Thinking about shopping local this holiday season? We've got you covered. We've assembled our favourite gifts from the Northern Sunshine Coast—that is, Powell River to Lund and Texada Island—for your friends and family who could use an extra dose of the Sunshine Coast this year. Our curated picks cover every type of person on your list, from the obsessive foodie and the fans of slow living to the intrepid backyard explorer always up for an adventure. We've also got last-minute gift suggestions and budget-friendly stocking stuffers.
Why Shop Local?
When you shop local, more of your money stays in our communities. Not only do small businesses provide much-needed jobs, they also champion local causes, advocate for community services, and help keep our neighbourhoods vibrant. Whether you’re shopping at quaint boutiques or bustling holiday markets, you'll find plenty of small businesses to love and support.
Gifts for Foodies
The Northern Sunshine Coast's food and drink scene runs the gamut from Belgian-style beers to wood-fired Neapolitan pizza and everything in between. Here are the presents sure to win over even the most discerning foodie in your life:
- Grab a bottle or pack of Townsite Brewing's barrel-aged Belgian-style beer for the craft beer aficionado in your life.
- Stock up on holiday coffee for you and your loved ones from 32 Lakes Cafe & Bakery or River City Coffee Roasters.
- Treat your fellow foodie to a gift card from one of the many restaurants and cafes dotting the Northern Sunshine Coast.
- For the baker in your life: look for the gorgeous handmade wooden rolling pins at the Powell River Farmers' Market. Farmers' market staples are also great for stocking stuffers—look for items from Preserves by Juhli, Coast Berry Company, and Wildwoods Queen Honey.
- Say thanks to the holiday host with the most with cured meats, pantry staples, and preserves from Sunny Deli.
- Bring Christmas breakfast bacon and eggs from The Chopping Block for an ultra-local take on brunch.
- For the cocktail lover: grab a bottle of small-batch, locally distilled gin or vodka from Salish Sea Distillery.
- Superfans of Supercharger Pizza will appreciate a gift card or some fun branded merch.
- Design-forward foodies will love the block printed tea towels, ceramic mugs, and other dreamy kitchen wares from Little Hive.
- Pick out some incredible chocolate bon bons and rolled truffles from Blackcat Chocolate.
- Find kitchen utensils, cutting boards, preserves, global goodies, and so much more at The Nutcracker Market—including roasted nuts from Kitchen Party Foods.
Gifts for Homebodies
Powell River, Texada Island, and Lund's slow pace of life is a homebody's dream. Here's how to gift it for the friends and family in your life:
- Inviting candles, gorgeous glassware, and home accents that put the Coast in coastal living—Collective Interiors is a one-stop shop for the aspiring designers in your life.
- Ceramic vases (and mugs) by Wildwood Pottery are perfect to give alongside fresh cut flowers.
- Speaking of: a holiday bouquet is a nice way to brighten up a loved one's home. Grab one from Bloom Therapy Flowers.
- Handmade leather items, including wallets and patchwork bucket bags, by Ora Leather Goods are bound to make a timeless addition to any giftee's wardrobe.
- Bars of soap from Lund Soap Company make great stocking stuffers.
- Westerly Studio Shop is a lifestyle store that stocks everything from lounge wear and self-care essentials to kitchen goods and trinkets.
- Handwoven baskets from Dawn Myers will impress even the most discerning home goods collector in your life. Find a selection at Artifact Gallery.
- Whether they're old or new, Little Hive's items are always beautiful. Discover everything from vintage hand-painted canisters to local pottery, jewelry and more.
- Pick up home decor and trinkets at Paperworks Gift Gallery and The Owl and Bear in Powell river, or the Texada Home & Garden Centre on Texada Island.
- Savary Island Fair Trade stocks Indigenous-made goods from around the world that are certified Fair Trade, including bowls, bracelets, baskets, and more.
Gifts for Artists & the Creatively-inclined
Give the artist or art lover in your life the gift of art and culture this holiday season.
- The Patricia Theatre is a cultural institution—a gift card will go a long way in continuing to support the theatre (and surprising the cinephiles in your life).
- Many talented and creative residents make their home between Saltery Bay and Lund, and lucky for us, their work is available at Artique Gallery, Artifact Gallery, and Turdah Fine Art Gallery in Powell River, and Tug-Gumh Gallery (Lund) and the Texada Island Inn (Texada Island), among others.
