These long nights and stormy winter days can get anyone feeling like they need a little extra rest and recuperation. So give a soothing gift to the person in your life who could use a little tranquillity.
Rejuvenating Treatments
Surprise your loved ones with a professional treatment or spa day. The Villa Eyrie’s Tuscan Spa will make them feel worlds away from the top of the Malahat. Or book a treatment from Matisse Day Spa in Duncan to Surprise your loved ones from the mountain tops to the seaside with a professional treatment or spa day. Perched atop the Malahat mountain, Villa Eyrie’s Tuscan Spa clientele can enjoy world-class treatments with views overlooking the Saanich Inlet. At sea level, select some organic treatments from the Cowichan Bay Spa + Salon. Or book a treatment from Matisse Day Spa in Duncan to rejuvenate yourself during the (sometimes hectic) holiday season.
A Good Soak
Know anyone who needs to wash away the past year? Pick up some soothing bath bombs from Saltspring Soapworks or Backwoods Soap Company. Cowichan Valley Soaps creates locally-inspired and regionally-named soap bars that are perfect study gifts for people who haven’t been able to travel to their favourite Cowichan locations.
Soothing Scents
Aromatherapy is a great way to create a relaxing atmosphere, and Cowichan Bay is an excellent location for scent-filled shopping. First, visit Crowfoot Collective to shop for some candles, mists or botanical oils. Then meander down the road to Wild Coast Perfumes and select a local scent for loved ones who live far away.
Cedar Ave Candle Company crafts an array of soy candles and a line of SOAKs bath salts so you can gift a complete aromatherapy set.
For the lavender lover, By the Bay Lavender in Chemainus produces a wide range of products, including bath and body, home fragrances and natural hand sanitizers.
Steep in the Heart of Cowichan
Gift the warm smells and rich flavours of a gourmet cup of tea this season. Shanti Chai & Co offers sweetly spiced, aromatic, delicious blends of chai.
Westholme Tea is Canada’s only tea farm; they produce home-grown teas and quality blends. Visiting the farm is a destination in itself, so along with gifts of tea, book some quality time with your tea-lover to share a pot in the teahouse.
The perfect cup of tea deserves the perfect mug. Margit Nellemann, co-founder of Westholme Tea, is also a masterful ceramic artist — her whimsical pots and mugs are perfect gift companions for some Cowichan-grown tea. You can find other beautiful pottery mugs to warm the hands of your loved ones by shopping at Mary Fox Pottery or Pottery by Peggy.
Get Cozy
There’s nothing better than cozying up with your loved ones on a stormy winter’s night. The Resthouse in Duncan stocks organic cotton, linen and wool throw blankets that are perfect for snuggling. Or invest in some beautiful Cowichan knitwear from the Judy Hill Gallery that will keep your family warm throughout all your winter activities.
Small Things with Big Impacts
Sometimes when you’re shopping for that perfect gift, what you really need is a locally-sourced gift shop. At the Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre, you’ll find a wide variety of local items, but also you can chat with them for more shopping tips.
With seasonally rotating stock, the Neck of the Woods General Store in Ladysmith and Little Bird Greets, Sweets & Treats in Duncan are both excellent stops for shopping local.
We’re excited to include this article as part of our Holiday Gift Guide! For more gifting inspiration, check out our full Holiday Gift Guide here.
