When it comes to holiday shopping, Victoria isn’t the only place to find incredible gifts on Vancouver Island! This time, we’re heading up the Peninsula and then going up-Island to find the best places to get gorgeous gifts for everyone on your list. Even in the smallest Vancouver Island towns, people care about quality products and have opened shops to ensure that their community and visitors can find great items that are local, sustainable and unique!
Sidney
If you’re staying at the top of the Saanich Peninsula and looking for some great places to get some holiday shopping done, we’ve got you covered!
2389 Beacon Ave, Sidney, BC V8L 1W9
This bright, beautiful boutique is filled with chic, comfortable and affordable clothing and accessories for women of all ages. It’s the perfect place to find the right gift for the stylish women in your life!
2418 Beacon Ave, Sidney, BC V8L 1X4
Meaning ‘mature’ in Norwegian, Moden offers incredible, investment pieces for women who want to have clothing that fits their lifestyle while elevating their wardrobe. With so much fast fashion out there, Moden is dedicated to filling their shelves with timeless, sustainably made pieces.
2437 Beacon Ave, Sidney, BC V8L 1X7
Since 1979, Cotton and Blues has been the place to go for great jeans in Sidney. Throughout the years, many styles of jeans have come and gone but what has never changed is their dedication to quality products and great customer service.
2507 C Beacon Ave, Sidney, BC V8L 1Y1
This luxury consignment boutique is a great place to go hunt for clothing treasures. If you love thrifting, but are looking for a sustainable way to shop for high-quality and designer pieces for someone special, Lily Koi is a great option!
9816 Seaport Pl #101, Sidney, BC V8L 4X3
If you’re looking for a gift for the eco-warrior on your list, Ecotopia is the place to go! They are committed to sourcing items from local designers or products that are made in Canada that are high-quality, comfortable, fair trade, and ethically made. Everything they sell is made of natural fibers like organic cotton, hemp, linen, bamboo and soy!
2537 Beacon Ave, Sidney, BC V8L 1Y3
This lovely boutique gift shop carries a great selection of chic jewelry, housewares, bath and body products right in the heart of Sidney.
2506 Beacon Ave #102, Sidney, BC V8L 1Y2
Since 2004, Cameron Rose has been providing Sidney with an incredible array of clothing, accessories, house wares and decor, games, toys, stationary and more! If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, Cameron Rose is a great place to get inspired!
10940 W Saanich Rd, North Saanich, BC V8L 5R9
If you’re looking for something a little different for the gourmand on your list, have a look at the Deep Cove Market where they stock delicious and unique items that are sure to impress!
2487 Mt St Michael Rd, Saanichton, BC V8M 1T7
With an extensive orchard and an incredible commitment to quality, Sea Cider ciders are exceptional. With unique flavours and a distinctly West Coast appeal, these ciders make a wonderful gift.
The Cowichan Valley
While you’re enjoying the peace and quiet in the Cowichan Valley, shopping might be the last thing on your mind, but don’t worry, these great shops aren’t too far away!
2720 Mill Bay Rd, Mill Bay, BC V0R 2P0
For up-to-the-minute trends, high-quality clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories and friendly service, Wear It’s At is well…where it’s at!
2744 East, Shawnigan Lake Rd, Shawnigan Lake, BC V0R 2W0
This sweet, full service quilt shop in the little village of Shawnigan Lake is a real gem for quilters! With an impressive selection of beautiful material, including hand-picked quilting packages, this store is the perfect place for the quilter on your list.
1230 Merridale Rd, Cobble Hill, BC V0R 1L0
Delicious, sustainably made and naturally produced cider is what Merridale’s ciders are all about. Head over to the beautiful farm, have a tasting and some lunch and pick up a few gifts! It’s an afternoon well spent!
Eclectic Avenue Vintage Boutique & Consignment
132 Station St, Duncan, BC V9L 1M8
For show-stopping vintage pieces including vintage band t-shirts, hats, shoes, dresses and accessories, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Eclectic Avenue in Duncan. Browse online and pick up in store or head in and peruse the racks yourself, you’re sure to find that perfect one-of-a-kind gift you’ve been looking for!
The Duncan Garage and Ten Old BooksÂ
330 Duncan St, Duncan, BC V9L 3W4
This funky building is home to a lovely cafe as well as an amazing, rare and second-hand bookstore. It might be tiny, but this bookstore is packed with gems with special sections on local history, authors and special interests.
149 Kenneth St, Duncan, BC V9L 1N5
This long-standing bookstore in the heart of downtown Duncan is filled with incredible new releases, bestsellers, classics, a large kids section and so much more. The friendly staff is always available to help you find what you’re looking for or offer recommendations to wow the bibliophile on your list.
