One of the best parts about the holidays is the joy of giving. For many of us, gift giving is our way of saying: “I appreciate you.”
To help you kickstart your holiday planning, we put together the 2022 Asian Canadian Holiday gift guide, complete with ideas for all the special people in your lives, from your besties to your parents who always say they don’t want anything.
Beyond giving gifts to your loved ones, we encourage you to support the Canadian AAPI community this season. We have thoughtfully curated a list of Canadian Asian-owned brands and products that your family and friends will love.
A gift for your mom who says they never want anything but secretly does:
Moms often put others’ needs above their own. So why not spoil her with something she would never splurge on herself? The Anna hoops earrings with pearl drop charms by Kara Yoo exude elegance and elevate any outfit. Pearls are classy, as they symbolize good fortune in Chinese culture.
Kara Yoo Jewelry is also founded and owned by an Asian Canadian women a great brand to gift when to celebrating one of the most influential women in your life.
Gift for your dad who says they never want anything but secretly does:
Equipped with self-cleaning technology, the Kiyo UVC water bottle from Monos serves up purified water within 60 seconds. It is practical and sleek and will surely impress health-conscious, tech-savvy, adventurous dads.
Founded by three childhood friends, Monos is a Canadian luggage and travel brand inspired by the Japanese concept of profound appreciation for every fleeting moment. So whether your dad is travelling, enjoying the outdoors or taking a break from his busy day, he will be reminded of how much you appreciate him.
Gift for a new parent:
When welcoming a baby to the family, parents are the unsung heroes–they do everything and beyond while running on little sleep. Surprise a new parent with matching Besteas Shirts with their little one from The Little Asian Design. The Toronto-based Etsy shop features adorable custom clothing and products for the family, adorned with your favourite Asian delectables.
The designer, Nancy, is a Taiwanese Canadian and mom of two who draws inspiration from her own experience to help other Asian families celebrate their cultures together.
Gift for a new grad:
When a new grad embarks on a new chapter, they will need a notebook to capture their next big idea. The cheeky double-sided notebooks from I’ll Know It When I See It serves as a reminder to work hard, but not to take themselves too seriously and have fun. This notebook design is just one of the many “sweet and slightly snarky” stationery goods you will discover in the online store. Their designs and products range from nostalgic, Asian-themed stickers to mahjong puzzles. Don’t forget to throw in a red pocket chocolate for good luck.
Gift for your bestie:
Warm your best friend’s heart and home with a handcrafted scented candle from Mala the Label. These eco-friendly and coconut soy-based candles are made in Vancouver, BC with high-quality and non-toxic ingredients (because our BFF deserves the best!). Whether they are doing some pre-party prep or spending a night in, the Mistletoe or Eggnog Latte candles will ignite their holiday spirit.
Learn about the founder, Melody Lim’s story here.
Gift for your roomie:
Brighten up your roomie’s space – and yours – with some green therapy from JOMO Studios. Co-owner Graham Bull refers to it as “urban forest bathing.” Based in Toronto, this plant design studio and online store offer a diverse range of indoor and outdoor plants available for shipping across Canada. If you are in their area, consider a gift card to one of their make-your-own workshops. Jomo Studio offers workshops from creating concrete planters and coasters to scented candles.
Gift for your favourite niece/nephew:
Young minds are like sponges, and reading is a great way to help them grow. Humpty Dumpty Books & Music is a local and independent bookstore in Vancouver, BC. Since 1994, Jane Kim has been passionate about making a selection of diverse books available to readers of all ages. Recently, Kim opened a second bookstore, Nooroongji Books, with multilingual selections focused on Language, Art, Philosophy and beautiful children’s books from all over the world.
Gift for yourself:
After you’ve checked off your holiday list and wrapped all the gifts, it’s time to kick your feet up. Nothing goes hand in hand with sweater weather like a cup of hot beverage. Why not treat yourself to a luxurious cup of Blume latte to enjoy in the comfort of your home. Not only are Blume’s drink mixes are easy to blend, they are boosted with nutrients.
Growing up with natural remedies like turmeric, founder Karen Danudjaja leads an all-women team to create a cafe culture grounded in wellness. Pick up their Holiday Bundle, featuring three delicious, limited edition blends.
Karen and Blume recently appeared on season 17 of the CBC’s Dragon’s Den, too.
Bonus gift:
Skip the gift wrap and present your gift in the reusable Cold Tea Collective Community Tote Bag.
We hope this 2022 Asian Canadian holiday gift guide will help you bring extra cheer for you and your loved ones this holiday season.
Follow Cold Tea Collective on Instagram and our Monthly Newsletter for special holiday features.
