When it comes to local favourites in and around my hometown, I love to share my favourite restaurants, shops and cafes. I’m going to share with you a few of my favourite local holiday shops in the Southern Georgian Bay area. It’s estimated that for every $100 spent at a local business, $68 remains local so when you support local businesses your money recirculates in your community, creating a multiplier effect. It’s a great feeling to have on top of the fact that there are so many cool local shops with truly unique gift ideas.
Meaford Holiday Shopping
First on my local shopping spree with Maggie and Dix Home Gifts & Garden in Meaford. 
Located on the main street across from Meaford Hall, this boutique shop is curated with stunning accessories for the home and garden. Perfect for hostess gifts, the Christmas gift for your mother-in-law that has everything, or teacher gifts and then while you’re there, it only makes sense to grab something for yourself, right? #selfcare.
I went to Maggie and Dix after seeing this super cute ornament on their instagram page. It’s for my Brother and Sister-in-law – our tradition is to exchange ornaments every year – I just thought it was so unique, so sweet and reminded me of the home-sewn ornaments that were on our tree growing up.
You can get this and many other holiday gifts at Maggie & Dix at 90 Sykes street, Meaford! And follow them on instagram @maggiedixhome
Thornbury Shopping Guide
Next on my merry shopping trail, I went to Blue Thornbury. It’s like if a bespoke art gallery and an artisan shop had a baby, that baby would be Blue Thornbury – located on the main street, kind of across from PomPom. You’ll find collections of Canadian contemporary fine art and craft by Canadian artisans; one-of-a-kind textiles, handblown glass, ceramics, wood works and jewellery.
An example of the one-of-a-kind textiles available is this hand crocheted basket by local artist Tara Parkal of Back to The Yarn – coincidently a friend and neighbour of mine. I said local, and I meant it! I’m going to fill this basket with wine, a cutting board and charcuterie items for the perfect holiday party hostess gift.
You can buy this and so many other items for holiday gifts or your own home at Blue Thornbury at 19 Bruce Street, Thornbury! And follow them on instagram: @blue_thornbury.
Nottawa Shopping Guide
I needed some charcuterie items to go into the Back to the Yarn basket! So we went to Nottawa General Store, which opened last Summer and is such a beautiful experience. They are located in the former Dovetail Interiors building in Nottawa, basically just keep driving on the Collingwood main street, Hurontario, for about 8 minutes. They carry a selection of locally sourced and homemade fresh and frozen pre-prepared meals, snacks, dry goods, cleaning products, wine, home goods, personal goods but it’s so much more. You can grab a coffee from their cafe and browse all the unique goods, curating your shopping basket while you steep yourself in all the vintage charm! I could spend hours here!
To immerse yourself in the experience that is the Nottawa General Store, you can visit them at 4206 County Rd 124 and follow them @nottawageneral on instagram.
So, not surprisingly if you know me at all, I’ve found a way to make every gift I’ve found have something to do with food. But I’m really happy how my holiday list is turning out. Let me know in the comments how your holiday list is going and where you are shopping locally this year!
Happy Holidays and remember: you can’t buy happiness, but you can buy local… and that’s kind of the same thing.
