Give a gift that says ‘Made in the Mountains’
by Shari Bishop Bowes
There’s more than a little self-interest in my choice to compile a list of unique Christmas gift ideas to be found in the Bow Valley.
With just over six weeks left to Christmas, I know I am not alone in having frightentingly few of the items on my gift list checked off.
I also know I’m not alone in my wish to try to enjoy the holiday season at a more relaxed pace, rather than rushing about in city malls at the last minute.
I have good news on that front. Canmore and Banff shops are practically designed to help you find something special for everyone on your list, and, while you’re at it, put you in exactly the kind of mood you should be in at this time of year.
The first year I moved to Canmore, a bit of homesickness for the West Coast hit me about a month before Christmas. Late one weekend afternoon I headed to Banff with my list in hand, and with no idea where I should begin.
A few hours later I was surprised at how much fun it was to poke about shops I had once thought the exclusive terrain of the tourist. Many held treasures not to be found in any city mall, and, even better, had friendly staff that seemed pleased to help me.
As I stepped out onto the sidewalk I caught a glimpse of the snow frosted mountains turning pink at sunset, as tiny white lights glittered up and down Banff Avenue. It didn’t hurt that just about everyone on the street — most of them visiting and in full vacation mode — looked happy and just as appreciative of the moment as I was.
Christmas shopping in Canmore and Banff is a pleasure made even more complete with a stop-off at a local coffee bar or restaurant, or with a side trip to a local craft fair or to hear a choir perform at one of the many holiday events. I’ve compiled here a few ideas with an emphasis on locally made items, be they art, craft, book, food or souvenir.
The Gift of Native Culture
Sort through the kitschy made-in-China souvenirs and you will come across gifts made right here in the Bow Valley by the Stoney Native Indians.
Go right to the source with a visit to the Nakoda Lodge Gift Shop, located about 25 minutes east of Canmore on the Stoney Reserve. You’ll find local aboriginal arts and crafts, clothing, art, beadwork and other gifts. Nakoda Lodge has a great Sunday brunch, a good excuse to combine an out-of-the-way excursion with a little Christmas shopping.
You’ll find lots of local authors and Rocky Mountain subject matter at Café Books in Canmore, but also the kind of children’s Christmas books that make long winter nights by the fire all the more special.
If you find yourself in Banff, visit Kinnikinnik Craft and Gift, whose staff are passionate and well informed on the subject of native art and handicrafts.
• Nakoda Lodge Gift Shop at Nakoda Lodge, follow the signs on the scenic 1A Highway east of Canmore. Ph. 403.881.3949.
• Kinnikinnik Craft and Gift, 207 Banff Ave. Ph. 403.760.6613.
Create a Family Heirloom
Jewelry is one of the most personal gifts that can be given, and one that will remind the recipient every day of the thought that went into its purchase. While the Bow Valley has an excellent selection of fine jewelry stores — the majority of them in Banff — it’s an even better choice to create a one-of-a-kind piece with a local goldsmith.
Three particularly fine goldsmiths in the valley also have shops where you can view their creations — and learn which style best suits the tastes of the person on your list. The only word of caution here is to leave enough time for the goldsmith to create your piece, and that may be a number of months if they have a long list of commissions.
The Rocky Mountain Soap Company is known for using the finest natural ingredients in its handmade products, including, of course, many varieties of soap. Order on-line or drop by their Canmore shop.
Here in Canmore, visit the industrial style shop of Rudi Peet to view his creations and the work of his partner Susan Kun. Their work provides a particularly beautiful memento of the Canadian Rockies, with many pieces inspired by the forms and shapes of nature.
Another Canmore goldsmith to visit is Dietje Hagedoorn, whose gorgeous hand-forged gold and sterling silver rings, bracelets and pendants are perfect for those who love simple and elegant jewelry.
In Banff, visit master goldsmith and gemologist Philippe of Banff to see his work with ammolite and jade gemstones. A favourite for visitors is a solid gold bear pendant that slides on a silky rope.
• Rudi Peet Goldsmith, 10B, 102 Bow Meadows Crescent, Canmore. Ph. 403.678.6131.
• Dietje Hagedoorn, 109, 1205 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore. Ph. 403.678.3303.
• Philippe of Banff, 111 Banff Avenue. Ph. 403.760.8744.
Gifts to Get You in a Lather
If you’ve yet to visit the beautiful Bow Valley, you might be surprised by the dry climate here and its effect on your skin. And that effect does double duty in the wintertime.
There’s no surprise, then, that Canmore is home to one of the largest manufacturers of 100% natural soap and bath products in Canada.
The Rocky Mountain Soap Company started out as a small shop here in 1995, and less than 10 years later has expanded as a supplier to shops countrywide. Your best Christmas shopping bet, however, is to visit the Soap Co.’s Main Street store for a full look at their yummy smelling product line.
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Handblown glass art in the Tree series, made by Canmore artist Susan Gottselig, is a special gift well suited for the Christmas season.
