Holiday Gift Guide 2011: 32 great gifts under $30
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: 32 great gifts under $30
By Toronto Life | November 21, 2011
By Toronto Life | 11/21/2011
By Fraser Abe, Karolyne Ellacott, Kevin Naulls and Mark Teo | Photography by Carlo Mendoza
Little treats are perfect for host and hostess gifts and stocking stuffers, so we’ve picked some presents under $30 to help with the stress of sticking to a holiday budget (and, really, there are always obligatory presents to buy for people we know nothing about). We have everything from a space-age travel toothbrush for that friend you used to have eight years ago who just came home from teaching in Korea (and is likely to depart again) to a baguette carrier for when someone chooses bread as their item for a potluck (it doubles as a wine carrier, if that’s more their style) to various smile-building knick-knacks. Check out our gifts under $30 »
103573 The Mercantile, 297 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-531-7563 Stainless steel drinking straw, $3.50 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Stainless steel drinking straw, $3.50 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_straw3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_straw3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_straw3.jpg 480 610 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_straw-4/ gift11_straw-4 0 0
Stainless steel drinking straw, $3.50
103566 Mountain Equipment Co-op, 400 King St. W., 416-340-2667 Coloured turtle lights, $3.75 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Coloured turtle lights, $3.75 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_MEClights2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_MEClights2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_MEClights2.jpg 624 580 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_meclights-3/ gift11_meclights-3 0 0
Coloured turtle lights, $3.75
103559 Blue Banana, 250 Augusta Ave., 416-594-6600 Head scratcher, $6 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Head scratcher, $6 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_headscratcher3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_headscratcher3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_headscratcher3.jpg 480 610 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_headscratcher-4/ gift11_headscratcher-4 0 0
Head scratcher, $6
103561 Red Pegasus, 628 College St., 416-536-3872 Jacks, $7 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Jacks, $7 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_jacks2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_jacks2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_jacks2.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_jacks-3/ gift11_jacks-3 0 0
Jacks, $7
103557 Kol Kid, 674 Queen St. W., 416-681-0368 Hansa plush squirrel and lamb, $37 and $30 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Hansa plush squirrel and lamb, $37 and $30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_hansastuffedA2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_hansastuffedA2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_hansastuffedA2.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_hansastuffeda-3/ gift11_hansastuffeda-3 0 0
Hansa plush squirrel and lamb, $37 and $30
103570 Scout, 405 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-546-6922 Organic hand soaps, $8 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Organic hand soaps, $8 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_organicsoap2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_organicsoap2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_organicsoap2.jpg 480 610 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_organicsoap-3/ gift11_organicsoap-3 0 0
Organic hand soaps, $8
103549 Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave., 416-596-7670 Credo wine and baguette bag, $9 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Credo wine and baguette bag, $9 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_baguettebag2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_baguettebag2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_baguettebag2.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_baguettebag-3/ gift11_baguettebag-3 0 0
Credo wine and baguette bag, $9
103560 The Mercantile, 297 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-531-7563 Wild hibiscus flower in syrup (for booze), $10 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Wild hibiscus flower in syrup (for booze), $10 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_hibiscus2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_hibiscus2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_hibiscus2.jpg 624 580 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_hibiscus-3/ gift11_hibiscus-3 0 0
Wild hibiscus flower in syrup (for booze), $10
103562 Pusateri’s, 57 Yorkville Ave., 416-785-9100 Bumpercrop Goods jarred preserves, $10–$12 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Bumpercrop Goods jarred preserves, $10–$12 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_jarredpreserves2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_jarredpreserves2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_jarredpreserves2.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_jarredpreserves-3/ gift11_jarredpreserves-3 0 0
Bumpercrop Goods jarred preserves, $10–$12
103553 Red Pegasus, 628 College St., 416-536-3872 Cupcake hair clip, $10 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Cupcake hair clip, $10 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_cupcakehairclip2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_cupcakehairclip2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_cupcakehairclip2.jpg 624 580 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_cupcakehairclip-3/ gift11_cupcakehairclip-3 0 0
Cupcake hair clip, $10
