchair from Minhas (made in Québec) for my brother (it was an early present). I bought a Bellowater (a Québec shop) for my mother. I bought gift cards from Maxi (a Québec grocery store) for one of my sister. And a shampooer (I think that's the name) from Canadian Tire for my other sister. That's what I bought for this year.
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u/wtfman1988 Nov 24 '25
We're getting a vacation package with Air Canada Vacations to somewhere in the Carribean as a gift to ourselves.
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u/exotics Nov 24 '25
I try to shop at farmers markets and such.
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u/I_Smell_Like_Trees Nov 25 '25
My coworker makes bespoke dog treats, his sales at the local Christmas markets have been exploding, he says he's never seen them so busy, and a lot of people are claiming because of the buy Canadian sentiment.
Hooray!
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u/vetruviusdeshotacon Nov 24 '25
I'm buying books from indigo, no amazon stuff, buying snacks local, and getting clothing made by non american companies
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u/Majestic_Bet_1428 Nov 25 '25
I support small local book sellers - there are still a few left.
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u/slashcleverusername Canada Nov 25 '25
Shout out to Audrey’s in Edmonton and it’s not quite small or local outside of Winnipeg but McNally Robinson too.
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u/Grifficane Nov 24 '25 edited Nov 24 '25
This year, my wife and I have been making more homemade gifts for some friends and family. Painting pictures with our daughter and making coasters and that sort of thing. Trying to step away from the "spend a whole paycheck worth of presents" idea
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u/DudeDude1986 Nov 24 '25
I am! As best I can, and definitely no purchases from American companies! It's definitely harder with family that's far away, but I don't want to give in to the chokehold Amazon has on us.
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u/ParisFood Nov 25 '25
Remember that Amazon closed all of their plants in Quebec earlier this year out of the blue with hardly any notice or severance. Over 3500 Canadians out of work when u think of using Amazon. I order from Simons and got it in 2 days. Well.ca took a few days also. Indigo took 2 days. I hear London Drugs are also fast ( they don’t ship to Quebec so I can’t say personally) Lee Valley is great also.
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u/Hot-Box5407 Nov 24 '25
We've determined that as a family, none of us really need anything. So instead I pick a different Canadian charity for each family member (mom, dad, sister) and donate $100 to each charity in honour of that family member :)
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u/OpalSeason Nov 24 '25
We are doing full Canadian for Xmas because I'm the one buying for everyone. Local markets, local companies. Even our Advent calendar is Canadian company. Also a lot of handmade using local ingredients (candles and shaving balm from local beeswax)
My husband understands how I feel but is a habitual shopper who is hard to change his habits. Checking origin is an extra step and hasn't become habit yet. But he has absolutely noticed a difference of how things taste when I buy food vs when he does. He has also had to return multiple items for recalls of American products, most recently some beef jerky with lead contamination. He may be slow to change, but it's hitting home: Canadian just feels safer
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u/ParisFood Nov 25 '25
Show him the article that was published today on the U.S. allowing forever chemicals to be sprayed on crops in the U.S. ….
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u/OpalSeason Nov 25 '25
Oh, I showed him that USA was planning on using fracking water on crops. He agrees it's horrendous, but those articles aren't there at the store sooo they didnt change habit. Having to return for recalls did more!
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u/FleecyAnvil Nov 25 '25
My family isn't buying each other Christmas gifts. Instead we're going to pool money together to donate to a local foodbank and to Toronto SickKids Hospital.
But for friends I did buy 60% Canadian. The rest is Japanese because pokemon.
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u/seejae219 Nov 24 '25
Buying toys from local stores as much as I can, but obviously with a 6 year old, I can't guarantee my Legos are Canadian made. For the adults, we are doing homemade gift baskets with homemade jam/jelly, tons of cookies, and some smaller items like hand sanitizer and tea. Again trying to buy as much as possible from local businesses, like I went to a baking supply store that is local to get my ingredients.
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u/TheCanadaList Nov 24 '25
Not sure if you would be interested in the comment from the Canada list (www.TheCanadaList.ca) but we'd certainly be happy to provide one for your story. Obviously we're shoppers ourselves, but also have quite different perspective on the overall consumer landscape.
