The best gifts for culture aficionados

All products featured on this page were selected by Toronto Life’s editors. However, when you purchase an item through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

See our full holiday gift guide.

Green eye paint

Transition from a brat summer to a Grinchy holiday season with this super-saturated lime-green matte eye paint from vegan makeup brand About-Face. $21

The Book of Elsewhere

Pop culture’s favourite Canadian, Keanu Reeves, has written a sci-fi epic with British author China Miéville. Set in the same universe as Reeves’s Brzrkr comics, the novel is a pulpy, adrenalin-fuelled ride. $38

Goodnight World

This northwest take on Margaret Wise Brown’s classic—once banned by the New York Public Library for being “unbearably sentimental”—features art by 21 Indigenous artists. $19

BFF Necklace

A best-friend necklace set for buds who happen to be cantankerous, fast-healing, adamantium-coated Canadian superheroes. $11

Holiday-themed read

The third entry in Toronto author Nita Prose’s The Maid series finds plucky protagonist Molly Gray searching for answers to life’s biggest mystery of all: love. $21

Dick Wolf Hat

This cap, embroidered with that iconic font, is an ideal stocking stuffer for anyone who’s inordinately excited about the next season of Law and Order Toronto: Criminal Intent. $43

Pencil Set

Childless cat ladies are having a moment this year. Wish your favourites a meow-y Catsmas with this pack of seven on-point pencils. $11

X-Men ’97 action figure

Because someone on your list was super into this flawlessly executed, critically beloved nostalgia-bait series from Marvel Studios. Various prices

Hey Kids, Watch This!

For families who want to start a movie-night tradition, this genre-, decade- and country-spanning new book from A24 is jam-packed with more than 100 film recommendations organized by age group. $52

Ninja Turtles van

Ninjas don’t fight with honour, they fight with...pizza? At least the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles do, with this fully functioning pie-launching van. $56

Earplugs

It’s a noisy time to be alive. Turn the volume down on abrasive sounds—concerts, crowds, toddlers—with Loop’s Experience 2 Plus earplugs. $60

The Legend of Zelda

In Echoes of Wisdom, the latest instalment in the Zelda series, a malevolent force threatens Hyrule. Now, it’s up to the princess to save the kingdom. $80

Oasis merch

For that cousin who didn’t snag tickets to the Britpop icons’ reunion gig, this deluxe 30th-anniversary edition of Definitely Maybe is a worthy consolation. $90

Digital camera

Cut down on screen time with Camp Snap’s screen-free point-and-shoot digital camera. It has a vintage look and a long-lasting battery. $93

Indie mag club

Print enthusiasts get quarterly deliveries of new titles hand-picked by in-the-know staff at Dundas West’s Issues. $100 every three months

Teensy record player

With a motor, amplifier and speaker packed into a 12-centimetre officially licensed VW van replica, this may be the world’s smallest vinyl player. $150

Sneakers for Swifties

The New Balance 550s are a great gift for Swifties in their sneakerhead era—Taylor was spotted in them at a Chiefs game last year. Fun fact: these low-tops debuted in 1989. $150

Film camera

The Lomomatic is a super-slim, pocket- sized camera that uses 110 film—a beginner-friendly format that yields fresh, sharp, artsy shots. $159

Colour e-reader

Give the gift of glare-free reading—now in colour. The Kobo Clara Colour has Libby and Pocket integration, so readers can borrow from (most) local libraries. $180

Wireless speaker

Tivoli specializes in stylish, vintage-inspired audio devices. The PAL BT—a Bluetooth-enabled AM/FM radio—has just three easy-to-use knobs. $279

Unique necklaces

Looking for one-of-a-kind pieces to complement your loved one’s collection? The Aga Khan Museum Shop offers meticulously curated, hand-selected wearable masterpieces designed to captivate and inspire. Gift timeless elegance, such as this exquisite creation by Canadian artist Farheen Ali, inspired by the Museum Collections and crafted to create lasting impressions. $485

Kids’ art

Mimi Gravel takes the weird and wonderful art kids make and turns it into museum-worthy collages. It’s a great way to honour those overflowing drawers of drawings, paintings and crafts that have been dutifully preserved for years. From $500

Video camera

Made for filmmaking, vlogging and streaming—in sharp 5.3K resolution— GoPro’s Hero12 Black Creator Edition is a mobile content studio. $740

Noise-cancelling headphones

Dyson’s new headset—this time without the air purification add-on no one asked for—offers a clean, balanced sound and customizable look. From $700

Portable TV

At last—a suitcase TV, just as Inspector Gadget foretold. LG’s StanbyME Go packs 27 inches of LCD goodness into a travel case with speakers. $1,498

Quilting as art

Toronto artist Justin Ming Yong draws on both 20th-century quilters from the American South and modern art to craft his unconventional creations. $2,300