Toronto Christmas Gift Ideas 2013: stocking stuffers for loved ones with a ton of city pride

ToronTOpia, a new pop-up at Queen and Portland, specializes in patriotic gear. But unlike most city-centric shops, its wares aren’t exclusively red and white, or mountie-themed, or emblazoned with moose and maple leaves. The temporary store, which is a collaboration between Toronto-based publishers Coach House Books and Spacing magazine, stocks the kinds of things a loyal city-dweller might actually want to read, or wear, or throw up on their wall: Toronto-themed literature, vintage TTC posters, bold black-and-white maps from Toronto graphic designer Alexander Arvelo McQuaig, and retro pom-pom toques stitched with the names of Toronto neighbourhoods. For stocking-stuffers, miniature buttons stamped with subway designs and highway signs let wearers pin their pride to their lapels—or, in the case of the mayor-themed Shadenford set, their exasperation with the ongoing antics at city hall.

Dec. 4–Dec. 22, W-Th 12-7, F 12-9, Sat-Su 12-6, 558 Richmond St. W., spacing.ca