Organic Chocolate Truffles

Handmade, organic and fair trade truffles is what you’ll find at Kakayo Chocolate Company. The truffles are handmade in small quantities every few days to ensure freshness. A small sheet of paper saying when the truffles were made and what each truffle contains is included in your purchase. I tried the Hot Tamale (just a slight spicyness), Pumpkin Pie (heaven!), Raspberry Nipple (disappointing as the raspberry was very subtle) and Trailer Park (peanut butter) truffles.
You can purchase wooden gift boxes of truffles or select any number of truffles that are then packed into a Chinese takeout carton.
Buying truffles as a gift sometimes is a little challenging, as everyone has their own chocolate preference – milk, dark, white, so Kakayo offers a gift voucher that entitles the bearer to 8 truffles of their choice!
They also make chocolate truffle and chocolate mint lip balm.
1584 Queen St E, Toronto www.kakayo.com

Lush Life

You either love’em or hate’em. I’m very sensitive to smells but LUSH is one ‘smelly’ place I can actually stand to be in. I find the secret is not to handle too many items, or you end up transferring the mix of scents to everything.
My favourite things at LUSH are definitely the bath products – bath ballistics and bubble bath bars. They’re colourful, have great names and make taking a bath that much more enjoyable with their moisturizing ingredients.
Holiday season is a great time to visit as they come out with their limited edition Christmas items. Their Christmas angel bath ballistic is chocolate mint scented; Green Green Bath of Foam bubble bath bar is a grapefruit and cedar leaf scented tree shape; Mr. Butterball emits the yummy scent of vanilla as he fizzes away in the tub. For those who like sparkles or glitter, choose from Twinkle or Jingle Spells bath ballistics, Greenwash soap or Bling Crosby bubble bath bar.
They make is easy for the time-pressed shopper by offering gift boxes containing anywhere from two to twenty great items, all beautifully wrapped and clearly labelled with their contents.

http://www.lush.ca/ (for store locations or to shop online)

Winter Woolies

ENDS discount warehouse is overflowing with winter wear at hard to beat prices. Whether you need warm inner wear or outer wear, this is a good place to visit.
You can get men’s sweatpants for $9.99, longjohns for $8.99, wool work socks $11.99/6pairs, and ultra suede button down shirts for $12. Finding kid’s clothing here is hit and miss, but right now they have Hot Paws mitts and hats for $2.99 each.
There’s lots of stylish stuff to choose from for the ladies. Flannel pajamas, in fun prints, by Twisted Wear are only $15 a pair; quilted vests are $12, velveteen coats are a great deal at $39.99; hooded zip-front sweaters with faux fur trim are $8 (available in blue, white or pink). If you have the time and the inclination, rummage through the four bins of faux fur mitts, hats, collars and shawls all priced at $7 each.
For both men and women there are Misty Mountain snowpants for $49.99 and leather gloves in assorted colours for $12 a pair.
1930 Queen St E, Toronto (2 blocks east of Woodbine)

More Than Just Fabric

Fabricland is a great place to buy ribbon (organza, satin, wired) and trimmings (rickrack, tassles, crystals) for gifts or holiday decorating. If you’re not a sewer, they do sell already made holiday placemats, table runners, tree skirts, napkins and stockings. They also have round and square charger plates in gold, silver, red and green. There’s a tiny section of tree ornaments that include clip-on birds for $3.20, large felt snowflakes and my favourite, the frosted acrylic shoes and purses with marabou trim - $21.98 for a package of six. Fabricland members save 50% on regular priced holiday items.
In their home décor section you will find comforters, sheet sets, throws and cushion covers in all sorts of colours, designs and fabrics. (not all stores may carry these items)

Beddington's

Beddington's get in a small selection of holiday items, but they’re also a great place to buy gifts such as duvet covers, sheet sets and cozy bathrobes.
On the holiday side they have brown and bronze pillar candles, coco doormats with reindeer or snowman on them, dish towels, wash cloths in sets of 6 for $10 with an assortment of snowmen, reindeer, Santa and trees embroidered on them, ball shaped silver oil lamps, and Reindeer Collection ceramic dishes (platter $30, serving bowl $15, set of 4 mugs $10).
More gift ideas: throws from $30-$80 in a variety of colours and fabrics; washable microsuede placemats in beige, brown or red 8/$19.99; to cut down on morning bathroom time, get your man a Zadro fog free shower mirror $40. There are lots of Upper Canada body products to choose from. They carry four of their product lines – Fresh Cut, Naturally, Gardeners and Body Truffles (these sound good enough to eat!).
Warm Buddies look like stuffed bears, cats or dogs but they have removable pouches that can be heated in the microwave. A cute, cuddly alternative to a water bottle.

Mark's Work Wearhouse

Mark's is having a customer appreciation event on Saturday, December 8th from 5pm-11pm. Save 20% on all regular priced and sale merchandise. I really like the colour pallette they've chosen for winter (it includes purple, yeah!). Check out their women's pajamas, vests, hoodies, sweaters and boots. You wont' be disappointed.
www.marks.ca
(some stores only open until 9pm; discount cannot be used when purchasing gift cards)

Popcorn Balls

4 tbsp unsalted butter (plus more for hands)
1 bag (10oz or 283g) white mini marshmallows
¼ c packed brown sugar
3 quarts popcorn (12 cups)
1 c Smarties, M&Ms, pecans (optional)

Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium-low heat then add sugar and marshmallows. Stir until marshmallows are melted. Remove from heat and add popcorn and candies/pecans (if using) and toss until well coated. Butter your hands and shape mixture into 2 ½ inch balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Let cool for 30 minutes (do not refrigerate) then place in airtight containers. Will keep for up to a week.