12.9_LL_BDBAHolidayGuide_Ebook by TREBPublishing

I am delighted to welcome you to our beautiful downtown during this festive season, when our storefronts and restaurants are decked out with holiday cheer and our streets are illuminated with the Festival of Lights! With the holidays just around the corner, I want to share my heartfelt reflections on my cherished hometown — our vibrant downtown, the true hub of our city.

This year, as you embark on your holiday shopping adventures, I’d ask you to remember that our downtown is brimming with unique gifts and experiences for your family, friends, colleagues and even those with four paws and furry coats! This Holiday Guide will help you select a gift for everyone on your shopping list. From one-of-a-kind presents that tell a story to handmade crafts, gourmet treats, salon and spa experiences, and gifts for bookworms, fashionistas and foodies!

If you’re looking for a gift allowing the recipient to shop at over 80 small businesses, restaurants, salons, spas and more … look no further than our Burlington Downtown Gift Card. They are available to purchase online or at our partner locations. (Check out our website for all the details!)

Our downtown is where we gather to celebrate holiday traditions and make new memories. The wonderful local restaurants are ready to host your holiday parties and welcome you to raise a glass (or two!) of cheer to ring in the New Year. Our hair salons and spas look forward to readying you for a night on the town.

Together, let’s deck the halls of our beloved downtown with love, laughter, and local charm. It’s not just about the gifts; it’s about building connections and celebrating the spirit of our hometown.

Wishing you and your families a joyful and prosperous holiday season and thank you for shopping local!

Warm holiday wishes,

As the outdoors become blustery and grey, home quickly becomes the centre of our universe. An inviting ambiance is everything! If you’re looking for ways to add comfort, joy and a touch of class to your indoor sanctuary, read on for home décor tips from local experts.

Vintage and Antique

Vintage styles and warm, cozy colour palettes create a sense of stability and warmth. “After years of uncertainty, people are leaning toward familiar, comforting aesthetics,” says Lisa Kooistra, Principal Designer at Lisa Kooistra Designs Inc. She adds that Art Deco is making a comeback with bold geometric patterns, luxurious materials, and metallic accents.

For holiday décor, “people are starting to collect ornaments that mean something to them, maybe handed down from a family member,” says . “Trees are more vintage and

Natural

“Incorporating nature into interiors continues to grow in popularity, with living walls, indoor gardens, and large windows that bring the outside in!” Kooistra says. “Eco-friendly design is also gaining traction, with a focus on upcycled materials and sustainable textiles.”

To carry on the nature theme for the holidays, she suggests using a live spruce or fir as a Christmas tree that can later be planted outside.

Handmade

Artisanal and handcrafted items are appealing because they tell a story. “This holiday season, knitted or crochet home decorations, wooden farmhouse signs, and clean burning cozy scented candles seem to be what is popular!” says Layla Toppazzini, Manager of The Handmade House Burlington.

Local Links

Centro Garden 437 Brant Street, Burlington centrogarden.com

Lisa Kooistra Designs inc. 1463 Ontario Street, Burlington lkdesigns.ca

The Handmade House Burlington 374 Brant Street, Burlington thehandmadehouseburlington.ca

THE HANDMADE HOUSE

Soft textures, earth-friendly materials, and wood lend a natural theme and feel to a home. Many home décor items at The Handmade House Burlington use upcycled materials. “These items also make for great conversation pieces, and add to the community feeling in one's home,” Toppazzini says. “For example, carry a piece from a local artist, or something crafted by a parent in your community!”

Serene

Meditative environments are trending, with designs that promote relaxation and mindfulness, according to Kooistra. Along with calming colour palettes, enlightened homeowners are opting for yoga spaces, reading nooks, and saunas.

Soft. Feminine.

Minimal.

