Show your love for local and #ShopInDurham this holiday season!

Gift-giving season is upon us, and Durham Tourism is inspiring residents to shop close to home this holiday season—and beyond!

Discover amazing local shops, meet business owners and support your community when searching for the perfect holiday gift. The money you spend when you shop close to home helps to create local jobs and strengthen our local economy.

This list focuses on shops and businesses that offer clutter-free options, handmade gifts and unique experiences. Explore what Durham has in store for you with these thoughtful gift ideas.

City of Pickering

Trebilcock Coffee Roasters, Pickering

Trebilcock Coffee Roasters (1035 Toy Avenue, Unit 19, Pickering): Since 2011, this father and son roastery has ruled the roast with their delicious coffees. With a range of products—from dark and medium roasts to decaf and espresso— you’ll find something for any coffee connoisseur on your list.

Canada Black Owned Marketplace (1355 Kingston Road, Unit 179, Pickering): Established in 2019 to showcase Black-owned small businesses and located in the Pickering Town Centre, the Canada Black Owned Marketplace is a one-stop shopping experience to find fashion, hair and beauty products, and more.

Open Studio Art Café (617 Liverpool Road, Pickering): What do art, music and coffee have in common? The Open Studio Art Café! Here, you can purchase artwork by local artists as well as pottery, silk scarves, masks, original jewelry designs and vintage jewelry. The café is also the perfect spot to grab a bite while you shop.

myspa (625 Liverpool Road, Pickering): Wellness is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. For the person who could use a little extra pampering, a treatment at myspa in Pickering Nautical Village is a great choice.

Town of Ajax

Vandermeer Nursery, Ajax

Vandermeer Nursery (588 Lake Ridge Road South, Ajax): Give a gift that will last throughout the holiday season. Choose from a variety of flowers, house plants, water plants and more at Durham Region’s largest garden centre. Family owned and operated for more than 60 years, Vandermeer's grows thousands of plants in their greenhouses for every season.

St. Francis Centre (78 Church Street South, Ajax): The St. Francis Centre is a local entertainment destination for concerts, variety shows, movie screenings, family programming and more. Pick up a family pack for the perfect stocking stuffer or give the gift of a cultural experience this holiday season with a recreation and culture gift card!

The Rustic Board (289 Kingston Road East, Unit 3, Ajax): Cheese please! Choose from a section of quality artisan and specialty gourmet cheeses that make excellent host gifts or additions to any holiday table.

Bean & Basket (62 Old Kingston Road, Ajax): Find handcrafted goods for everyday living, sustainable home solutions and great coffee at Bean & Basket. This retail boutique and takeout café located in the heart of Pickering Village has a bit of everything including accessories, stationery and decor.

Ajax Rock Oasis (75 Centennial Road, Ajax): A gift card for Ajax Rock Oasis is perfect for the adventure seeker in your life. As Durham Region’s original indoor climbing gym, Ajax Rock Oasis boasts 22 foot walls, more than 60 routes and 40 boulder problems, and three auto belays. It caters to all experience levels, and offers climbing lessons for kids and adults.

Town of Whitby

One More Cocao, Whitby

One More Cocao (116 Athol Street, Whitby): If you haven’t tried a chocolate bar or bonbon from One More Cocao, you’re missing out. They take nostalgic items, mix in a sprinkle of Jamaican flavours, and create delectable treats that are the perfect gift for anyone with a sweet tooth and a taste for gourmet chocolate.

Unique Town Boutique (103 Mary Street West, Second Floor, Whitby): There's something for everyone at Unique Town Boutique. This year, they’ve made holiday shopping easy with the curation of their Fa La La Local List where you’ll find something local for that special someone.

Dish Play (12 Stanley Court, Unit 1, Whitby): Eat, play and gather at Dish Play. Book tickets to an upcoming hands-on cooking class or special event, or pick up a gift card to Whitby’s culinary playground. Learn cooking skills from trained chef, Andrea Nicholson, who has appeared on the Food Network!

