All we want for Christmas is to be a tad less forgetful, do you feel the same way too?
From e-gift cards and food charity donations to 2023 culinary event tickets, (cheap) flights and more, here's some last-minute gift ideas if one of your food-loving friends or family members hasn't been checked off your list just yet.
An e-gift card to local restaurant or bar
Buying a gift card for a local restaurant or bar is all too easy to do in 2022 thanks to the proliferation of electronic gift cards.
To make things even more exciting, some hospitality businesses like Calgary's River Cafe and Concorde Group currently have bonus gift card promotions where you get some extra bang for your buck.
An interesting bottle of gin, rum or whisky
No shade to vodka, but snagging a bottle of a unique gin, rum or whisky (or a cool cream liqueur) can still feel thoughtful for a budding or avid home bartender when it's purchased last minute. (They don't need to know that.)
Most liquor stores in major Canadian cities are open on December 24, which leaves you plenty of time today to confide in a spirits expert at your go-to local shop to help you find something dynamic. We've got some ideas in our spirit-centric holiday gift guide too!
A meal kit subscription
Do you know what most people (especially those who are a primary host for dinners and family gatherings) want to do after an often hectic holiday season? Nothing but relax!
While a meal kit subscription won't help the giftee do absolutely nothing, it will take a few at-home dinners off their mind.
These days there is no shortage of meal kit companies to choose from including heavyhitters like ChefsPlate and HelloFresh as well as goodfood (all of which often offer notably discounted trial options). After trying most offerings in Canada over the past five years, we'd say Fresh Prep is the most consistently delicious...or at the very least, well-seasoned.
Tickets to a fun NYE event or an upcoming event in 2023
It may be bold to assume someone you know doesn't already have plans on NYE, but if you know that they're still looking for something to do then why not (lovingly) decide for them?
Saskatoon's Pop Wine Bar is putting on an epic NYE dinner celebration, Calgary's King Eddy has a night full of music featuring The Dungarees (performing as their "alter-ego" Blue Rodeo tribute band) and over in Vancouver, a luxe dinner complete with entertainment at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver's Notch8 is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to experiences a person could gift.
Looking ahead to the new year, there's a Coyote Ugly-themed tribute show at The Prairie Emporium in Calgary, Dine Out Vancouver's epic chef collab dinners (like this one with Alex Chen and Lee Cooper at L'Abattoir) starting in late January and so much more happening in major cities across the country.
A flight voucher to travel to a Canadian city to explore its food scene
Snowstorms and an extraordinary amount of flight delays and cancellations have most of Canada shaking fists at airlines and airports, but the new year undoubtedly means new travels for many.
With many discount airlines now flying across the country and Porter Airlines recently starting to offer direct flights to Vancouver, flight prices are more competitive than ever. We did a quick scan of flight prices using Google Flights on major airlines like Westjet and Air Canada and return flights from Calgary to Vancouver start at $180, and it will set you back just under $250 which is a steal of a deal.
If you do wind up gifting a trip to a food-loving pal and it only makes sense that you should tag along for the adventure too!
Gift a donation to a Canadian food security initiative or food bank
With notable influxes of newcomers over the past eighteen months—primarily due to the Ukrainian-Russian war—and ever-rising grocery prices (among other factors), food security initiatives in Canada are more vital than ever before.
It should be unsettling to know that virtually all food banks in the country as well as newcomers' centres and initiatives like Community Kitchen Program of Calgary are getting busier. Submitting a donation in someone's name will feel both timely and impactful.
