6 Shops to Explore in Montreal
6 Shops to Explore in Montreal One of my favourite ways to shop is by looking for items that feel special, thoughtful, and different from what you’ll find at home. Montréal has such an incredible maker community, and the gifts that come out of the city are often artisanal, sustainably produced, and designed to last — which is exactly what I look for when shopping for gifts. From beauty and home to food and accessories, it’s a great place for inspiration when you’re trying to move beyond last-minute, big-box gifts. Many of the local brands ship nationwide, which makes it easy to support Canadian businesses and check everyone off your list without leaving home — especially during the busy holiday season. And for those who value experiences over things, Montréal delivers too — with dining, wellness, and cultural attractions that can be bundled and gifted through Passeport MTL, creating truly memorable moments. Le Cartel For someone who needs fresh, unique pieces to update their wardrobe, Le Cartel is the best place to shop. A diverse selection of talented artists make their art accessible by blending it with fashion, resulting in stylish streetwear.A fashion partner of Osheaga Musical and Arts Festival since 2018, Le Cartel features bold colours and designs in a range of shirts, sweaters, pants, jackets, and accessories — including toques for the chilly Canadian winter months. Everything is silk-screened in Montreal, and the artists are celebrated for their creative work, making a shopping experience that helps the local art community thrive. Les Filles FattoushThe delicious taste of Syria is available in Montreal at Les Filles Fattoush. This women-owned business benefits more than just your tastebuds – it employs refugee Syrian women, offering them a way to transition into Canadian life while maintaining deep ties to their culture. The resulting food is authentic and steeped in history. You can browse the store at the Jean-Talon Market for spreads, spices, sauces, and desserts, or get a recipe book to try your hand at Syrian dishes. Purchase a ready-to-eat meal at the store, or order online to have it delivered to your door. Excellent food makes for great gifting. Domaine des 15 lotsYou can’t get much more Canadian than maple, which is Domaine des 15 lots’ specialty. They have a tasty assortment of maples syrups, but that’s not all: maple butter, maple cream fudge, maple syrup jelly, and pastries (made with maple sugar) is a glimpse into
Last-minute Gifts For This Busy Holiday Season
Last-minute Gifts For This Busy Holiday Season Looking for some amazing last-minute gifts this busy holiday season? We got you covered with these great finds that all your friends and family will LOVE. Quo Beauty Have a self-care enthusiast or hair care lover on your list? Run to your local Shopper's Drug Mart to get these must-have gifts. The Quo Beauty Mini Straightener 4 Piece Kit is the perfect gift for that gal who loves silky smooth hair. This bundle of cheer comes with a mini straightener, a set of sectioning clips, and a hairbrush. Ditch the regular old advent calendar and upgrade to the Quo Beauty 12 Days of Bath! Celebrate everyday by opening bubbles and bath fizzies. Get this gift for your favourite person or treat yourself with a tranquil escape this busy time of the year. Give the gift of hand-care heaven with the Quo Beauty Hand Cream Collection. This ultimate set comes with five different hand creams to keep that special someone’s hands feeling soft and smelling like a million bucks! For the man in your life, give him an upgrade to his daily routine with the Quo Beauty Men’s Grooming Kit. This set comes with everything to keep him looking snazzy this holiday season and everyday after: Nail Clippers, Nail Scissors, Tweezers, Facial Razor, and Comb. The Quo Beauty Men’s Manicure Set is another great gift that comes with all the essentials for a flawless manicure! At home or on the go, he can use this kit anywhere! Comes with Large Nail Clipper, Medium Nail Clipper, Diagonal Nail Clipper, Scissors, Nail File, Cuticle Trimmer, Nail Cleaner, Tweezers, and Blackhead Remover. Jack Black Suffering from dry lips this cold season? Treat yourself or a friend to the SuperHero Lip Balm Kit. The Moisture Therapy Lip Balm is an emollient balm, enriched with superior skin conditioners and antioxidants that soothes and relieves dry, chapped, irritated lips. It also offers SPF to keep the lips protected! Smell great throughout the year with Pit Boss Deodorant. This is the perfect gift that features long-lasting odor and wetness protection. The gentle antiperspirant and deodorant formula won’t irritate delicate underarm skin. The Black Reserve Body Spray is the one gift on every body spray lover’s list! A body spray with a deep, intriguing, and masculine scent that leaves you smelling like cardamom and red cedarwood; soothing lavender and bergamot; and distinctive coriander and patchouli. Combat that unwanted dry skin this winter with the Black Reserve
