This article was originally published in the Winter 2016 issue of Cottage Life magazine.
Start your shopping lists, cottagers. We’ve rounded up the best $50-and-under gifts for your family and friends.
More from Cottage Life:
Entertaining
Seven $50-and-under gifts for your favourite cottager
For the host who hates laundry: Coleman 3-in-1 Sleeping Bag ($44.99)
Heck, that’s basically anyone. Having a lightweight (3 lb), mild weather (-1°C to 21°C) bag on hand beats making up a new bed. Warmest when used with the removable liner; wash only the liner to use the bag when the next overnight guest shows up. colemancanada.ca
For people who walk: Fleeps Sandals ($50)
Flip-flop-like but more supportive and handmade, plus 10 per cent of every sale goes to the non-profit Fleeps Foundation, with the goal of sending 10,000 girls living in poverty to school by 2017. Oh, and these sandals are purdy too. fleeps.com
For the player: Tenzi Dice Game ($18.95)
Sometimes you don’t have the time—or, okay, the patience—for a puzzle. Tenzi is “the world’s fastest dice game.” It may also be the world’s simplest: there are dozens of variations, but, essentially, players each get 10 dice, and they roll them until they get the same number on each of them. For two to four players. ilovetenzi.com; indigo.ca
For the host who loves the holidays: Cottage Life Weekend Collection Candles (8 oz, $19.99; 16 oz, $26.99)
No need for baking! Uncap two of the 16-scent collection’s new festive varieties: Cozy Cabin (vanilla, sugar, and caramel) and Welcome to the Cottage (apple pie). Oh great. Now we’re hungry. countryhome candle.com
For the coffee drinker: Provincial Mug ($12)
Heck, that’s basically anyone. Who says notoacupofjoeon the dock? Give their favourite cottaging province a shout-out with one of Indigo’s large and sturdy mugs. indigo.ca.
For the off-grid adventurer: Barebones Canyon Lantern ($48)
This retro-looking, rechargeable lithium ion battery-powered lamp has an output of up to 200 lumens and comes with a USB cord for charging a phone. barebonesliving.ca; mec.ca
For the soccer fan: YayLabs! Softshell Ice Cream Ball ($50)
Shake, rattle, or roll this soft-surfaced ball for 20 to 30 minutes, and, using basic ingredients, churn two pints of creamy, homemade awesomeness. Then immediately undo the effects of thatexercise by scarfing the ice cream that you just made. ($38 for the smaller, one-pint ball.) mec.ca; industrialrev.com