Shop or book your 1:1 styling appointment with us today! shopwoven.ca

CENTRO GARDEN

Colourful

“Shades like terracotta, deep mustard, and olive green create a cozy interior,” Kooistra says. Don’t forget to add metallics, she adds. Contrasts are always eye-catching, which is why warm earth tones pair so well with gold, silver, bronze, as well as jewel tones, particularly during the festive season.

Klassen sees a shift towards adding more colour, both at Christmas and every day. She encourages incorporating non-traditional colours, including purple, peach, teal, and pink, into holiday décor.

Traditional

Folks are being more liberal-minded and playful with Christmas colour schemes, but always with a nod to the classics.

“The timeless combination of red and green is also being reimagined,” Kooistra says, “with deeper shades and accents, like dusty rose or navy, to modernize the look while retaining its festive spirit.”

LISA KOOISTRA DESIGNS | PHOTO CREDIT BLYNDA DACOSTA

Santa Paws

Two local business

pooches chat about their favourite season

KELSO DOWNTOWN PET SHOP

SALLY Hello Kelso! What’s Santa Paws getting you for Christmas?

KELSO Hiya Sally! My sister Rosie and I each get a big raw bone! Gnawing keeps us busy while the humans are eating turkey at the table. We’ll get doggie desserts, too.

SALLY Do you get other presents?

KELSO Yep! We always get a new squeaky toy. Rosie loves to “boop” her wrapped present and then she goes all cuckoo crazy when she unwraps it. Luna and Milo will probably get presents too, even though they’re, you know… cats. They’ll get lots of treats, new toys, and a special supper.

What about you guys? Will Santa Paws bring something good?

SALLY Of course, silly. We’re golden retrievers, after all. Santa loves goldens, so Duke and Addison and I will have a spa day at our Mama’s shop, Beauty N The Beast.

KELSO What’s a paw day?

Thoughtful

With thanks to…

Downtown Pet Shop

398 Martha Street, Burlington downtownpetshop.com

Beauty N the Beast

384 Martha Street, Burlington beautynthebeast.ca

Millenium Jewellers

446 Brant Street, Burlington (see their Facebook page)

Simply Gifted 491 Brant Street, Burlington simplygifted.ca

SALLY SPA day. Oh you MUST try it! We’ll get an oat-based puppaccino with whipped cream on top! And then we’ll get our nails done, have a soothing mask on our feet…

KELSO …and liver treats? Tell me there are liver treats!

SALLY Naturally! Liver treats, and of course a blueberry facial.

KELSO Boy oh boy! I’m gonna ask for a pa… I mean, spa day.

SALLY Santa also brings us new stuffies and lots of treats from… guess where? Downtown Pet Shop! Your Mama’s shop!

KELSO Hooray for that! Hey, Sally? Are you coming to my Mama’s Christmas pawty? All of our furry friends will be at the shop to get their photos professionally done by a wonderful canine pho-dographer. We all get to wear pup beaded necklaces to look our snappiest. Anyone can come and Mama’s gonna spoil us.

JAX SIMPLY GIFTED BURLINGTON

SALLY Love to! May I invite Coco, the Customer Service dog at Millenium Jewellers?

KELSO I know that guy. Chocolate lab, right? I wonder what Santa brings him.

SALLY Oh he’s spoiled because of his good looks and charm. His Papa, Rafael Hernandez, says it’s Christmas every day. So Coco gets liver treats all year long.

KELSO He’s not THAT good-looking.

SALLY I’ll also invite Jax, the handsome cockapoo whose Mama owns Simply Gifted. Jax gets all those squeaky toys that humans think are funny ‘cause they’re beer-themed – Barkweiser, Jackson Treats, Steam Wiggle…

KELSO He’s not THAT handsome.

SALLY Now don’t be jealous, my white shepherd husky dreamboat.

KELSO Aww shucks.

