Holiday Gift Guide 2024

Holidays
Support alumni-owned businesses this holiday season!

Home & Body Care

Anie Rouleau (BCom '92)
Unscented Co.
Anie Rouleau (BCom '92)

The Unscented Company

The Unscented Company carries a complete line of unscented home and body care. Plus, their packaging is designed for conscious living by giving customers the ability to refill their bottles either at home or in-store. The holidays are the perfect time to give the gift of softness. Whether it’s for yourself, a loved one, a friend, or even a stranger, everyone could use a bit of kindness! Shop now!
Michele Marchand (BCom '17)
Better Scalp
Michele Marchand (BCom '17)

The Better Scalp Company

Whether you have sensitive skin, or just looking to simplify your routine, The Better Scalp Company will always provide minimalist, high-quality products that are irritant-free— Because less is best.
Alumni
Plantaform
Alumni

Plantaform

Three alumni are part of the team at Plantaform: Georges Hamoush (BASc '15, MEng '17), Luke Kelly (BSc '20) and Andres Torres (BASc '18). Simple, elegant, and easy to use, Rejuvenate is the world’s first smart indoor garden using Fogponics Technology. Grow fresh herbs, vegetables, and flowers all year round, effortlessly. This is a perfect give for the plant-lovers in your life, even if they don't have a green thumb!
Dominique Bower (BSc ‘19)
Werking Worms
Dominique Bower (BSc ‘19)

Werking Worms

Dominique Bower is an Environmental Science graduate who currently works in the Hydrogeology Lab at the University of Ottawa. She started her business out of a desire to make green-living easier and closer to home. Werking Worms is a micro worm farm in Ottawa that breeds worms for Canadian vermicomposters in need of an affordable, easy, at-home composting solution. Her worms are raised by chowing down on local food waste that would otherwise end up in landfill. Whether you need worms for fishing, composting or just as a unique pet, Werking Worms will work hard for you!

Provisions & Food

Harley Finkelstein (MBA'09, LLB'09 )
Firebelly Tea
Harley Finkelstein (MBA'09, LLB'09 )

Firebelly Tea

Firebelly teas are made from 100% real ingredients, sourced from the best tea gardens around the globe. Give the gift of relaxation this holiday season with full flavoured tea and modern accessories!
Nick Rozman (JD ’19)
Alicja Confections
Nick Rozman (JD ’19)

Alicja Confections

Alicja Confections uses classic techniques of chocolate making, but they don’t leave it there. Every chocolate is a new, weird, interesting, funky, delicious flavour you won't normally find anywhere else. Shop now and discover unique gift ideas, including the chocolate postcard!
Sachi Kittur (BCom '95)
Sachili
Sachi Kittur (BCom '95)

Sachili

Sachili is a line of all-natural local Ontario products of mouth-watering condiments formulated with a twist on the expected flavour of chili – where flavour beats heat! This is a perfect gift for the foodie on your list, shop now!
Jamil Bhuya (BCom '12)
Burgers n' Fries Forever
Jamil Bhuya (BCom '12)

Burgers n' Fries Forever

Founder and alumnus Jamil Bhuya wanted to showcase the food from different cultures he discovered along his travels on his favourite canvas: burgers n' fries. In 2013, Burgers n' Fries Forever was born. With locations in Ottawa and Toronto, a gift certificate to this tasty eatery makes the perfect holiday gift!
Candace Tierney (BCom '14)
Oat & Mill
Candace Tierney (BCom '14)

Oat & Mill

Founded by alumna Candace Tierney, Oat & Mill was born of a desire to create rich and creamy ice cream without dairy. Oat & Mill is an oatmeal based vegan ice cream with no artificial flavour. Check out their flavours and shop now!
Gilles Tchianga (BEd '11)
Taltis Foods Inc.
Gilles Tchianga (BEd '11)

Taltis Foods Inc.