The Ultimate Gift Guide For This Holiday Season
Holiday shopping doesn’t have to be stressful. This Ultimate Gift Guide rounds up fun, practical, and luxurious ideas that truly make people smile. From hot tech to cozy comforts, these are the kinds of gifts that actually get used — and loved. These picks, you’ll check off your list faster and feel good about every present you wrap.Gifts For Baby Run to HomeSense and discover an endless assortment of perfectly priced holiday gifts for every age—from toys and books, to baby essentials—all under one roof. You will be impressed of how you can curate your baby’s toys and accessories to be just as chic as you! Grab toys perfect for aiding baby in their fine motor skills, and some beautiful books to read them on those cozy, snowy nights over the holidays! Shop them at your local HomeSense store!Gifts For The KiddosBeauty trends aren’t just about makeup anymore! In fact, they have spilled into the world of Slime with Gui Gui, where slime gets a glow up! Brought to you by Moose Toys, Gui Gui is similar to a beauty routine. Kids will follow five easy steps to mix, glam and play with 13 collectible scented slimes in four stunning textures: Gloss, Clear, Butter and Cloud. Every kit comes with surprise charms and a mystery figurine, so no two slimes are ever the same. Gui Gui makes creative play feel like a beauty trend — with all the ASMR goodness tweens love. Like honestly, who needs skincare when your slime glows this good? If your kids love Bluey, they’re going to go wild for this — it’s the Let’s Play Chef Supermarket Playset from Moose Toys! It’s inspired by the popular “Kids” episode, and it totally brings Bluey’s world to life at home. Kids can put Bluey and Bingo on the working escalator — yes, it actually moves! They can shop the shelves, visit the rooftop café, and even hear 24 fun sound effects — including a supermarket intercom. It comes with exclusive Bluey and Bingo figures, over 15 accessories, and tons of stickers — so kids can customize and play their own Bluey adventures for hours. It’s interactive, it’s adorable, and it’s everything Bluey fans love about playtime!Tween and Teen Approved GiftsIf you want THE gift of the season, and want to score some major cool points with your tween or teen, the Nintendo Switch 2 is it. It launched earlier this year, and it
The Best New Products to Elevate Your Fall
The Best New Products to Elevate Your Fall Self-Care Routine By: Iris PenaAfter a hectic summer, your skin and hair deserve a reset. Luckily, these three products are here to bring your natural glow back just in time for fall. Featuring new breakthrough launches backed by clinical science, they promise visible results in age prevention, skin renewal, sun damage repair, and stronger hair.SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum Now that summer is officially over, you may feel as though you have aged through all the crazy activities of soccer practices, playdates, and family road trips. Aging takes place when a process called glycation interferes with the network of collagen that connects our skin’s many layers. This promotes signs of aging and collagen loss. The process of glycation begins at age 20 and increases the older we get. You can fight off these unwanted glycation effects with the SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum, launched on July 23rd ($198 CAD / 30ml). Apply this serum at night or in the morning before the first day of school, and let the advanced formula work its magic. It lifts your face and neck by up to 18%, reduces wrinkles by 27%, and strengthens collagen by up to 184% in all layers of your skin—giving you a youthful radiance to tackle the back-to-school craze with confidence.skinbetter science Even Intensive Skin Tone Correcting Serum Looking for a bright fall season? Get your hands on this bottle of sunshine! Patients are LOVING the skinbetter science Even Intensive Skin Tone Correcting Serum ($270 CAD / 50ml). In trials, 95% of patients reported their skin appeared less discoloured, and 98% said their skin appeared brighter. Featuring b.r.y.t.e.r™ biotechnology and tranexamic acid, this multi-modal formula targets stubborn pigmentation while correcting discolouration. In just 4 weeks, look and feel your best as your skin reveals a brighter, clearer complexion—perfect for enhancing your fall beauty. The fragrance-free, dye-free, and paraben-free formula makes it suitable for all skin types to experience transformative results. Klorane's New formula of Medicinal Quinine Fortifying Haircare Serum It is normal to go through stress during these seasonal transitions. Daily stress is the number 1 cause of hair loss. Thanks to Klorane Laboratories, the new formula of their Medicinal Quinine fortifying haircare serum (100 ml format at $64.50 CAD) slows down cortisol-induced hair loss and regains density. Get up to -67% hair loss in just 3 months. This fall favourite contains a fusion of caffeine Quinine to promote keratin