Look Local Volume 12 | Issue 9

COCO MILLENIUM JEWELLERS

BURLINGTON DOWNTOWN

Gift Ideas

THE HANDMADE HOUSE BURLINGTON THEHANDMADEHOUSE.CA

374 BRANT STREET

MODERN LOVE

MODERNLOVEJEWELLERY.COM

498 BRANT STREET

Set 2025 aglow with MLJ’s ‘Compass Rose’ engagement ring. Featuring a natural, 1.02ct Ascher cut diamond set in 14K yellow gold.

DOWNTOWN PET SHOP

DOWNTOWNPETSHOP.COM

398 MARTHA STREET

These genuine leather, hand beaded and stamped dog collars are the perfect gift for your furry friend. Available in a variety of colours and designs.

Bring a touch of warmth and artistry to your holiday decor with our handmade Christmas ornaments, crafted with love in Oakville. Using the traditional Kimekomi style technique, each piece features beautifully tucked fabric that creates stunning patterns, making every ornament unique.

PURE BOUTIQUE

PUREBOUTIQUE.CA

389 BRANT STREET

Create your own one-of-a-kind charm necklace at Pure, or better yet, give someone the gift of making their own! Visit pureboutique.ca to book your time or pick up a gift card for someone special.

WOVEN SHOPWOVEN.CA

2049 PINE STREET

This pom pom toque and mittens will keep you stylish and warm this winter! Available in Cream, Red, Black, Grey and Tan. Made in Canada, for women, by women!

CENTRO GARDEN

CENTROGARDEN.COM

437 BRANT STREET

A good holiday candle is a must! Find these stunning Kyoto in Bloom Christmas candles with spinning carousels by Loshen and Crem at Centro Garden in Downtown Burlington.

THE AGB SHOP AGB.LIFE/SHOP

491 BRANT STREET

SIMPLY GIFTED BURLINGTON SIMPLYGIFTED.CA

491 BRANT STREET

Find epic gift baskets that are sure to please anyone on your list with gift wrapping services available too!

These organic soy Douglas Pine candles are sure to fill your home with festive scents and get everyone in the holiday spirit.

AGB Shop

Shop

Classic and Timeless

and

Shop Johanna Brierley’s newest sterling silver collection at the AGB Shop.

Shop sterling collection AGB

Meet the artist at a Shop event on Saturday November 16, 10 am - 2 pm.

Meet the artist event 16, - pm.

Shop Hours:

1333 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington

1333 Lakeshore Burlington

905.632.7796

Phone: 905.632.7796 ext. 364

Tuesday - Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm

Shop - 10 am - pm

Closed

Monday: Closed

Purchase in-store or online at agb.life/shop

online agb.life/shop

The so-called “most wonderful time of the year” is also a time of emotional peaks and valleys. For many people, this is a time of family tension, loneliness, economic pressures, shopping woes, and other stressors.

If you don’t feel so falalalala, you’re not alone. “A lot of pressure can come with the holiday season, the pressure to be present, enjoy, and make things special,” says Stefanie Peachey, a Registered Social Worker and founder of Peachey Counselling and Family Support. “This pressure can often lead to disappointment when high expectations are not met.”

Even with festivities, winter can dampen moods. Seasonal Affective Disorder makes it hard to focus and keep our mental health on track in the cold, grey months. “Regardless of whether or not a formal diagnosis of depression has been made,” Peachey says, “the impacts of lower temperatures and darker and shorter days can have a significant impact on many people.”

“The biggest relationship that often goes uncared for is the one we have with ourself,” says Chantell Lamondin Tunney, Registered Homeopath at Prism Healing Centre. “The holidays can put us in touch with aspects of ourselves that we have been avoiding or perhaps needs that have not been met for one reason or another.”

AChristmas marketplace forthe modern bohemian

A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE SEASON

Healing begins when we are willing to partner with ourselves, go into the places that need loving care, and be patient with the process of personal transformation, according to Lamondin Tunney. Here are some of her tips for cruising more smoothly through the holidays:

 Be kind to yourself, honour what you need to stay emotional and physically healthy.

