Something that always catches my eye at local markets is gifts that are very explicitly Edmonton. Sometimes it’s our hashtag / airport code (YEG), cut into wood or copper. Sometimes it’s stunning illustrations of an Edmonton skyline or a specific local landmark. Whether you’re born and raised in the city or a transplant, there’s something about buying a gift that screams Edmonton that just brings a lot of joy.
So with the holiday season approaching (and well, really for any gifts, year-round), I thought it would be nice to put together a guide to Edmonton-made gifts that really show your love of the city—perfect for you, perfect for the Edmontonian (or Edmontonian at heart) in your life! Buying an Edmonton gift at this time is especially impactful because small businesses, artists and makers could really use your support.
Note: this guide isn’t just about celebrating great gifts from local makers (of which there are so many!), it’s specifically about EDMONTON gifts (by Edmonton makers). With some exceptions, lol.
If you’d like more great ideas for shopping local gifts, I link a some resources at the end of this post!
The Ultimate Guide to Edmonton-Made Gifts That Show Your Love of The City!
Total Gifts: 31
Last updated: November 10, 2020
If you buy a gift from one of these makers, let them know you heard about them from my blog! I don’t get anything, it’s just nice to know the blog helped local businesses get sales! lol
(Listed in no particular order!)
Edmonton Landmark Magnets
Local designer Stephanie Simpson‘s beautiful set of four magnets features Edmonton landmarks: Hotel Macdonald, Muttart Conservatory, Legislature, Royal Alberta Museum – Downtown. Stephanie also sells beautiful landmark prints and maps!
Cost: $10
YEG City Ornament
A perfect addition to your Christmas tree! or wherever other spots people hang ornaments, lol. The YEG City Ornament by Justine Ma Design is 3.5 x 3.8 inches, laser cut in 1/8″ thick birch plywood (or black acrylic).
Cost: $15
Edmonton Neighbourhood Map
This Edmonton typography city map print is comprised of all the city’s neighbourhoods in their actual locations! Edmonton designer Damon D Chan says this is the most complete neighbourhood map of Edmonton you will find.
Cost: $32-$52
Edmonton Necklaces (YEGlaces)
Wear your civic pride! Kristine MacDonald of Smithstine Copper makes stunning Edmonton necklaces! Buy a hand sawn copper path of the North Saskatchewan River, abstracted outline of Edmonton’s downtown skyline, outline of the Edmonton city limits stamped with YEG and more!
Cost: $45-$68
Edmonton: A Colouring Book
by Snow Alligator (Jason Blower)
Edmonton: A Colouring Book contains 25 pages of landmarks and Q&A activities! This book by Snow Alligator/Jason Blower a wonderful tool for little ones (and old ones? lol) to learn about our city and its landmarks. Jason Blower also sells other great Edmonton illustrations!
Cost: $10
Bee Waeland Edmonton Gifts
Vivid Print in Old Strathcona carries all sorts of amazing Edmonton pieces—prints, posters, greeting cards, mugs, shirts, and more. Designed by the talented Bee Waeland (who is also owner).
Cost: $39-$99
Edmonton Concrete Brick
Designed and made by Edmonton concrete connoisseur Ryspot—these Edmonton concrete bricks make wicked desk paper weights, book ends, or simple shelf decor, sold at Hideout Distro.
Cost: $65
Edmonton Embroidery Gifts
These beautiful mixed media embroidery gifts depicting Edmonton scenes are a perfect gift by Naked & Frayed. Watercolour and embroidery thread. Quirky and fun (also gets sold out—so inquire soon about customer orders).
Cost: $150
Still in Edmonton Apparel
“We love it. We hate it. We’re still here.” There are pros and cons to living anywhere, and any of us who have lived in Edmonton know all about that! Join the club. Still In Town is a Canadian clothing line with a very relatable slogan.
Cost: $20-$40
Edmontonia Trading Cards
by Michael Hingston and Local Artists
The Edmontonia Trading Cards are an all-ages set of collectible trading cards that celebrating celebrate everyday life in this odd, charming, mostly frozen city. The set of 60 cards features text by Michael Hingston and all-new illustrations and photography from a dozen local artists.
Cost: $10
North Side Still Alive Products
Northside Pride! There’s all sorts of North Side Still Alive gifts from Majesty & Friends including notebooks, mugs, T-shirts, dishcloths, and coasters. The mug makes a great planter, pencil cup, cat water dish and more! Majesty & Friends sells lots of great Edmonton gifts!
Cost: $7-$40
Edmonton Pencils
These Edmonton pencils are designed and hot foil stamped by Edmonton area (Sherwood Park)-based Prairie Chick Prints! Each set is hand assembled. No. 2 graphite – Musgrave pencils.
Cost: $12
This is Edmonton
A whole lot of Edmonton in an 18″ x 24″ poster. A cursory look at what makes Edmonton, well, Edmonton. From every mayor to West Edmonton Mall to the River Valley to the day known as Black Friday, This is Edmonton is a snapshot of where this city currently is and how it got here, by Nigel Hood of Hotel Design Co.
Cost: $30
Edmonton Puzzles
Some of Edmonton’s most recognizable landmarks have been turned into puzzle form!! Purchase these 1,000 piece (48×68 cm) extremely Edmonton puzzles featuring six different scenes. RSS Designs also sells lovely Edmonton holiday cards!
