Audacious and Adamant: The Story of Maverick Alberta
By: Aritha Van Herk
Softcover, Black & White Photos and Colour Photos, 104 pages
Price: $24.95

The Glenbow Museum Gift Shop is always surprising its customers with unique and handcrafted items from local artisans, authors, and artists. This season, The Glenbow Museum has put together an amazing collection of artifacts detailing Calgary’s history called the Calgary Maverick Series. The Glenbow Gift Shop has complimented this series with the book Audacious and Adamant: The Story of Maverick Alberta by Aritha Van Herk.

Glenbow Museum Gift Shop
130 — 9 Avenue S.E.
Calgary, Alberta

Ceramic Santa Figurines
Price: $35.00 - $45.00

Holidays on the Hill is your Christmas destination shop, if there ever was one. Upon entering you are immediately surrounded by all things Christmas including ornaments, stockings, ceramics, lights, and anything else that you can think of. One of their best sellers are these amazing ceramic Santas. They come in all sizes and you can pop them on a tree, a mantle, or even on a table.

Holidays on the Hill
212 7 Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta

Custom Table Bouquet
Price: (Dependent on Bouquet)

If you have walked past Art Central, you have no doubt been captivated by LaFleur. Not your typical florist, LaFleur is full of exotic flowers, seasonal items, and even live birds. For the holiday season LaFleur has outdone itself, with its amazing floral arrangements and accessories from around the world. Make sure to come in for your perfect floral arrangement.

LaFleur
103, 100 - 7th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta

“The First Snow” Gift

"The First Snow" Gift
Price: $34.95

Every holiday season, LUSH puts together a special pre-wrapped present containing a special selection of their wares. "The First Snow" contains a fun array of products to be used in the bath or shower. Glögg Shower Gel, for your hair and body, has a spicy warming effect to combat those chilly winter nights. Ice Wine Jelly can be frozen before use, for a frosty and fruity shower. Ice Blue Soap has a cool, tingling mint and sea salt combination, while Snow Globe Soap gives a zingy fresh sensation. Finally, for those holiday hangovers, the Too Drunk Emotibomb offers some loving aromatherapy.

LUSH
Calgary: Chinook Centre, Market Mall, Sunridge Mall
Edmonton: Whyte Avenue, West Edmonton Mall

Pump Splash It Candy Boxer

Pump Splash It Candy Boxer
Price: $36.00

Priape should always be a Christmas shopping destination for the man in your life. Not only can you get the latest clothes from leading labels, but there are toys, literature, leather, and DVD’s, with so many other little things in between. New to Priape and the Pump Underwear label is their Splash It series. With an arrangement of colours and styles, these are sure to be a hit under the tree.

Priape
1322 17 Avenue Southwest
Calgary, AB
www.priape.com

Gallery of Tins, Tea Tubes, Cast Iron Tea Set

Gallery of Tins
(Come with purchase of Tea)

Tea Tubes
Price: $4.00

Cast Iron Tea Set
Price: $65.00

While perusing through the Kensington district this season, make sure to stop at The Naked Leaf. Full of unique items, all related to tea, one is certain to bring home gifts for others and themselves. Make sure to take home a selection of the plethora of teas in decorative tins.

The Gallery of Tins, exclusive to The Naked Leaf, offers a limited edition local artist’s work on each tea tin. There are many to choose from, so give yourself enough time to look through them all. There are also teas available in unique tubes that can either act as a small last minute gift, or you can buy a selection of them as a present for the avid tea lover.

Top off your tea selections with a unique pot and matching cups. A cast iron tea set will make an amazing gift for those interested in something out of the ordinary.

The Naked Leaf
305 10th St. NW #103
Calgary, AB
www.thenakedleaf.ca

Blame Betty

These are perhaps the cutest pair of cardigans you will ever see!  They've just arrived at Blame Betty. Blame Betty works hard to ensure that the newest and most unique designers are represented here in Calgary. Do you have a guy to shop for? Don’t worry, there is just enough for the boys as there is for the girls!

Blame Betty
829 17^th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta
www.blamebetty.ca

Dick and Janes

Once you have finished shopping at Blame Betty, head next door for your fill of housewares, giftware, and general kitsch. You are guaranteed to find something for anyone at this store. For instance, you can’t go wrong with these over the top key covers. Everyone’s got keys, and as the ad says, keys need clothes too!

Dick and Janes
831 17th Ave SW
Calgary, AB
www.dickandjanes.ca

Lisa Heinricks

Belt and Buckle
Price: $80.00

Buckle only
Price: $40.00

Lisa Heinricks’ Creamy Dreamy shop has been a community favorite for years. Not only are her art pieces captivating her clients, but she has introduced original jewelry and belt buckles to her line. It seems that if you are gay in Calgary, you need to own one of her belts - so make sure your favourite gay has one. They come in various colours, sizes, and designs, so you're bound to find one you like.