 Take care of your immune system! Late nights, rich foods and alcohol all tax our immunity.

 Ritualize your personal care routine. Have a healthy bedtime routine, and predetermine your intentions when it comes to eating and drinking at special events.

 Find a way to spend time with yourself and check in on you.

 Be kind.

Local Links

Into the Blu Inc.

430 Pearl Street, Unit 7 intotheblu.ca

Peachey Counselling and Family Support

414 Pearl Street, Unit 11 Village Square, Burlington peacheycounselling.ca

Prism Healing Centre

478 Elizabeth Street, Burlington prismhealingcentre.com

PLAN AHEAD

Peachey recommends planning for seasonal changes before they happen, so they don’t catch us off-guard. By knowing our own mood triggers, we can create coping strategies.

Strategies can include adjusting lighting at home, looking forward to social and physical activities. When thoughts of hopelessness creep in, Peachey reminds us that winter is temporary. “The warmth, sun, and daylight always return in the spring,” she says.

Explore a new

Healing Technique

Feel the light

Prism Healing Centre offers mental, emotional, physical and spiritual support through coaching, homeopathic medicine, hypnosis, nutrition and a variety of different energy healing techniques. In particular their Crystal Light Bed from Brazil (modelled after the famous John of God light bed) uses 24-cut Vogel crystals, colour and frequency to ease the body and mind and bring balance to our energy systems.

Beat the blues in the Blu Room

Into the Blu offers remarkable technology that lets you completely let go of the inner impact of life's stresses, using a combination of light, sound, sacred geometry and narrowband UVB. It’s a selfpampering way to relax the nervous system, quiet the mind, boost the immune system and feel recharged for days. When your inner world calms, life’s stresses become manageable and lighter.

BURLINGTON DOWNTOWN

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER, Loca y

As our downtown community prepares to gather this winter holiday season, we invited children ages 12 and under, from all across Burlington, to creatively show what the holidays mean to them.

Whether it be gathering with friends and family, or helping to prepare a traditional holiday meal. Skating & skiing. Hot chocolate and yummy holiday treats. The ﬁrst snowfall of the year. Perhaps even the annual family car ride to look at the twinkling lights.

The winning design will be featured on the gift card holiday packaging for the Burlington Downtown Gift Card Program. Supporting local this holiday season has never been so festive.

Our winning design was proudly designed by 7-year-old Siena. Siena’s inspiration for her amazing art was capturing the moments that mean the most to her. Our team here at the Burlington Downtown Business Association are so proud to have been able to partner with such a talented community artist.

Congratulations, Siena!

