The Swag Series: CBC’s Strombo-curated Made in Canada gift lounge

The Swag Series: CBC’s Strombo-curated Made in Canada gift lounge

Made in Canada lounge (Image: Alanna Davey)

What it is: Celebs sashaying though the CBC studios to tape a segment on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight can stop by the “Made In Canada” lounge just next door to stock up on some quintessential Canadian goods. We like to think of it as a completely gratis Canadian gift shop. Find out what they can pick up here that they can’t at duty-free after the jump.

Who goes: The lounge was unwilling to disclose who may stop in, but look out for in-town celebs who are booked to make an appearance on the show during their TIFF stay. Edward Norton, Jay Baruchel, Martin Sheen and Juliette Lewis have stopped by in the past.

What they get: George personally requested some items to be stocked in the lounge, from the Montreal Canadiens jerseys (sorry, Leafs fans), Ninutik maple sugar (the owners of the company just happen to be his neighbours) and snacks from Sweets From the Earth (George went vegan this past summer). Champagne may be flowing at TIFF, but here celebs can pick up some Tim Hortons coffee, David’s Tea or sip on bottles of Mott’s Clamato caesars and Bodylogix’s protein-spiked water. Those who are used to the Hollywood heat can pick up a Canada Goose parka if things get a bit too chilly on, perhaps, an Arctic vacation, and maybe a pair of Mimitens for their stylish offspring. For entertaining the jet-set celebs, HMV and Indigo are providing essential Canadian reading (think Margaret Atwood) and DVDs of films starring Canadian icon John Candy.

Total worth: It really depends on what the stars decide to grab. Grabbing a whoopie pie from Bobbette and Belle and a copy of Vice Magazine may only be worth a few dollars, but gearing up with designer duds from Ron White Shoes, Sarah Stevenson and Brose can easily add up.