Local Gift Guide from the Germain Family

Marie Pier

For Brunch Lovers
I absolutely love the traditional Italian Christmas bread, the panettone. It’s a brunch staple in my home during the Holidays. I’ve recently discovered a new one that I intend to give to everyone: the Viva Panettone! My friend Laurent Duvernay-Tardif told me about this local company that creates these exceptional brioche breads and I immediately wanted to taste them. For the chocolate lovers on my gift list, I will go with the Gianduja (hazelnut chocolate) and for the purists, I’ll choose the Signature (candied fruit, raisins and vanilla).

Ballet Tickets
If I had one gift to ask Santa for myself, it would be tickets to Les Grands Ballets Canadiens! Culture makes a great gift, whether it’s art, music, theatre or dance. The 2023 season of Les Grands ballets promises to be particularly interesting with performances of Requiem and Cinderella. In Toronto, the National Ballet of Canada will also have a few representations of Cinderella as well as the always very popular Romeo and Juliet. In Calgary, Alberta Ballet presents The Nutcracker, Love Rocks and Giselle.

An Exceptional Candle
The Chanvre et Ambre candle created especially for Le Germain Hotel Montreal by the talented Ruby Brown is now available on the Simons online store. It really is the perfect hostess gift!

Christiane

The Importance of Selfcare
I instantly fell in love with SELV Rituel when they appeared on the show Dans l’œil du dragon (Dragon’s Den’s French version). This Quebec company makes it easy to feel as relaxed in your own bath as you would be the spa. I love using their products and it is always a pleasure to gift them too. The Boréal Rituel Kit is probably my favourite.

Art All Year Long
An annual subscription to the National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec is a must for art lovers in the Quebec region. In my opinion, a visit to the museum can revitalize and inspire you like nothing else.

Hugo

For cycling enthusiasts
I’ve recently discovered this great gift for athletes: the Mint’n Dry biodegradable maintenance products for bikes. They are entirely designed and manufactured in Quebec. I could see myself offering their products as an exchange gift, for example!

Superior Skiing
Ferreol skis are real works of art made for hitting the slopes in style… and in speed! Built of wood species (maple, poplar, cherry) sourced from responsible cuts located less than 100 kilometers from their production site, these skis are not only efficient, but also durable. Skiers hitting the slopes of the Massif in Quebec or the Rockies in Alberta will be delighted to wear these little beauties.

To Spoil a Foodie
I love pizza, it's no secret. (Hello Alt Hotel Halifax's brand new Sosta!, I’ll be coming to see you soon!) That’s why I absolutely love receiving (and giving) gifts related to my favourite comfort food. This hand crafted oil cruet is incredibly beautiful and will delight any amateur pizza maker.

Laurie

For Families
If you want to spoil children, but also their parents, I strongly recommend the Espace pour la vie passport. It gives unlimited access to the Biodôme, Insectarium, Planetarium, the botanical garden and the Biosphere of Montreal for a year. Perfect for keeping busy on cold winter days when it’s too cold to play outside but you still need to entertain your kids! For families in Quebec City, Toronto and Winnipeg, there is the yearly subscription to the Aquarium which is just as great.

A Board Game made in Quebec
I also like to put a new board game under the Christmas tree every year. “Dis comme moi” is a game of words and association of ideas (it’s in French). The goal? Two people must think the same way in order to score points. The box being small, I can easily fit it in my luggage when we leave for a few days at the hotel and plan on spending a quiet evening in our hotel room!

Clarah

Dogs Are Entitled to Gifts Too!
But of course, your dog has to have a present under the Christmas tree! I plan to slip a bag of Todd&Paul treats into mine’s Christmas stocking! They are available online, but also in our Altcetera counters!

A Pinch of Salt
That's my go-to hostess gift: salt from the Newfoundland Salt Company. It is produced by hand in Bonavista. To truly taste the best of The Rock’s terroir, opt for the juniper smoked salt.

Souvenirs from Newfoundland
I like to gift artwork from artists I admire. Among my favourites is a talented local photographer, Kara O'Keefe. Dreaming of coming to Newfoundland or planning on coming next year? I’d suggest her calendar filled with beautiful seasonal landscapes! You can also buy her framed photos via Art Funnels. Moreover, some are on permanent display at the Alt Hotel St. John’s.

Jean Yves

A Bottle of Good Local Spirit

You’ll make someone very happy when gifting a bottle of the Charlevoix-based Menaud microdistillery, whether it is their gin, their vodka or their fruit liqueur. If I were living in Western Canada, I would give a Canadian whiskey from Black Fox Farm and Distillery in Saskatoon.

Whiskey Stones
Elegant and practical, these whiskey stones that you keep in the freezer allow you to keep your alcohol cold without diluting it. A great stocking gift!