Lisa Heinricks
Creamy Dreamy
100 - 7th Ave SW
Calgary, AB
www.lisaheinricks.com

Rodéo Drive Edmonton

Leather and Mesh Corset
Price: $95.00

Men’s Vinyl and Mesh T-Shirt
Price: $60.00

Who says Christmas is only for kids? Rodeo Drive in Edmonton is your destination for one-of-a-kind, his and hers lingerie, wigs, accessories, and footwear. Promising exclusive one-on-one service, this shop is sure to have something for you or anyone else you may have on your "naughty" list. With sizes from XS to 6X, each item is intended for anyone under the rainbow.

Rodéo Drive Edmonton
11528 89 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T5B 3T9
www.rodeodrive.ca

Steeling Home

Top Ten For Men book
Price: $22.50

Pin The Mr. on The Man book
Price: $9.95

Assorted Journals
Price: $13.00

Be The Difference book
Price: $18.00

Christmas gift giving is made easy at Steeling Home, Calgary’s best kept secret on 17^th Ave. From lotions and essential oils, to Jesus finger-puppets, you will be sure to find a great gift for the most difficult to buy for individual on your list. Make sure to check out the large variety they have available.

Steeling Home
1010 17 Ave SW
Calgary, AB

Deva Dave

I Heart Cock T Shirts
Price: $35.00
Colours: Blue, Grey, Black, Pink, or White.

Rubber Leggings
Price:  $200.00
Sizes: S, M, L, XL

Any girl or boy will squeal with excitement at what Deva Dave has to offer. Available in sizes Small to XXLarge, the I Heart Cock Shirts will surely make you smile. For something uniquely fetishy, get a pair of these hand made rubber pants, complete with an inseamed pocket for all your cards.

Deva Dave
810 Edmonton Trail Northeast
Calgary, AB T2E 3J6
www.devadave.com

Parallel Productions

Photography Gift Certificate
Price: $350.00

Personalized Photo Book
Price: $75.00-$100.00

Parallel Productions is a locally owned and operated production studio specializing in new media production and design, photography and custom visual gifts. Give the gift of an experience for your whole family, rather than more "stuff". Take advantage of this holiday special: photography gift certificates for a 2 hour outdoor family portrait session!

Parallel can also create a custom photo book for your loved ones. Colour, black and white, or a combination of both, with a 4-color printing process, high gloss paper with premium vellum fly sheets – these small touches are something you'll definitely appreciate.

Parallel Productions
www.parallelproductions.ca

Booze!

Essensia and Elysium Dessert Wines
Price: ~$20 / 375ml

Some of us wouldn't be able to survive the holiday season without slamming back some serious booze, and on the "road" to getting drunk, these dessert wines offer an extremely tasty and enjoyable "scenic route".  In flavours of orange muscat (Essensia) and blackberry muscat (Elysium), these wines are so intensely sweet that you'll be forced to savour them longer, a sip at a time.


Pinky Vodka
Price: ~$70.00 / 750ml

Okay, so how perfectly gay is pink vodka?  And that hue is not artificial - Pinky is hand blended with violets, rose petals and ten other botanicals that deliver a subtle floral scent and rich, complex flavors.  A tres classy gift for a sophisticated friend.  Check the website for purchasing information.


Belvedere Intense Vodka
Price: $55.00  - $59.00 / 750ml

This premium 100 proof vodka is probably your quickest route to a...hoppy haliday...hic!  This powerful 50% alcohol volume concoction can be used to create complex cocktails.  It is full bodied and smooth, with hints of créme caramel, dark savoury spice, and rich bitter chocolate.  Belvedere Intense is available exclusively through retailers and leading international airports.

Inchwear T-Shirts

Inchwear T-Shirts
Price: USD $14.95-$24.95

Maybe this would make a good gag gift, or be a means to breaking down a well-hung friend's undue modesty. With glaring measurements and clever sayings such as "Tell your Tonsils I Say Hello" and "My Size Fits All", at worst it'll get a laugh - at best, it'll get them laid!

Inchwear
www.inchwear.net

Victoria's Secret - Fragrance Ornaments

Fragrance Ornaments
Price: $10.00

These perfume ornaments look and smell totally glamorous, but don't let the Victoria's Secret brand name fool you into thinking you will break the bank. At just $10 apiece, it's a great mini-gift for all your female friends that they can continue to enjoy well into the new year. The available fragrances are a selection of their top sellers: Heavenly, Bombshell, VS Her, Noir, Love Rocks, PINK, Life is PINK Wish, and VS Him.

Victoria's Secret
www.VictoriasSecret.com

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