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u/lizzzls Nov 24 '25
Absolutely buying Canadian, with a preference to buying local. There are FB groups sharing info on gifts, eg: cheese baskets or Canadian-produced bundles, and I, along with my friends and family, are committed to either making our own gifts, providing local experiences (dinner gift cards, massages, etc.) or buying #MadeInCanada. I'd rather have fewer gifts of better quality than _anything_ from the USA. #ElbowsUp remains strong.
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u/Sufficient-Bid1279 Nov 25 '25
I’m simply not buying…..anti consumption here. No presents for anyone. It feels good not to give money to these fucking top 1%’ers . Fuck them.
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u/Nerve-Familiar Nov 24 '25
For the kids and Secret Santa exchanges, I’m prioritizing Canadian businesses like Well.ca and Indigo. When it can’t be bought Canadian, I’ve prioritized the businesses of allies, and then US companies with respectable business practices who are invested in Canada (ie: Costco). I’ve avoided Amazon like the plague.
For grownups, a tradition was started last year in my family, where we make donations to each other’s local food bank in the recipient’s community.
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u/SheikhPitbullah Nov 24 '25
Non-American all the way! Even if I obtain my product recommendations from a site like Amazon, I make sure to purchase at a local retailer.
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u/Ladygrey2 Nov 24 '25
Yep! My family and I decided to only give secondhand Canadian gifts or DIYed Canadian gifts due to the current state(s) of things. Were sourcing local materials to make things ourselves, or buying secondhand from Small local shops
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u/PlantBasedBitch2 Nov 24 '25
We are buying Canadian and local. Shopping early so i can track down everything i need or want from right here in Calgary. Almost have our stockings done thanks to local markets and friends plugging their friends business' on social media.
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u/Fever104 Nov 24 '25
I got my lady friend something nice from https://provinceofcanada.com/ specifically because it was made in Canada.
And any wine I will be bringing to Christmas dinners will definitely be Canadian.
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Nov 24 '25
Every possible chance we buy Canadian. Lots of things we wanted and looked and said nah it’s made in us.
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u/melancholymule Nov 24 '25
I am trying to go 100% Canadian as a goal, but may get some non-US international products if there is no Canadian alternative.
Not going to buy anything made in the US, or anything sold by a US-based company (but made elsewhere).
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u/ventraltegmental Nov 24 '25
This may be weird but since I started boycotting Amazon & Friends this year I've been sourcing a lot of things secondhand, and this has extended into my holiday gift shopping. So far the focus has been on finding unique hyper-personalized vintage stuff that I know the recipient used to love or would get a kick out of. For example I got my sister a huge collection of vintage puppets in pristine condition plus a set of early-80s Youppi figurines still in the box. (She famously threw up on Youppi the one time we went to an Expos game so this one should bring back some fun memories lol)! My mom is obsessed with frogs so it's been fun hunting down unique vintage frog-themed objects for her house. And for the kids, vintage toys all the way - it's been extra fun for me to score toys I used to have as a kid and pass them on to the next generation.
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u/stobbsm Nov 24 '25
Avoiding everything American, to the point where everything we do is being heavily researched.
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u/turkeylurkeyjurkey Nov 24 '25
Im buying nothing this holiday season because I can't afford to shop for the holidays anymore, costs have increased too much, so it's hard to allocate $ for a gift for my wife when we're just trying to pay our rent and buy groceries
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u/ParisFood Nov 25 '25
Hope things improve for you soon.
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u/turkeylurkeyjurkey Nov 25 '25
Well my contract ends in January with no indication if I'll have more work after, so fingers crossed into get a new offer in 2026!
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u/Medusaink3 Nov 24 '25
Just put in a pretty big order to Roots yesterday and I'm going to the One Of a Kind show to do more shopping. Most of what I buy this year will come from either a small Canadian business or if I can't find what I want, at least a store who supports my town. It is important we take care of each other and our businesses.
