A Holiday Shopping Guide to Perth Ontario

If you're shopping for the holiday season, look no further than the charming town of Perth, ON. Finding the perfect holiday gifts for everyone on your list can be a challenge, but with so many great local shops filled with unique gifts, it's easy to find something for everyone in Perth - and probably some things for yourself too!

Gifts for the Entertainer

Cocktails and Brews

When it comes to entertaining, the all-important holiday cocktails can often top the list of must-haves! Top Shelf Distillers is a local Perth distiller creating delicious vodka, gin and 3-year old whisky. They also offer a selection of bitters in flavours like chocolate, coffee, mint, ground allspice, lavender, and peach, perfect for creating your own signature holiday cocktail. Top Shelf Distillers is also known for their great selection of exotic moonshines. Flavours like gingerbread, maple, apple pie, butter tart, and Irish cream are sure to put a festive twist in your holiday celebration.

For those who prefer a good brew, Perth has some great local breweries. Stock your fridge with cans of Perth Brewery's Last Duel Lager, or some Laketown Beer Co’s Nautical Disaster IPA.

Good Eats and Sweet Treats

Perth is a foodie's paradise, and there are some essential stops when preparing for holiday entertainment.

For the ultimate charcuterie board, the Perth Cheese Shop is your spot. Create a custom board filled with local and international meats and cheeses, plus locally-made bread, preserves and chocolate. Choose from a modest size for an intimate gathering, or a charcuterie board to impress for up to 16+ people.

For fresh baked goods, be sure to stop by Perth Pie Co. in downtown Perth. Choose from sweet pie selections like strawberry-rhubarb, apple-blueberry, pecan, pumpkin, or mincemeat, or opt for a savoury selection as a main course, like their Guinness beef pot pie, tourtière, chicken pot pie and even butter chicken pie! Their pies come in regular and small sizes, perfect for smaller holiday gatherings or a night in for two. While they're known for their delicious pies, their butter tarts, maple cream cookies, and homemade pop tarts are also worth boxing up - even as a festive treat for yourself!

If baking at home is your thing, but from scratch isn't your forte, order a box of holiday treats from Penny's Place diner. Choose from cran-raspberry turnovers, a eggnog French toast bake, or chocolate chunk muffins. For a ready-to-go cookie box, order a mix of home-baked deliciousness from Picnic Café + Catering. From salted chocolate tahini, to giant ginger molasses cookies, create your own box of tasty treats, baked with love.

Those with a sweet tooth have plenty of options for holiday treats in Perth. Perth Chocolate Works is a local chocolatier with some decadent chocolate creations. Their truffles are top notch - you can watch them being created in their open kitchen, and their chocolate macaroons, cheesecake and brownies are fresh baked daily and ready to take away. Other things worth picking up are their scrumptious bear paws, chocolate-covered licorice, chocolate-enrobed coffee beans and their sinful sweet and salty cashew caramel bark.

Coffee and Tea

Nothing impresses like a good cup of coffee, and Coutts Coffee is Perth's go-to spot for locally roasted beans. Choose from a variety of whole beans to take away for rich brews at home, or select from their mix of unique and flavourful tea blends. Coffee accessories like pour-over pots, fun festive mugs and ornate tea pots also make great gifts. For a cool way to wrap bigger gifts under the tree, pick up one of their burlap coffee bean bags, whose proceeds from sales go to the Guatemalan Stove Project.

Another great place to shop for local coffee is North Folk Café. Known for their Artizen Kombucha and fresh-baked goodies, they also sell a variety of local coffees, like Mighty Valley Coffee Roasters and Engine House Coffee, as well as a variety of their own tea blends.

If you’re picking up some treats at Perth Pie Co., don’t miss their specialty loose-leaf teas, perfect for dipping a chewy cookie. Choose from green teas, black teas, herbal tea, flavoured teas and caffeine free options.

Gifts that Pamper

Spa Day

There's no better way to pamper that special someone in your life than the gift of the spa, and the Perth Parkside Hotel and Spa is the go-to spot in Perth for a day of relaxation. From specialty massages to body treatments, and of course the classic mani and pedi, a gift card for a day of indulgence is always a win.

The Beach House is also a great spot to treat someone to a day of spoiling. Book them a specialty body treatment like a pink hibiscus wrap or Malibu Beach scrub, or order an online gift card for a Pina colada pedicure or Indian head massage. The spa also specializes in aesthetics, with micro needling, lash extensions, spray tanning and laser hair removal all available onsite.

An at-home spa day is an equally amazing treat, and you can create the ambiance and serenity of the spa at home with luxury soaps and skincare products. Pick up some locally-made products by Perth Soap Co. available at Kelly's Flowers and Gift Boutique or Fall River Fashion. Their Moroccan Spice and Sparkling Champagne body washes are invigorating, and their Bergamot Citrus or Fir and Grapefruit body lotions are perfect for soothing dry winter skin.

Weekend Getaway

A stay at the Perth Parkside Hotel and Spa is a great option for a weekend getaway in the city. With its convenient location directly beside Stewart Park, and only steps away from local restaurants and shops, it's a great base for city exploration. The indoor pool, luxury spa and top notch restaurant, the Locks, are added bonuses -the bow on top of a great holiday gift.

No weekend getaway is complete without dining out at one of Perth's wonderful restaurants. Pick up a gift card for a romantic dinner at Bistro 54, or Maximillian Restaurant for a casual night out.

