simply sweet
Fa-la-la-fall with the holidays!
The holiday season is the time of year to cozy up with loved ones and fill the festivities with warmth and joy. From the sweet smell of homemade baking to the sounds of singing carols, there’s nothing quite like holiday traditions, new and old.
Our Crave team has compiled some of our holiday favourites, including gift ideas for the whole family, the perfect holiday treat pairings, and some sweet ideas for your at home baking. So throw on your best cozy sweater and light the fireplace because it’s time to fill your home with holiday spirit.
Click to shop or find a retailer near you!
The holidays aren’t complete without cookies and milk.
We know this season is busy, and sometimes you don’t have time to make cookies from scratch. But, just because you’re busy, doesn’t mean you have to miss out on homemade treats!
Filled with all things merry and bright, peanut free and with no added preservatives our Canadian made cookies are fast and easy to make. Whether you’re treating the family or leaving them by the tree for Santa Claus, these are the perfect sweet treats for the holidays.
Real BUT TER MADE WITH
Ho Ho Homemade Baking!
Ditch the confusing recipes and make your holidays just a little bit easier. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy sweet fix or wanting to impress your guests, we’ve got some ideas for this year’s holiday baking.
Add some sprinkles, and it’s Christmas in a cup! Grab your favourite mug, some Crave Cake Mix, and your choice of a festive touch.
Vanilla Christmas Confetti Mug Cake
Ingredients:
¼ cup Crave Vanilla Confetti Cake Mix
Christmas sprinkle mix
3 tbsp milk
1 tsp oil
Crave Buttercream Frosting (optional)
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe mug. Mix together until smooth.
2. Add in your choice of a Christmas sprinkle mix (to add that festive touch)!
3. Microwave on high for 1 minute and 20 seconds. Let cool for 5 minutes.
4. Top with a scoop of your favourite Crave Buttercream Frosting and even more sprinkles.
Chocolate Mint Mug Cake
Ingredients:
¼ cup Crave Chocolate Cake Mix
Christmas sprinkle mix
4 tbsp warm water
1 tsp oil
⅛ tsp vanilla extract
Crave Mint Buttercream Frosting
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe mug. Mix together until smooth.
2. Microwave on high for 1 minute and 20 seconds. Let cool for 5 minutes.
3. Top with a scoop of Crave Mint Buttercream Frosting and festive sprinkle mix.
The more mugs, the merrier!
We strongly believe that you can never have too many mugs, here's a few mugs we love (and they’re microwave safe)!
Danica Nordic Night Mug
Keramikk Emerald Green Mug Blume Cloud Mug
Deck the halls with Candy Magic
A Gingerbread house kit just wouldn’t be complete without the candies. This year, with the help of j.co wrapology, these festive candies are perfectly crafted to light up your Gingerbread House creations and add that sugary sparkle.
With her passion for creativity and candy, Jennifer O’Connor, founder of j.co wrapology, brings the perfect personal touch to every candy mix she curates. Calgary based and woman owned, there’s no doubt j.co wrapology adds a sprinkle of sweetness to the community. During the festive season, she definitely adds the perfect candied sparkle that everyone needs for the holidays.
When did you start your business?
I launched j.co wrapology in October 2020 (during COVID) as a fun, creative way to share gifting and treat ideas and to show people how easy it is to make others feel special. After some trial and error, I decided to make it official in January 2021, launching j.co wrapology as a sweets and treats happiness business!
What inspired you to start j.co wrapology?
When I think about where my passion for gifting with sweets came from, I’m instantly brought back to my childhood. My mom was the unofficial neighborhood party planner, orchestrating elaborate parties for any occasion. So I guess it’s in my blood! Long before I had my own kids, I loved creating special moments with unique gatherings, gifts, and treats… always lots of treats.
Growing up, I would mark pages in Martha Stewart magazines for DIY ideas (which were never as easy as they looked!). But it was Amy Atlas, the queen of the curated dessert table, who truly inspired me to take things to the next level. I started creating dessert tables when throwing parties for friends and family. Planning from scratch, coming up with the theme, colors, and treats, and then connecting everything to create a memorable experience—it all came naturally and was so much fun.
Over the past 20 years, I’ve worked with incredible charities and businesses, creating custom dessert tables, fundraising events, and giveaways. The passion has always been rooted in the treats! j.co wrapology began as a way to share ideas and inspire others to embrace the art of gifting. The custom treats and candy gifts have become our signature, each curated from unique gummy candy finds all over the world.
What is your favorite candy mix you’ve released?
Oh, that’s a tough one! Our very first candy box, "the fleur," was my favorite for a long time. It’s a rainbow of colors and flavors, inspired by my middle child and all her sparkle and magic. This year’s holiday collection is a close second; each themed mix is packed with flavor and festive fun. It’s hard to pick just one!
What’s your process/inspiration when crafting new candy mixes?
For me, it all starts with a color theme. Even with straightforward holidays like Valentine’s Day, I like to add a twist and create a color palette that wows.
I begin with the theme, colors, shapes, and flavors, setting the foundation and then visualizing the experience. I ask myself: What do I want the recipient to feel, from the moment they see the candy gift to the first bite? Once I have the answer, the fun of creating begins.
What stands out about your holiday candies?
From day one, I wanted this candy journey to be unique and even a bit exclusive. Not in a snobby way, but in a way that makes you feel like you’re experiencing something truly special. Our holiday candies come from all over—Portugal, Germany, the U.S., Israel, Mexico, Switzerland, Turkey, the U.K., and of course, Canada. With a mix of holiday icons and vibrant, flavorful gummies, it’s a candy experience everyone loves. And that’s what matters most to us!
