Gift Outside the Box: Nina’s Guide to Unique Finds
Hey besties! It’s your local guide and adventure buddy, Nina. If you’re anything like me, gift-giving season comes with a tiny bit of panic and a whole lot of doom scrolling, trying to find the PERFECT gift. And of course, we all have that one person who “already has everything,” or the friend who says, “Oh I don’t need anything,” whenever you ask for a wish list.
Don’t worry, this affordable gift guide will help you pick something meaningful without breaking the bank (and without losing your sanity!). Windsor Essex is home to hundreds of talented artisans, creatives, and foodies who pour their heart into what they do – and they’re good at it. Whether you’re shopping for an adventure seeker, foodie, or someone who just appreciations something thoughtful, this guide has your back.
These are my go-to picks for unique gifts – all part of the W.E. Made It Program, showcasing Windsor Essex’s creative spirit, local flavours, and one-of-a-kind finds. Let’s go shopping!
Gifts for Foodies
Chance Coffee |@chancecoffee
Nina’s Go-to Gift: Limited-edition Holidaze Holiday Blend and Coffee Gift Card
One of the first coffee roasters in Windsor, Chance Coffee is literally crafted with intention and entirely focuses on quality over everything. Their café has this warm, hipster, cozy vibe – everything inside, down to the tables, is made by their community.
For the holidays, their Holidaze blend and sample box are perfect gifts for coffee lovers (or for yourself… no judgement here, I’m always here enjoying a drink!). Plus, they offer subscriptions and there’s a dry goods gallery that rotates every month with new artwork. Fun fact: you might spot their very first roaster on display – the origin story of great beans. My order? Classic vanilla latte or an iced matcha every time, especially with a pastry from Iron Kettle.
Zuleeats | @zuleeats
Nina’s Go-to Gift: Unlimited Spicy Beef Meat Pies and Dozen Butter Tarts
Food is the unspoken 6th love language – with every single bite, you’ll fall in love more every single time. Serving the flavours of Ghana – they specialize in savoury pies, snacks, sweets, and full Ghanaian dishes. Started during the pandemic, their growth has been incredible with markets, catering, meal preparations, and a permanent space full of flavour and warmth.
Trust me, nobody will ever hate a gift that includes food – you’re gifting more than just food, you’re gifting culture, comfort, and something delicious. Did you know they do custom gift baskets as well? Time to customize your favourite items – here are some of mine for inspiration: their special house blend seasoning, funfetti chips, rum cake, and Ghanaian cocoa, and more! But if you’re planning on getting me a gift, please send over a week’s worth of jollof rice with chicken please!
Little Foot Foods | @littlefootfoods
Nina’s Go-to Gift: Jalapeno Cheddar Pierogis and a Movie
Home to Canada’s best ready-to-fry pierogi, Little Foot Foods has over 15 flavours. Jalapeno cheddar is my ultimate favourite (I love spicy foods, the spicier the better!) – but Nutella is next on my list. What makes them super unique? If you spend $39 or more, you get to take home a free movie. This makes shopping fun and something to look forward to!
Their HQ is filled with local products from Robbie’s Gourmet Sausages, Halo Heats, and more. PLUS $5 pierogi pins I can never resist! You can also find their products in multiple retail stores across the region not limited to the Farm House Market, Mercato Fresh, and others as well.
The Farm House Market | @thefarmhousemarket
Nina’s Go-to Gift: Homemade Banana Bread with a Tea Bundle (Mug, Hawksview Honey, and Tea)
This place has grown into a community hub supporting local farms and small businesses ranging from gluten free items, local wines (i.e., Cooper’s Hawk Vineyard, Pelee Island Winery), dog treats, prepared meals (i.e., Wagyu dumplings, beef enchiladas, soups, etc.), freshly baked goods, and MORE. The moment you walk in, you immediately feel welcomed.
I don’t play when it comes to banana bread – I take it seriously, and so does the Farm House Market. All their baked goods and their homemade meals are made with love – everything here feels like home and full of heart – the perfect gifts that feel like comfort. In addition, what makes them unique is they have unique products such as comedic cards and magnets + customized gift baskets and more.
Gifts Made with Heart
LaSalle Collective |@lasallecollective
Jennie B. Designs | @jennieb.ca
Nina’s Go-to Gift: Jennie B. Designs Hair Accessories and Made by MMLB Holiday Cards
This spot is unique because the store is literally inside a house – cozy, artsy, and fun. They showcase local artisans such as Jennie B. Designs, Made by MMLB, and more. You can curate gifts for every age, from baby presents to stocking stuffers. And the best part? They understand last-minute shoppers (guilty – with my busy schedule, I always need to find something fast!). They’ll wrap your gift and include tissue paper, making your shopping experience easy and smooth – ready to go right to the person you’re giving it to.