Durham Escape Rooms (1121 Dundas Street East, Unit 9, Whitby): Durham Escape Rooms is Durham Region's premium escape experience. Treat your friends and family who love a challenge and solving mysteries to the gift of adventure!

City of Oshawa

Aide Bodycare, Oshawa

Aide Bodycare (463 Bond Street East, Unit 4, Oshawa): Self care is essential to everyday life. A modern apothecary business, Aide Bodycare specializes in natural bodycare, low waste and wellness lifestyle products. Choose from holiday favourites, stocking stuffers and gift collections.

Eat My Shortbread (1077 Boundary Road, Unit 109, Oshawa): Bite into goodness with 100 per cent Canadian, nut-free and preservative-free baked goods and treats. Pick up a gift box or signature stash box with a collection of handmade shortbread, cookies, tarts, scones and brownies.

Ontario Philharmonic Orchestra (50 King Street East, Oshawa): A performance by the Ontario Philharmonic is a must-see for any music enthusiast. It’s comprised of players that are among the finest professional musicians in the Greater Toronto Area and is led by one of Canada's most distinguished conductors on the international scene, Marco Parisotto. Purchase tickets to individual performances or a subscription bundle and enjoy the magical sounds of the orchestra.

Canadian Automotive Museum (99 Simcoe Street South, Oshawa): Showcasing the automotive history of Canada, the Canadian Automotive Museum maintains and exhibits Canada's most significant collection of antique and classic cars. Perfect for the history buff or car enthusiast, purchase a gift pass or admission tickets to the museum. While you’re there, check out the recently donated replica of the 1897 Fossmobile—Canada's first gasoline powered automobile— built in 1897 in Sherbrooke, Quebec, by George Foote Foss.

Municipality of Clarington

Markets Ontario, Bowmanville
Maker: heartfelt.pottery.by.lindsay on IG

Markets Ontario (62 King Street West, Bowmanville): Markets Ontario is a boutique, multi-vendor marketplace that features high-quality, artisanal home goods, food, clothing and more from more than 150 local vendors. Find something for everyone and when you’re finished checking off your list, grab a coffee from Roam Coffee and a baked good from Nest Specialty Desserts, located at the King Street entrance.

Deadly Grounds Coffee (1413 Durham Regional Highway 2, Unit 6, Courtice): Deadly Grounds Coffee is North America’s only hearse-based coffee company. What is a hearse-based coffee company? One with a distinctive collection of coffees and terror teas with flavours like Season’s Creepings, Coconut Scream Pie and Nutcracker Nightmare. Their selection of beverages, accessories and oddities make unique gifts!

Brimacombe (4098 Regional Road 9, Orono): When the snow falls, the skier or snowboarder in your life will be ready to hit the slopes! Gift them a membership, season pass or lift tickets to one of southern Ontario's largest ski and snowboard facilities.

A Gift of Art (187 King Avenue East, Newcastle): As an art gallery, gift shop and teaching facility for local artists and residents, A Gift of Art is the perfect place to find something for the artist or creative person in your life. Find locally crafted and handmade gifts, purchase art pieces or give the experience of a studio class or workshop.

Township of Scugog

Applewood Farm Winery, Seagrave

Applewood Farm Winery (2055 Saintfield Road, Seagrave): Applewood Farm Winery produces tasty, award-winning fruit wines made from fruits harvested right on their farm, as well as fruits from other local producers. Fireside flights, hot mulled wine and moonshine spiked apple cider are available on weekends. Stop by the winery, sit by the fire and enjoy a drink with friends and family.

Port Olive Oil Co. (118 Water Street, Port Perry): Port Olive Oil Co. is committed to bringing the finest quality olive oils and balsamic vinegars to their customers. Visit the tasting bar and shop and sample more than 70 different varieties. Products are all natural with no artificial flavours or colours. Makes a perfect gift for a host or hostess!

Meta4 Gallery (200 Queen Street, Port Perry): As Ontario's première gallery for fine craft, original art and studio programs, this is the perfect location for holiday shopping! With an exceptional selection of original and handmade items, you’re sure to find memorable gifts.

