Canadians are often celebrated for our apologetic nature, our passion for poutine and maple syrup, our ability to thrive in cold temperatures, and our tendency to break into a hockey game at the first moment.
If you’re looking for a gift for someone special who lives abroad, sending something uniquely Canadian that they might not find in their neck of the woods can make the gift extra special.
While a pack of Timbits and a double-double probably won’t survive the trip, this list of adorable gifts will have everyone at the baby shower saying, “That’s a beauty, huh?”.
Loulou Lollipop Canada Themed Swaddle
Founded by twin sisters Angel and Eleanor in 2015, LouLou Lollipop first hit the baby scene with adorable donut toothpicks and food-grade silicone ice cream cones.
Their product line now includes clothing, food items, bath toys, towels, bedding and more. Their 47″ x 47″ muslin blankets feature irresistible prints, including a Canadian-themed design that shows something unique from each province and region, like the Calgary Stampede and Niagara Falls. Get it on the Loulou Lollipop site.
Hockey themed gear from Loulou Lollipop
Make the ultimate bedtime hat trick with Loulou Lollipop’s hockey-themed bedding, blankets and sleeping bags. The breathable bamboo cotton will be so soft against your baby’s skin that he’ll be whisked off to dreamland faster than Zdeno Chara’s slapshot record. Find the whole collection on the Loulou Lollipop site.
Substance Skincare by Matter Company
The Matter Company was founded in Toronto in 1996 by Denise Williams, who is a Therapeutic Herbalist. The Matter Company is dedicated to using plants and their medicinal properties to create all-natural skin care products free of chemicals like parabens and petrolatum.
This Mom & Baby travel pack gives you a little bit of everything, including Belly Jelly, Mineral Soak, Leg & Back Creme, Nappy Rash Ointment, Baby Body Foam and Baby Creme. I also recommend their hand cream – it smells amazing and is my absolute favorite. You can find it on the Matter Company website.
They tell me I like hockey
It’s no secret that many Canadian babies basically come into the world with a hockey stick in hand. Let them share their inherited love of the sport with the world before they can talk or skate the sport. Get it here.
Poutine onesie
Potatoes with gravy and cheese curds are a Canadian staple that reigns supreme. Let your baby go for a rip in this dish that pays homage to one of the best treats out there, even if they have no idea what it tastes like. Get it here.
Cobra Chicken onesie
Anyone who shares space with a Canada Goose knows that if you get too close, they will hiss or bite you. As it turns out, this is a trait they share with babies and toddlers. Celebrate the lively nature of these birds with a hilarious. Get it here.
Sweeter than the maple syrup onesie
The only thing sweeter than a plate of pancakes drizzled with maple syrup is a cute newborn baby, and she tells it like it is. Get it here.
MEC Toaster Bunting Costume
Mountain Equipment CoOp has all the gear an outdoorsy baby could need to get out and enjoy the elements. The Toaster Bunting Suit is a waterproof, insulated one-piece suit that’s perfect for winter activities like sleigh riding, baby carrier or bike trailering, or building their first snowman. You can find it on the MEC website.
mimiTENS
No one tells you that a child’s will to take off and lose his gloves is stronger than a Canadian’s urge to apologize for the slightest inconvenience. Fortunately, mimiTENS has a very good solution for this: gloves with a very long cuff that can be inserted into the sleeves to keep the cold air out and the gloves. The company also designs sets of gloves for children and adults with differences in the ends! Get a pair of mimiTens here.
Corner designs
Nooks Designs is a Canadian company based in Vancouver, British Columbia. For an extra special baby gift, check out some of their handmade booties, made from 100% pure New Zealand lambswool and tough leather. They’re easy to put on and secure, so they stay on the feet of even the most determined barefoot baby. Get them on the Nooks website.
Native Shoes
Take a look at your nearest playground and you’re likely to see plenty of kids (and adults!) wearing Native Shoes. This Canadian company started in Vancouver in 2009. Their lightweight, comfortable and colorful kicks are made from eco-friendly materials that are easy to take on and off. Grab a pair at Native and Amazon.ca.
Up The Creek
There are few things more Canadian than a story about a bear, a moose and a beaver. Nicholas Oldland’s witty words and silly pictures will have both adults and children laughing through this story about three friends on a canoe trip gone wrong. Get it at Amazon.ca, Amazon or Indigo.