Gifts to Relax, Unwind and get Cozy

Blankets, Pillows and Comfy Clothes

A comfy home environment is the key to being relaxed, and there are some great gift options in Perth to amp up that cozy factor.

Bring comfort to the next level with a pair of warm luxurious sheepskin slippers from Riverguild Fine Crafts, made by Lanark Sheepskin, a local business specializing in hand-made wool products for over 20 years. For soft plush hoodies and socks, stop by Fall River Fashion on Gore St. If you have a fashionista on your list, wrap up a wool cape from Strévé Design, or pick up some fashion-forward sweaters or leggings from Fashion Envy. Perth Brewery also has some great loungewear for men, including lumberjack flannel shirts and trendy branded hoodies.

Cozy blankets and puffy pillows are the perfect winter gift, and Kelly's Flowers and Gifts has an amazing selection. Choose from cozy wool blankets, festive pillow and fleece throws, and don’t miss their unbeatable selection of beautiful Christmas home decor.

Relax the Mind

There's no doubt a good book is soul food for the mind, and curling up with an enjoyable book is the best way to escape and relax. Stop by one of Perth's great independent bookstores and pick up anything from colouring books and cookbooks, to fantasy fiction and intriguing autobiographies.

Backbeat Books and Music is loaded with gift ideas for the avid reader (and music lover), and the Book Nook & Other Treasures has a great selection of books, as well as unique bookmarks created by local artists.

Trinkets and Treasures

Accessories and Jewelry

Queen Bee Millinery is the place to go for upscale, unique, and definitely boojie gifts. With stunning hand-made, delicate and detailed fascinators and hats, anything from this cozy boutique is perfect for a high tea, special event or wedding.

For the jewelry lover, there are many great options for finding the perfect necklace, bracelet or set of earrings in Perth. Where Dragons Fly specialize in jewelry ideal for a night out, or for a statement piece to be noticed. Delicate designs, vintage-inspired finds and contemporary pieces can be found at Kelly's Flowers and Gifts and Red Brick Emporium, while artistic creations made with semi-precious stones and unique materials are plentiful at Riverguild Fine Crafts.

Arts, Antiques and Collectables

Riverguild Fine Crafts is a must-stop if you have an art lover on your holiday shopping list. Shop for hand-crafted pottery, wood carvings, whimsical paintings and intricate metalwork created by local artisans. You're sure to find that one-of-a-kind treasure, inspiring art piece, and maybe even something for yourself!

To find some truly unique trinkets, head over Gore St. Antique Market. Peruse a constantly-evolving selection of vintage jewelry, antique lamps, rustic wooden furniture and retro games. If you're putting together a holiday basket, pick up an old tin, rustic basket or wooden crate, and create a fun holiday package.

With a combination of new and vintage, Evelyn & Louise is an eclectic store in downtown Perth with an assortment of goods for the home. Search for antique treasures perfect for home décor, like wooden toboggans and interesting tapestries, and look for fascinating items by local artisans like a mason jar coffee grinder made with reclaimed wood and refurbished antique parts. Items in the store change frequently so check back for that one-of-a-kind gift.

Gift for the Home

Christmas and Home Décor

To make your home holiday-ready for the Christmas season, look no further than the small businesses in downtown Perth. Kelly's Flowers and Gifts is an explosion of festive cheer with beautiful holiday decor to suit any taste. From traditional fun Christmas decorations, to more contemporary and elegant pieces, this small shop packs a powerful Christmas punch. Whether you go fresh or decorative, a holiday wreath adds warmth to any home during the holiday season. Kelly's Flowers and Gifts creates custom wreaths and arrangements from fresh evergreens, perfect as a gift, or to add an authentic Christmassy aroma to any home.

If you have a DIYer on your list, then a gift card for Red Brick Emporium is the perfect Christmas gift. With a wide selection of unique door-knobs, ornate cabinet handles, plus endless shades of Annie Sloan Chalk paint, it's the perfect gift for anyone looking to get creative at home.

Plants and Greenery

If you're shopping for those with a green thumb, stop by A Propos Flowers for an assortment of tropical house plants, cacti, and cheerful floral arrangements. Beautiful pots, wall hangings and nature-inspired home decor are also plentiful, the perfect gift to green someone's life.

Fresh grown herbs are always a great addition to any kitchen, and the hydroponic grow kits from the Red Brick Emporium are a great gift idea for plant beginners. From chamomile and lavender, to parsley and basil, these self-contained mason jar kits are the perfect way to spice up someone's life during the colder winter months.

Candles           

Candles are an amazing way to add scent and warmth to any home, and are a great gift for just about anyone. Perth has some great locally-made candles including Perth-themed scented candles from Kelly's Flowers and Gifts. With unique scents like Tayside Vibes (rosemary citrus), Sweet and Sticky (maple) and Perth Breeze (fresh air), they are the perfect stocking stuffer and a way to add a little piece of Perth to any home.

For candles with sass, Red Brick Emporium carries a line of Arrow it Forward candles with scents like Adulting is Hard, Last Minute Gift and Ugly Christmas Sweater.

Holiday Events in Perth

If you’re visiting Perth this holiday season, don’t miss weekly events throughout the month including Holiday markets and crafts shows, concerts and holiday shows, the annual Perth Santa Claus Parade and more!

For more information on holiday events in Perth, click here.

*This gift guide was made possible with the assistance of Perth Tourism. All recommendations are, as always, our own.