If your friends have favourite things that range beyond "raindrops on roses" and "whiskers on kittens," then it's a good thing (the first two are hard to gift anyway). After you have experienced a Christmas or 20, it can feel like you fall into a rut of gift gifting. Socks. Ties. Technology. Gift cards.
But the One of a Kind Christmas Show in Toronto takes away the monotony and brings back the whimsy, so that you can give gifts so personalized that even Oprah would be jealous.
At One of a Kind Christmas Show in Toronto, you can find unique Merry Christmas cards ($5) or a set of gift tags ($8) by Annie Chen of LEMONNI — Photo courtesy of LEMONNI / One of a Kind Christmas Show
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the One of a Kind Show, and it's the perfect destination for Canadian handmade items. It started as a simple idea to bring the maker and the buyer together. As with many things in Toronto, it became bigger than could be expected.
Take the Toronto skyline home with you with this ottoman ($265) by Emanuelle Dion and Isabelle Bergeron of Foutu Tissu — Photo courtesy of Foutu Tissu / One of a Kind Christmas Show
Tools of the trade can include woodworking traditional hand tools – no elves required – or things as modern as 3D printers. This year, there will be over 800 artisans and designers, who will set up shop like cheery auctioneers.
Going once, going twice: knitted baby booties. Sold, to the lady in the festive antlers!
These baby booties ($40) by Meredith Combs with Muffle-Up Slippers are so cute it will be hard to stifle an "Aww!" — Photo courtesy of Muffle-Up Slippers / One of a Kind Christmas Show
Well-designed goods exist for almost every person on your list. There are jewelry and homemade fashion accessories for the women who like to make statements when they walk into rooms. There are iPhone covers that are much more individual than a solid colour.
A hand-painted iPhone is the new homemade gift; get this PhoneCase 1 ($25) by Senay Guler from Senay Design Studio — Photo courtesy of Senay Design Studio / One of a Kind Christmas Show
We live in a time where we want to be more local, more sustainable and more personal. Yet when the holidays come, we can get swept up in the commercial. Buying from the person who is passionate about their product harkens back to a time when Christmas was a lot more than hitting the "send" button.
Fruitcake ($5.75 to $30) by Marilyne Rodrigue-Trudel of Toque et Tablier is so elegant it could convert a dedicated hater — Photo courtesy of Toque et Tablier / One of a Kind Christmas Show
Being around a lot of artists may make you wonder if your kindergarden fingerpaint masterpiece really meant something. There are many DIY workshops to have you try your hand at the homemade.
Should things go awry, there are always gifts that look so charmingly handmade, you could almost get away with claiming it as your own (should you have a family who has not pegged you as the "one who cannot wrap").
The Christmas show runs from Thursday, Nov. 27, to Sunday, Dec. 7, giving ample opportunity for you to become the person who brags about how early they are done their holiday shopping (and let us tell you that everyone loves that).
The price for adults is $14 at the door, but if you buy your ticket online, it's only $12. Every dollar counts at this time of year.
Baubles for the woman who likes her bling? Consider this sky blue topaz ring ($295) or pink amethyst ring in sterling silver ($310) by Ted, Carol and Jake Devine with Devine — Photo courtesy of Devine / One of a Kind Christmas Show