Wishing you and yours a warm and wonderful holiday season, THE BDBA TEAM

REDEEM YOUR BURLINGTON DOWNTOWN GIFT CARD

REDEEM YOUR DOWNTOWN GIFT CARD of the

At any of the following Locations!*

Igo Optical

Je ’s Guyshop

Joe Dog’s Gasbar Grill

Optical Dog’s Grill

Joelle’s

Joseph Brant Hospital Gift Shop

Brant Hospital Shop

Bake Shoppe Inc

Kelly’s Bake Shoppe Inc

Crème la Crème

La Crème de la Crème

House

Lakeshore Co ee House

Cafe

Lettuce Love Cafe

400 Brant Kitchen & Bar

400 & Bar

A Di erent Drummer Books

A erent Drummer Books

Agora Marketplace

Agora

Angel’s Beauty and Salon Inc

Angel’s Beauty Supply and Salon Inc

Art Gallery Burlington

Art Gallery of Burlington

Blo Bar

Blo Blow Dry Bar Burlington

Bocconcino

Bocconcino Bakery

Bodhi Bar

Body Language Esthetics and Spa

Branded Burlington

Body Esthetics and Branded Burlington

Brant and Laundry

Brant Cleaners and Coin Laundry

Bubbles

Bubbles and Blow

Budssmoke

Burlington Physiotherapy Health

Burlington Physiotherapy & Health Clinic

Burro Tacos

Bush’s Men’s

Bush’s Men’s Wear

Buvette Restaurant & Wine Bar

Buvette & Bar

Central Burlington Dental

Central Dental

Centro

Centro Garden

Centro

Centro Market

CineStarz

CineStarz Burlington

Classic Jewellery

Cosmedica Canada

Craig’s Cookies

Culaccino Bar & Kitchen

Culaccino Bar &

D-Derm Aesthetics

D-Derm

DanceScape

DanceScape Corporation

Do & Dare Co

Do & Dare Undie Co

Downtown Pet

Downtown Pet Shop

Dynamic Laserworks

Dynamic Laserworks Ltd

Edgar Family Chiropractic

Exhale

Exhale Pilates

F45 Burlington Downtown

F45 Downtown

GoFloat Studios Inc

GoFloat Studios

Grounded Pilates Lifestyle

Grounded Pilates & Lifestyle

Handmade House

Handmade

Hair Love by

Hair Love by Sigourny

Heal Wellness

LOLA BAR

LOLA CHOCO BAR AND SWEET

Megs Octopus Garden

Octopus

Millenium Jewellers

Millenium

My Roti Place / My Dosa Place

Nisi Greek Taverna

Oddspot

Ornate Room

Painted People Tattoo & Soap Co

Roti / Dosa Place Room People & Soap

Paradiso Restaurant Burlington

Paradiso Restaurant

Bistro

Pepperwood Bistro

Perspective

Perspective Vision

Prime Steak & Raw Bar

Pure Boutique

Prime & Bar Boutique

adius

radius

Rayhoon Persian Eatery

Sakerson Jewelry

Sandwich Station

Scrivener’s Men’s Apparel

Persian Men’s

Scooterize

Simply Gifted Burlington

Son of a Peach Pizzeria

Spa in the Village

Specs on Pearl

Sunset Bistro

Tamp Co ee Co. (On Brant Street)

Gifted Burlington Peach Pizzeria in the Specs Pearl Co ee Co. Street)

Tamp Co ee Co. (On Pine Street)

Co ee Co. Pine

Block Co.

The Block Co.

Burlington Performing Arts

The Burlington Performing Arts Centre

The Coop Burlington

The Martini House

The North Coal

The Poacher

Coop Burlington Martini North Poacher

The Works Burlington

Village Boutique Foods

Village Cigar Company & Barbershop

Works Burlington Foods Barbershop

Waters Edge Salon & Spa

You, Me, And A Laser

Waters & Me, And Laser

*as at 11/13/2024

Sweet Talk

Must-have desserts for your holiday table

When it comes to indulgences, we Burlingtonians are a bit spoiled to have such exceptional bakers and confectioners in the heart of our downtown. In preparation for the festive season, we asked them about their featured holiday treats. Here’s a shortlist of their proudest, most decadent creations.

KELLY'S BAKE SHOPPE

Kandy Sweeties

2060 LAKESHORE

RD UNIT 108, BURLINGTON

Specializing in retro & novelty candy products, Kandy Sweeties is an essential destination for holiday shoppers. From festive gift baskets filled with classic holiday treats like ribbon candy, peppermint and cinnamon candies, to their exclusive themed candy pills, they have everything to make your celebrations sweeter and your stockings stuffier.

Warm winter wishes

May your days be filled with warmth, love, and good cheer as you celebrate the season.

Happy holidays from me and my team.

Martini Insurance Agency Inc. Susan Martini, Agent 394 Martha St Burlington ON 905-633-8900 susanmartini.com

Aroma Pastry

361 BRANT ST, BURLINGTON

Every day before sunrise the bakers at Aroma Pastry are hard at work, filling the streets with the intoxicating scent of fresh baked goods. This bakery blends French pastry traditions with Middle Eastern influences. “Many of our desserts reflect the rich flavours and ingredients native to our heritage,” says General Manager Tariq Abu Taha.