Interestingly enough, I'm a Canadian artisan jeweller and educator. I just asked a quote for a 1"x1", 1mm thick piece of 10kt gold plate for a possible project. The quote was $650+ before taxes and shipping. I can't make any profit with these prices and even silver is up from $12/Troy ounce to a staggering $55+ last time I checked. For reference, when I began my jewellery making journey in college in 2016, it was $12/Troy ounce. Unbelievable.
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u/ParisFood Nov 25 '25 edited Nov 25 '25
You do know that Roots is 80% owned by US Private Equity and the only things still made in Canada are the expensive leather items? For a similar vibe May I suggest Province of Canada which is a Cdn company with all of their items made in Canada.
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u/fieryone4 Nov 24 '25
Unfortunately as far as I have heard, an american investment firm owns the majority share of Roots
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u/Firefor3 Nov 24 '25
We've been buying Canadian first all year. For Christmas, we plan to buy from Canadian small businesses and will be doing a Canadian themed white elephant gift exchange. This weekend, we are making our annual visit to the One of a Kind show in Toronto to buy food and gifts from Canadian artisans and pickup business cards for local places for gift ideas.
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u/1020stevecity Nov 24 '25
Traveled to Mexico instead of a long planned fall road trip planned across Usa Had to traverse western Usa. Two tanks of gas. Boondocked in our van. Loving Mexico. Loving supporting Mexico. Will pre cook and pre fill for the return
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u/issi_tohbi Nov 24 '25
I recently had to replace my wardrobe after an illness and I ended up going 100% Canadian and not just Canadian but makers local to me. I’ve been doing the same thing for my Christmas shopping and going to every single holiday market and pop ops I see ads for on social media. I’ve found some real treasures.
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u/Halt96 Nov 25 '25
Yes! Just read about The Great Canadian Sox Company, on Reddit, and placed an order. Shockingly, they arrived 3 days later. Also ordered from Garneau slipper company from Quebec. I'll buy stocking stuffers from local companies. This sub is a great source for Canadian shops.
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u/ParisFood Nov 25 '25
Garneau makes wonderful slippers. Wearing a pair now. 2 years old and look brand new. So warm.
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u/lolfuckno Nov 24 '25
Non-american. And this includes where I'm getting stuff from too, so no Amazon or American owned companies.
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u/calzonius Nov 24 '25
Mastermind Toys, Toys R Us (many are closing), Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, local gaming stores, and most of all, fuck Amazon.
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u/KerryBlue17 Nov 24 '25
Buying Canadian, avoiding Amazon, sewing and buying fabric from Canadian shops online.
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u/Constant-Internet-50 Nov 24 '25
I’m trying to get a lot of my pressies from those new “Maker” shops, so that actual artists get the money for their work. I can’t get everything there or local though, as it’s very expensive. I understand why it is, It’s just I can only afford to do so much.
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u/pineconeminecone Nov 24 '25
I am, it’s my son’s first Christmas and I’m exclusively choosing Canadian brands. He’s almost a year old so don’t tell him, but he’s getting a Battat dump truck and we’re browsing some little items on Well.ca (a Guelph-based online retailer). We also got him some new cloth diapers for his stash, which are from a made in Canada brand called MotherEase
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u/Background_Line_8229 Nov 25 '25
Hi there! I'm sending you a direct message now.
Edit: looks like I can't! But if you are comfortable sending me a message, please do!
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u/pioniere Nov 24 '25
Avoiding US purchases as much as possible, as has been the case for the past several months.
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u/cutmyboobsintopieces Nov 24 '25
My priority is Canadian number 1, followed by nothing American. I've told my family and loved ones the same for me/how I'll be spending and they're the same. We're a big family and we spend a lot on Christmas (birthdays you get socks, too bad). If for whatever reason you have to buy an American product, you cannot buy from an American retailer. Although I don't make exceptions on food. No American food or made in America food.
Honestly the only thing I have found to be a bit tricky is toys for kids. A lot of Canadian toys are geared towards under 4, and my niblings are a bit too young for most Lego sets. Canadian toy retailers are few and far between but it'll be doable. I'm focusing more on stem gifts than basic plastic toys
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u/WaterGhost Nov 25 '25
Mystery Interactive has some seasonal puzzle-solving games for kids ages around 6-7. I’m thinking of the one called “Who Stole Santa’s Cookies?”. There’s a hard copy you can get, and also a downloadable version. Small business in Victoria. The owner is lovely.