Jennie B. Designs has high-quality, beautiful hair accessories made by the sweetest mother-daughter duo. You’ll find them at many markets (i.e., Downtown Farmer’s Market, Cindy’s Christmas Market) and other retail shops (i.e., November’s Eve). You’ll know it’s them when you see their contagious smile and vibrant energy! Their pieces are sturdy, stylish, and honestly perfect for adventure days – I have never had a problem with them; For someone who’s always looking for her next adventure, I’ve worn the headbands and scrunchies – they’re perfect for sports, outdoor adventures, or just regular activities like running errands.
The Local Maker | @thelocalmaker
Stray Sheep Co. |@straysheepco
Nina’s Go-to Gift: Stray Sheep Co. Crochet Winter Accessories
A Kingsville gem – you’ll often meet the makers themselves when you’re browsing – it adds such a personal touch. Here you’ll find many gifts to choose – candles, pottery, cards, bath products, jewelry and more! One of the cutest finds are the Bubble Bake Shop products, the ‘selfcare bakery’, where they are 100% handmade bath products – which is also a feature in the Holiday Gift Guide – check them out. Also, a fan favourite of Culture Shock jewelry and Stray Sheep Co.
For the upcoming cold, outdoor adventures – I highly recommend purchasing from Stray Sheep Co. and you can find their products at The Local Maker and the Urban Art Market. Handmade mitts, slippers, hats, cardigans, and more – all full of colour and made with love (I adored the pink mitts and matching hat!). As someone who loves to toboggan down Malden Hill or snowboarding up north, these are adventure approved.
Urban Art Market | @urbanartmarket
Iris and Marnie | @iris.and.marnie
Nina’s Go-to Gift: Iris and Marnie Jewelry and Anthony Sheardown Photography Prints
Celebrating 10 years in January, this shop started off with a dream and now features over 40+ artisans. This is the destination to discover authentic, 100% handmade treasures in the heart of Walkersville. Fun fact: they also have a pop-up shop located inside Art Windsor Essex! They have a brand-new studio addition where they host workshops, pop-ups, holistic events and more. It’s a beautiful hub of creativity! Also famously known for creating the Mistletoe Market, that is an event you don’t want to miss out on!
Handmade in Windsor, Iris and Marnie features unique, gender neutral, handcrafted jewelry that are elegant but playful – the kind of accessories that elevate any outfit. As someone who loves vibrant colours, their items do not disappoint! Their entire collection pays homage to their inspiring family history and can be found at the Urban Art Market. Even if you prefer gold over silver or vice versa, you’ll find a piece that speaks to you (I prefer silver, guilty!).
WhiskeyJack Boutique | @whiskeyjackboutique
Rare Apparel | @rareapparelwindsor
Nina’s Go-to Gift: Rare Apparel Sweater and A Blind Date with a Book
Your one stop shop for everything Canadian and the home to the cutest local souvenirs (trust me, you’ll want to spend your money here!). One of my favourites is their Blind Date with a Book display, located in front of their iconic bookshelf – perfect for book lovers or to treat yourself to a nice surprise! On each book cover, they provide a hint of what the story is about in addition to the genre. To add to the gift, I highly recommend adding some stationary items such as a bookmark, stickers, or a postcard! Whether you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind souvenir or simply want to browse, this is a must-visit spot to take home a piece of Windsor’s artistic spirit.
Another great idea is to give the gift of comfort and I truly believe everyone loves a comfy hoodie. I recently purchased a Rare Apparel black hoodie that has the skyline of Windsor Essex County at Whiskeyjack Boutique. I cannot emphasize how comfortable this hoodie is – I ordered a large for a baggy, cozy feel and it was worth every penny. Did you know that RARE stands for Real Authentic Real Etiquette? This pays homage to Windsor and supports local artists, designers, thinkers, innovators, and more! You can also find their limited edition T-shirts at Zuleeats!
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Advice for Your Next Shopping Trip
– Bring a tote bag for all your new favourite finds or purchase one at one of the local retail shops!
– Initiate the conversation – talk to the owners and/or creatives and learn about their story.
– Try a new item on the menu – you might find your new favourite drink or food!
– Share your finds – post about your shopping haul on social media and tag the local business to show support!
– Treat yourself – as you’re busy finding gifts for others, reminder that you deserve all the nice things as well!
Final Thoughts from Your Adventure Buddy
At the end of the day, the best gifts are the ones that feel meaningful and unique. When you explore the stops across Windsor Essex, you’ll discover gifts made with love, crafted with purpose, and filled with stories you just can’t replicate anywhere else.
Whether you’re putting together a customized gift basket, mixing local goodies with personal favourites, or picking out something meaningful “just because”, I hope this guide inspires you to explore and gift more intentionally this season.
Here’s to finding joy in every little discovery on our shopping trip, showcasing Windsor Essex’s creative spirit, local flavours, and one-of-a-kind finds. See you on our next adventure together!
Explore even more local gift ideas in the 7th Annual Holiday Gift Guide and explore all of the makers and creatives in the W.E. Made It Program.
Original Blog Post By Nina Ngo @_ninango
