Halifax 
Credit: Black Market Boutique
With two months left until Christmas, it’s time to start thinking about your gift list. You’ve probably got a good idea of who you’re giving gifts to, but some of those people may be hard to shop for. Never fear—in Halifax, there are plenty of places to find unique Christmas gifts. Take a wander to one of these stores and you’re sure to find that elusive “I saw this and thought of you” type of present.
For the Stationery Geek
And I say this as a proud Stationery Geek. Duly Noted is a stationery-dedicated store that has a wide selection of notebooks, writing utensils, letter-writing supplies, and so much more. It’s a beautiful shop with everything on display, perfect for browsing inspiration to strike. If you have something specific in mind, check out their website. And while you’re there, why not pick up this year’s Christmas cards? Details
Address: 104-5431 Doyle Street
Phone: 902-446-5605
For Lovers of Quirky
The ultimate browsing experience, Biscuit take a piece of the past and brings it to the present. They’ve got clothes, hats, bags, jewelry, shoes, coasters, salt and pepper shakers, dish towels….and so much more. They pride themselves on their quirky and fun aesthetic, and everything is charming. Their store is well worth a trip or ten, but if you want to get a lay of the land first, they now have an online store. Details
Address: 1661 Argyle Street
Phone: 902-425-5436
For the Pottery Lover
If you want to personalize your gift for a mug or statue lover, the Clay Café is the place for you. The premise is simple: you pick a piece, pick some paints, and start painting! They’ve got a huge range of pieces to pick from—I’ve personally painted a pirate, a giraffe, a dolphin, and an angel. Once it looks perfect, they’ll fire it in their kiln and you can pick up the finished piece within a week. And if you want to give the gift of an experience, they’ve got gift cards so the giftee can go and pick their own piece and enjoy a nice hot drink while painting their perfect decoration. Details
Address: 6413 Quinpool Road
Phone: 902-429-2994
For the Sock Monster
Do I mean someone who owns so many socks they need their own drawer, or someone whose socks disappear so rapidly it seems they might be eating them? Whichever one you’re shopping for, Sock it to Ya is the place to go! They’ve got socks for every shoe size and aesthetic, perfect for dressing up a wardrobe. Their stock goes beyond socks, though: you’ll find accessories, tote bags, specialty gum, and even bathroom mists. And if you see a pair of socks you like….well, you can always get a self-gift, right? Details
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Address: 5431 Doyle Street
Phone: 902-429-7625
For the Manga and Anime Lover
If you’ve got a lover of Asian pop culture on your list, you’ll find their heart’s desire at Sarah and Tom’s. They’ve got stationery, K-pop albums, manga, plushies and figurines from various franchises, and so much more. The store is beautiful, and with the variety of gifts you’re sure to find a bunch of options for gifting. If you’re not sure where to start, check out their Facebook page for frequent updates on their stock, and they’re happy to answer questions! Details
Address: 6448 Quinpool Road
Phone: 902-431-4619
For Lovers of Beauty
The Black Market Boutique announces itself the moment you step onto its street—it’s hard to miss with the gorgeous mosaics surrounding the door. It’s even more beautiful once you step inside and see the displays of jewelry of all kinds. The items are hand-picked around the world, and the boutique supports family businesses and important organizations. You can also find accessories, clothing and home décor items as well. And if you go closer to Christmas, you’ll find gorgeous Christmas ornaments to hang on your tree—or on the tree of a giftee! Details
Address: 1545 Grafton Street
Phone: 902-423-5724
For the Hobbyist
Do you have a SCUBA diver on your list? How about a lover of model planes or trains? Maybe model rockets? If you’ve answered yes to one of those you need to check out Nautilus Hobbies. They’ve got all the supplies you could ever want for the hobbies listed above, and so much more. Double check what your hobbyist already has, or give them supplies for a brand-new hobby—either way, Nautilus is happy to help. Details
Phone: 902-454-4296
Address: 6442 Quinpool Road
For the Fashionista