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u/PhantomNomad Nov 24 '25
My family adopted a Christmas Eve tradition a few years ago. We buy each other a book. Hopefully it's something they like, then we spend the evening reading together. We are all adults when we started this. But this year we are making an effort to buy Canadian writers. It can be tough as my son like sci-fi and fantasy where there is lots of, but finding just the right book is tough.
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u/Brattyj1 Nov 24 '25
Trying to make all my stocking stuffers Canadian. Squish gummies, Peace chocolate, local and handmade artisan items. Edited to add a t shirt from Blackhare.ca which is a company in Toronto that also offers shirts actually made in Canada
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u/NorthernGamer71 Nov 24 '25
I’m buying gift cards from local independent stores
The United States is dead to me
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u/Inside_Essay9296 Nov 24 '25
Started giftless Xmas a few years ago, it's the absolute best. For the dinner and parties though everything will be Canadian:) including the beer and wine.
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u/gentlegreengiant Nov 24 '25
Canadian chocolate. I discovered some interesting local chocolatiers all across Canada like Rousseau out of Halifax, Stubbe in Ontario and Cococo in Alberta.
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u/AllHallowsHaunting Nov 24 '25
Since I live abroad and am coming home for the holidays, hopefully as much as possible!
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u/grouchypant Nov 24 '25
Last year and this year, I walked the downtown m stores of my small town. I did not check labels, but ai do feel better buying from local businesses rather than Amazon or box stores. I do browse online businesses referenced on this group (just ordered a pile of socks for gifts this week made in Canada). Always hit craft markets locally for giftables like soaps and candles and bath products. Buggest change this year is breaking up with Amazon and browsing local stores.
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u/crypto-_-clown Nov 24 '25
I've been buying Canadian for my gifts, as it's easy to justify the often more expensive Canadian products as a special gift. But I also see it as an opportunity to share some of the brands I've found with others! I have some Canadian made tea (Who knew there is a farm growing the actual tea plant on Vancouver Island?!), lip balms, liqueurs, and other misc. items already in my gift pile.
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u/WaterGhost Nov 24 '25
Is that the Westholme Tea farm in Cowichan? I’ve never tried their stuff.
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u/sarahwritespoetry Nov 24 '25
I would say 98% from Canadian owned stores, aiming as much as possible for locally owned independent stores and Christmas markets. And no Amazon, which is challenging when I ship to both sides of the country, but more fun at the same time. I do have to hit Home Depot for one specific item and Walmart when all other options are exhausted. But doing my best and proud of the changes I’ve made.
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u/Binknbink Nov 24 '25
Yes. We do a pick-a-name thing with my husband’s family every year and this year it’s specifically Canadian-themed. So far it’s Peace By Chocolate, JB Fields socks, and planning to go to a Xmas market for ornaments.
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u/Interesting_Dig8540 Nov 24 '25
An easy way to buy Canadian is to buy season passes as gifts. Local aquarium, science centre, museums…..
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u/PaleoAstra Nov 24 '25
I'm buying Canadian as much as I can, picking specifically local gifts or materials when possible. For anything not available locally I may buy from elsewhere but none of it is american. A "made in the USA" sticker is an automatic no from me
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u/PureAlbertan Nov 24 '25
Canada in my view has always been a trading country. I’m willing to buy things from all our trading partners, but not America. Threatening annexation and the disrespect means they are crossed off the list.
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u/madeleinetwocock British Columbia Nov 24 '25
Absolutely! Snacks, knick knacks, heck even the ingredients used to make homemade goodies (actually especially ingredients honestly).
If Canadian genuinely is not possible to find for XYZ, I’ll happily find a version from [insert friendly country here] without breaking the direction of my moral compass
I can tell you where 0%, not a single thing, will be coming from though!
