Edmonton stores with the best hostess gifts

Giving your hostess a gift may seem like an old-fashioned tradition, but it is one that should remain a part of our culture. Whether you’re invited to someone’s home for a dinner party or are staying with friends for a week at their beach house, bringing a small token of your appreciate goes a long way. These shops sell unique items guaranteed to get you another invite.

By Sydnee Bryant

Duchess Bake Shop

1

10720 124 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5M 0H1

• Phone Number
  • 780-488-4999Primary
• Directions

This French patisserie is one of the best in the country, and any item you choose from here will be greatly appreciated by any hostess (especially since they likely know you had to wait in a long line for it). But, the macarons, in particular, always make a spectacular gift — they’re colourful, delicious and look lovely nestled into a white box. Plus, you can get multiple flavours, so you’re guaranteed to choose at least one your hostess loves.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

• The best melt-in-your-mouth croissants in Edmonton
• Must-try spots around Edmonton’s 124 Street
• Perk up at these downtown and Oliver Edmonton coffee shops

The Silk Road Spice Merchant Ltd

2

10818 82 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 2B3

• Phone Number
  • 780-428-0224Primary
• Directions

This cute spice store is loaded with exotic spices, fragrant sea salts and everyday ingredients that we often find listed in cook books but never seem to have in our cupboard. Stock up on a few key spices and one or two unique ones, bundle them with a ribbon and present them to your overwhelmed hostess. They sell everything from cinnamon sticks and Chai baking spice to Inca fire salt and red alder smoked sea salt.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

• Edmonton stores every serious foodie will adore
• Edmonton shops with cute stocking stuffers
• Edmonton shops with lovely Christmas gifts for moms

District Café and Bakery

3

101-10011 109 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 3S8

• Phone Number
  • 780-705-7788Primary
• Directions

Getting up the morning after a party can be challenging, even more so if you’re the host (the living room isn’t going to clean itself up after everyone leaves). Bring your party host a bag of freshly roasted coffee beans from District Coffee Co so that they can perk right up the morning after the party. Go for a mild, smooth blend if you’re not sure what kind of coffee they prefer.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

• Edmonton spots for sandwiches
• Coffee shops in downtown Edmonton
• Edmonton restaurants with a view: Spots to watch fireworks

Paddy's International Cheese Market Ltd

4

12509 102 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5N 0M4

• Phone Number
  • 780-413-0367Primary
• Directions

If a total foodie is having you over for dinner, you can’t go wrong with cheese. Paddy’s International Cheese Market has a lot of new cheeses to fall in love with — you’ve likely never tasted most of their selection. Ask the staff to recommend a few different cheeses that will complement each other for a cheese board, then grab some gourmet crackers from the shelf, and voila! You’re a perfect guest.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

• Edmonton cheese shops that make the cut
• Edmonton High Street shops still open for business
• Edmonton shops with gourmet gifts for your fave foodie pal

The Wish List Gifts Ltd

5

10464 82 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 2A2

• Phone Number
  • 780-436-8277Primary
• Directions

This cute, crowded Whyte Avenue shop sells an eclectic assortment of items, including amazing paintings by Canadian artists, socks, mugs, flower lights, locally made chocolate and more. It’s a fantastic place to pick up a unique gift for your friend that has everything — although, can you really say you have “everything” if you don’t have a painting of unicorns fighting in front of a rainbow?

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

• Edmonton shops for ultimate Secret Santa gifts
• Edmonton shops with unique Mother’s Day gifts
• Edmonton shops with cute stocking stuffers

Devine Wines & Spirits

6

10111 104 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 0Z9

• Phone Number
  • 780-421-9463Primary
• Directions

Showing up at a friend’s house with a bottle of wine is a classic, classy guest move, and for good reason — an extra bottle always comes in handy. Whether you bring over champagne to toast an occasion, or a special vintage for the hostess to enjoy, it’s sure to be appreciated. Don’t worry if you don’t know whether your host prefers white or red; instead, pick up a bottle from a country you know they’ve always wanted to visit.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

• Fine Vines and Great Wines Networking Event Edmonton

Evoolution

7

11958 104 Ave Nw, Edmonton, AB T5K 0G6

• Phone Number
  • 587-521-3445Primary
• Directions

If you have a host who loves to spend time in the kitchen, stop by Evoolution for gourmet salts, flavoured olive oil or balsamic vinegars. There are cards at each bottle of oil or vinegar telling you which flavours pair well together, and what foods will go with your choice. You can take a card to go with whatever you buy, so your hostess will know what to do with the dark chocolate balsamic you bought her. Hint: Anything with the word “truffle” in it is sure to be a big hit.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

• Eco-conscious items to snap up from Edmonton stores
• Edmonton stores every serious foodie will adore
• Edmonton shops with cute stocking stuffers

Carbon Environmental Boutique Ltd

8

12543 102 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5N 0M4

• Phone Number
  • 780-498-1900Primary
• Directions

When you’re going to visit a friend who always remembers to bring their cloth bags to the store, and would never dream of not composting, stop by Carbon Environmental Boutique for a gift that they will not only appreciate but will also use. The store has some cool finds, including kitchenware, coffee, chocolate and soaps.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

• Edmonton shops with natural sunscreens
• Eco-conscious items to snap up from Edmonton stores
• Where to find natural cleaning products in Edmonton

Jacek Chocolate Couture

9

10140 104 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 1A7

• Phone Number
  • 780-705-9927Primary
• Directions

Known as one of the top chocolatiers in the area, if not the whole province, Jacek Chocolate Couture creates lovely, luscious chocolate bars (named after starlets), truffles, sipping chocolate and more. Every chocolate is so pretty that you almost don’t want to eat it, making it the ideal dessert for a dinner party. This is the perfect spot to pick up a gift for the hostess who appreciates gourmet chocolate — or is looking to start an addiction.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

• Edmonton stores every serious foodie will adore
• Edmonton shops for ultimate Secret Santa gifts
• Edmonton shops with perfect gifts for fashionistas

Harlow Crestwood

10

9676 142 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5N 4B2

• Phone Number
  • 780-439-4302Primary
• Directions

This adorable, chic shop relocated in 2016 and moved into the owner’s other store, formerly called Lyndale Accents. Harlow is where I always stop to pick up unique gifts when I know I want to buy something amazing, but am not exactly sure what it is I’m looking for — although, I do know that jewellery is always a solid bet here. They sell gorgeous earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings, in addition to baby items, clothes and house trinkets, such as cocktail sets and scent warmers. Stop here for gifts for the hostess who always has the best-looking barware in town.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

• Autumn home décor stores in Edmonton
• Best places for one-of-a-kind jewellery finds in Edmonton
• Edmonton jewellery boutiques to find the perfect sparkler

More from Sydnee Bryant

Sydnee Bryant is a writer with a coffee addiction and a weakness for cats. Formerly YP's Edmonton City Editor, Sydnee loves browsing farmers’ markets, trying new restaurants and shopping for the latest beauty trends. She avoids winter sports but embraces Edmonton’s many summer festivals.

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