6 Back-To-School Essentials For All Ages
6 Back-To-School Essentials For All Ages By: Iris Pena Summer is wrapping up and parents are scrambling to prepare for the back-to-school season. Whether you're sending your teen off to university or your little one to daycare — we got you covered with these must-have essentials for all ages. ASUS ROG Strix OLED MonitorThe ASUS ROG Strix OLED Monitor is the ultimate upgrade for your tech-savvy teen! With a wide range of connectivity options and compatibility that easily integrates with all their devices — they will love using this for tackling homework and fun gaming. Stop by any Best Buy Canada store or visit bestbuy.ca to pick up the ASUS ROG Strix OLED Monitor, along with all your back-t0-school essentials. Need some inspiration? Best Buy also has a back-to-school guide online to start the year with products sure to make the grade! Ninja Crispi Portable Air Fryer & Cooking SystemWill your teen be sharing a dorm kitchen with limited space? The Ninja Crispi Portable Air Fryer & Cooking System is the perfect cooking tool for them to bring along; an all-in-one system, designed to nest inside each other. All of the accessories are also dishwasher safe for easy clean up. From an air fryer pancake breakfast to frozen chicken fingers for dinner, the durable glassware can handle extreme temperature changes, fit for every meal! Check the Ninja Crispi off of your back to school checklist -- ninjakitchen.ca. Lodge Vest and Elba Jacket from Canada Goose Keep your teen warm and cozy this upcoming fall season with Canada Goose! This lightweight, windproof, and fully packable Lodge Vest features a drawcord at the hem to customize the fit. A perfect addition to your teen boy's cool outfits during those chilly walks to morning classes. For your teen girl, Canada Goose has a stylish option; a soft and ultra-light fabric Elba Jacket that features cinched cuffs, and a drawcord bubble. Shop online or in store at Canada Goose for a new back to school wardrobe. New La Vie En Rose BraThe new La Vie en Rose bra will have your teen girl stepping into the new school year with confidence and support. School activities require many movements. This lightly lined contour bra offers full-coverage with soft foam cups to keep her comfortable all school year long! Huggies Little Movers 360 Diaper PantsDrop your little one off at daycare with Huggies Little Movers 360 Diaper Pants. Effectively designed to keep
4 Skincare Products to Brighten Your Skin This Fall Season
4 Skincare Products to Brighten Your Skin This Fall Season By: Iris PeñaFall is just around the corner! Time to prepare for the changing season. Cooler temperatures and low humidity can lead to dry skin and that unwanted dull complexion. Luckily, Vivier has the perfect solution – cruelty-free skincare products to brighten your skin! HEXAM ($62 CAD)One crucial thing that is needed for fall (and for ALL seasons!) is an effective cleanser. As the temperatures drop, the air can cause your skin to become sensitive and in need of some TLC. Hexam is the answer to your prayers! A gentle, medical-grade cleanser that gets rid of all the gunk (dirt, oil, and environmental impurities), while avoiding stripping your skin. This holy grail is formulated with hexamidine, an antimicrobial and antibacterial agent that purifies pores without drying your skin. Perfect for sensitive or reactive skin. Get ready for the emollient properties that leave you with extra soft skin all season long. Lexxel ($124 CAD)Dreading the flaky and itchy skin that fall brings? Fight off the itch with Lexxel — a soothing moisturizer with hexamidine and avocado oil. Your skin will thank you for the gentle moisture that protects against chapping, cracking, and roughness. Lexxel provides the hydration you deserve, while relieving itching and calming irritation. It's fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, which is ideal for dry or sensitive skin. Ultra Hydrating Mask ($86 CAD) If you suffer from dehydrated skin during the fall, Vivier has your back! Treat your skin to this Ultra Hydrating Mask with vitamin E, sweet almond extract, and shea butter. Let your skin indulge in its maximum hydration effect. Enter the new season with a youthful glow – the mask reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to make your skin appear healthy and firm. Weekly use of this nourishing mask will maintain softness and suppleness. Ditch the tired skin, and embrace your glow up!Age-Defying Body Lotion ($96 CAD) From rushed mornings to late-night chaos, the Age-Defying Body Lotion is there to hydrate your skin every step of the way. Formulated with peptides and antioxidants, this silky smooth remedy visibly firms and tones the skin for a fresh fall look. Your skin doesn’t have to suffer through seasonal changes. The right skincare routine and products will keep you radiant as the leaves change!