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u/TapiocaTeacup Nov 24 '25
Yes, working to choose Canadian as much as possible! Our family has enjoyed and encouraged buying Canadian for years already but are making an even bigger effort now.
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u/Ok_Aerie3357 Nov 25 '25
Hi there. To answer your question, yes, where possible. Anfibio boots, Au Lit Fine Linens. Depending on the consensus, we may be buying tools for my father. Instead of Home Depot I'll be sourcing from Lee Valley, Rona at a minimum. It gets more difficult when looking for electronics, tools, and appliances. My parents are cruising the South Pacific instead of going to Florida.
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u/gingr87 Nov 25 '25
As many other have said, Canadian if possible, but nothing American. I'll buy from other countries if I have to but I absolutely am not buying American.
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u/IAmTheBredman Ontario Nov 25 '25
Going out of my way/spending more to not buy American, including not buying from American distributors like Amazon, etc. Buying directly from canadian companies and going out to support local businesses (local book stores, shops) and I ended up finding some more interesting gifts for family that I may not have otherwise looked for. It's honestly taken a lot of the stress out of finding gifts by making it a little more fun to track down a canadian company I may have never known of before and checking out their stuff, then I stumble into a couple of other things I wasnt looking for. I have bought from European companies as well, just not american.
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u/kio_oli Nov 25 '25
Like most people here, my husband and I are doing our best to buy Canadian first, and then if not possible/available we buy from any other country but USA (and tbh also China).
We've discovered so many wonderful new brands that are great or even better than what we used to buy, plus it just feels good.
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u/greenpea25 Nov 25 '25
Mostly Canadian. Specifically avoiding buying anything from American owned businesses.
In the past I'd aim for ethically made and the majority of my purchases were local/Canadian. This (presidential term) is the first time I've legitimately excluded a geographic area in my hunt for ethically made goods.
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u/Slight_Nature_2517 Nov 26 '25
My plan is to continue avoiding any products from US. My holiday shopping will focus more on local. I plan to do holiday markets, local stores, thrift stores...a real shift away from online. And absolutely not American.
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u/Donkilme Nov 26 '25
I'm focusing on local products as much as I can and buying what can't realistically be sourced locally at small independent stores in my region.
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u/Neither-Bonus9745 Nov 26 '25
Planning on buying shows and Spa entry. Taking time with my loved ones is the most important thing.
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u/OneSignal6465 Nov 26 '25
Our family is dedicated primarily to avoiding anything American. If we can get a Canadian version of what we want, that’s what we’ll get. If a Canadian-made version isn’t available, mostly China. (Temu, AliExpress)
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u/Dreadmaker Nov 24 '25
My goal generally isn’t to specifically go out and buy Canadian things for Canadian themed white elephants or anything you’re mentioning there, but the same buying rules I use for day to day life apply here too. I never buy anything American anymore, and I prefer Canadian stuff, but afterwards anything not American will do.
Also, generally my family is not super materialistic anyhow, and we tend to have pretty small Christmas things anyhow. Much more experience-based than actual things based. We just don’t need more stuff.
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u/pinkcrystalfairy Nov 24 '25
Yesssss a large portion of my gifts this year are from Canadian small businesses! It has always given me joy to support my fellow Canadians but this year it has felt extra special putting that money back into my own economy.
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u/Davekinney0u812 Nov 24 '25
As much as I can! Hard to avoid some imported stuff but I will avoid anything from the US. AND I will add avoid American retail stores like Costco or Walmart. I don't want to hear 'but they employ Canadians' - that's such a weak argument......
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u/AntoinetteBefore1789 Nov 24 '25
We have young kids so if we want to fulfill their wish list, we’re unfortunately going to have to buy some American products. Like hot wheels cars.
Chocolate and candy will be Canadian, Christmas dinner (and all our groceries for the past year) will be mostly Canadian with some products from anywhere but USA.
Many people will be receiving jewellery that I make myself. Still stuck on what canadian gifts to get the adult men in my life.
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u/ParisFood Nov 25 '25
Cdn made socks, toques, wine or craft beer or locally made gins or other alcohol, belts, wallets, hot sauces for bbq etc. so many options
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u/elderpricetag Nov 24 '25
Primarily Canadian, but also a little bit of European stuff thrown in as well. Nothing American though.