Featured on the Dragon's Den and founded by alumnus Gilles Tchianga, Taltis Foods combines Canadian ingredients and authentic African spices to deliver unique tastes to consumers. Taltis Cooking Sauces allow ''food adventurers'' to quickly prepare various African foods in the comfort of their homes. Shop now!
Paula Naponse (MEducVirt '18)
Beandigen
Paula Naponse (MEducVirt '18)

Beandigen Cafe

Beandigen is an Indigenous cafe In Ottawa, located at the popular TD Place. Enjoy delicious coffee and experience the art and culture of Indigenous people. Shop now for the coffee-lover in your life!
Tetia Bayoro
Chap Chap Snacks
Tetia Bayoro

Chap Chap Snacks

Looking for an original snack? Check out these Ivorian-inspired delicious snacks from Chap Chap Snacks! These snacks are not only designed to celebrate cultural fusion but also to support your journey towards a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
Adam Wawrzynczak (BSc '14), Aaron Cayer (MA '10)
shop
Adam Wawrzynczak (BSc '14), Aaron Cayer (MA '10)

Birling Skateboard Shop

Located on downtown Somerset Street, Birling is a skateboard store, clothing boutique and café rolled into one. If the owners are passionate about skateboarding, you don't need to be to appreciate the range of high-quality clothing and footwear - including Birkenstocks and Red Wing - on offer. New faces are always welcome! Come and enjoy a cup of coffee, and be surprised by the range of products on offer!

Pet accessories

Sophie Gagnon (BCom '19)
Penny & Co
Sophie Gagnon (BCom '19)

Penny & Co

Penny & Co was created to meet the needs of people and their dogs who are looking for adventure. Their products are made entirely of biothane, a soft coated webbing that has the look and feel of leather. It's waterproof, stink-proof, vegan, durable and flexible, even in very cold weather. Treat your dog this holiday season with a beautiful collar and leash set!

Jewelry & Artistry

Rebecca Stiletto (BCom '21)
Wild Cherry Jewelry
Rebecca Stiletto (BCom '21)

Wild Cherry Jewelry

Wild Cherry Jewelry's pieces are for the wild and wonderful. Those who love classics with a twist. Something unexpected and different. Using gemstones, pearls, colourful beads, and fun charms, their pieces to evoke positive memories, feelings and thoughts. Bring joy to someone you love this holiday season!
Taylor Fox (BCom '15)
Commanda Collective
Taylor Fox (BCom '15)

Commanda Collective

Inspired by the beadwork of their great grandmother, alumna Taylor Fox and her sister, Madison, use beadwork as a practice of reconnection and reclamation to indigenous ways of being. Each beaded piece is deeply rooted in storytelling. Shop their collections now to find the perfect gift for someone on your list!
Student owned
Tota's Gems
Student owned

Tota's Gems

Tota's Gems is a small-batch jewelry business, specializing in handmade custom designs with an emphasis on quality and affordability. As the sole founder, Amal manages all operations such as social media marketing, customer service, web maintenance, product development, order fulfillment, and much more!

Apparel

Andy Akangah (BCom '19)
AKARTS
Andy Akangah (BCom '19)

AKARTS Comics

AKARTS Comics is a black-owned small company that celebrates the founder, Andy Akangah's, passion for hip hop as well as the art and narrative of comic books and manga. Founded in Canada, they serve clients all around the world with unique streetwear pieces. Shop now!
Student owned
Grabbing Grapefruit
Student owned

Grabbing Grapefruit

Looking for size-inclusive loungewear? Shop Kailey Longhurst and her best friend Abigail's cozy collection of hoodies and sweatshirts! Grabbing Grapefruit believes that beauty comes from within. They want to help you feel confident in your skin and to celebrate the unique beauty of every person!
Rebecca Mazzara (Bcom '15)
Calita Intimates
Rebecca Mazzara (Bcom '15)

Calita Intimates

After a degree in Marketing and a mini career in ecommerce, Rebecca committed herself entirely to creating an intimates line for women, made from natural fibers, that are good for the planet, and manufactured in Canada. That’s how Calita was born.
Katie Green (BA '05)
AndOr Collective
Katie Green (BA '05)

&OR Collective

A tech-led clothier made for the conscious and contemporary human. Meticulously designed with your lifestyle and our planet in mind. Clothes designed to stand the test of time, outlive trends, and not compromise on quality.
Student owned
Heartline Apparel
Student owned

Heartline Apparel

Jacob LeGuerrier founded Heartline Apparel with a mission to make a difference in the fight against heart disease. Offering a range of stylish clothes for men and women, Heartline donates 50% of its profits to cardiovascular research centers around the world, aiming to impact as many communities as possible.

