Curate unique gifts for all 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!
23 and Co. - Baked by the Lake
These mouth-watering sweet treats are small batch, handcrafted by local, Krista Gill, and can be purchased online and shipped across Canada! Share some cookie love with family and friends all year round – or, if you need an occasion, National Cookie Day is on Monday, Dec. 4 this year. Why not celebrate? These gourmet cookies are sold by six and packaged for perfect gifting.
Photo: 23 and Co. Baked by the Lake website
Bastard Coffee House
Tucked away in a beautiful heritage building in Delta, discover giftables, locally-created art, and of course delicious coffee, treats and soul-warming fare.
Photo: Bastard Coffee House Facebook Page
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!
Photo: Bear Mountain Boats website
Cabin Fever Essentials
Bring smiles this season! Cabin Fever Essentials is all about organic skincare, and natural home care products. From face serum to aromatherapy candles, to beeswax wraps to luxurious soaps everything is natural - and smells amazing, too. Perfect for a personal pick-me-up or gifting!
Photo: Cabin Fever Essentials website
David Ambrose Furniture Maker
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 Furniture Maker website
Little Rideau Farm
This charming, World Champion maple syrup shop is located just outside of Newboro and offers their 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.
Photo: Little Rideau Farm
Newboro Soap Company
Artisan soaps made in the heart of Rideau Lakes! Handmade with love in small batches, this local soap company is creating feel-good gems like vanilla chai, pumpkin spice and hippy revival - and is also a biodegradable refillery! That’s right, you can bring your empty cleaning and laundry containers to be refilled with ecofriendly products.
Photo: Newboro Soap Company Facebook Page
Nut Free Gourmet Cookies and Dough
‘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. Nut Free Gourmet 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!
Photo: Nut Free Gourmet Facebook Page
Recess Cafe
Grab a warm drink or a hearty and healthy bite to eat at the Recess Café. This cute café in Portland sells specialty items from local makers and wows with the impressive savoury menu as well as ambiance.
Photo: Recess Cafe by Marie White
Ted Stewart Wildlife Artist
Lifelike bird art 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!
The Pie Bar
This purveyor of modern baked goods across Eastern Ontario incorporates delicious sourdough, pastries and cookies into the menu. The Pie Bar's 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. Be sure to look for seasonal pies and cookies!
Photo: The Pie Bar Facebook Page
Christmas Markets
Connect with multiple makers in festive spaces! Christmas markets are in full swing both in Rideau Lakes and further afield featuring local artisans.
Chaffeys Christmas Market
The small but mighty Chaffey’s Lock Christmas Market is chock full of fresh and festive creativity! The Chaffeys Lock Christmas Market is set for Saturday, November 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Christmas Craft Fair
The Upper Rideau Branch 542 Christmas Craft Fair promises to be full of vendors, crafts and seasonal delights on Saturday, December 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Westport Legion Hall! Come out and support some local small businesses and the community.
Portland on the Rideau Historical Society
is hosting a Christmas Market on Saturday, December 2 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Emmanuel Heritage Centre in Portland. This is a great opportunity to meet some local makers and get creative gifts from across Rideau Lakes.
Wendy’s Country Market
hosting a European Christmas Market at Furnace Falls Farm on Saturday Nov. 25 and Sunday, Nov. 26 featuring dozens of local vendors, unique gifts, live music, European inspired food, evergreen wreaths, baked goods, preserves and more. We hear there will also be free mulled cider and popcorn! If you’re into local food, be sure to seek out Bushgarden Farmstead Cheese there, the only certified raw milk cheese in Ontario made on Bush Road near Elgin.
Westport Christmas Market
Make your list and check it twice! Westport Market - Christmas Edition is sure to be bustling with festive cheer on Saturday, November 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the usual market location, 38 Concession St. across from the ball diamond.
Christmas 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 December 1 to 3 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, Zipper Thrift, Furnace Falls Farm and Bastard Coffee House. Happy shopping and hopping!
Are you a maker in Rideau Lakes? Let us know!
