The temperature has dropped, there is snow on the ground (as of writing this), and Christmas is less than a month away! Holiday gift shopping is on everyone’s minds – but how do you avoid the conglomerate malls and buying everything on Amazon? How can we be conscious about supporting our local shops and businesses during this holiday season, whilst still getting great gifts for our loved ones?
Well in Centretown, we’ve got you covered with an amalgamation of different spots that will make your holiday gift giving a breeze – and make you feel good about the money you’re spending too!
Birling -- 562 Somerset St W
Birling is a skater run, skater owned skateboard and apparel shop in Centretown. This sleek spot is the definition of “do what you want and what you believe in”. They’ve even helped build skateboard parks and run clinics for new skaters in the community! From decks, to clothes, to accessories – Birling has everything you need for the skate and streetwear lover in your life.
At Birling, it doesn’t stop there. Their simple but awesome coffee program and love of hosting events has transformed what would normally be just a retail store into a community hang. The guys at Birling are constantly looking for ways to give back too! So you can feel confident that every dollar you spend is reinvested with the community’s best interests in mind.
As we said, Birling is great for clothes – but the one thing we at Centretown think makes Birling a great spot to shop at is…THE SHOES! All your favourite brands from Nike to New Balance can be found here. With unique colour ways and exclusive styles, Birling is a great spot to shop for the sneaker head in your life.
Grab a coffee and peruse the shoes!
Perfect Books -- 258A Elgin St
Christmas time and gifting books to readers go together like peanut butter and jelly, and in Centretown – Perfect Books is the place to make these gifted dreams a reality. The folks at Perfect Books describe the business as “a carefully curated and independent bookshop for the passionate reader”. So if that sounds like you or someone you know, this is the spot for you this holiday season.
Perfect Books is constantly holding events like book signings, readings, and community gatherings for people with common interests. Putting a loved one on to Perfect Books is a gift in itself! However their points system and wide variety of literature is what will truly set them apart for the book nerd in your life.
Check out their website or social media pages to see what’s new and exciting!
boogie + birdie -- 256 Elgin St
Boogie N ’Birdie – a Centretown staple whose absence would have made this list incomplete. This is the “small local shop” of our dreams. The type you see in the Hallmark movies where they just happen to have one skew left of the exact thing you need!
Candles, jewellery, artisan soaps! (Oh my!) Boogie N ’Birdie was built for the holidays.
In fact, they even have a special holiday section that is loaded with gifts specific to the time of year. You no longer need to get your significant other and boring and basic presidents choice advent calendar, but instead a dogs & chairs 3d advent calendar! Why bother with another ornament from Amazon, when the hand made versions at Boogie N ’Birdie are at your finger tips!
This local shop has everything you need and more for the holiday season – get to their website fast! There is still time to get 10% off all your gifts!
Bellwethers Vintage -- 9 Florence St
If you’re like us (which we’re sure you are) you have at least one friend who is obsessed with vintage shopping and refuses to buy any of their clothes new.
Bellwethers is Centretown’s answer to expertly curated vintage clothing for that person in your life. A constantly updated array of clothes and accessories is passing through the doors of 9 Florence – and the Holiday season brings something special every year from the folks who run the shop!
From now until December 20th, bring in a donation for Interval House and enjoy 20% off your entire purchase in shop.
According to Bellwethers, they’ve “stocked [their] shelves with the most glorious collection of giftable goodies and cocktail attire. Plus, [they’ll] be releasing a few extra-lux pieces from our vault”
@intervalhouseottawa is an incredible organization providing safety and resources for cis, trans, two-spirit, and non-binary folks – along with their dependents and pets – escaping domestic violence. A truly noble cause!
Choose any item(s) (new/unused) from Interval House’s suggested donation list and enjoy 20% off your next purchase at any time. It’s a great opportunity to support your community, find the perfect gift, and save a little while you’re at it.
Gift giving and giving back all at the same time!
Honey Hi Boutique -- 422 Bank St
Speaking of fashion, Honey Hi Boutique is another second hand clothing store doing things right! Their goal is to be community leaders in sustainable fashion, support local artists, and have you looking good all at the same time!
Sustainability is important now more than ever, so if we can tie our holiday gift giving into saving the planet and stunting in our new fits, why would we not?!
Part of the holiday season is inevitably the holiday parties we all have to go to. The stress of looking for the right fit can be a bit much, but with Honey Hi Boutique you can feel good about looking good.
Thompson Jewelry -- 193 Bank St
Thompson Jewelry – One family, two generations, since 1953! It says these words on their website in big bold letters, reminding us all how proud they are to be an Ottawa owned and run business for nearly 73 years!
The Thompson family have been experts in jewelry for a long time, so you can feel comfortable and confident that you are spending your hard earned money (on admittedly large purchases) in a space that has helped the community grow and grown in the community.
Thompson’s Jewellers is the only jewellery store in Ottawa that has a full-service, on-site custom design designers, a jewellery repairs, watch restoration center & gemological lab – all in one location. They specialize in engagement rings, watches, and even custom design! This truly is a one stop shop for all of your jewellery needs.
If you’re looking to make that big purchase for someone you love this holiday season, the over 7 decades of expertise at Thompson Jewelry is ready to help make that process so much easier.
Happy shopping and happy holidays!
With love, from Centretown.
Author: Jordan Pizzuti
Photographer: Nicolas Place Photography
Date: December 10, 2025