Cost: $65
Edmonton Apparel
Show pride and unparalleled support of this great city! YEG & Co. sells a variety of Edmonton apparel and accessories, from T-Shirts to hoodies, crop tops, fanny packs, mugs and more.
Cost: $30-$80
Edmonton Postcards
These postcards by JOJO & GUN show you the Edmonton we know and love. These cards are printed on matte card stock, 4×6 inches, perfect for mailing a sweet note to someone you know gets our inside jokes. Perfect for framing too!
Cost: $3
Cats of Edmonton
by Edmonton International Cat Festival
This 112-page, hard cover, full-colour, coffee table book takes you into the homes of 100+ of the city’s a-meowzing felines! Created and crowdfunded in 2016. 100% proceeds go to the Edmonton International Cat Festival, which raises money for Edmonton area cat rescues.
Cost: $15
Order online or buy through Tix on the Square.
Edmonton Cross Stitch Embroidery
Home Is Where The Heart Is is a hand-embroidered cross-stitch gift by Rustic Spirit Canada (based in Edmonton). This is a special embroidery wall art (5″ hoop).
Cost: $20
#HereForGood Edmonton T-Shirts
The #HereForGood campaign shines a light on Edmonton small business. T-shirts represent all sorts of small businesses in Edmonton. Proceeds are split amongst businesses to support them through the pandemic.
Cost: $20
Walterdale Bridge Pins
With arches standing at 56 metres tall, enhanced pedestrian and cyclist crossings, the Walterdale Bridge has quickly become one of Edmonton’s favourite bridges. The Alberta Pin Co. also sells other YEG pins!
Cost: $12
Top 40 Dogs of Edmonton
Built by Sarah Jackson and Julian Faid, this annual project highlights an (unofficial) list of the best doggos of Edmonton. Order the calendar and/or book! All photos by Aaron Pedersen.
Note: 2021 pre-orders close Nov. 9, 2020.
Cost: $35-$40
Laser Cut City of Edmonton Diorama
This City of Edmonton diorama is a perfect accent to any space. They are laser cut from 1/8″ birch plywood sections and are 7×4″. The Edmonton maker, 35ltd Design, can make custom dioramas or add custom touches too.
Cost: $32
E-Town / Edmonton Hats
Pick up some Edmonton-themed hats by TheSeven80. There’s E-Town, YEG, Just a Kid From Edmonton, and 780 designs. TheSeven80 also sells Edmonton-themed face masks!
Cost: $20-$43
Personalized Edmonton Street Sign
Get a real street sign with your name on it! Signs take about a week to be made in the City of Edmonton’s sign shop. Large sign holds 13-15 characters. Medium sign holds 10-12 characters. And Small sign holds up to 9 characters.
Cost: Inquire with Tix on the Square
Edmonton Mug
Edmonton Mug art decor inspired mug by local designer Adam Pearce, carried by Shop Chop. Originally from the UK, Adam fell in love with the city when he moved here. He wanted to become part of the design community and help showcase Edmonton.
Cost: $25
YEG Luggage Tags
Show off your YEG pride on your next adventure (close-to-home then eventually farther out lol) with this laser engraved wood tag. by Love Plus Design. 3.5” x 2.25″ without the leather strap. Back of tag lets you add personal info.
Cost: $15-$17
Edmonton Pennant
If you’re from the great city of Edmonton, show your pride with the born and raised in Edmonton pennant designed by Flannel Foxes. Felt. 8″x18″ Flannel Foxes also sells great Edmonton T-Shirt, hoodie and hat!
Cost: $25
YEG Skyline Stitch Craft Kit
If you love Edmonton—the people, the talent, the sense of community —this craft kit by MADE SOCIAL is for you! It’s a modern stitching nod to YEG and includes everything you need to create your very own embroidery and cross stitch art.
Cost: $39
Tapping the West AB Craft Beer Book
Gift the story behind Alberta’s craft beer boom—an insider’s look that brings together tasting notes, social history, politics, and science. A perfect gift for an Alberta craft beer lover by Edmonton author Scott Messenger. (Although admittedly not as EXPLICITLY an “Edmonton” gift, I think it still works lol).
Cost: $23
Beer from Edmonton’s craft breweries would also make great gifts too. The Growlery’s YXD Barley Wine is named after Edmonton City Centre Airport’s airport code (part of their Edmonton Blatchford series honouring the historic airport).
Edmonton Green Onion Cakes
I was hoping to include an ‘Edmonton’ food in this list and the one that came to mind was Edmonton’s quintessential green onion cake! Order fresh or frozen. Learn more about Green Onion Cake Man.
Cost: $8
So that’s my Ultimate Guide to Edmonton-Made Gifts That Show Your Love of The City!
If you’d like to shop more gifts by local makers, here’s a few other resources:
- Edmonton Made Business Directory
- The Local Good Gift Guide
- The Makers Keep
- Royal Bison Art + Craft Fair
- 2020 YEG Local Gift Guide (50 Local Gifts Under $50)
Plus, check out some related shop local blog posts of my own:
And if you’re an Edmonton maker who has a very Edmonton creation you sell, let me know!
Linda
If you’re Edmonton area and want hyperlocal recommendations on what to do, eat, and things to know each week, subscribe to my weekly newsletter!
1 Comment
Hi Linda: I would like to connect so maybe you can do a feature on our Edmonton / Canada Based Souvenir Line.