103578 Scooter Girl, 187 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-534-2211 Vertibot windup toy, $12 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Vertibot windup toy, $12 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_vertibot2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_vertibot2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_vertibot2.jpg 624 580 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_vertibot-3/ gift11_vertibot-3 0 0
Vertibot windup toy, $12
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<a href="http://www.torontolife.com/daily/style/buyers-market-style/2011/11/21/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/attachment/gift11_ninjabread-3/">Skip this slide »</a> YORKDALE GIFT CARD YORKDALE GIFT CARD https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YD_GiftCardBox_TorontoLife1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YD_GiftCardBox_TorontoLife1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/YD_GiftCardBox_TorontoLife1.jpg 400 600 {"aperture":"13","credit":"carmen schmid photography","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1320364769","copyright":"carmen schmid photography","focal_length":"100","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.008"} https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/yd_giftcardbox_torontolife-2/ yd_giftcardbox_torontolife-2 0 0
103569 Red Pegasus, 628 College St., 416-536-3872 Ninjabread men, $12 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Ninjabread men, $12 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_ninjabread2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_ninjabread2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_ninjabread2.jpg 624 580 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_ninjabread-3/ gift11_ninjabread-3 0 0
Ninjabread men, $12
103550 Bergo, 55 Mill St., 416-861-1821 Blomus wine foil cutter, $14 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Blomus wine foil cutter, $14 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_blomuscutter2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_blomuscutter2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_blomuscutter2.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_blomuscutter-3/ gift11_blomuscutter-3 0 0
Blomus wine foil cutter, $14
103567 Mia Boutique, 3109 Dundas St. W., 416-551-2740 Stackable bangles, $15–$22 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Stackable bangles, $15–$22 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_miabangles2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_miabangles2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_miabangles2.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_miabangles-3/ gift11_miabangles-3 0 0
Stackable bangles, $15–$22
103572 Wise Daughters, 3079B Dundas St. W., 416-761-1555 Toronto politician puppets, $18 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Toronto politician puppets, $18 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_politicianpuppet3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_politicianpuppet3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_politicianpuppet3.jpg 624 580 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_politicianpuppet-4/ gift11_politicianpuppet-4 0 0
Toronto politician puppets, $18
103565 Type Books, 427 Spadina Rd., 416-487-8973 Crumpled maps, $20 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Crumpled maps, $20 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_maps2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_maps2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_maps2.jpg 624 580 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_maps-3/ gift11_maps-3 0 0
Crumpled maps, $20
103554 Good Egg, 267 Augusta Ave., 416-593-4663 Cat and beard egg cups, $20 each Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Cat and beard egg cups, $20 each https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_eggcups2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_eggcups2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_eggcups2.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_eggcups-3/ gift11_eggcups-3 0 0
Cat and beard egg cups, $20 each
103577 Jacob and Sebastian, 622 Queen St. W., 647-345-0478 OHSO travel toothbrush, $20 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 OHSO travel toothbrush, $20 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_traveltooth2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_traveltooth2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_traveltooth2.jpg 480 610 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_traveltooth-3/ gift11_traveltooth-3 0 0
OHSO travel toothbrush, $20
103564 Kid Icarus, 75 Nassau St., 416-977-7236 Polaris Prize posters, $20 each Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Polaris Prize posters, $20 each https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_kidicarus1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_kidicarus1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_kidicarus1.jpg 624 580 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_kidicarus-2/ gift11_kidicarus-2 0 0
Polaris Prize posters, $20 each
103574 Wise Daughters, 3079B Dundas St. W., 416-761-1555 Streetcar onesie, $20 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Streetcar onesie, $20 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_streetcaronsie2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_streetcaronsie2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_streetcaronsie2.jpg 624 580 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_streetcaronsie-3/ gift11_streetcaronsie-3 0 0
Streetcar onesie, $20
103555 Good Egg, 267 Augusta Ave., 416-593-4663 Owl timer, $21 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Owl timer, $21 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_eggtimer1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_eggtimer1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_eggtimer1.jpg 624 580 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_eggtimer-2/ gift11_eggtimer-2 0 0
