Buy Local – Lowen’s guide to 11 gifts to support local this holiday season

Joy, holidays are right around the corner! Though the weather in Calgary would lead you to believe otherwise. What’s even more stressful, is having that one person who’s impossible to buy for. Once again, we’ve come up with a list of businesses and friends from our community to keep your $$$ in Calgary! VIA OUR BUY LOCAL GUIDE BELOW:

1. Alberta Apparel

A myriad of tops and hats designed in Alberta. Filled with influences of scenery, wildlife and crest. Alberta Apparel is a patriotic homage the whole family can wear. All their fabrics are sustainably-farmed (bamboo, organic cotton, and merino wool). Cut and sewn in Canada, plus screen printed and/or embroidered here, in Calgary.      

2. Alora Boutique

This family-run jewelry business is known for its generous nature and symbolic designs. With every purchase, Alora Boutique donates 5% of the proceeds to local charities that support women. This holiday season, they launched the Diane Collection, curated by a Calgary woman who’s overcome extreme trauma and adversity. The Diane Collection symbolizes her strength and bravery, and $10 from each piece will be given to The Mustard Seed.  

3. Awakened Project

This line of bracelets supports female entrepreneurs. Started by Calgary’s Catherine Bell in partnership with an Edmonton artist, they created a series of gemstone bracelets – where each gem means something powerful and inspiring – from which 50% of revenue will go towards a fund to help kick off women’s entrepreneurial dreams.

4. Balsam Clothing

A collection of hand-sewn clothes for babies and children, inspired by nature and using only eco-friendly dyes and fabrics. The “Grow with me” design ensures the little ones who wear it will get to keep it longer. Online orders may be closed, but you can follow Balsam Clothing on Instagram to keep up with their market presence.   

 

 

5. Bloom Kids Essentials 

Formerly known as Girl Gotch, this business was started by parents who saw flaws in how kids’ underwear (specifically girls) were made and fit. Bloom Kids Essentials is made using eco-friendly fabrics. Designed with comfort, function, and sustainability in mind.  

6. Good Trade Coffee Co.

Alberta’s first not-for-profit coffee company. Good Trade Coffee Co. supports farmers in rural Latin America (Columbia in particular.) Often living in poverty… This working partnership empowers them to succeed through education and sustainable farming practices. In trade, we get to export their amazing coffee beans.   

7. Old Coal

 Probably the only coal your loved ones would like to see in their stocking, Old Coal is an artisanal chocolate company committed to only using fair-trade and ethical ingredients – including the likes of Chinook Honey Company and Eau Claire Distillery.

 

8. Stresscase

For a different kind of subscription box, Stresscase delivers monthly offerings (many are from Calgary businesses) to promote self-care for anyone affected by mental health struggles. The Christmas box’s theme is Lasting Positivity, and features such items as a crystal-laden bath bomb, a sage smudge stick, and a Lowen’s lip balm

      9.  TreeEra 

You know what’s hard? Planting trees. What’s not hard is buying a wood bead bracelet, a bag of Tall Timber coffee, or an embroidered patch from TreeEra. Each item plants trees in Canadian forests on your behalf (bracelet: three, patch: five, and coffee: one) to improve our carbon footprint.

 10. True Buch 

Kombucha is a popular product these days. True Buch stands-out using only local produce and teas to create their bubbly beverage. Find it in growler form, or single-serve bottles. Dubbed “the bottle that gives back,” the single serve bottles each contribute proceeds to four non-profits: Pet Access League Society (PALS) – which offers pet therapy to children in need; Leftovers YYC – which diverts unsellable food from restaurants and grocery stores and gives it to the hungry; REAP’s Community Orchards – a program by REAP Business Association that plants fruit-bearing trees at Grow Calgary to feed the needy; and Wymbin – which provides free yoga programs to underprivileged children.

  11. My Petite Box

Last but never least – My Petite Box is a monthly box subscription based in Calgary that we recently found out about. Subscribers, every month get to discover amazing products from local business. Always with a trendy surprise of hand selected goodies.  Consider it to be, curated Calgary awesomeness each month… Yes, that sounds pretty good to us!

BUY LOCAL

Oh, and of course that Lowen’s makes some pretty kick a$$ products. Always using the best, unrefined, locally sourced ingredients! Not only delivering an incredible product! Your buy local effect is also compounded!

We at Lowen’s wish you all a happy and safe holiday season!

A freelance journalist with a penchant for local business. Centaine has been blogging for Lowen’s since late 2016. She discovered Lowen’s through the REAP Business Association 2yrs prior. Since, she’s been a devoted fan. Especially preaching our lip balms and bubble paste. In addition, Centaine enjoys creative endeavours, including: knitting, playing ukulele, or reading anything she can get her hands on.

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