The Cove Collective (241 Queen Street, Port Perry): The Cove is committed to supporting local businesses and community outreach, along with ensuring equity and accessibility to all vendors and customers. By working closely with Granddad Cares and other organizations, The Cove strives to provide opportunities and support to Port Perry’s most vulnerable groups.

Willowtree Farm (975 Regional Road 21, Port Perry): Willowtree Farm offers a wide selection of Ontario’s finest foods including produce, artisanal meats and cheeses, preserves, baked goods and more. Visit the animals, enjoy a family lunch and browse through their country store for that perfect gift.

Township of Uxbridge

Holistic Salt Therapy and Cave, Uxbridge

Holistic Salt Therapy and Cave (16 Brock Street West, Uxbridge): Holistic Therapy Centre provides Speleo and Halotherapy for clients with various respiratory problems. A salt cave is a manmade replica of an underground natural salt mine or cave. A holistic salt cave contains the microclimate found in a natural underground mine, including true therapeutic properties. Purchase a gift certificate or a salt lamp for a unique and therapeutic gift idea.

DesBarres Chocolate: Experience this micro-batch manufacturer of single-origin, bean to bar chocolate that sources direct trade cacao from around the world. This delicious chocolate is made using only cacao, organic cane sugar and, on occasion, fresh spices or flavourings. Shop online for your gift-giving needs.

Greenmantle Pottery (11350 Concession Road 6, Uxbridge): Visit a working pottery studio where Patricia Cherrie makes small batch organic pottery in the very log cabin that sits down the road from author Lucy Maud Montgomery’s home in Leaskdale. Call ahead to book a personal shopping appointment.

Preston Gallery (77 Brock Street West, Uxbridge): Preston Gallery focuses on showcasing Canadian artists working in all mediums—from painting and sculpture, to leatherwork and everything in between. Each month, they showcase new artists and works. Preston Gallery is fully accessible.

The Bridge Social (64 Brock Street West, Uxbridge): The Bridge Social is an organic coffee, tea and gift shop carrying natural Canadian-made body care products and makeup; eco-friendly items; organic smoothies; in-house baked goods; gluten-free, vegan and raw treats; and an assortment of local artisan pieces.

Township of Brock

The Welder’s Wife, Beaverton

The Welder’s Wife (1420 Concession Road 4, Beaverton): The Welder’s Wife carries a unique selection of home and cottage decor, antiques, vintage items and a variety of locally made products. Browse the shop for the perfect gift or place an order for a custom-made product!

The Shortiss Cafe Bar (379 Simcoe Street, Beaverton): The Shortiss Cafe Bar is located in downtown Beaverton on the main floor of the historic Shortiss Hotel building and is serving up specialty hot and cold beverages, lighter food selections and delicious baked goods, prepared fresh daily.

Rolling Hills Studio (S10445 Side Road 17, Sunderland): Located on the countryside of Sunderland, Rolling Hills Studio offers a warm and welcoming workshop space, creative art classes and beautiful pieces of art to purchase. Open to the public by appointment.

Villa Vida Loca Farm Market (13350 Highway 12, Sunderland): Villa Vida Loca Farm Market is a boutique farm market where everything is homegrown, handmade or personally chosen. Visit the farm market for a wide variety of honey, candles, eggs, wellness products and much more. A perfect one-stop-shop for gift-giving and shopping locally made products.

The Wild Garden (16 Cameron Street East, Cannington): The Wild Garden offers beautiful arrangements and hand-tied bouquets for any occasion or special event. Browse through the store for gourmet baskets, vintage finds and home decor.

Shop Where You Live, Shop In Durham campaign

Small businesses are the heart of a community; they’re where a large percentage of our workforce contributes to our economy. Small businesses are essential to creating vibrant communities to visit, work and raise a family. They’re central to our collective experience as residents.

The Shop Where You Live, Shop In Durham initiative encourages all economic and business organizations in Durham Region to post, amplify and share a unified message that shopping locally is important for our economic success.

To learn more about the Shop In Durham initiative and how you can support local businesses this holiday season, visit ShopInDurham.ca.

Follow Durham Tourism on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and use the hashtag #ShopInDurham to share your local holiday finds with us.