Fashion

Made-in-Vancouver Gift Guide for Him

It’s the holidays, but that doesn’t mean tacky Christmas sweaters are suddenly permissable.

By Jennifer Elliott /

It’s the holidays, but that doesn’t mean tacky Christmas sweaters are suddenly permissable.

This year, we decided that locals know better than some random catalogue as to what you need under your tree. The editors at Vancouver have sought out the best in local products for those on your list this holiday season. This guide features gifts for the men in your life (but stay tuned for more gift guides).

Made by hand with saddle-grade Belgian leather and stitched sinew, the Drifter bag ($400) by Dustin Bentall (son of creative father Barney Bentall) and Spencer Baker will develop patina over time. 1133 Keefer St., 604-353-4344. Bbgunleather.comBbgunleather.com

Considering standard petroleum-based foam surfboards end up in the landfill in as little as two years, you’ll appreciate Sliver Paddleboards’ handmade hollow wood boards that last a lifetime. Have local craftsman Clayton Sansbury fashion you a TEN board ($2,875) or build your own with kits starting at $275. Sliverpaddleboards.com Sliverpaddleboards.com

Gordon Glanz, founder and distiller at the small-batch distillery Odd Society in East Vancouver’s port district, has developed bittersweet vermouth ($24/375 ml) from an old Italian recipe. A combination of B.C.-fortified wine, 25 botanicals, and Arbutus bark from Mayne Island gives this spirit West Coast character. 1725 Powell St., 604-559-6745. Oddsocietyspirits.comOddsocietyspirits.com

Created by a brother-sister duo, Granted’s chunky-knit wool sweaters (Three Tone Block in grey scale, $385) mix traditional hand-knitting technique with modern and quirky graphics that often evoke Cascadia (bears, moose), but also farther afield (hula girls, hibiscus). Hill’s of Kerrisdale, 2125 W. 41st Ave., 604-266-9177, Hillsofkerrisdale.com. Grantedclothing.comGrantedclothing.com

Add a touch of sweetness to your cocktails, cooking, and desserts with Cahoots cold-steeped syrups. The stripped-down, versatile classic simple syrup ($16), made from raw cane sugar and crisp, clean water, promises to become a staple on your bar cart. Walrus Home, 3408 Cambie St., 604-874-9770; Walrushome.com. Cahootsmade.comCahootsmade.com

Help support the man in your life with MyPakage’s The Weekday boxer ($25). This colourful line of underwear features a patented three-dimensional internal pouch that keeps him cradled and comfortable. 8th and Main, 2403 Main St., 604-559-5927; 8Main.org. Mypakage.comMypakage.com

Hailing from Gastown’s FortKnight Barbers, Beard Balm ($25) has the power to transform bristly-faced rogues into modern gentlemen with its all-natural ingredients that soften and condition unruly whiskers. 46 Alexander St., 604-620-7930. Fortknightonline.com Fortknightonline.com

Made with an ultra-soft blend of Canadian-knit eco fabrics like organic cotton and bamboo, Two Birds Apparel’s Bowen Henley ($65) takes inspiration from nature while giving back to it: one percent of all sales are donated to the David Suzuki Foundation. Twobirdsapparel.com