158 Craig St, Duncan, BC V9L 1V9
A beloved staple for the kids in the community, the Red Balloon right in the heart of downtown Duncan has an incredible selection of thought and imagination provoking toys, games, costumes and more. Whether you’re just perusing the aisles or heading in for something specific, The Red Balloon will spark your imagination and make you feel like a kid again.
269 Craig St, Duncan, BC V9L 1W2
For 40 years, Saltspring Soapworks has been creating natural bath and body products that are simple and effective. Using the highest-quality, sustainable ingredients as well as producing and packaging everything by hand, this is one of the best, slow beauty brands that have products that really work!
269 Craig St, Duncan, BC V9L 1W2
Located in a stunning heritage brick building just north of downtown Duncan, Pots and Paraphernalia offers customers a beautiful array of stunning kitchen and homewares. From the gorgeous flatware to rare, hard-to-find kitchen appliances to the finest quality bedlinen, Pots and Paraphernalia is the place to go for luxury home and kitchen items in Duncan.
Nanaimo
At these incredible shops, you’ll have all your holiday shopping done in no time!
2 Church St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5H4
If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind gifts, this is the store to visit downtown Nanaimo. Sourcing only items made by local and BC based artists you’re sure to find truly authentic West Coast gifts that are stunning and well made.
6332 Metral Dr, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8
This interactive, hands-on tasting room and shop is a wonderful experience and a great place to get something really outstanding for the gourmand in your life. The friendly staff will guide you through a few tastings offering insights and recommendations to help you with your selection!
Lobelia’s Lair Metaphysical Treasures
321 Wesley St #8, Nanaimo, BC V9R 2T5
For the spiritual person on your list, it can be difficult to find them a wonderful gift that will truly resonate. At Lobelia’s, however, you can find the most beautiful spiritual accessories like crystals, tarot cards, singing bowls as well as the kindest service.
2595 McCullough Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9S 4M9
With a carefully curated selection of local and Indigenous items from all over Vancouver Island and Canada, plus books on a wide range of subjects related to Indigenous peoples and cultures from across Canada and the globe, this store is an incredible place to shop. In addition, Strong Nations also produces its own range of books and related products that are used in schools across Canada. This is an excellent place to come to learn more about the history, life and culture of the Indigenous peoples of BC.
Parksville
Parksville may not be a very big town, but there are still some great shops that are more than worth a visit while you’re staying in the area!
117 Craig St, Parksville, BC V9P 2H4
It’s safe to say that Shades of Green has been a trailblazer in the Parksville community when it comes to sustainable, earth friendly, Canadian sourced and fair trade products. Since 2009 this store has helped create a way for the community to access high-quality, sustainable products and participate in more environmentally friendly practices.
152 Morison Ave, Parksville, BC V9P 2G5
If you’re looking for incredible clothes and locally made art and accessories, this is the shop to visit! With sought-after brands and investment pieces, Wilde & Sparrow is the destination for chic women’s clothing in Parksville.
180 Craig St #4, Parksville, BC V9P 2G3
At Soak, you can find everything from clothing and home decor to body products and kitchen gadgets. Almost everything in the store is hand-made from the Island and beyond or recognizable top-shelf brands. If there’s someone that is difficult to buy for, start here and let the incredible displays inspire you!
122B Craig St #1379, Parksville, BC V9P 2H3
For the person on your holiday shopping list who really has it all, there’s Petal & Kettle. With their contemporary floral designs, thoughtfully curated gift sets and subscription options, you can finally find something they’ll love and appreciate. Have a stunning arrangement delivered or pick up a luxurious relaxation gift set or sign them up for a monthly flower subscription or a monthly gift set subscription filled with beautiful, locally sourced products.
Comox Valley
There are some really lovely shops to explore in the Comox Valley where you’re sure to find the perfect holiday gifts!
214 5th St, Courtenay, BC V9N 1J6
At this lovely, thoughtful shop you can find beautiful limited edition, handmade items made by independent Canadian designers and artisans. If you want to support sustainability and reduce the amount of fashion waste, this is a great place to shop for slow fashion and pieces that are quality and built for longevity.
231 5th St, Courtenay, BC V9N 1J5
With a strong connection with local artists this incredible shop is filled with beautiful pieces that are handmade right in the beautiful Comox Valley and BC. You can find a little bit of everything here from apparel and teas to glass art and jewelry. A gift purchased from is sure to be made with love.
3310 Comox Rd, Courtenay, BC V9N 3P8
At I-Hos Gallery, you’ll find a breathtaking collection of traditional and contemporary Northwest Coast artwork. The masks, jewelry, wood carvings and more are all produced by local First Nations artists. Because the gallery deals directly with the artists, you can be sure that you can learn about the artist themselves as well as support the incredible work of the First Nations artists.
