Image via Complex Original
Thanksgiving’s over and Halloween’s a thing of the past, which means we’re all gearing up for the holidays. (Or a weird, socially-distanced version of them, anyhow.) Whether you’re looking for a stocking stuffer or something a bit more pricey, there’s plenty on offer when it comes to streetwear and sneakers in the Great White North.
Here, we round up some of the best gifts we’ve seen made by Canadian streetwear heads for Canadian streetwear heads.
Shoe Laundry Cleaning Kit
Self-described as “the first green and clean premium shoe care brand” in Canada, Shoe Laundry brings together plant-based ingredients to keep your sneakers cared for. The ingredients that derive from coconuts don’t just lift dirt and stains but are safe on cloth, leather, nylon, and vinyl. Their all-in-one kits are a good place to start, featuring a shoe brush and cloth alongside the cleaner itself.
$40, shoelaundry.ca
OVO x Moleskine Notebook
A collaboration between OVO, the label founded by Drake and his tour manager Oliver El-Khatib, and renowned notebook brand Moleskine. This notebook’s designed with OVO’s signature owl embossed on the front, and finished with the quality that’s synonymous with all Moleskine products.
Raised by Wolves Jigsaw Puzzle
Seeing as we'll be spending the better part of the holidays on lockdown, a jigsaw puzzle is fantastic gift idea—your recipient will certainly have plenty of time at home to assemble it. This one by Ottawa-based streetwear label Raised by Wolves is as dope as they come, its 1000 pieces gathering to form a ravenous pack of wolves. Looks absolutely savage, and helps promote mindfulness, too!
$100, raisedbywolves.ca
Vitaly x Legends League Energy Logo Necklace
Toronto streetwear staple Legends League teamed up with Vitaly Design, one of the city's hottest jewellery brands, to craft this super fly necklace. Available in stainless steel and stainless with a gold finish, the pendant bears the letters "TLLSS"—a nod to Legends League's original name, The LL Sweat/Shop—over a lightning bolt, and is paired with a 50 cm x 3 mm Miami chain. Guaranteed to electrify just about any old drip.
$77, shop.thelegendsleague.com
Inked Out Kicks
Toronto-based Inked Out Kicks offers detailing and restoration services for used sneakers. As well as bringing back the former glory of a well-worn pair of sneakers, their team of experts specialize in customization. Take a look at their Instagram to see customs featuring everything from Super Mario to the Toronto Raptors.
Pricing varies, inkedoutkicks.com
MACK HOUSE
Rather than letting someone else take the lead in customizing those sneakers, book your friend a session with MACK HOUSE, based at Toronto’s Stackd market, so they can give it a go themself. Split into different stations of Prep, Colour, Texture, Print, Accessorize, and Finish, each two hour session will guide you through the process of using the supplies, tools, and expertise to give your sneakers new life. Head to their site to see how they’re taking steps to keep guests safe during COVID-19.
Pricing varies, mackhouseinc.com
LeBicar x OTH Tote Bag
Montreal visual artist LeBicar collaborated with apparel and sneaker boutique Off The Hook to create a capsule collection designed to remind us of the importance of looking on the brighter side of life. Their tote bag is stamped with les fleurs sont partout or flowers are everywhere, and was released alongside a scarf, cap, and other items.
$40, offthehook.ca
Saintwoods Basics Mug
Also based in Montreal, Saintwoods has a range of basic products perfect for gifting. Its mug, emblazoned with the Saintwoods logo, sits aside a basic keychain, pen, notebook, and tissues; all ideal as stocking-stuffers.
$30, saintwoods.com
Atelier New Regime Signature Logo Bath Towel
Starting as a passion project more than 10 years ago, Montreal-based Atelier New Regime has come a long way since its beginnings. This bath towel is just one of its products. It's made with soft-touch cotton, comes in the brand's signature orange colour, and features a jacquard knit New Regime logo in white at the face.
$90, ateliernewregime.com
Peace Collective Knit "HOME IS CANADA" Toque
Help someone gear up for winter with the HOME IS CANADA pom pom toque. Not only is it a comfy addition to your gift list but, with every purchase made from this collection, three meals will be donated to a Canadian in need through Peace Collective’s food bank partnerships.
$35, peace-collective.com
Hip and Bone Beanie
With customers including Kanye West and French Montana, Hip and Bone is a Montreal brand known for its unique approach to contemporary sportswear. Made entirely in Canada, they’re warm, comfortable, and perfect for passionate hypebeasts. Use the code KEEPYOURHEADUP now to ensure 20 per cent of sales are donated to those helping fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
$24, hipandbone.com
Haven Kuumbra Incense Supernatural
Bring the scent of Canadian streetwear brand Haven into someone else’s home with their Supernatural incense, created in collaboration with Japanese scent experts, Kuumba. The scent is described as being derived “from the Canadian Pacific Northwest landscape, with cold wind balanced by fresh mountain air and forest rain." The scent itself has been crafted with musk, sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver, rose, and lotus.
$65, shop.havenshop.com
CNTRBND Monogram Camera
Focusing on higher-end luxury and streetwear brands, CNTRBND has become a key destination for hypebeasts on both coasts of Canada. Its own white monogram camera takes the simple point-and-click disposable camera, but gives it the CNTRBND treatment.
$40, cntrbndshop.com
Livestock Nalgene Water Bottle
A stalawart in the streetwear scene, Livestock boutique brings together pieces from brands from adidas to Arc’teryx. Its own-brand water bottles are branded at the front, and available in orange and seafoam.
$30, deadstock.ca
4YE Gift Card
Buying threads for someone else can be hard. If you want to give the gift of streetwear but don’t know exactly what they’ll want, gift cards are an ideal place to start. 4YE, the media company/brand fusion launched by Toronto comedy duo Jae and Trey Richards, is just one brand offering gift cards, which can be spent on their products spanning hoodies, tees, durags, and pins.
Pricing varies, 4ye.ca
Dime Socks
Who doesn’t love getting socks for Christmas? This year, make them a little more memorable. A simple design in black and white, finished with Montreal skate brand Dime's logo.
$15, dimemtl.com
COMPLEX’s Sneaker of the Year Book
We couldn’t finish the list off without our own addition. Released this year, COMPLEX’s Sneaker of the Year book charts the past three and a half decades of sneaker culture with visuals, illustrations, and comments from the people who helped shape the scene.
$35 USD, shop.complex.com