Everything is handmade in a manufacturing facility in Canmore, with most products designed to suit different skin types. It’s not just soap — there’s bath salts and bath gems, their famous body and foot butters, milk bath, massage oils, bed and body mists and a new line of baby items. Everything’s preservative and perfume free, with an emphasis on the highest quality natural ingredients. If you can’t decide, there’s always pre-made gift sets with a variety of items included.
• Rocky Mountain Soap Company, 103, 820 Main Street, Canmore. Ph. 403. 678.9873. See www.rockymountainsoap.com for on-line ordering.
Reading Lamp Not Included
There isn’t enough space here to chronicle the local authors and long list of local subject matter available at the Bow Valley’s independent book purveyors. Books, again, are rather personal and selected based upon the interests of your “giftee”.
Children’s stories, cuisine, all manner of outdoor pursuits, flora and fauna, history of the human and natural variety, fiction, and a long list of the guidebook variety can be found in great abundance here. It’s also rather nice to occasionally find a signed copy, or to meet the author at a casual reading in-store. (Watch our Essential Events Calendar for literary events.)
Valley bookstore staff are well informed and passionate about our local authors. The only caution here is to leave yourself lots of time to enjoy the browse. In Canmore, it’s CafÈ Books, while a bibliophile’s Banff highlight will be The Banff Book & Art Den.
• CafÈ Books, 826 Main Street, Canmore. Ph. 403.678.0908.
• The Banff Book & Art Den, 94 Banff Avenue, Banff. Ph. 403.762.3919.
And You Thought You Weren’t Crafty
Martha Stewart is too busy serving time these days to offer TV tips on making your own Christmas gifts.
Don’t worry about that, because making it yourself is easier than you think. At Great Bowls Afire in Canmore, you and your children can explore your creative side with absolutely no experience! This paint-your-own-pottery studio and cappuccino bar offers a laid back atmosphere and friendly staff to assist you with your masterpiece. Choose from over 100 items that range from mugs to platters to teapots to vases.
An afternoon at their cozy studio will result in a very heartfelt gift for someone on your list — whether it’s made by a gifted artist or a six year old with a wild imagination.
• Great Bowls Afire, 5, 626 Main Street, Canmore. Ph. 403.678.9507.
It’s Clear that Glass Art Makes a Great Gift
SolaraLife has a mission to tell you about as many Bow Valley artists as we possibly can — but that can’t be achieved in just one issue!
Our artistic gift idea is the work of a talented Canmore artist, Susan Gottselig, who works from her hot glass studio here, Mineside Studios.
Gottselig’s Celebration Figures are in collections around the world, and renowned as a choice of gift for many North American honours.
The Canada House Gallery website says it best: ‘These tall, linear figures capture the graceful beauty and movement of the human form into molten glass. Displayed in groups, the figures convey the bonds and relationships of the human species. Alone, the solitary figure symbolizes our individual identities.” Clean, modern and stunning, these glass figures make a very special gift for the art lover or the person on your list who has perhaps overcome an obstacle or achieved a major accomplishment in their life this year.
Gottselig’s Tree series offers another option for the gorgeous art gift. These trees offer a gift that makes a statement about the season, and the natural world we’re so blessed with in this valley.
• Susan Gottselig, Mineside Studios, Canmore. Ph. 403.609.9333. Website: www.albertacraft.ab.ca/susangottselig
An Appetite for Great Gifts
You already know the best gift for the person who has everything: gourmet food items.
Canmore is home to a trio of great ideas for gourmet Christmas gifts, or to take along for the hosts of parties and dinners during the season.
Valbella Gourmet Foods is a Canmore wholesaler, which has its award-winning meat products available at a storefront deli on the edge of town.
Choose from a variety of their paté tins, including duck liver, venison, pepper, wildboar, and several varieties in a flaky crust.
Forget another box of candy for your favourite sweet tooth. If you’re anywhere near Canmore, get thee to Sweet Madeira for cookies like none other you’ve ever tasted. This boutique cookie company is operated by baker extraordinaire Cecilia Lortscher, whose pistachio cookie has been declared as “better than sex” by at least one ardent fan.
Cecilia has a great fan in food writer and Calgary Herald restaurant critic John Gilchrist, who has this to say about her many decadent recipes: “They look normal, but they are instilled with a delicate quality and intensity that most cookie makers just dream of. Try giving these away if you can; you’re likely to eat most of them first.”
An excellent accompaniment for a cookie is a great cup of coffee. Blends Coffee Roasters in Canmore has been roasting pure Arabica beans since the early ‘90s, with 40 different blends (made from a variety of different beans) and straights (made from a single type of bean) available. The full range is available at the Coffeepot & Curry Stop, while a good variety of half-pound bags are available at Marra’s Grocery.
• Valbella Deli & Café, 104 Elk Run Boulevard, Canmore. Ph. 403.678.3637.
• Sweet Madeira, 109, 112 Kananaskis Way, Canmore. Ph. 403.609.9957.
• Blends Coffee Roasters products at Coffeepot & Curry Stop, 3, 637 10 Street, Canmore. Ph. 403.678.2688.
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