Tis the season for holiday magic and nothing brings me more joy than shopping for the perfect gift for my favorite people.
I love watching them tear open the wrapping paper (made with recycled materials and fully recyclable, of course) as they discover the gift I’ve carefully picked out just for them.
Over the years, I’ve done many gift guides and 12 Days of Christmas posts on the blog, but after experiencing burnout hard last December – this year, I made the conscious decision to keep things simple.
Of course, I couldn’t resist sharing some of my favorite things with you that would make the perfect gift for the adventurer and traveler in your life, especially those from Take it Outside, our local outdoor and casual chic apparel retailer.
All of these products are currently available at the Moncton, New Brunswick Take it Outside location at 50 Granite Drive, but you can also check out their stores in Truro, Dartmouth, and Halifax or visit them online at www.takeitoutside.ca and www.trailshop.com.
Now – who’s ready to see what’s on all of my shopping lists?
It wouldn’t be the East Coast Mermaid gift guide if I didn’t start by sharing some of my absolute favorite products from Take it Outside that are on my Santa Wish List this holiday season.
Because yes, at 38 years old, I still write a Wish List for Santa, however, I’m fairly confident, my husband is already in cahoots with him.
Santa? If you read my blog, I’ll leave extra cookies and a delicious glass of eggnog if I wake up to a Yeti Cooler under the tree. Ok?
We love to travel and 2023 is set to be the year we finally turn our island reno into a dreamy seaside cottage. I know we’re going to be living out of our SUV more than ever before until renovations are complete, so having a durable cooler is paramount. The YETI Cooler is built to keep your food ice-cold even in the summer when the Bay of Fundy feels more like Bermuda.
I’ve discovered many amazing brands since falling in love with Take it Outside, but my favorite brand of all is Vuori, premium performance apparel that is produced as ethically and sustainably as possible. I live, work, and travel in Vuori leggings (they’re so incredibly soft, lightweight, and flattering) so if Santa were to drop an extra pair or one of their cozy Sherpa jackets under our tree, I won’t issue a complaint.
I’m not a winter person (duh, I’m a mermaid) so dressing for the chilly Canadian winter is essential to my happiness and survival. Take it Outside has a fantastic selection of stylish winter jackets to choose from but of course, I was crushing on the colours of this Cotopaxi Teca Calido Hooded Jacket. Bonus – it’s made of recycled materials, reversible, and you can pack it into its own chest pocket and whip it out when that cold air hits you on the ferry.
Hubby has been living in Kuhl Hot Rydr Pants since the fall, especially when island hopping and working on renovations. Technically winter hiking pants (that look like jeans), these pants are made with performance-grade fabrics and include a flannel layer that keeps you warm and able to stay outside longer, regardless of what you’re up to. Making these perfect to wear on an off-season ferry ride.
Yes, we’re both slightly Vuori obsessed and hubs has been eyeing a Vuori Seaside Hoodie for a while now. And yes, it’s called a Seaside Hoodie. I know, we’re always on brand. Of course, it’s a woman’s secret talent to steal her partner’s hoodie at any given moment, so while this is the perfect gift for him; let’s be honest, I’ll benefit from it too on those occasions where I don’t dress for the weather. Who me? Never!
We’re planning to work on island renos throughout the winter, so keeping our fingers and toes toasty warm is important. I’m a big fan of SmartWool merino socks, so you can be sure hubby will be finding some in his stocking this Christmas. But SmartWool also makes fantastic outdoor work gloves that I think Santa will need to drop off too!
Pyjamas are that thing we don’t often treat ourselves to, instead, we throw on an old t-shirt and jogging pants, and call it sleeping attire. This holiday season, why not pick out a cute PJ set from PJ Salvage for your BFF? With so many cute prints to choose from, you can find the perfect match for your bestie and their personality.
When we were kids, the last thing we wanted to see wrapped under the tree was socks. As an adult, I LOVE to receive a cute pair of socks that represent my favorite things. Pull open my sock drawer and you’ll find sock prints that include everything from lobster rolls to seagulls. Take it Outside has a number of delightful sock prints to choose from, but let’s be honest – the Mama Needs a Cocktail is perfect for your bestie who really does need a cocktail and a full night’s sleep.
We can’t forget the fur babies! In our home, our little MerMeow Bella is just as spoiled as everyone else at Christmas, and this year, you better believe I’ll be shopping for Bella at Take it Outside. They have some amazing products for your furry friends, from collars and leashes to their very own Yeti water bowl. Yes, that seafoam dish is on Bella’s Santa List. If you’re like us and typically go all out for your fur children at Christmas, they have you covered!
Looking for the perfect gift for Mom and Dad or your grandparents who love to spend time outdoors in the sunshine or gardening? Give them the gift of a Tilley Hat. These hats are made in Canada, offer UPF 50+ sun protection, keep you dry with their water-repellent finish, and are guaranteed for life. Spend a lot of time on the water? They’re buoyant and will stay afloat if they fly overboard.
Baby, it’s a pinch cold outside! Who wants a warm and cozy pair of slippers? I’m absolutely obsessed with these Lemon Cabin Cuffed Cute Booties. With several colours to choose from, you can find the perfect pair for everyone on your list.
You get a Yeti! You get a Yeti! We all get a Yeti!
If you’re looking for the perfect gift or add-on to a present that is both practical and a game changer, why not throw in a YETI tumbler or travel mug in their favorite colour? I was late to the Yeti party and only experienced the power of the Yeti this summer. They really do keep your cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot FOREVER. OK, maybe not forever but you get my drift – they work better than any other travel mug I’ve used to date. My YETI Tumblers are the only thing I drink out of in the car, on ferries, at home, in my office, and on my bedside table.
Take it Outside and the Trail Shop offers a bunch of fun guides to local hiking trails in Atlantic Canada that make the perfect stocking stuffer! I picked out this guide to hiking the Fundy Footpath as that’s a personal goal of mine to celebrate turning 40 in 2024 and I’d love to see it in my stocking this Christmas.
Hubs lived in his Buff Bandeau this summer, so I can speak on his behalf and say – if you’re someone who likes to keep your hair back on a warm day, these do the trick just fine and you get to look stylish at the same time. Want to stay extra cozy in the winter? A Buff Merino Wool neckwarmer is a must and makes a great stocking stuffer.
Think you can’t fit a hammock into a Christmas stocking? Think again! I absolutely love these compact, pack-and-go, hammocks. You can take them anywhere, set them up in seconds, and relax as you catch the ocean breeze. Want to share? Opt for the hammock for two and it totally counts as a gift for you too!
These two products were a game-changer for us this summer. Atlantick Lemongrass Outdoor Spray is a must if you spend any time in the woods or on the trails, especially if you’re in Tick Country. And if you’re in the Maritimes, you are! Simply spray it all over but with special attention to spots like your ankles before heading into the great outdoors. The best news? It’s safe to use on your dog too!
The Dragonfly Wingman is another favorite of mine, especially when I’m on my paddleboard and floating the day away. Just attach this little friend nearby or to your Tilley Hat and it’ll keep those devious horse and deer flies away from you.
As you can see, there are so many fun options for gifts at Take it Outside and believe me when I say that I didn’t even scratch the surface. Make sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook to be the first to know about in-store promotions and events.
Questions about any of the products mentioned in this blog post? Just DM me on my shell phone or send me a message in a bottle at crystal@eastcoastmermaid.com as I’d love to help you find the perfect gift for the special someone on your list.
Happy Holidays!
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