Guelph Gifting Guide: Local Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List

Holiday shopping hits different when you keep it close to home. Guelph is packed with

independent shops, makers, and experiences that turn “I had to get something” into “I found this and immediately thought of you.”

We are thrilled to share some local gift ideas to inspire you.

This Guelph Gifting Guide pulls together some of our favourite local spots by interest, so you can:

• Support small businesses in Guelph

• Find thoughtful, memorable gifts

• Spend more time enjoying the season and less time doom-scrolling big box sites

  
  

Whether you live in Guelph or you’re shopping for someone who loves this city, you’ll find plenty of local gift ideas below:

Toys & Games

For kids, kids-at-heart, and anyone whose love language is game night.

• Simply Wonderful Toys & Gizmos (@simplywonderfultoys) A downtown Guelph staple with shelves full of puzzles, puppets, STEM kits, and classic toys you don’t see in big box stores. Great for grandparents looking for something special and long-lasting.

• The Dragon (@dragonguelph) Comic books, graphic novels, board games, RPGs, miniatures… this is nerd heaven. Perfect for the Marvel fan, D&D group member, or strategy-game lover on your list.

• TKO Toy Co. (@tkotoyco) A curated collection of toys and games with a modern feel and lots of personality. Think funky finds, quality brands, and gifts that stand out at birthday parties and under the tree.

  
  

Gift pairing idea: Board game from The Dragon + puzzles from Simply Wonderful Toys + hot chocolate from a local café = “Family Game Night” basket.

Stocking Stuffers & Small Treats

Cute, delicious, and easy to tuck into a stocking, gift basket, or teacher gift.

• Benjamin’s Bodega (@benjaminsbodega) A neighbourhood bodega feel with fun drinks, snacks, and little gourmet surprises that make great add-ons.

• The Hive & Grove (@thehiveart33) Books, tarot, teas, and thoughtfully curated spiritual and self-care items. Ideal for the friend who loves journalling, pulling cards, or sipping something cozy.

• Sweet! Guelph (@sweetguelph) Old-school candy shop energy with loads of nostalgia and colourful treats. Great for kids’ stockings or a retro candy jar for the office.

• Sunday Blooms (@shopsundayblooms) Stylish floral arrangements, dried florals, and sweet little gifts. A lovely stop for host/hostess gifts or something pretty for someone’s desk or bedside table.

• The Scented Market (@thescentedmarket) Soy candles, bath soaks, room sprays, and more, many in seasonally inspired scents. Ideal for creating that cozy winter vibe.

• Reid’s Chocolates (@reidschocolate) Handmade chocolates and treats from a longstanding local favourite. Perfect for stocking stuffers, client gifts, or “one for you, one for me” moments.

For Book Lovers

For the friend who always has a book on the go (or the stack on the nightstand).

• Janus Books (@janusbooksguelph) A beloved used bookstore downtown, full of well-loved finds, rare gems, and shelves you can easily lose an afternoon in.

• The Bookshelf (@bookshelfnews) Independent bookstore + cinema + café/bar = a Guelph institution. Books, magazines, journals, and gift cards all make fantastic presents.

• Sunrise Books (Speedvale Ave) A friendly north-end shop with a curated selection, great for the reader who likes to browse closer to home.

  
  

Gift idea: Pair a local bookstore gift card with a cozy mug from a downtown shop and some locally roasted coffee or tea.

For Green Thumbs & Plant People

For the person whose plant collection might officially be a jungle.

• Royal City Nursery (@royalcitynursery) A third-generation, full-service garden centre just outside the city with plants, trees, décor, and expert advice for every level of gardener.

• Secret Garden Boutique (@secret.garden.boutique) A downtown shop focusing on tropical and rare houseplants. Ideal for the plant parent who’s ready to move beyond snake plants into variegated and “unicorn” finds.

  
  

Gift idea: Pretty new plant from Secret Garden Boutique + pot and soil from Royal City Nursery = “instant plant corner” gift.

For Foodies

For the person who plans weekends around what they’re eating next.

• Market Fresh Guelph (@marketfreshguelph) A gourmet market with local produce, prepared foods, a butcher, and chef-created goodies. Build a charcuterie basket or an at-home brunch kit.

• TOMME Cheese Shop (@tommecheeseshop) A downtown cheese shop with an impressive selection of Canadian and international cheeses, plus expert guidance on what to pair with what.

• The Olive Experience Inc. (@theoliveexperienceinc) An olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting bar in downtown Guelph. Flavoured oils, vinegars, and gift sets that food lovers will actually use.

• A&E Market + Deli (@aemarketdeli) A European-inspired market and deli on York Road with sandwiches, hot food, and specialty items. Great for ready-to-eat holiday hosting help or picnic-style gifts.

• Guelph Farmers’ Market (@guelphfarmersmarket) A Saturday morning tradition since the 1800s, full of local producers, bakers, makers, and artisans in downtown Guelph.

• Polestar Hearth (@polestarhearth) A sourdough-focused community bakery on Woolwich Street, known for wood-fired loaves and beautiful, rustic baked goods.

  
  

Gift idea: Put together a “Taste of Guelph” basket with bread from Polestar Hearth, cheese from TOMME, oils from The Olive Experience, and treats from Market Fresh or the Farmers’ Market.

