It has been quite a while since I have written anything here but I really wanted to share some of my shops/spots I love or would like to check out myself this season because they seem lovely as can be!  There are far too many fabulous places to list so this is just a snippet.  Most are greater Hamilton area though others are a little further away but still very drivable!

There are plenty of coffee shops/cafes in that offer gift cards, coffee beans, tea, brewing equipment or treats you could grab along with a cup of something delicious on the go for that special host/hostess in your life from one of these wonderful places!

#HamOnt :

• Cake and Loaf – Dundurn and the Farmer’s Market (baked goods are the market focus AND in December you can find packaged goodies at Limeridge Mall in their  holiday pop up!)
• Relay Coffee Concession St and the Farmer’s Market
• Durand Coffee – Corner of Charlton and Caroline
• Emerald coffee Co. – Barton St E
• The Cannon – Ottawa St N
• Cafe Orange – King St E
• Ward IV Coffee Bar – Main St E
• Mulberry Coffee House – James St N
• Donut Monster – Locke St S
• The Mustard Seed Cafe – York Blvd

#HamOntDogFriendly :

• My Dogs Cafe – Locke St S
• Munchies Coffee Housed Barkery – Upper Gage Ave

#VeganHamOnt :

• Democracy – Locke St S
• The Hearty Hooligan – Ottawa St N

#Burlington :

• Kelly’s Bake Shop (also Vegan!) – Brant St
• The Sunshine Doughnut Company – Brock Ave

#Dundas :  Detour Cafe – King St W

#Simcoe :  Joy Cafe and Bakery – Robinson St

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Dining out is also a holiday favourite for many!  Taking those special to you, out for dinner or giving them a gift card so they can go after the seasonal rush is always welcomed.

#HamOnt :

• Mattson & Co. – Locke St S
• The West Town Bar & Grill – Locke St S
• Hambrgr Hamilton – King William St + Ottawa St N
• The Burnt Tongue – Cannon St E + Locke St S
• Twin Elephants – Fennell Ave E
• Patties Burger Bar – Rymal Rd E
• The French – King William
• Aberdeen Tavern – Aberdeen
• Shorty’s Pizza – Cannon St E

#HamOntVegan : Boon Burger – Ottawa St N

#Burlington : Bitehaus Bistro – Guelph Line

#MountHope :  The Pigeon (Catering and Takeaway) – Homestead Drive (Near Hamilton Airport)

#Cayuga :  Twisted Lemon Restaurant – Norton St W

#Oakville :  West End Social – Lakeshore Rd W

#StoneyCreek : Rony’s – Gray Rd

You can find so many other awesome spots to eat on blogs like Hamilton Small Fries – hamiltonsmallfries.com, TasteHamOnt – tastehamont.com, Hungry in the Hammer –hungryinthehammer.blogspot.com

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Other yummy options for gift boxes/baskets and more!

#HamOnt :

• Hello Baked Sugar Shop – Barton St E
• Dundurn Market – Dundurn St
• The Mustard Seed Co Op – York Blvd
• East Hamilton Cheese Company – Ottawa St N

#Ancaster :

• The Little Gourmet – Hatton Dr
• Tajmahal Spices & Cheese – Wilson St E

#Dundas:

• Beanermunky Chocolate – King St W
• Picone Fine Food – King St W

#Waterdown :

• Harrington Lane Farm Village Shop – Main St S
• Beanermunky Chocolate – Main St S

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Perhaps you haven’t had a chance to make it out to one of the holiday markets this season but you really want a unique or made with love gift!  These fine places are either shops or makers you can purchase that special something from.

#HamOnt :

• Nest Hamilton – Locke St S
• Home of the Makers – James St N
• Little Nest Creative – Little Nest Creative – Etsy
• Amanda Farquharson – Amanda Farquharson – Etsy
• Jodie Etmanski – Jodi Etmanski Artist – Etsy
• Simply Zen – Ottawa St N
• Citizen Kid Toy Store – Locke St S
• Munching Monster Chewlery – munchingmonsterchewlery.com
• The Living North – See Instagram for details
• Melabath – Melabath.com
• My Whispering Muse – mywhisieringmuse.com (Spotted at Cake and Loaf Dundurn as well!)
• Smith and Tailor – smithandtailor.com
• Blue Bird Pottery – bluebirdpottery.ca
• Bailiwick Studios – Bailiwick Studios – Etsy
• Josiah and Co – josiahandco.ca
• Girl on the Wing – King St E
• The Red Bowtie – Shop the Red Bowtie – Etsy
• Vamped up Vintage  – Hamilton Antique Mall

#Ancaster :  Black & Smith – Jerseyville Rd W

#Dundas :

• The Made in Canada Store – King St W
• The Handmade House – Foundry St

#Mississauga :  Whiskey Tan – whiskeytan.com

#Norfolk :  The Shop at Sweetwater – Cockshutt Rd

#PortColburne : Kayla Marie Ceramics – Clarence St

#StCatherines :  Shed Pottery – Pelham Rd

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There are great shopping options for that creative maker in your life too!

#HamOnt :

• Needlework – James St N
• Handknit Yarn – James St N
• Hello Stella Fibres – hellostella.ca

#Ancaster :  Needle Emporium -Wilson St E

#Westdale :  Mixed Media Shop – King St W

#LocalPatternMakers :

• Kelly – knitbrooks.ca
• Hooks and Needles – Hooks and Needles Shop – Etsy
• Needles and Grain – NeedlesAndGrain – Ravelry
• The Knitty Pine – The Knitty Pine – Ravelry
• MbyM Knitwear – Ravelry
• White Owl Crochet Co – White Owl Crochet – Etsy

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One of my favourite gifts to receive is a book.  Nothing beats flipping through actual pages of text!

#HamOnt – James Street Bookseller – James St S, J.H. Gordon Books – King St E, Epic Books – Locke St S

#Waterdown :  Pickwick Books – Dundas St E

#Westdale :  King W. Books – King St W

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Last but not least for the flower lover on your list why not check out the stunning work of House of Penney on Barton St E or order something spectacular from Thuya Boutique Online!

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I hope this was somewhat helpful and that you find the perfect gifts for those near and dear this holiday season!  I will share all of these fantastic places on Instagram and I will share other places I love that are further away over the next week!

Happy Shopping/Eating/Sipping!