How did you go about making the gingerbread house candy mix for Crave?
When Crave approached us about curating candy for their gingerbread houses, we got so excited about creating the perfect mix. I started by looking at a photo from their previous gingerbread houses and sketching in our holiday candy options to see what matched the vibe. Then came the math (my least favorite part!), figuring out exactly how much candy was needed. I loved that Crave was open to all colors, not just traditional holiday colors, and gave us full freedom to create the sweetest mix!
What’s your favorite candy to use when you make your own gingerbread house?
I absolutely love the sour ropes! They come in so many colors and designs, and you can cut, twist, and shape them into anything to personalize your gingerbread house.
How do you like to celebrate the holiday season?
Growing up in a Jewish household, we celebrated the eight nights of Hanukkah with all the traditions. We also celebrated Christmas with my Christian grandparents. I loved experiencing all the traditions and knew that, as long as my grandmother was with us, we’d make sure our own kids shared in her Christmas traditions. She passed away at 102, and we still pull out the stockings on Christmas Day in memory of her.
On Hanukkah, we light the menorah, sing songs, bake latkes, and play dreidel (yes, we still do that!). For me, the holidays are all about the feeling— whether it’s the smell of the outdoors, the lights on houses, or menorahs shining brightly. We spend time with friends, laugh a lot, and make sure we’re together as a family, wherever we are. It’s a truly special time.
Shop online at jcowrapology.com Follow @jcowrapology
Gingerbread House Kit
Unleash your creativity with our LIMITED-EDITION Gingerbread House Decorating Kit! This delightful package includes everything you need to construct and decorate your very own gingerbread house, from smooth royal icing to an assortment of whimsical candies, courtesy of j.co wrapology.
Order online at cravecupcakes.ca
Books
A few of our favourite reads are: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, the Briar Club by Kate Quinn, The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
JODI&CAROLYNE'S FAVOURITE
Stackable rings and bracelets are the
A
tour is such a fun experience! Learn about the business, tour the
and classes.
Anthropologie The Colette Cropped Wide-leg Pants by Maeve, every time Jodi wears these pants people ask her about them!
The
Jodi loves this for holding everything from groceries to boxes of cupcakes, and it folds down for easy transport.
Crave Tote
Mejuri
perfect gifts!
Milk Jar Jodi loves their candles, diffusers, shower steamers
Caudalie Beauty Elixir Prep Set and Glow Face Mist.
Crave Cake Mix and Buttercream She knows the recipes and yet Jodi's pantry is always filled with Crave cake mix!
Romero Distillery
rum
facility and then make your own rum.
Esme Manis and pedis, by such a great team of people!
Metro Vino Red, white, rose, bubbly - Jodi loves gifting all wines!
Boryski's Butcher Block Jerky from this locally-owned family-run butcher shop located in Saskatoon.
JODI&CAROLYNE'S
THINGS
Journals
The Cahier Lined Journal in all different colors.
AM Cleaning supplies
These cleaning products are the best; plus they are all natural with no chemicals and they smell great!
For
Kindle Paperwhite Carolyne loves reading paper books, but also loves the convenience of a Kindle.
Monogram Coffee
Subscription Carolyne has been drinking Monogram coffee since they opened and has it delivered bi-weekly to her house! Watch soon for an exciting collaboration.
Martha the Cookbook – her 100th book. She is an inspiration to all women-owned businesses.
Crave Gingerbread House Kit
Carolyne's family makes one every year. They're very excited this year to use the fun candy from j.co wrapology!
Any of the wool and kits for the knitters in your life!
Great Jones Bakeware
Carolyne loves this super fun bakeware! Not only does it add color to your kitchen but it also works great!
Select Great Jones items can be found in Crave stores
Stash
Moleskin
Aritizia Super Ruff Puff
all the dog lovers in your life!
Salted. Delicious and beautifully packaged caramels by a local women-owned business.
WITH BEVVIES AND BAKING R &R
Mulled Wine & Orange cranberry loaf
Spicy and sweet, this is the perfect combination for a cozy sip by the fireplace paired with a delicate dessert.
· Mulling Spices from The Silk Road
· Orange Cranberry Loaf
Hot Chocolate & North pole cupcake pack
BEVVIES BAKING
If there’s two things we look forward to for the holidays, it’s festive drinks and festive treats. Sit back and relax, because we have the perfect pairings. All you have to do is bring your drink, and we’ll bring the baking!
Ideal for a snowy winter’s night, you’ll be sure to warm up with this perfect pairing that even Santa would love!
· Hot Chocolate from Purdys
· North Pole Cupcake Pack
Eggnog & Gingersnap Sandwich Cook ies
Love it or leave it, eggnog is a holiday staple. Paired with a spicy and sweet treat, you'll love this classic holiday pairing.
· Oat Nog from Earth's Own
· Gingersnap Sandwich Cookies
Crave Christmas Thank You
As the year comes to a close, we reflect on how much your support and trust in Crave means to us, thank you for including us in your moments, big and small.
With the holiday season upon us, we hope you find joy, warmth, and happiness in every moment. May your holidays be filled with laughter, love, and cherished memories with those you hold dear.
Thank you for being such an important part of our Crave journey. Wishing you a Happy Holiday and a bright and prosperous New Year!
Sincerely,
Carolyne McIntyre Jackson & Jodi Willoughby Crave Co-Founders
Want to learn more about Crave: watch Our Founder's Story
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