Books

Dr. Dana Sinclair (PhD '90)
Dialed In
Dr. Dana Sinclair (PhD '90)

Dialed In

What do a major league baseball catcher struggling with pop ups, an operating room doctor tense before a surgery, and a slumping sixteen-year-old tennis prodigy all have in common? They’re elite performers who are not achieving excellence, and they’re not sure how to improve. Enter Dr. Dana Sinclair. Now, her method to improve performance is finally available!
Michèle Vinet (BA '84, BEd '87)
Jeudi Novembre
Michèle Vinet (BA '84, BEd '87)

Jeudi Novembre

Jeudi Novembre offers a refreshing and poetic dive into a dreamlike world, where Creation comes alive and is astonished by the grandeur of being.
Sunshine Tenasco (BEd '04, BA '03) 
Smile So Big
Sunshine Tenasco (BEd '04, BA '03) 

Smile So Big

When Challa comes home in tears after being teased about her smile, her mom gives her a special gift. It’s a magic mirror — shiny, beaded and beautiful — passed on from her mom, and from her djo djo before her.

Challa’s mom tells her that when anyone looks into the mirror, they will see their true self. There’s just one rule: Everyone has to say what they see in the reflection.

At first the mirror seems to work for everyone but her. Challa keeps looking and looking. The more beauty she sees in herself, the happier she feels, and the longer she looks into the mirror, the more beauty she sees, until finally Challa sees so much beauty, she can't contain her smile!

This special story, from award-winning activist Sunshine Quem Tenasco and artist Chief Lady Bird, introduces readers to concepts of self-acceptance, self-empowerment, and recognition of the unique beauty that comes from within.

Services

Olivia Villalta (BCom '15)
Gift Better Co.
Olivia Villalta (BCom '15)

Gift Better Co.

Companies partner with Gift Better Co. to create meaningful moments with gifts that show they care. Their full-service solutions make gifting effortless for everyone in the company. Order gifts on-demand or customize a gift for a special project with exceptionally low lead times so you never miss an opportunity to make an impression. Shop now!
Marie-Pier Deschênes (BScSoc '13, MSS '16)
Souverain(e)s
Marie-Pier Deschênes (BScSoc '13, MSS '16)

Souverain(e)s

Alumna Marie-Pier Deschênes accompanies courageous women in search of freedom, simplicity and harmony to reconnect with the power of their menstrual cycle with her simple and easy applicable teaching. Discover her courses now!
Rose Caddy (BScN ‘2015)
Photo showing women's skin tones
Rose Caddy (BScN ‘2015)

Rocaderm Clinic

Rocaderm Clinic is dedicated to the care and treatment of skin imperfections, as well as the improvement of skin appearance. Our goal is to help our clients achieve healthy, radiant skin! They provide medical aesthetic, beauty spa, and wellness services.
Alumni Owned
Shop Moi Ça
Alumni Owned

Shop Moi Ça

Quebec-based company run by women offering gift boxes for everyone and for every taste. Their mission is to constantly and increasingly participate in the local economy to allow local entrepreneurs to make a living from their passion. And continue to put magic in their boxes and products, by making people discover the most fabulous creations of local artisans.

Spirits & Beverage Related

Alumni Owned
Last Straw Distillery
Alumni Owned

Last Straw Distillery

The Last Straw Distillery was created when family and friends came together to bring a crazy idea to life! Award-winning craft distillery. Gin, whisky, rum, vodka & more, all made by hand in Vaughan.
Alexy Lavigne-Mcphee (Bcom '21)
Flirt Drinks
Alexy Lavigne-Mcphee (Bcom '21)

Flirt Drinks

Imagine, a sparkling drink that REALLY tastes like fruit! These drinks use real ingredients: raspberries, basil, lemon, orange, thyme, mint. Nothing artificial, only fresh! They even developed a special technique to extract all the flavors.
Andrew Ciss-Cuadros Huamán (BCom '15)
Wine Box Social
Andrew Ciss-Cuadros Huamán (BCom '15)

Wine Box Social Inc.

We are a BIPOC-led social enterprise focused on diverting waste by upcycling vintage wine crates, while giving back to foster a more diverse and inclusive local wine industry. From storage boxes to coffee tables, these unique creations are the perfect gift for any wine connoisseur!
Gift

Alumni partners and discounts

Access exclusive deals available to all alumni! With discounts across a range of services and sectors, you'll be sure to find something for everyone on your list!
Check out our partners