Walmart’s Back to School Must-Haves
Walmart's Back to School Must-HavesAs the joys of summer turn into moving out for post-secondary school, Walmart has all of the essentials to kick off your teen’s year right. From stationery and gadgets, to dorm room must-haves and apparel. Bring on the new school year with style and confidence! BIC Extra Smooth Pastel Mechanical Pencils with Erasers, 24-Count Pack ($7.98 CAD) BIC Extra Smooth Pastel Mechanical Pencils are the perfect addition to every student’s pencil case. Its smooth, dark writing with medium point (0.7 mm) is ideal for writing study and lecture notes. The high-quality lead provides smudge free writing for neat homework. Reebok Paige Backpack with Coin Pocket ($34.97 CAD)Lightweight, durable, and built to last, the Reebok Paige Backpack is ready for every school year. It features a spacious interior, exterior zip, mesh pockets, and a handy coin pocket. It is also water-resistant for a safe and secure place to hold your teen’s lunch, notebooks, technology and many other important school essentials. Jetstream Insulated Lunch Bag (7.88 CAD) This cute and stylish lunch bag features a roomy compartment to hold all the yummy snacks, insulated lining to keep food fresh, and a wipeable interior for easy clean up. Comes in 6 fun colours and designs — because every student deserves a little lunchtime cheer! Mainstays 2PK 24 oz S/S Chug Bottle Pink ($19.88 CAD) Hydration is one of the most important things students must maintain in order to function effectively throughout school. Mainstays' 2-pack stainless steel water bottles will keep your teen refreshed all year long. A durable, BPA-free bottle, leak-proof lid, and sweat-proof design. From the lecture room to the library, to work or the gym, this bottle will keep drinks cold for hours. Mainstays PL Strawberry Cushion (21.97 CAD) This adorable strawberry cushion offers a super soft and extra cozy touch to your teen’s new dorm! Made from durable fabric and 100% recycled polyester filling.BLACK + DECKER 12 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker in Stainless Steel (59.98 CAD)Coffee is a college student’s best friend, especially during those 8 am classes. The BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker allows your teen to make fresh coffee during early mornings or for late night study sessions. The convenient features are a gamechanger: Sneak-A-Cup Technology (fill your cup before brewing ends), the 12-Cup Duralife glass carafe, and a washable brew basket. Mainstays 2-Slice Toaster with 6 Shade Settings and Removable Crumb Tray ($9.98 CAD)Students can make delicious sandwiches for lunch with the Mainstays 2-slice
5 Summer Starter Pack Essentials
5 Summer Starter Pack Essentials by Rachel NaudBring on summer! Whether you’re road-tripping, going to the cottage, hosting friends over or enjoying some downtime alone, we have your Summer Starter Pack. Rachel Naud, editor of INBETWEEN magazine, a digital magazine geared to parents of teens, has ideas to get you through the summer no matter what your plans.Canadian Club Ready-To-Drink Cocktails What’s better than a cold drink on the dock or sharing some drinks with friends at a backyard party? I love having my girls over in the summer and this season, I’m serving them Canadian Club Ready-To-Drink Cocktails! I love the Canadian Club Ginger Ale, its an award-winning cooler! It won a Gold Medal at the 2024 International Wine & Spirits Competition! This pre-mixed cocktail expertly blends the smooth honeyed notes of grain and spice of Canadian Club whisky with the sweet, candied notes of ginger ale. Citrus Smash also just launched this year, and it just might be your drink of the summer because the citrus perfectly complements the zesty and sweet notes of Canadian Club whisky for a balanced, refreshing beverage. Both are proudly Canadian, which I love! You can check them out at www.CanadianClub.com or follow them at @CanadianClub on Instagram.Sensodyne Clinical White Every summer, I go and visit my mom in Winnipeg. I like to stay there for a bigger chunk of time because it’s kind of the only time I get to see her for any extended length. Because I’m there for a while, I like to bring the comforts of home with me, especially my toothpaste. I have sensitive teeth, which doesn’t bode well with my ice cream addiction unless I use my Sensodyne. It’s the #1 Dentist Recommended brand for sensitive teeth and developed by scientists. Now, they've just launched a new product Sensodyne Clinical White, which features 24/7 sensitivity protection in an enamel-safe formula, and clinically proven to get your teeth up to two shades whiter. I love that it's gentle enough for everyday use, protects against cavities and tastes great too! Fresh breath, a brighter smile and no more flinching with every bite of ice cream? Yes please. Billie Starter Kit Summer is when we break out the shorts and swimsuits and that calls for a smooth shave! To make the experience luxe, Billie offers premium-quality shaving products at an affordable price and empowers women by emphasizing that shaving is their choice. That’s why I