Owl timer, $21
103556 Drake General Store, 1011 Yonge St., 416-966-0553 Golden playing cards, $22 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Golden playing cards, $22 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_goldcards2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_goldcards2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_goldcards2.jpg 624 580 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_goldcards-3/ gift11_goldcards-3 0 0
Golden playing cards, $22
103571 Mabel’s Fables, 662 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-322-0438 <em>Out of Sight</em> book, $22 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Out of Sight book, $22 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_outofsightbook2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_outofsightbook2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_outofsightbook2.jpg 624 580 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_outofsightbook-3/ gift11_outofsightbook-3 0 0
Out of Sight book, $22
103575 Scout, 405 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-546-6922 Printed tea towels, $25 each Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Printed tea towels, $25 each https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_teatowels2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_teatowels2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_teatowels2.jpg 480 610 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_teatowels-3/ gift11_teatowels-3 0 0
Printed tea towels, $25 each
103582 Good Egg, 267 Augusta Ave., 416-593-4663 Butcher’s apron, $25 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Butcher’s apron, $25 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_apron4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_apron4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_apron4.jpg 480 610 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_apron-5/ gift11_apron-5 0 0
Butcher’s apron, $25
103568 Anthropologie, 80 Yorkville Ave., 416-964-9700 Stackable milk-bottle measuring cups, $28 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Stackable milk-bottle measuring cups, $28 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_milkcup2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_milkcup2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_milkcup2.jpg 480 610 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_milkcup-3/ gift11_milkcup-3 0 0
Stackable milk-bottle measuring cups, $28
103579 Drake General Store, 1011 Yonge St., 416-966-0553 Wrench bottle opener, $28 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Wrench bottle opener, $28 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_wrenchopener4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_wrenchopener4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_wrenchopener4.jpg 480 610 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_wrenchopener-5/ gift11_wrenchopener-5 0 0
Wrench bottle opener, $28
103552 Planet Kid, 87 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-537-9233 City Blocks puzzle, $28 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 City Blocks puzzle, $28 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_cityblocks1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_cityblocks1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_cityblocks1.jpg 624 580 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_cityblocks-2/ gift11_cityblocks-2 0 0
City Blocks puzzle, $28
103583 Planet Kid, 87 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-537-9233 Suburbs Blocks puzzle, $28 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Suburbs Blocks puzzle, $28 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_blockssuburban1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_blockssuburban1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_blockssuburban1.jpg 624 580 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_blockssuburban-2/ gift11_blockssuburban-2 0 0
Suburbs Blocks puzzle, $28
103576 Wise Daughters, 3079B Dundas St. W., 416-761-1555 Toy owls, $29 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Toy owls, $29 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_toyowls2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_toyowls2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_toyowls2.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_toyowls-3/ gift11_toyowls-3 0 0
Toy owls, $29
103551 Mjölk, 2959 Dundas St. W., 416-551-9853 Collared vases, $28–$38 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Collared vases, $28–$38 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_ceramicvases2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_ceramicvases2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_ceramicvases2.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_ceramicvases-3/ gift11_ceramicvases-3 0 0
Collared vases, $28–$38
103563 EQ3, 222 King St. E., 416-815-2002 Juice glasses, $30 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Juice glasses, $30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_juicyglass2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_juicyglass2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gift11_juicyglass2.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/gift11_juicyglass-3/ gift11_juicyglass-3 0 0
Juice glasses, $30
104203 <a href="http://www.torontolife.com/daily/holiday-gift-guide-2011/"><img src="http://media.torontolife.com/img/holiday2011/ss_seeall.gif" width="285" height="138" alt="HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE" border="0"/></a> Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Holiday Gift Guide 2011 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Holiday11_price1_Intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Holiday11_price1_Intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Holiday11_price1_Intro.jpg 656 134 [] https://torontolife.com/shopping/holiday-gift-guide-2011-30-and-under/slide/holiday11_price1_intro/ holiday11_price1_intro 0 0