Special delivery from A Gift Wrapped Life.
The rapidly approaching “prezzie” season got us thinking about gift-giving ideas for special events. We’re talking recognition offerings that carry nuance and long-remembered significance — the gift zone beyond cool goodie bag fillers and promotional giveaways.
Whether the occasion calls for speakers’ gifts, a special VIP congratulations or a thank you for staff and event attendees, TSEvents XS went “ideas” shopping and found the following:
Boxed Beauty
We so wish for a special delivery from A Gift Wrapped Life! If your gift recipient is female, shopping the online boutique is must. Gorgeously feminine-themed items — from elegant frames and desk accents to travel niceties and indulge-me-now products — are stunningly boxed and gift wrapped, right down to the perfect bow embellishment. Product customization available. Need just the abfab packaging? The site also offers gift-wrapping supplies and DIY tips.
Go Canada!
Team Canada Red Mittens.
Our nation’s Olympic spirit is back for an encore with the re-release of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s Team Canada Red Mittens. Loved them during February’s Winter Games! Extra applause now, especially for their fresh new design and the net proceeds donation from each $10 pair to our Olympic teams. The warm red cuties make perfect thanks-for-attending gifts for out-of-country, winter or Canadiana-themed soirees.
“A” Is For Artful
Letter art from Alphabet Photography.
A picture truly speaks a thousand words, or, in the case of Alphabet Photography, each letter in the word that relays the message. Custom-make framed word art gifts – “Thank you,” “Success,” “Welcome” — using the online gallery of over a thousand photos of Canadian and world landmarks and scenes shaped as a letter of the alphabet. A Las Vegas series of “letters” is launching soon. The Niagara-based business also offers pre-framed inspirational art, posters and calendars.
Quebec Terroir Goodies
A gift of goodies from A Taste of Quebec.
Edible gifts are gold, especially if wine and cheese-centric. You supply the vino and A Taste of Quebec pairs it with selections of their Quebec artisan cheeses and charcuterie for deliciously themed and personalized gifts. Add in terrines, spreads and gourmet oils for an artful arrangement on a cutting board or cheese plate. Ready-made sampler boxes, themed holiday baskets and gift certificates are also available.
For Star Performances
Make them a star via the International Star Registry.
Bestow gift recipients with a permanent place in the cosmos by naming a star after them. International Star Registry Canada symbolically assigns stars – one per person – and issues a certificate with the personalized name and its coordinates. Included is a sky chart with the star’s location circled in its home constellation, an astronomy booklet and congratulations letter customized with the giver’s name or corporate logo.
Gifts That Work
Word Vision donations work at home and abroad.
From gifting chickens and cows to education and medical supplies, World Vision Canada wraps up goodwill in product donations that benefit impoverished families and communities around the world. The range of impactful, tangible gift options poignantly capture the end benefits — we like how “a stable of animals that will help a whole village thrive has been donated on your behalf” sounds. There is also a World of Change Giving Card that lets giftees choose the project help they wish to spend their present on.
A Chef Experience
A gift of time and food from The Chef Alliance.
Who wouldn’t love the service of a personal chef to look after everything —customizing a menu, shopping, cooking, serving and cleaning up? It’s a super reward of both time and pampering. The Chef Alliance offers a range of experiential “chef gifts,” from pre-booking a week of prepared meals to an in-home cooking class or catered dinner for family and friends. Gift cards also available. 
