Toronto Shopping for Gifts

Where to Buy Christmas and Holiday Presents for Friends and Family

Nov 26, 2008 Lori Henry

Find the best gifts like clothing, art and home décor in Ontario, Canada from the ROM, AGO, Holt Renfrew and Gardiner Gallery.

Toronto shopping is a hotbed of gift ideas for Christmas and the holiday season. Spoil friends and family with art, their favourite clothing and home décor items. Find the author’s recommended stores in Toronto, Ontario below, including the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario), ROM (Royal Ontario Museum), Holt Renfrew and Gardiner Gallery

AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) Gift Shop

317 Dundas Street, Toronto, 416-979-6660

An absolute must-visit on any shopping trip, the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) gift store is a little but like heaven. Frank Gehry-designed, about 7,000 square feet of completely unique merchandise lines the rooms. Spend the day and find handcrafted artefacts, Frank Gehry-designed furniture, eclectic jewellery and gorgeous sculptures. The handpicked items are worthy of many return visits.

Favourite Find: Pop tab clutch by Escama Studio, a fair trade cooperative in Brazil, $52 CDN.

ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) Gift Shop

100 Queen’s Park, Toronto, 416-586-8000

The Museum gift store at the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) has many ideas for holiday presents. Located in the Bloor-Yorkville retail district, this shop carries upscale gifts for that picky person. A large book section has enough reading for a lifetime, while cultural artefacts are both curious and beautiful.

Favourite Find: Caribbean gemstone jewellery by Kari Lynn Bianchi, a Toronto-based artist, $99-$200 CDN.

Holt Renfrew

50 Bloor Street West, Toronto, 416-922-2333

Much-altered since it’s inception of selling only hats and furs, Holt Renfrew is now THE luxury department store for, well, everything. Pick up premiere cosmetics, high fashion and hot accessories for Christmas gifts, then try out the new brow bar (no appointment necessary) for a personal treat. When famished, head to the third floor to the Holt Renfrew Café, which is a delightfully fresh room to eat in.

Favourite Finds: Men’s Bernstock Speirs funky hat, $215 CDN, and a Holt Renfrew silver clutch purse with dangling chains, $195 CDN.

Gardiner Museum Gift Shop

111 Queen’s Park, Toronto, 416-586-8081

Another store one might not think of to purchase holiday gifts, the Gardiner Museum Gift Shop has great options for high quality merchandise. The ceramics are top notch and local artists are well represented. Jewellery has a classy edge and wood products are exceptional.

Favourite Find: Funky pottery by Ontario artists Shane Norrie and Kayo O’Young, $50-$700 CDN.

Recommended Toronto Hotel: The Fairmont Royal York

100 Front Street, Toronto, 416-368-2511

Possibly the most elegantly fabulous hotel to grab some shuteye in, the Fairmont Royal York hotel in Toronto is a grand site. 1,365 guest rooms each have their own sense of intimacy within the impressive building. With a rooftop home for Queen Bees and herbs, fantastic holiday deals, Chefs that focus on local, organic and sustainable ingredients, and an impressive environmental program, this is the recommended hotel to begin a holiday shopping spree.

Toronto Travel

For help with trip planning, hotel bookings and itinerary ideas, contact Tourism Toronto (1-800-499-2514).

The copyright of the article Toronto Shopping for Gifts in E Canada Travel is owned by Lori Henry. Permission to republish Toronto Shopping for Gifts in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

AGO Wood Holiday Gifts in Toronto, Ontario	AGO Gift Bags Made of Stone & Recyclable Plastics	Holt Renfrew's Christmas Window, Toronto, Ontario
Jewellery Gifts at ROM Museum Shop, Toronto, ON	Fairmont Royal York Hotel Room in Toronto, Ontario