For Caffeine Cravers

For the person whose personality is 60% coffee.

• Cavan Coffee (@cavancoffeeco) South-end café and roastery serving third-wave coffee in a bright, welcoming space.

• Centurion Coffee (@centurion_coffee) Independent roaster and lounge with a serious coffee program and late-night hours. Great for beans, drinks, and gift cards.

• Lost Aviator Coffee Co. & Coffee Bar (@lostaviatorcoffeebar) Pilot-founded roastery with locations on York and Laird. Beans, merch, and café vibes make easy gifts.

• Found Coffee Guelph (@found.coffee.gph) A downtown coffee shop focused on “Drink Better Coffee,” with beans, drinks, and a beautifully designed space.

• Red Brick Café (@redbrickguelph) A Guelph classic on Douglas Street, known as a social hub and event space serving espresso, cocktails, and homemade treats.

• Sol Bakehouse (@sol_bakehouse)A bakery-driven coffee spot (check their Instagram for current offerings) where you can grab baked goods and caffeinated treats.

• KANOO Coffee (@kanoocoffee) A cozy downtown café on Yarmouth Street with specialty coffee, tea, and house-made baked goods.

  
  

Gift idea: Bag of beans + a cute mug from a local shop + a gift card to their favourite café = The “I Know How Much You Love Coffee” gift.

For Creators of All Ages

For makers, crafters, artists, and people who always have something drying on the dining table.

• Play with Clay & Clay Bar Guelph (@playwithclaybarguelph) A licensed interactive pottery studio where you can paint or sculpt while enjoying snacks and drinks. They offer drop-ins, classes, and camps.

• The Children’s Art Factory (@thechildrensartfactory) A process-based art studio focused on play, exploration, and creativity for young kids. Think messy, sensory, and imagination-driven fun.

• Wyndham Art Supplies (@wyndhamart) An independent art supply store downtown with everything from paints and sketchbooks to printmaking tools and giftable kits.

• Woolwich Fine Yarns (@woolwichfineyarns) A beautiful yarn shop on Quebec Street with natural fibres, tools, and kits for knitters and crocheters.

  
  

Gift idea: Pottery session at Play with Clay + art supplies or yarn = an entire winter’s worth of cozy projects.

For Vintage Lovers

For the thrifter, the fashion history nerd, and the friend who always finds the best piece in the store.

• Old Pal Vintage (@oldpal.vintage) A curated vintage shop with clothing, accessories, and treasures that feel like they already have stories attached.

• Vintage Instincts (@vintageinstincts) A premium vintage clothing store on Essex Street and one of the largest brick-and-mortar vintage shops in Canada.

• Rumours Consignment & Vintage Clothing (@rumoursguelph) A downtown consignment and vintage shop on Quebec Street with a mix of eras and styles, all built around the mantra “What goes around, comes around.”

• The Patch (@thepatchguelph) A colourful thrift and vintage boutique on Wyndham Street with hand-picked, wallet-friendly pieces and a fun playlist to match.

  
  

Gift idea: Create a “Sustainable Style” gift card bundle with cards to two or three vintage shops so your person can hunt for their own treasures.

Gifted Experiences

Perfect for people who prefer memories over more “stuff.”

• Taste Detours (@tastedetours) Award-winning food and drink tours with a heritage twist in Guelph, Elora, and Wellington County. Gift certificates are a great way to treat someone to an afternoon of eating their way through downtown.

• Guelph Storm (OHL) (@guelph_storm_ohl) Tickets to a Storm game at the Sleeman Centre are a hit for sports fans, families, and teens who love a big-game atmosphere.

• Cox Creek Cellars (@cox_creek_cellars) A local winery just north of Guelph offering wines, tastings, and seasonal events. A nice option for couples, parents, or friends who enjoy an afternoon in the country.

• River Run Centre (@riverrunguelph) Guelph’s performing arts centre, with concerts, musicals, plays, comedy, and family shows all season long. Tickets or gift certificates make a beautiful “night out” gift.

• Brae Ridge Farm & Sanctuary (@braeridgealpacas) An alpaca farm and animal sanctuary offering private farm tours, alpaca yoga, and unique experiences just outside Guelph.

• The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada (@thedonkeysanctuary) A sanctuary in Puslinch providing a lifelong home for donkeys, mules, and hinnies. You can gift a visit, sponsorship, or donation in someone’s name.

  
  

Gift idea: Wrap up a pair of cozy alpaca socks from Brae Ridge with a printed farm tour voucher, or pair River Run tickets with a dinner reservation downtown.

Why did Guelph REALTORS® Make a Gifting Guide?

We spend our days helping people move into and around Guelph, and we hear the same thing all the time:

“We love this city because of the people and the local community.”

Supporting these shops, markets, cafés, and experiences keeps Guelph’s neighbourhoods vibrant. It also helps new residents fall in love with the city faster.

If you’re thinking about a move in or around Guelph—and you’d like a real estate team that also knows all the best coffee, pastry, and gift spots—we’re here for that too.

We’re always happy to talk homes, community, and where to grab a great last-minute gift.