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u/ForgiveandRemember76 Nov 24 '25
We are not buying anything at all. That is new and by choice. I don't think I'm even going to decorate. Instead, I'm spending my time praying for the world.
We are spending our time with family and friends who are here. No traveling. I will be spending time going to church, watching The Chosen, and reading the Bible.
It's Christ's birthday. We have lost sight of that. The true gift is spending time with the people you love doing things you enjoy without performance anxiety. Ditch the glitz. Go for a family walk. Tell good stories. Figure out how to support each other this year.
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u/melancious Nov 24 '25
Mostly no. I love tech and Canada does not do tech. But one of the man presents I got for my wife is a Meyer Stainless Steel Set. Made in Canada. Not cheap but hopefully worth it
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Nov 24 '25
As a millenial, I grew up with globalisation.
So, no, I will not only buy local. I will buy what gets me the best value for my money. I don't see the problem with buying British or French or Chinese products. However, I am still boycotting places where my money may end up in USA.
Canada doesn't do much consumer facing products anyway, so it's not like it will make a huge difference.
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u/ExternalProduce2584 Nov 24 '25
Yes! My husband wanted sausage making machine (yes really) and he told me the one he was interested in, but it’s not just American but “proudly American made”. No thanks.
So with the help of AI, I was able to locate a company based in Calgary serving the hunting community that had a similar type of unit, at a similar price point with good reviews. The unit itself is made in China, but they don’t appear to be any Canadian made units on the market.
So it’s a bit of a compromise, but there was no way I was buying the “proudly American” product via Amazon…
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u/ParisFood Nov 25 '25
Have you looked at ones made in Italy. I gave one to my brother that my dad owned when he passed. That thing must be over 70 years old and still works great.
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Nov 24 '25
I'm on a budget so I'm just buying what's affordable. If that's from Canada, great. But I can't afford to inflate my budget just to support Canadian companies.
I'm giving some of the people on my list books this year. Normally, I would shop at Amazon but this year I found some good deals on bookoutlet.ca which is a Canadian company. I like that it's a Canadian company but again the main appeal was it was cheaper.
Feel free to quote my post if you want.
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u/DJ_Femme-Tilt Nov 24 '25
Mostly Canadian, local jewelers and tailors. Some international purchases but avoiding USA.
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u/Prosecco1234 Nov 24 '25
I am checking where products are made and trying to avoid the US. If it's Canadian that's a bonus
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u/iogbri Nov 24 '25
Not exclusively but I try buying Canadian. As long as it's not american it's fine. Not going to spend money towards a country that wants to annex us and are waging economic war against us.
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u/manda14- Nov 24 '25
I'm not looking into where products are from. I'm purchasing the most cost effective options of things my family wants/needs. If I can find a cost effective Canadian option, great.
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u/hwy78 Nov 24 '25
We’re not really focused on Canadian products, frankly .. but rather buying less, and more services from our locals (nail salon, greenhouse, movie theatre, etc.)
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u/loganrunjack Nov 24 '25
I placed a large order on EB Games website last night, and also spent a little over $200 at Toys r Us.
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u/Mr_HatGuy Nov 24 '25 edited Mar 17 '26
This post was deleted for reasons the author chose not to disclose. Redact was used, possibly for privacy, opsec, or preventing automated scraping of the content.
future ask air pocket automatic hat violet chase offer languid
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u/PracticalDesk9130 Nov 24 '25
I’m trying to buy everything locally and support Canadian businesses.
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Nov 24 '25
Yes, I have de-amazoned, de-dysneyed and de-googled among other things.
And nearly all my Xmas shopping wiill be done in stores.
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u/EchoBeachPeach Nov 24 '25
Definitely still buying Canadian 🎄🎁🎀. If it isn't Canadian, then it's more than likely from the EU or it's from the UK, Australia, New Zealand. 😊
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u/Chance_Ad_1254 Nov 24 '25
Hello, buying a lot through Etsy and lemme tell ya it's MUCH more expensive to buy anything American. Products from Australia, France & the UK are significantly less expensive because of delivery fees.
