Curate unique gifts for the special people on your holiday list by connecting with local makers in Rideau Lakes. Take a peek at the local businesses below to give gifts with personal flair this festive season! Keep your eye out for Banished Moon Pottery by Micheal Doxey, John Shea's landscapes from Rosal Bay Studio, paintings from Nora Brown Art Studio or Shirley Mancino with Mancino Gallery, stained glass from Our Cottage Glass or White Heather Glass Creations, and whimsical garden sculpture from Rue Royale Cast Stone. Photo sessions from Photo Richard are another idea!
Places to discover locally made giftables include the Bastard Coffee House in Delta, Kilborn's and Stagecoach Fine Foods in Newboro, plus nearby Little Rideau Farm, Elgin Auctions, Julianna's, Monty's Haul, The Barn at Elgin, and The Tipped Ship in Elgin, The Recess Cafe in Portland, the Forfar Dairy & Sunflower Bake Shop in Forfar, and Wendy's Country Market in Morton.
Local Makers
Wood Works
At Bear Mountain Boat Shop, try your hand at canoe building with Bear Mountain Boats. Purchase plans and materials to build your own paddling vessel. Ted Moores and Joan Barrett have been helping people build beautiful small wooden boats, kayaks and canoes for 45 years using woodstrip epoxy methods based in North Crosby. They even offer workshops!
David Ambrose Furniture Maker creates stand out woodworking: from Windsor chairs, to tables, cabinets to architectural work, David Ambrose has been creating with wood since 1977. Situated in Rideau Lakes, all work is custom and designed to suit individual style.
Photo: David Ambrose website - Walnut end Tables in Craftsman style
Ted Stewart Wildlife Artist has an incredible talent for lifelike bird carving that seems to have a life of its own! Award-winning local artist, Ted Stewart, has been carving for more than 50 years and focuses on wood carvings depicting Ontario’s birds. A must-see which is absolutely thrilling for the birder in your family.
Photo: Ted Stewart Facebook Page
The Barn at Elgin is a restored space you have to see to believe it! Featuring ready-made rustic wooden furniture for the home or cottage. The Barn at Elgin is located in a 200-year-old restored barn now converted into a showroom. See the beautiful wooden breakfast nooks, rolling islands, washer toss boxes, side tables, barrel bar tops, Adirondack chairs, or chat with the owner about creating a custom piece!
Photo: The Barn at Elgin Facebook Page
Cheese Maker
Ontario’s best organic, raw milk artisan cheese is made by Bushgarden Farmstead Cheese in Rideau Lakes. Try their specialty varieties like wild nettle and garlic or the favourite Pilgrimage - or even make your own cheese gift basket to give this season!
Local Honey
Debbee's Bees near Newboro, Marion’s Honey by Marion Waenink between Forfar and Philipsville, and Homestead Honey near Portland make incredible wildflower honey.
Maple Makers
World Champion maple syrup from Little Rideau Farm shop is located just outside of Newboro and offers famous maple vinegar, as well as maple butter, maple sugar and much more. Also of note is their Maple Sugar Pepper – perfect for a stocking stuffer! We hear it’s a delicious kick on roasted walnuts. For the first time in the history of The Royal Winter Fair, Leggett's pure maple syrup placed first in all three categories (extra light, light and medium; now known as Golden and Amber). In addition, Leggett's has twice been awarded the title of premier exhibitor at The Royal, garnering seven of a possible eight First Place ribbons as well as The Charles Corbett Trophy for most points in Maple Sugar Classes. Check out the amazing maple producers in Rideau Lakes at https://www.rideaulakes.ca/experience/about/stories/world-champion-maple-syrup
Photo: Maple Vinegar at Little Rideau Farm
Soap, Body and Home
Newboro Soap Company creates artisan soaps in the heart of Rideau Lakes! Handmade with love in small batches, this local soap company is creating feel-good gems like the new orange and clove, as well as hippy revival – and we hear there are some kids’ soap shapes available, too! Did you know this is also a biodegradable refillery? That’s right, you can bring your empty containers to be refilled with eco-friendly products.
Photo: Newboro Soap Company Facebook Page
Willow Bay Naturals is a woman-owned business dedicated to creating all natural soap, body, and home care products. Perfect for anyone looking for eco-friendly alternatives free from harmful artificial fragrance and colouring in their skincare products. Our product range includes natural soy blend luxurious wood wick candles that provide a soothing and relaxing ambiance in your home.
Local Bakers
‘Tis the season for cookies! Go easy on yourself while still baking cookies that will be the talk of the cookie exchange crew this year. Check out all the talented bakers in Rideau Lakes at https://www.rideaulakes.ca/experience/about/stories/bake-shops-in-rideau-lakes
Nut Free Gourmet Cookies and Dough crafts irresistible, nut-free raw cookie dough made with real butter for that melt-in-your-mouth treat. Made in beautiful Jones Falls at Hotel Kenney Rideau, we’re talking chocolate chip, ginger, chocolate fudge chip, shortbread and more – irresistible!
The Pie Bar is a purveyor of modern baked goods across Eastern Ontario that incorporates delicious pastries and cookies into the menu. Their love of the unconventional has created a global fan-base, with both traditional flavours and other brilliantly unique brainchild combinations of talented owner Stacy Blair. Watch their socials for open hours and swing over to snap up some French pastries, or pre-order for pies and Christmas goodies.
Photo: The Pie Bar Facebook Page
Are you a maker in Rideau Lakes? Let us know!
Festive Markets and Craft Fairs
Connect with multiple makers in festive spaces! Christmas markets are in full swing both in Rideau Lakes and further afield featuring local artisans.
Craft, arts, makers and gifts – all in one! Delta will have TWO holiday craft fairs on November 15! Delta will be buzzing as there is a craft fair happening at the Old Town Hall (8 Lower Beverley Lake Park Road), as well as at the Delta’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch at 32 William Street. Both run 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Upper Rideau Branch 542 Christmas Craft Market promises to be full of vendors, crafts and seasonal delights on Saturday, November 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Westport Legion Hall! Come out and support some local small businesses and the community. We hear you can even visit with Santa from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.!
Artisans Christmas Market Westport
Make your list and check it twice! Westport Market - Christmas Edition is sure to be bustling with festive cheer on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at a new indoor location at the Royal Canadian Legion Upper Rideau Branch 542. Be sure to see the tree lighting afterwards at Town Hall as part of the Westport Shop and Hop.
Enjoy a festive country drive while visiting eclectic shops in the Rideau Lakes area! This Christmas Shop and Hop is on the calendar for Friday, Nov. 28 to Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 and features locally-created items alongside those from around the world. Collect stamps for a chance to win at participating merchants in Delta and Elgin, as well as further afield. Stop into shops like The Tipped Ship, Monty’s Haul, Elgin Auctions, Julianna’s, Wendy’s Country Market, and Bastard Coffee House. Happy shopping and hopping!
Kick off your holiday gifting on November 22 and 23, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.! Free parking and admission. Explore 30+ local vendors and creatives featuring handmade jewelry, delicious food, artwork, décor, and more — spread throughout the dining room on the main floor and the Alford room located upstairs in the main lodge. Donations will be accepted towards the Opinicon’s Christmas Dinner Baskets, to help feed families in our local community this holiday season!
