1. Small Museum Bow Bag

I’ve already purchased the Small Museum Bow Bag Sewing Pattern ($23) from the designer’s online shop. I’ll also need fabric for the project, which I might grab from my own stash, as well as two zippers ($5+, MacFab). If you’re not a sewist, you can pre-order your own Bow Bag ($172) straight from the designer.

2. BOOTS FOR WINTER WALKing

I’m looking to gradually replace my winter walking boots, both a grippy pair for urban excursions, and a cleated pair for snowy boardwalk or ravine hikes. I’m looking at the Blundstone 2081 Women’s Thermal Chisel Toe ($290) for the former and the Pajar Harper Mid Women’s Boot w/Ice Grippers ($425) for the latter. As always, I’ll have to try these on in person, because, wide toe box.

3. inifiKNITLOVE Beret & Scarf

Keeping with the theme of forest bathing of all kinds, I’d love an InfiKnitLove beret and scarf to keep me warm and visible along the paths. Le Beret in Cashmere ($80) would be an indulgence, as would a coordinating Twig Scarf ($56).

4. Hygge at Home

For days spent keeping warm at home: an Addie Best 2026 Calendar Tea Towel ($38USD), Tea at the White House Cochin Masala Chai Decaf Loose Tea ($11), and ALL the NYRB titles, especially Tove Jansson’s The True Deceiver, from Queen Books ($23).

5. CHANEL-STYLE JACKET

In 2026, I want to make a Chanel-style jacket. I’ve already grabbed Claire Schaeffer’s out-of-print Vogue 8804 pattern from Etsy (another source is asking $125!) and her Couture Cardigan book for a steal from a $2 book bin (e-book $5, used from $220). Vogue 7975 is a less labour-intensive sewing option ($8USD). I’ve been eyeing fabrics from Leo’s Textiles and King Textiles, and some really cool trims and buttons from MacFab. Non-sewists, try Chanel? Or look for a well-made, non-fast-fashion homage.

6. CHocolate BARS & EGGNOG MIXERS

My new favourite stocking stuffers are the salted chocolate bars from Soma, especially their Twinkle Bar: caramel chocolate with Newfoundland Salt Company sea salt ($13). And who doesn’t like a festive beverage to go with? Spoilers: we might be testing Advocaat this Advent. (Not everything needs to be made from scratch!) Hence, the need for Bols Advocaat ($24) from the LCBO. I’d also like to replenish the base for my Perfect Eggog Cocktail for One, a bottle of Courvoisier VS 1925 ($70).

7. Art Supplies

Eggnog in one hand, carving tool in another, I love a good linocut project. And I’m in need of fresh supplies for Advent 2025. Speedball Linocut Tool from DeSerres ($25); Sanford Pink Pearl Erasers ($13) hint, hint, Trodat Ink Pads ($8), and Fabric Ink Pads, online ($15).

8. sERGER THREAD

Speaking of stocking stuffers and necessary replenishments, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without serger thread. Maxi-Lock Light Grey is my go-to, from The Workroom ($9)

Now tie a piece of thread around that pointer finger and remind yourself to sign up for….

9. Other Hand Tarot Workshop

This New Year’s Read-it-Yourself Tarot Workshop from Other Hand Tarot promises an experiential method. The 8-hour session helps you learn to read your own cards. Explore the 78-card tarot deck, beginning the day with the Fool’s journey and a one-card reading. Conclude the workshop at sunset with a 13-card reading for the year to come. Who’s up for a road trip? January 3, 2026, 10am-6pm, Carleton Place Collective, Carleton Place (Ottawa Area). Register by contacting Other Hand Tarot on Facebook or emailing otherhandtarot (at) gmail (dot) com ($175).

10. 90’s Vibes with Black Honey

Soul aflame with the prospect of learning how to read my own cards, I’ll be turning to a cult classic beauty bundle. Clinique has expanded their 90’s-status-symbol Black Honey shade from their Almost Lipstick to a mascara, eyeliner, and lip and cheek oil. They’ve also increased the “Honey” shade range with a Pink Honey Almost Lipstick I’d love to try. (I have the Nude Honey iteration already!) The Black Honey Makeup Vault Set comes in a limited edition clutch. Available from Clinique Canada or select Shoppers Drug Mart boutiques, ($110, a $149 value).

11. Say Spaaahhh

If we’re slowly waxing aspirational, let’s just do all of the Saunas. Santa Baby, I’d like: an hour sweat sesh at Othership, Yorkville (from $58); an afternoon at the Russian Banya, South Western Bathhouse ($65); and a glass-enclosed moon-rise-watching sauna at the Scandinave, Blue Mountain (from $85). A gift card for Therma, Whitby would also up my Aufguss game. The icing on the cake would be my own Harmony Barrel Sauna from Toronto Sauna Company ($7500). A woman can dream….big.

12. Winter WEEKEND Uniform

My weekend leggings and hoodie need an “I’m slipping out for coffee with friends, now” kind of upgrade. I’m eyeing the roomy fair-isle Wilfred Harlow Sweater in Brown Multi ($178, small please); the Uniqlo Heat Tech Extra Warm Cashmere Turtleneck in Natural ($35); Levi’s 501 Originals in No Stretch, Deep Breath Dark Wash ($98); and these cheeky Hoi Bo Painted Portrait Socks in White ($18).

13. Scent Memories

I can’t get my mind off of the beguiling citrus of Penhaligon’s The Ingenue Cousin Flora, which I sampled at Etiket with a friend this summer. A bottle would be a splurge ($460). Though, if one needed a push to buy it now, I think this scent might have been discontinued by the brand? Still, a certain cult classic purse-sized hand cream is a splurge in its own right. If Byredo’s Bal D’Afrique from Holt Renfrew ($66) found its way into my stocking with that serger thread, I wouldn’t mind at all.

14. AN Embroidery Machine

If we’re talking aspirational, I suppose I could have posted an art-deco Steinway grand. But, I chose something more “practically impractical.” Let’s talk embroidery machines. I mean, really, let’s talk. I’m researching the Janome Memory Craft 550E (sale $3000, the Quilt Store) on the advice of a fabulous artist I met at a show. Or, would one need to go multi-needle or industrial, as in this Janome MB4S (msrp $8K). Could I find a good pre-loved model of either of these? Or something cheap and cheerful but not 100% plastic? Which brand, make, or model would work for an experienced home sewist interested in embroidering pretty flowers on her me-made garments? Research, babes, research.

15. Animal Husbandry

Moving on to the truly aspirational. Five years ago, I posted the Animal Husbandry Simple Bucket Bag in Whisky on my 2020 Gift Guide. Not long after, my husband and our kids gave it to me to commemorate a very special moment in time. It’s become my mainstay! I take it everywhere. I don’t need another. Still, I would love to save up for the gorgeous Animal Husbandry Drygoods Big Bucket Bag in Black ($675), especially if the large shoulder strap could be worn cross-body? Sweet endings, indeed.