Another fantastic boating season behind us and with the boats now wrapped in preparation for winter, it’s time to think about another type of wrapping – gifts for the Holiday Season!
For family and friends, co-workers and those special people in your life – regardless if they’ve been naughty or nice – I have a few Georgian Bay-themed gift ideas that are under $100. Check them out:
1. The Holmstead:
With names like “Franklin Island”, “Georgian Bay Scrub” and “Killbear Park” it’s no wonder this local farm’s all natural soap caught my attention!
Located in Parry Sound, The Holmstead is a family owned and operated hobby farm that raises Nigerian Dwarf goats while producing soaps and lotions from the milk. Check out their fun Christmas collection – like “Lump of Coal” soap for the Scrooge in your life! They have an online shop for ordering product – spend $90 and they ship free within Canada and the continental U.S.
In addition they make scented soy wax candles and occasionally offer goats for sale. The candles smell heavenly however I can’t promise the same for the goats! But they certainly make up for it with their abundance of cuteness!
Below is link to the website; sign up for their newsletter and you will save 10% on your first order:
2. DVD’s: “Alone in the Night’ and “Ghosts of the Bay”
These are two of my all-time favorite Georgian Bay movies! Also available as books but the DVDs are much more fun, especially for family movie night!
“Alone in the Night” recounts the history of the lighthouses on Georgian Bay and the North Channel. Included are interviews with the actual keepers and their spouses, providing insight on what it was like to live and raise a family under such isolated conditions!
“Ghosts of the Bay” is about ghost towns that were just decades ago thriving communities on Georgian Bay – a glimpse into how fragile the Bay’s economy can be! As the narrators visit these towns, they explain the history and include footage of before and current day.
Note: Should you wish to purchase, ask your local bookseller if they can order these for you (on Amazon they are available for approx $30 each).
3. Georgian Bay Land Trust:
This not-for-profit organization protects and manages many of the wonderful Georgian Bay islands we all love to visit – like American Camp, Umbrella and Southeast Wooded Pine Islands.
Buying their merchandise supports a good cause and they have some pretty neat stuff – GBay posters, books, beach bags and towels, sports shirts and caps – here is link to their online store:
https://www.gblt.org/you-can-help/give-gift/store/
4. Books about, or set on, Georgian Bay:
There have been some amazing books published over the years about Georgian Bay, both fiction and non. Below are a few of my favorites:
Stories for kids:
“Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold” by Jessica Outram
“Christmas on Georgian Bay: An Up the Shore Adventure” by Bonnie G. Rourke (daughter of author Juanita Rourke – see pic below)
Fiction for Adults:
“Bay of Blood”, by A.M.Potter
“The Stone Cottage”, by local Penetang author Denis S. Lahaie
“Moon of the Crusted Snow”, by Waubgeshig Rice
Non Fiction:
So many to choose from! History, geology, cottage living and communities – regardless of your interests, there is a book for all!
5. Georgian Bay Biosphere:
Support this wonderful organization and all the great things they do for the Bay – sustainability studies, species monitoring, and helping communities work together for a better Georgian Bay future!
GBBR rely on donations and government grants for their funding and also have an online store with some fun items such as their “Turtle Rescue Kit” for the nature lover in the family.
Here is link to their online shop:
https://georgianbaybiosphere.com/shop/
Note that on Nov 29th they will be hosting a “State of the Bay: Lands & Waters Gathering” at the Stockey Centre, Parry Sound. This is a free event and open to the public, a great opportunity to learn about the region’s biodiversity and the impact climate change has had. Here is a link with further details:
https://georgianbaybiosphere.com/lands-waters-gathering/
6. Jessica Vergeer Studios:
What’s not to love about Jessica’s creations! This Parry Sound artist is well known for her paintings of the Bay but did you know about the many other items she produces and are for sale on her website? Jewelry, posters and clothing in addition to her beautiful paintings! Here is link to her online shop:
7. Georgian Bay Canadian Whiskey:
Well I had to include something “bad’ on the list – I am a boater after all! But trust me, the taste is all good!
This small batch Canadian whiskey brewed by Collingwood’s Georgian Bay Spirit Company (of Vodka Smash/Gin Smash fame) is available in select LCBO’s for $39.95
8. Handmade “Personalized” Coasters (set of 4):
Art on Stone, located in Horseshoe Valley, will print a photo of your boat, or cottage, or fish caught – anything you wish – onto coasters and ship to you and it’s so easy! Upload the photos onto their website, follow the prompts and place your order. Here is a screenshot of their site:
The coasters are hand crafted and individually wrapped. A set of 4 custom coasters with your photos embedded are $45 plus shipping of approx $10.
9. Toronto Boat Show tickets:
Give your boating partner a gift to enjoy after the holidays and get a taste of Georgian Bay by attending my seminar on “Cruising the Bruce Peninsula – Exploring Georgian Bay’s Wild West Coast!”.
From Tobermory to Owen Sound, I will share tips on harbours and anchorages, suggestions on day trips and provisioning, plus tell you a little of the local “legend and lore”!
I Include some amazing video footage of the escarpment cliffs, caves and turquoise waters of the Bruce and will explain a little about the geological history of this ecologically diverse area. Running January 19th – 28th; tickets available online, seminar schedules available late November/early December.
https://www.torontoboatshow.com/
10. Christmas Artisan Show
And if the first nine ideas have not piqued your interest, then why not check out the Christmas Artisan Show at the Stockey Centre, Parry Sound, Nov 24th and 25th. Here is link to the Stockey Centre website.
https://stockeycentre.com/events/
And I will close with a mention of my hometown Penetanguishene which will be holding “Christmas on the Hill” this Thursday Nov 16th.
A popular community event that begins at 6:30 pm with the shops on our Main Street hosting festive events to thank the community for their support! There will be special give-aways, great discounts and lots of camaraderie! Hope to see you there and good luck with the holiday shopping everyone!
Georgian Bay Beauties: Find Your Wilderness! 