
After a year of distanced online frolicking, Toronto’s One of a Kind Winter Show is back to ticketed and timed in-person shopping at the Enercare Centre.
This year’s theme is “Crafting Joy.”
And, the items that spoke to me the most this year were all sized perfectly for stockings!
Here are SSJ’s 15 Favourite Stocking Stuffers from the One of a Kind Winter Show 2021 & Something Marvellous to Stuff Them Into!
[Pricing is approximate and subject to change. Many vendors provide show discounts for multiples.]
Abokichi Abo Ramen Armure Beauty Honey & Tobacco Perfume Oil Carolina’s Artisan Brownies
- Abokichi, makers of the famous Okazu chili oils, have just launched a new product: Abo Ramen. Since Ramen is a staple in our house these days, these long, slim pink boxes of Ramen are going to take the place of the oversized “peppermint stick” in our stockings from now on. [Abo Ramen, ~$14 for a box of two servings, Abokichi, Booth D-51]
- Armure & Co’s mission is to modernize traditional formulas and skincare practices passed down from their founder’s African Heritage. Their purse-sized roller-ball scents prove an immediate draw. The Honey Tobacco Perfume Oil is out of this world and remains true to its tobacco roots on the dry-down. Reader, you’ll want to give these to all of your friends. [Scents from ~$15, Armure Beauty, Booth K-59]
- Carolina’s Artisan Brownies pack a punch in a single square. And a box of squares fills plenty of stockings! Try the Walnut, Espresso, and Chocolate Chip! [Multiples from $14 to $79, Carolina’s Artisan Brownies, Booth D-32]
Canadian Stitchery Stitch Your Own Ugly Christmas Sweater Ornament Chip and Sparrow Rainbow Cloud Kit Christy’s Gourmet Hot Chocolate Spoons
- Rising Star, Canadian Stitchery, offers an array of pre-made and craft-your own ornaments. Their Stitch Your Own Laser Cut Ornaments are playful and well-designed, letting you hide your knots and the back of the stitching with pre-cut sticky backed felt. [Ugly Sweater Ornaments, ~$25 each, Canadian Stitchery, Booth I-44.]
- Chip & Sparrow interpret “crafting joy” as making manageable sized weaving projects that keep learners coming back for more. Their Rainbow Cloud Kit will be a hit with young and old [ages 8+ without help, ages 5+ with, ~$20 each, Chip and Sparrow, Booth N-19]
- Stir Christy’s Belgian Hot Chocolate Spoons directly into warm milk or hot coffee for instant Hygge vibes. [Various Flavours, Hot Chocolate Spoons, $5 each or 6 for $25, Christy’s Gourmet Gifts, Booth B-54]
Claire Manning Handkerchief dconstruct Bangles Devi Arts Collective Meditation Ring
- Anyone who knows me knows that I am a handkerchief enthusiast. Claire Manning’s joyful Hand-painted and Designer Handkerchiefs, feat. crying onions and cats sipping champagne, will stuff my own stocking this year, or so I hope. [Sad Produce Hankie and others, ~$15 each, Claire Manning Booth E-19]
- Yes! dconstruct’s colourful makes are all about the joy. Their punchy, painted candleholders [from ~$40] are for the friend who’s not afraid of colour. Though, their brightest Bangles will bring winter warmth to the darkest of rooms. [Bangles, ~ $35-45, dconstruct, Booth N-31 ]
- Women of colour have some of the most inspiring booths at the show this year! And Devi Arts Collective was one of my favourite booths of #OOAK21. Most of their jewelry designs come in silver as well as gold. The silver- and gold-filled studs are simple and glorious, particularly their inventive, swooshy take on a Lighting Bolt [from ~$25]. But DAC’s Gold Orbit Meditation Ring [two rings entwined for you to play with on your finger] is going straight on my most wanted list. Founder Bayoush Mengesha was warm and welcoming. I happened to overhear her talking to a couple of young boys who’d come asking how she got her start, and she was, frankly, inspiring. [Meditation Rings from ~$65, Devi Arts Collective, Booth K-36]
Lovefresh Dish Bar & Scrubbie Set Rover Boutique Bowtie Collars Secret Planet Spacey Cat Patch
- Who doesn’t Lovefresh? Thanks to my favourite boutique, Collected Joy, I have a Lovefresh obsesh. Their rollerball headache and relaxation oils were a go-to gift for friends last year. And their Lemon Verbena bodywash is my go-to. This season, Lovefresh has an #ooak21 special: an all-natural dish bar with a fresh citrus vibe and a wooden and bristle dish scrubbie. Certainly makes me want to wash dishes again! [Dish Bar & Scrubbie Set, $20, Lovefresh]
- The Rover Boutique offers some amazing doggie bandanas, leashes, bowties, and Bowtie Collars. I have a feeling our mini-schnauzer Elvis, who looks great in plaid, will be getting a new “lewk” this year. [Bowtie Collars, ~$49, Rover Boutique, Booth M-11]
- Based in my East Toronto Neighbourhood, Secret Planet Print Shop has a colourful display of prints, cards, pins, and more. I absolutely love their embroidered Space Stuff Patches, particularly Spacey the Cat. I can already envision said cat ironed on the pocket of a denim boiler-suit. [Patches, from ~$12, Secret Planet Print Shop, Booth N-46]
Siica Marée Ring Soul Chocolate Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bar The Lemon Square
- The Porcelain and Gold Marée Ring from Siica stole my heart. [Ring ~$60, Siica, Booth G51-A, first 5 days of the show only!]
- Of course, as an Advent enthusiast, Soul Chocolate‘s Dark Chocolate Advent calendar can’t be beat. As for stocking stuffers, they have a Bespoke Chocolate Bar for everyone. I’m still deciding between the Peppermint and the….Nope, you had me at peppermint. [Chocolate Bars, from ~$5, Soul Chocolate, Booth D-45]
- Brown paper packages tied up with string, The Lemon Square offers their genius take on one of your favourite things. [Lemon Squares, from ~$7.50, The Lemon Square, Booth C-20]
Now, For a novel idea, how about stuffing a pair of mittens or slippers?
Julie Sinden’s handmade Slippers and Mittens would look great beside the fire, filled with all the goodies above. Also, #spoilers, as part of SSJ’s Advent Calendar this year, we’ll be leaving “shoes” out for St. Nicholas’ Eve! I think a few of these felted numbers would be darling! [Pairs of felted wool Slippers $64 or Mittens $42, Julie Sinden, Booth A-03]
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