Inside Vancouver

5 unique places to buy holiday gifts in Vancouver

by Carrie Leslie in Shop on November 28, 2019

Got Craft | Things To Do In Vancouver This Weekend

Photo Credit – Got Craft (facebook)

If you’ve stepped into a store lately, you might be thinking that the holidays are just around the corner. Luckily, we’ve still got some time to go in order to make the most of the festive holiday shopping.

For those not interested in department stores, there are plenty of fun options around Vancouver for some unique holiday gift shopping. So whether you’re looking to support local artists, find something wacky for that weird uncle of yours, or you just want to treat yourself to something nice, here’s a starter list for some unique shopping ideas in Vancouver.

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5 unique places to buy holiday gifts in Vancouver

Holiday Shopping in Vancouver: Mount Pleasant

by Rebecca Bollwitt in Shop, Town on December 12, 2013

Photo credit: JWOX. From the Inside Vancouver Flickr Pool

The holidays are upon us and while deals across the border might seem tempting, merchants around the city are stepping up their game to offer discounts, packages, and unique retail experiences for shoppers. To promote local spending, I’ve talked to several local business improvement associations about what makes their neighbourhood shine for shoppers. This week’s feature is Mount Pleasant. Continue reading:
Holiday Shopping in Vancouver: Mount Pleasant

Nochebuena Holiday Market Fair

by eliannalev in Events on December 18, 2012

“Nochebuena” is the Spanish word for “Christmas Eve” and across Latin American countries, and the Phillippines, there are unique ways to celebrate the holiday. In Cuban, for example, the tradition is a family dinner that features a pig roast, while the Phillipines mark it with meal served after midnight Christmas Mass. Here in Vancouver, Nochebueno will be marked by a delightful craft fair, featuring locally made gifts, and homemade treats.

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Nochebuena Holiday Market Fair

Find Holiday Gifts at Vancouver’s Largest Indie Craft Fair, “Got Craft?” Dec. 8 – 9

by Taraneh in Shop on December 5, 2012

Why shop the indie craftacular market? Because “mall” is a four letter word. If you need another reason, this week is also Vancouver’s first ever Buy Local Week.

The holiday edition of Got Craft?, Vancouver’s largest indie craft fair, takes place December 8-9 at the Croatian Cultural Centre (3250 Commercial Drive). The immensely popular Christmas shopping event features 80 talented, local vendors selling hundreds of great potential gifts that range from macarons and chocolates, to kids’ toys, beauty products, clothes and accessories. The unifying theme? Everything is handmade.

Vancouver has many craft fairs, to be sure. Got Craft? stands out from the pack with the care it applies to curating a balanced mix of vendors around a common theme. This time, the theme is the holidays.

Preview some creative holiday gift ideas from Got Craft? below. Continue reading:
Find Holiday Gifts at Vancouver’s Largest Indie Craft Fair, “Got Craft?” Dec. 8 – 9

Holiday Shopping? Check out the Örling & Wu Christmas Pop-Up Shop at Holt Renfrew

by Taraneh in Shop on November 27, 2012

Holiday shopping can be daunting. The new Örling & Wu holiday pop-up shop in the downtown Pacific Centre’s skybridge to Holt Renfrew has the seasonal charm that encourages a lazy linger rather than hurried, list-based browsing. The Gastown-based retailer has curated a lovely selection of Christmas decor and hostess gifts which will be on sale there through Dec. 24.

The Örling & Wu holiday pop-up is Holt Renfrew Vancouver’s first-ever home decor pop-up shop. It’s reassuring that the 175-year-old queen bee of exclusive fashion made it a point to work with a local business. The pop-up has old-fashioned holiday decorations by Jan Constantine, festive tea cozies by Poppy Treffrey, historical bone china mugs by Cole of London, sparkly Sabre serving spoons and clever ornamental creations by Italy’s Miho Unexpected.

“Our business has always been about making homes and lives feel beautiful. Adding beauty to simple moments is what makes the holiday season memorable,” explains Julie Wu, co‐founder of the local biz.

Holt has also partnered with Vancouver-biz Soirette Macaron on a Christmas macaron and tea shop in Holt Renfrew, so you can power up with gingerbread and mint-choc macarons while shopping.

And now for a montage of glamour shots from the Örling & Wu holiday pop-up. Continue reading:
Holiday Shopping? Check out the Örling & Wu Christmas Pop-Up Shop at Holt Renfrew

German-Style Vancouver Christmas Market Returns, Nov. 24 – Dec. 24

by Taraneh in Family Friendly on November 22, 2012

Photo credit: Vancouver Christmas Market

Yearning for more than a mall and a red Starbucks cup? The hotly-anticipated Vancouver Christmas Market, an authentic German-style Christmas market, returns to Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza in downtown Vancouver, Nov. 24 -Dec. 24.

The holidays Vancouver Christmas Market-style are romantic, aromatic and twinkly. Stroll inside the village gate into a world of rustic wooden huts surrounding a soaring Tannenbaum festooned with thousands of lights. Partake in Glühwein, sausages, stollen, and gingerbread. Browse Christmas decor and gifts such as nutcrackers, Lauscha glass ornaments, beer steins and wooden trains. Continue reading:
German-Style Vancouver Christmas Market Returns, Nov. 24 – Dec. 24

Discounts and Drinks at the Gastown Fall Shop Hop, Nov. 15

by Taraneh in Shop on November 15, 2012

Shop hop fun at Community Thrift and Vintage. Photo credit: Community Thrift

Get a head start on holiday shopping. Find that slinky holiday cocktail dress. Or just enjoy a drink with friends at the Gastown Shop Hop, this evening, Nov. 15, from 5 to 9pm.

Gastown, Vancouver’s chicest ‘hood and historic heart, was recently ranked the fourth most stylish neighbourhood in the world after greats such as Paris’ 1st Arrondissement, Harajuku in Tokyo and NYC’s Soho. The fashionable neighbourhood’s annual fall shopping event is bigger than ever in 2012, with discounts at over 50 boutiques and restaurants.

How does the Gastown Shop Hop work? Browse and shop for discounted men’s and women’s fashion, home decor and accessories at Gastown’s local, independent businesses. The shops stay open late, serve drinks and have DJs and/or games. By shopping, you receive vouchers to use to dine/drink at participating Gastown bars and restaurants.

Find party highlights and a map with participating shops and restaurants after the jump. Continue reading:
Discounts and Drinks at the Gastown Fall Shop Hop, Nov. 15