My Heart Is Filled With Happiness
This beautifully illustrated picture book won the Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize in 2017. It’s a wonderful reminder of all the little things in life that can bring us joy. Get it at Amazon.ca, Amazon or Indigo.
50 Below zero
There isn’t a Canadian kid out there who hasn’t heard at least one story by the hilarious Robert Munsch. 50 Below Zero is a great book to prepare even the most teenage of babies for a lifetime of cold Canadian winters. Get it at Amazon.ca, Amazon or Indigo.
Maud Lewis 1, 2, 3
It’s never too early to experience the work of Maud Lewis – Nova Scotia’s most famous folk painter. Get this baby practicing his 1, 2, 3 as you count the cute and colorful creatures on each page. You can find it on Amazon.ca, Amazon and Indigo.
The sweetest Kulu
The sweetest Kulu is a beautiful bedtime poem written by Celina Kalluk that celebrates the bond between a newborn baby and the world around them. In the poem, Arctic animals share gifts with a newborn Kulu (baby), emphasizing Inuit values such as love, respect, and the connection of humans to the land and its creatures. Get it at Amazon.ca, Amazon or Indigo.
Rocky the Moose
The beaver may be Canada’s most famous creature, but the mighty moose definitely deserves a turn in the Canada-themed Gifts spotlight. Unlike his counterpart in the wild, Rocky the Moose comes in three different outfits and is the perfect size for fooling around. As an added bonus, the purchase of each handmade doll helps provide 12 therapeutic meals to malnourished children worldwide through Action Against Hunger. You can find Rocky (and friends) on the True Little North website.
Roots Baby Cabin Cozy Romper
You can’t make a list of Canadian baby items and not include at least one thing from Roots Canada. It doesn’t get cozier than their Baby Cabin Cozy Romper made from organic cotton and recycled fibers. You can find it on Roots here.
HBC Stripes Baby’s Multistripe Pom-Pom Toque
The Hudson Bay Company has been around since 1670, making it one of the oldest and longest-running businesses in North America.
The HBC stripes are pretty iconic here and there’s nothing cuter than a baby with a giant pom pom on their head, making this gift perfect. Just make sure you don’t mistakenly refer to this outfit as a rocket—in Canada, there’s only one word for a rocket. You can find it on the Bay here.
Bath towels from Oneberrie
I thought a towel was just a towel, until I tried to wrap a slippery newborn fresh out of the tub. Oneberrie has created a hands-free, portable towel for parents that makes it easy to dry off and cuddle your little one when bath adventures are over. Their rectangular towels come in different sizes for growing kids and are made from small bamboo and cotton flannel, making them super soft. You can find them on the Oneberrie website.
If you want a fun “clean theme,” top it off with a Canadian Buncha Farmers Stain Remover Stick.
Herschel baby items
Herschel Supply Co. was founded in 2009 by brothers Jamie and Lyndon Cormack, who grew up in the small town of Herschel, Saskatchewan. Their backpacks, bags, and accessories are a hit with trendy kids and adults alike, and their diaper bags and changing mats keep new parents cool while dealing with even the worst diaper disasters. Find them on the Herschel site.
MINI TIPI blanket
MINI TIPI is a Canadian owned company from Gatineau, Quebec with a mission to increase the availability of authentic indigenously designed textiles. The “We Are All One” Queen Reversible Blanket is perfect for any occasion, from picnics and camping trips to cozying up on the couch. You can find all the designs on the Mini Tipi site.
WWF Canadian Bundle
Sending a life-sized moose through the mail would probably cost a fortune in postage, but the World Wildlife Fund has come up with a fun alternative. For $50, you can symbolically adopt a moose to help raise money to fund their habitat protection, or you can adopt 15 Canadian animals for $608.
Each adoption kit comes with a cute, high-quality plushie, a personalized adoption certificate, an educational poster and even an optional reusable bag. You can find it on the WWF website.
Sorry – what makes a great Canadian baby gift?
Whether you’re looking for a bold statement or something more subtle, there are plenty of ways to give a nod to Canada with your baby gift.
Statement gifts, like those with Canadian slang, are always good for a laugh, while buying gear from popular Canadian companies is a great way to support shops from the great white North.
Items like blankets, skin care products, clothing, books and toys are always appreciated by expecting parents, and adding a little Canadian flair is a fun way to make your gift more memorable.
So what are you waiting for? It’s time to finish!
Also check out Unique Baby Shower Gifts: 100 Ideas No One Thinks Of
