When you’re stuck for ideas, try wandering the Drive—from specialty foods to wacky homewares, this is the neighbourhood for the wonderfully weird.

READ MORE: Our Complete Vancouver Neighbourhood Gift Guide 2021

The Best Holiday Gifts on Commercial Drive

Curious Eye Rainbow Mug 

Gatley Lifestyle Store, 1136 Commercial Dr.
Browsing Gatley is like grocery shopping when hungry—you’ll almost always find something to impulse buy. And while whoever you’re shopping for probably doesn’t need a mug—like you don’t need cheesy breadsticks until you see them sitting there, glowing bright orange—the Rainbow mugs (from $52) from East Van’s Curious Eye Pottery are hard to resist. Simple, bright, fun. And yeah, they always sell out—so move quick. gatley.ca

Specialty Flour Bundle

Flourist Bakery, 3433 Commercial St.
Know someone who really made baking their personality during COVID? Stupid question, of course you do. Technically on Commercial Street (not Drive), Flourist has become a destination in the city for its heavenly baked goods. And now your bread-obsessed giftee can take their baking game to the next level with Flourist’s specialty bundle of top-of-the-line flours ($58). It really is the gift that keeps on giving, especially if they bake you stuff. flourist.com

Modern Imagination Rainbow Tray 

Dilly Dally, 1161 Commercial Dr.
What’s good for the adults is good for the kids, too. One of the most  adorable—and educational—items at kids store Dilly Dally is the Rainbow tray ($67) from Squamish-based husband-and-wife duo Modern Imagination. The set comes complete with coloured felt balls so kids can build their own ’bow. dillydallykids.ca

Wana Brands’ Citrus Yuzu Gummies 

Kiaro, 1666 Graveley St.
You can find a litany of fun stocking stuffers in the form of cannabis gummies and drinks at Kiaro, but these citrus yuzu gummies ($8 for 2 pieces) offer both THC and CBD. And they taste good to boot. Be careful with consumption, as always, and choose your audience wisely on this one. my.kiaro.com

Werewolf in Vancouver Cocktail 

Collective Goods Bistro and Grocer, 3532 Commercial St.
Also on Commercial Street is the newly opened Collective Goods, with its foodie paradise grocery. There are more than a few items that are sure to satisfy the culinary crusader in your life, but the pre-made cocktail bottles are a can’t-miss move. The Werewolf in Vancouver ($40) packs together chili, maple, black walnut bitters and, you guessed it, moonshine for what’s sure to be a howling good time. collectivegoods.ca

Tickets to the East Van Panto

The Cultch’s York Theatre, 639 Commercial Dr.
The much-loved holiday favourite East Van Panto goes through the looking glass when a bored Alice follows a White Rabbit into a Grandview-Woodlands Wonderland. Rumour has it the Jabberwocky haunts the shuttered Storm Crow Tavern. Show runs November 24 to January 2. thecultch.com

Where to Eat While You Shop on Commercial Drive

Vennie’s Sub Shop, 1692 Venables St.
La Grotta Del Formaggio, 1791 Commercial Dr.
There’s no shortage of food options on the Drive. And since we can’t recommend just one, we’ll call out two different sandwich shops on opposite ends. Vennie’s Sub Shop on the northern side comes from the minds behind Downlow Chicken Shack and offers a variety of delicious breaded options. Meanwhile, the old bastion of tradition and taste that is La Grotta Del Formaggio remains undefeated and inimitable. vennies-sub-shop.square.site, lagrottadelformaggio.com

READ MORE: Our Vancouver Neighbourhood Gift Guide to Gastown and Chinatown