- For the budding artist in your life, snag high-quality art supplies from qathet Art & Wares. Or better yet, gift them one of their workshops—they offer everything from intros to block printing to polymer clay sculpting and more. It's the perfect hands-on present.
- Symphony and chamber music music fans will appreciate a gift card they can put towards the 2026 PRISMA Festival.
- Rockit Music carries instruments and accessories, as well as some fun Rockit merchandise.
Gifts for Kids and Families
Find gifts and gear for the young (and young at heart). From puzzles and games to vintage toys and books, these will help families create new memories:
- Discover all things games at High Tide Games. They've got everything from board games and Magic cards to miniature wargames and paints.
- Juniper Dragon Handmade offers a great selection of essential clothing items.
- For the furry four-legged member of your family, grab treats, toys, and food from Mother Nature Powell River.
- Anchor Apparel & Lifestyle carries Canadian clothing brands for the teens and adults in your life.
- The Kooky Cavern in Townsite Public Market carries collectibles, video games, antiques, knick-knacks, and more.
Gifts for Outdoor Adventurers and Backyard Explorers
The Sunshine Coast's backyard is endless and we're lucky to have so many incredible tourism operators here on the Coast who help us to see it all.
- From kayaking and fishing to boating and golfing, booking an experience with a local operator will help the outdoor enthusiast in your life get that much closer to ticking off their Northern Sunshine Coast bucket list.
- The Pollen Sweaters made in Lund are a classic West Coast garment known for their durability and warmth—perfect for outdoor activities.
- Outfit the adventurers in your life and help keep them safe and warm when exploring the North Coast's backcountry. Find new gear at Powell River Outdoors and consigned gear with tons of life left at Gear Attic.
- For the mountain biker who loves to ride fast: a shuttle session with Ride Mount Mahony will help them maximize their time going down (not up) on one of BC's most epic trail networks.
- Find bikes and gear at Suncoast Cycles and TAWS Bike Garage.
- Gift a session (or membership) to Top Out Climbing Gym and help keep them busy and active over winter.
Gifts for Wellness Enthusiasts
From self-care items to saunas, these wellness gifts can help your loved one ease into a new routine this year:
- For the perpetually stressed out, book them a Finnish-style sauna session at Willingdon Beach with a gift card to Orcas Saunas, or at Rocky Valley Resort on Texada Island, which blends forest accommodation with perks like hot tubs, saunas, and an outdoor movie theatre.
- Gift them the gift of movement at Elements, where they can participate in a variety of yoga and movement classes.
- For new moms, tired friends, and the hard-to-shop-for, a facial at Somerset House will put some pep back into their step.
- Stock up self care goodies for your most esthetician-esque friend at Image 1 Salon and Spa.
- Does your loved one prefer experiences over items? Give them the gift of nature (and experience) with an immersive kayak trip from Terracentric Coastal Adventures or Footprint Nature Explorations.
Gifts for the Locals' Local
Ultra-specific merch, insider references, and Sunshine Coast-themed gear: these are your favourite locals' favourite picks.
- Support your favourite cycling advocates with merch from the qathet Regional Cycling Association. Nothing says "I love biking on the North Coast" more than rocking one of these tees.
- For the budding artists in your life, pick up a qathet-specific colouring book from qathet Art & Wares. Great for stockings, encouraging talent, and learning more about the Northern Sunshine Coast—through hands-on fun!
- Craft beer accessories from their favourite brewery: Townsite has silicone bottle caps, bottle openers, hats, and more.
- Like New York's bodegas, a good convenience store is more than just a shop—they're pillars of community. Rep your local favourite with this Tla'min Store tee.
Gifts for the Charitable-minded
Who among us hasn't frantically searched for a last-minute gift? This year, instead of buying a generic present, purchase a charitable donation on behalf of someone you love. Here are some local Northern Sunshine Coast-based organizations doing good things in the community:
- Powell River Food Bank
- Lift Community Services
- qathet Regional Cycling Association
- qathet Parks & Wilderness Society
Be sure to check with each business in advance for current hours of operation and gift buying options. Looking for more options? Head to holiday craft fairs and markets for even more holiday shopping options.