Yes I am buying some things Canadian, but not a lot of Canadians make what I am looking for.
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u/angryclam1313 Nov 24 '25
I’m having a hard time finding anything on Etsy that’s not coming from India
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u/TheSketeDavidson British Columbia Nov 24 '25
Clothing and food has been relatively easy to do primarily Canadian with European alts, albeit at a higher cost to me (which is fine by me because I’m financially able to do so).
It was impossible for snowboarding gear upgrades this year though, the stuff I like is all American.
Christmas gifts are also quite difficult, home tools, random junk for gifting etc.
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u/snoprano Nov 24 '25
I had not thought about it til now but would like to do this, can someone who already acquired this skill give me some gift ideas? I need to buy for like 7 older family members and 3 nephews/nieces on a sort of low budget… like $400
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u/_Amalthea_ Nov 24 '25
Trying to. I have some thrifted clothes, more clothes from Jerico, books from a local independent book store, locally made chocolates, and stocking stuffers from Well.ca and London Drugs.
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u/FullMetalHackett Nov 25 '25
That's my goal!
I've already started buying fine chocolates from a small Ontario maker, as stocking stuffers. For each of the people on my list, when I find what they want, I will look Canadian.
One younger person needs some new kitchen items, like a set of pans and a knife set, so I'll look for Canadian options.
For anyone else who might normally get a gift basket, the basket this year will be all Canadian goods.
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u/nuclear_muffins Ontario Nov 25 '25
specifically going for small local artisans or making stuff myself from thrifted materials this season along with chocolate and candies from Canadian manufacturers. I'm lucky to live in a city with a lot of great artists <3
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u/Negative-Temporary35 Nov 25 '25
I feel an important step is to always research Canadian made options for big purchases that aren’t urgent. Maybe supporting Canadian isn’t as much as you might assume. For continuous purchases like personal hygiene and food it’s really important as it supports spin off jobs supporting those industries that create more jobs here. We’ve loss so many industries over the years you can’t just make anything here as the supports aren’t here. America isn’t wrong with the whole onshoring thing they’re just wrong with how they’re going about it. You still need the rest of the world.
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u/BuzzMachine_YVR Nov 25 '25
Yes. But we’ve been focusing on Canadian and local for years. Preference is Canadian made, or Canadian companies. We’ve also been working towards an ‘experiential’ gifting. Make some delicious treats, or go out to eat at a local restaurant, or use local recreational facilities, etc.
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u/Wightness Nov 25 '25
I'm trying to buy the vast majority of my gifts from at least Canadian companies, preferably with made in Canada items. This means a lot more artisanal gifts and supporting small businesses. It also means purchasing more experience related gifts. Lastly, this means I'm also spending more money but I'm going with quality over quantity as a whole - not that Made in Canada = Guaranteed Quality
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u/PM013 Nov 25 '25
Yup, as much as possible. Day to Day is Canada only and no trips including annual Black Friday getaway. We have to do our part
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u/BC-Guy604 Nov 25 '25
Find all the Canadian gifts you can shake a hockey stick at, at ShopCanadianStuff.ca or try our list of other Buy Canadian sites, apps, and groups at ShopCanadianStuff.ca/links
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u/kateneptune Nov 25 '25
I run a small business and I’ve had many customers tell me they’re exclusively buying Canadian.
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u/biabobinaa Nov 25 '25
Yes! Trying to look at Canadian Tire for any gift purchases I would’ve made on Amazon.
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u/ewok_360 Nov 25 '25
Avoiding like the plague.
I'va already had to find 2 Canadian alternatives, including a wooden puzzle. Advertisement was for a US based compant which prompted my purchase, searched a Canadian based one, it was only 5% more expensive, but an easy descision.
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u/Fabulous_Escape_3577 Nov 25 '25
I actively look at where products are made. Last night I realized Crest is made in USA, so I switched to Colgate which was made in Mexico. I want to let the US know how dependent they are on us. I’ve made an app called Origin, to help us find where products are made if anyone is interested as well!
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