7 Last-Minute Gifts That Mom Will Love
7 Last-Minute Gifts That Mom Will Love By Cassandra JesikIt’s never too late to make this Mother's Day special. Whether she’s into self-care, crafting, or just needs some “me time” — we’ve got you covered with a collection of gifts just for mom! This list includes products from ELEMIS, Yves Rocher, and Canadian brands that mom will love, as seen in the 2025 CIRA Mother’s Day Gift Guide .Something SweetShow her your appreciation in the most delicious way possible! Fruit bouquets, macarons, and artisanal chocolates all have mom’s stamp of approval—and your mouth is probably watering just thinking about it. Choose an item made with premium ingredients and elegant packaging to elevate this classic gift idea. Sweet Flour’s Gourmet Gift Box is a great example, featuring 18 of their most popular cookie flavours, including chocolate chunk, red velvet, and white chocolate macadamia nut.Sweet Flour: $50.00Page-Turners Just for HerGive mom the chance to slow down, curl up, and escape into a story that’s all her own. Whether she loves romances, mysteries, or feel-good fiction, a good book offers some much deserved “me time.” Pick up a bestseller from her favorite genre or surprise her with something new—she’ll thank you when she can’t put it down! Need some inspiration? Broken Country is a new release that explores the haunting legacy of first love with passion, secrets, and plenty of time-crossing twists. The Spaniel’s Tale: $26.99Help Her SparkleJewellery is the quintessential Mother's Day gift and for good reason! Pieces made with quality materials will dazzle for decades, serving as a memento that mom can carry close to the heart. For added meaning, pick a gemstone that reflects her personality, birth month, or favourite colour. This Dainty Labradorite Minimalist Necklace by Beads Bangles & Bows is a great example. It features a labradorite stone that shimmers blue, green, and gold. Each piece is unique, with natural variations in shape and colour, making it one-of-a-kind, just like mom!Beads Bangles & Bows: $43.25Her New Signature ScentA thoughtfully chosen perfume is a gift that lasts—and everytime she wears it, she’ll think of you! Consider which fragrances she wears and enjoys. The gift will be even more meaningful if it reflects her individual taste and personality. For a classic, feminine favourite, try Comme une Evidence by Yves Rocher. This fragrance has a delicate floral aroma that embodies moments of clarity and calm… and moments like these are hard to
Christmas Gift Ideas for the 3 T’s: Toddlers, Tweens and Teens
Christmas Gift Ideas for the 3 T's: Toddlers, Tweens and Teens by Rachel Naud There are so many gift ideas on the market, it can be overwhelming choosing the right one for the 3 T's in your life – toddlers, tweens and teens! After all, you want to hit all the key elements to a fun toy for the littles — one that appeals to their sensory, creativity and development! And tweens and teens? Pick the wrong gift and cue the eye rolls! Parents need help navigating this tricky season of gift giving and we are here to help! For ToddlersWe love this toy, coming out of Moose Toys, because it combines everything I loved as a child – the comfort of a stuffed buddy with the scent of your favourite frozen treat! This toy is like magic! The Cookeez Makery comes with everything children need to mix and create a surprise frozen treat. First, they mix the ingredients. Then, using the dough mould and decorations, kids can make their own Freezy Cake. Next, pop it in the fridge and shut the door. In 20 seconds, kids will hear a "ding". It's time to open the fridge and meet a new friend. Wow! A shivering and deliciously scented plush toy that's interactive to play with. There are three deliciously scented friends to choose from, including Strawberry Unicake, Minty Polar Bear and Tiger Berry Ripple! This cool gift is undoubtedly going to be hot this season and you can grab it at most major toy retailers! And also, for the little ones who are a fan of Bluey – the adorable Blue Heeler, The Tile Town Bluey Heeler Home is a gift that will keep them engaged and entertained as they can build Bluey’s home! For TweensWhen choosing a gift for your child, you want something that they will not only like in that moment but something that will keep them engaged for years to come. This year, parents and gift-givers can find amazing gifts for kids at Staples Canada that they can feel good about giving. With the Staples Kids Learn + Play collection, Staples is giving parents gifting options that inspire young minds, spark curiosity and will keep them engaged far beyond the day they open the box. You can find gifts for kids of all ages from brands you love and trust, including LEGO, Crayola, Play-Doh and more. And if you can’t get to a Staples