Getting into the holiday spirit may feel a bit different this year, but as we celebrate the season, there’s no doubt that despite the challenges there are still so many ways to bask in the joyful glow of Christmas. Twinkling lights, festive tunes, holiday treats full of sugar, spice and everything nice, and of course, the joy of gift giving to those we hold dear.

As we look to support our local businesses, we’re looking forward to heading to our favourite shops, makers, restaurants, and creatives to share the love and spread the holiday cheer. If you’re in need of a push to get started on your local holiday shopping and seasonal merriment, take this as a sign and keep reading for a few ideas from our own holiday wish list!

Photo by Kenny Vail

Stock up on local goodies

This year more than ever we want to support our local creatives and shops as much as possible, and with the overflowing creativity of Islanders, we have plenty of options to choose from. New stores like Home by Caley Joy, Crow’s Nest PEI, PEI Fox Den, or Bloom House Flowers are stock-full of beauty. Our year-after-year favourites include the amazing soaps from Moonsnail or the sand and PEI collection of jewelry from Kuriosities.

Even if you can’t get to your favourite PEI stores, don’t worry! You can still order online for delivery or pick up, which is a fantastic way to find unique gifts and shop local all at once! The Etsy Team PEI is full of fun, gorgeous items,  or share some warmth this year with a cozy gift from Northern Watters Knitwear, MacAusland’s Woollen Mills, or Green Gables Alpacas. Delight the reader on your list with a gift from Bookmark, or treat someone with a beautiful creation from Shoreline Design. Just remember to order early to allow plenty of time for your gifts to arrive by mail in time for Christmas!

Photo by Discover Charlottetown

Home by Caley Joy

Bloomhouse Flowers

MacAusland’s Woolen Mills

Bookmark

The Den

Send sights, sounds, and tastes of PEI to those far away

If you or your loved ones missed out on your PEI vacation this year or are longing for its charm over the holidays, a few sights, sounds, and (absolutely delicious) tastes from the Island can help fill the void! Keep your Christmas pantry stocked with goodies shipped Canada-wide like the ultimate PEI Seafood Box, or a box from Cows Creamery full of chocolate-y, buttery, cheesy goodness.

If it’s the blissful sounds of an Island summer that you miss, chimes from Island Winds are crafted with familiar melodies to remind you of carefree days by the ocean.

And when you just need to see your favourite views, stunning paintings and prints from Island artists and photographers like Tony Diodatti, Al Douglas, or The Redhead Roamer, will do your heart some good.

Tony Diodati Art Gallery

Island Winds

Cows Over the Moon Box

Photo by Al Douglas

Photo by The Redhead Roamer

Support your favourite restaurants

Prince Edward Island is known as Canada’s Food Island with good reason: PEI produces some of the most exceptional food in the world and our chefs across the Island do an outstanding job at using the Island’s ingredients to make mouth-watering, meals that are a feast for the eyes as well as the tastebuds. In a time where we are all limiting our visits to public places, we know you’ve been missing your favourite restaurants and coffee shops, but the truth is, they’ve been missing you, too!

This holiday season treat yourself and your household to some savoury flavours with takeout from Taste of India, a bag of freshly roasted coffee beans from The Kettle Black, or a few cans of your favourite craft beer from local brewers like Evermoore, Lone Oak, or Moth Lane. Or if you’re looking for the *chef’s kiss* perfect gift, a gift card to local restaurants like Sims Corner, Backwoods Burger, The Pilot House, or Redwater Rustic Grille is deliciously easy!

Sims Corner

Photo via The Kettle Black PEI

Redwater Rustic Grille

Book a staycation/vacation

A PEI staycation (or weekend getaway if you’re nearby!) is an amazing gift, whether you’re gifting it to others or treating yourself. Booking a reservation or buying a gift card to one of the Island’s go-to accommodations allows you to choose the perfect weekend to book your stay.

Looking for a luxurious and relaxing holiday? The Great George or the Sydney Boutique Inn take hospitality to the next level. A weekend of winter fun for the family? Mill River Resort packs as much winter fun into a weekend as you can handle. And if you want to be in the heart of Downtown, Charlottetown‘s newest budget-friendly Arts Hotel is home to the Trailside Music Hall and is in walking distance to endless options for fabulous food and drink!

Vacation Home | Photo by Caley Joy Photography

Photo by The Great George

Sydney Boutique Inn

Photo by Caley Joy Photography

Get in the holiday groove

We’re so grateful to our cities and local businesses who have adapted so many holiday experiences to ensure we enjoy festivities in a safe way. This year, you can take part in the Summerside Santa Claus Parade on November 27th by joining their reverse parade! While floats stay parked, spectators do the driving… all the way to Santa at the end! In Charlottetown, you can stay cozy at home as Santa Claus Comes to Town, bringing the holiday magic to the seven neighbourhoods between November 30th-December 4th.

Bringing you laughs and tunes to get you smiling, the Ledwell and Haines Christmas Special will be at College of Piping and the Trailside Music Hall! Lennie Gallant’s Innkeepers Christmas will be a festive set in Montague at Copperbottom Brewing. And the Village Musical Acadien in Evangeline is hosting a fun-filled night with their dinner theatre Christmas special, Le Prix de Noel.

But for classic Christmas entertainment, the Confederation Centre of the Arts has a lineup of shows ready for you to experience in-person or from home in the comfort of your Christmas PJs. Check out It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, A Celtic Family Christmas with Natalie MacMaster (a joint event with the Harbourfront Theatre!), and their old-fashioned holiday variety show, Comfort & Joy (online too!). We’ll be beaming with holiday spirit after these!

Harbourfront/Confederation Centre

Photo by Discover Charlottetown

Ledwell & Haines Christmas Special

It should come as no surprise that Prince Edward Island is full to the brim with holiday cheer, and this year more than ever, we can’t wait to join in on the local love and merriment of the season! From supporting local to keeping our neighbours safe, we hope our 2020 PEI Christmas List inspires you to share the Prince Edward Island love this year!

Photo by Jodi Harper

Discover more ways to stay local this season and embrace the beauty of winter by checking out our 2019 PEI Holiday Gift Guide, Meet the Makers, Why Mill River is the Perfect Place for Winter Adventure, and A Glimpse into an Island Winter Wonderland.