Buying local when you can is a great way to make Christmas unique, and Samuel & Co. is a great place to find Atlantic Canadian boutique fashion. They’ve got clothes from practical to party in a variety of colours. I’ve gone for Christmas dresses and work pants, for winter coats and summer shirts. You’re sure to find something to fit the aesthetic of everyone on your list, and with frequent sales and great service, visiting a Samuel & Co. is an awesome holiday treat. Details
Address: Halifax Shopping Centre, 902-453-6208
Park Lane Mall, 902-421-2632
For the Plaid Lover
Here in Nova Scotia, plaid is an important part of our aesthetic, so take a trip across the bridge to Dartmouth to the Plaid Place store specifically. You’ll find clothing, blankets, jewelry, and even tartan fabric perfect for a sewing-loving giftee. Check for your family’s tartan or just pick the one that you like best, and be ready to get kitted out with plaid (or kilted out, because they’ve got plenty of those!) Details
Address: 535 Portland Street, Dartmouth
Phone: 902-429-6872
For the Sweet Tooth
Sweet Jane’s is an awesome place to visit at any time of the year, but there’s something special about a candy store at Christmas. And really, Sweet Jane’s is more than a candy store, with a variety of products including novelty products, gourmet chocolate, and so much more. With gift baskets for every palate that include candy, gifts, and even other food, you’ll probably be able to check multiple people off your list. And hey, while you’re there, you might as well satisfy your own sweet tooth! Details
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Address: 1300 Queen Street
Phone: 1-877-333-9055
For the Nova Scotian Aesthetic
If you’re shopping for someone who’s gone away, or who’s come from away, what better than a taste of Nova Scotia? Jennifer’s of Nova Scotia’s products are all created by Atlantic Canadian artists, most of them from our fair province, and the materials are also 100% Atlantic Canadian. They’ve got pottery, home décor, cards, bath and body, jewelry, food, and more, so there’s something Nova Scotian for everyone. If you want to put local under the tree, head to Jennifer’s on Spring Garden Road. Details
Address: 5635 Spring Garden Road
Phone: 1-902-425-3119
For Readers of All Ages
I could talk about Bookmark for several pages, but here are some highlights—it’s an independent bookstore, the staff are fantastic, and you can get pretty much anything for a reading lifestyle. They’ve got a substantial online catalogue, so if you can’t find what you want in their store you can order it in. Get notebooks, pens, tote bags, and a truly stunning variety of reading lights. If there’s a bookworm or two on your list, head over to find the perfect new story. Details
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Address: 5686 Spring Garden Road
Phone: 902-423-0419
For Young Readers
Woozles is a long-standing tradition in Halifax—in fact, it’s the oldest children’s bookstore in Canada. You’ll find books here for kids of all ages, both nonfiction and fiction. There are also toys here, from LEGO to Playmobil to stuffed animals. If you’re not sure what books they might like, pick up a gift certificate and plan a special outing with your young reader to explore the store and start making some Woozles memories of your own. Details
Address: 1533 Birmingham Street
Phone: 902-423-7626
For the Knitter
If you’ve got a local knitter on your list, they’re likely to be familiar with the Loop. This fibre craft store has everything you could want or need for knitting, embroidery, and spinning. There are a ton of different kinds of yarn, perfect if there are allergy concerns, and books and kits to help spark inspiration. Check what size needles they want and what types of yarn they like, and you’re all set! Details
Address: 1557 Barrington Street
Phone: 902-429-5667
For the Outdoorsy Type
There are many outdoor shops, but the Trail Shop is local and has awesome socks, so it’s special to me. The Trail Shop has literally everything you could possibly need for an outdoor adventure no matter your age, or even your species—they have a bunch of stuff for your four-legged friends! Whether the giftee is just getting started with their outdoor life or they’re a seasoned outdoors veteran, you’ll find something interesting, well-made, and fashionable at the Trail Shop. Details
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Address: 6112 Quinpool Road
Phone: 902-423-8736
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By: Adrienne Colborne