One signature item is the pistachio croissant, a crowd favourite consisting of flaky, buttery pastry and a rich pistachio filling. Another big hit is the Dubai croissant filled with both pistachio and Kunafa — a delicious Middle Eastern dessert with layered crispy pastry and sweet cheese soaked in syrup.

Aroma’s eclairs come in pistachio, tiramisu, coconut raspberry, just to name a delicious few, showcasing Aroma’s commitment to classic pastry techniques.

For a unique Holiday treat, Tariq recommends the Dubai Chocolate Bar (smooth chocolate with a sweet, crispy pistachio-knafeh filling). “It’s an irresistible treat that our customers absolutely adore,” Tariq says.

Kelly’s Bake Shoppe

401 BRANT ST, BURLINGTON

This bakery’s offerings are so delicious, it’s hard to believe they are 100% dairy-free, eggfree, plant-based, gluten-free, peanut-free & allergy friendly! Try these holiday highlights:

HOT COCOA CUPCAKES

- A rich chocolate cupcake made with sweet potatoes and beets, filled with marshmallow plant-based frosting and topped with chocolate frosting, mini marshmallows & a pinch of cocoa sugar.

MATCHA SHORTBREAD CHRISTMAS TREE COOKIES

- Melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies made using high quality matcha green tea powder, dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with flaked sea salt.

REINDEER GINGERBREAD COOKIES -

Soft & chewy gingerbread cookies full of warm seasonal spices, made with organic evaporated cane juice and hand-decorated with an adorable reindeer face!

Bocconcino

Bakery And Café

414 LOCUST STREET, BURLINGTON

Fans of Italian desserts adore this family owned and operated bakery. Bocconcino’s best-seller all year is the Sicilian cannoli –pastry shells filled with a sweet sheep’s milk cheese. The ingredients are imported from Sicily.

A seasonal holiday feature is Bocconcino’s tiramisu log, a yule log with a chocolatemascarpone-coffee Italian flair.

Craig’s Cookies

501 BRANT ST, BURLINGTON

A franchise that boasts 100 flavours of cookies, Craig’s Cookies opened its Brant Street location this past summer. The cookies taste divine and will look festive and inviting alongside your fruit cake and chocolate liqueurs!

The official 2024 Craig’s Cookies Holiday mix flavours are Candy Cane Shortbread, Cranberry Cheesecake, Holiday M&M, Terry’s Chocolate Orange, Ginger-White Chocolate Cake, and Mint Oreo Brownie.

Culaccino Bar & Kitchen 527 Brant St, Burlington (905) 635-4626

culaccino.ca

For the gnocchi:

INGREDIENTS

• 4 lbs of Russet potatoes

• 2 egg yolks

• 2 cups (or 240g) of flour, sifted

METHOD

• Optional: pinch of nutmeg, salt

1. Poke holes in the potatoes and place them on a baking tray in a 350 F oven, and allow them to cook until soft (approx. 1.5 hours).

2. Remove the potatoes from the oven and allow them to cool, then remove the skins and put them through a ricer. You should end up with approx. 2 lbs of potatoes, the correct ratio for this recipe. Every lb of cooked and riced potato requires 1 cup of flour and 1 egg yolk.

3. Add the eggs and the flour to the potato while using a scraper to “chop” in the ingredients. Incorporate all the ingredients and then make a ball. Do not knead the mixture for too long. Let rest for 15-20 minutes.

4. Cut the gnocchi into long strands and with flat palms and medium pressure, roll into long equally shaped ropes to a size you prefer (3/4” to 1” recommended). The motion should look like you are rolling in a half circle outwards and back again. When they are finished, blanch the gnocchi in salted water and allow to cool. Portion to whatever size you would like. This recipe should yield about 3 lbs or 6 to 9 portions.

For the sauce: