2026 Holiday Gift Guide

'Tis the season!

Our team has rounded up some of our favourite items, local goodies, and go-to gift ideas to share with you this Holiday season! We hope you enjoy reading through our little guide as much as we enjoyed making it.

Our approach

We do our best to source items that are local, ethical, sustainable, or at the very least support other Canadian companies - that's why in this guide you'll notice a number of Canadian, BC, and Vancouver Island made products. And though it's hard to tick these boxes every time, we do our best to bring you a curated selection of goods that reflect these values.

Make a day of it

A visit to Little Qualicum Cheeseworks this time of year isn't just about gift shopping, it's about creating memories. The cozy atmosphere, the festive ambiance, the smell of fresh coffee, and cows of course - it all adds up to a truly magical experience. Enjoy a self-guided farm tour, beautiful scenery, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere in the farm shop, where you’ll discover a host of local items and over a dozen of our own handcrafted farmstead cheeses. It's a great way to get into the holiday spirit and explore your own backyard - bring along friends or family and make a day of it.

Whether you’re a local or just in town for a visit, we can’t wait to welcome you to Little Qualicum Cheeseworks!

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Items available online are linked, and the rest can be shopped in-store. Prices exclude tax and are subject to change.

Gifts for the Foodie

1. Salted Caramel Syrup - Canadian-made syrups for delightful drinks. Lovers of fancy coffee will like this one. $17.95
2. Island-foraged wild preserves and seasonings - From spruce tip jelly to powdered chanterelles, Forest for Dinner brings wild food from the woods to your pantry. $12.95-22.95
3. Catie’s pickled preserves - Delicious Qualicum-made preserves, including Catie’s signature pickled hot-dilled beans, are just sooo good. The Spiced vanilla pears are an excellent addition to Brie, or a seasonal dessert. $11.95+
4. Shoyo Shitake ginger soy pickled mushrooms - Island-made marinated shitake mushrooms might be someone’s next favourite condiment… $13.95
5. Gourmet trio gift packs - Saltspring Kitchen Co. is renowned for their exquisite spreads. These trios of small 125ml jars offer a taste of something new. Pictured: Savoury, Spicy, and Gourmet Burger collections. $27.95
6. Garlic Syrup, Stoke the Fire - It’s one of those things you just have to try to believe it. Any food lover will appreciate the limitless possibilities this flavourful creation has to offer. BC made. $19.95
7. Creamy Peppercorn Whiskey sauce - Drizzle this on steak with fried onions and mushrooms. Canadian-made. $10.95
8. Artisan balsamics, Salt Spring Island Vinegar - Artisan balsamics in unparalleled flavours like Oak-Aged Blackberry and Strawberry Fig. $15.00+
9. Gourmet gift packs (50ml x3), Salt Spring Island Vinegar - Beautiful wrapped artisan balsamics in unparalleled flavours like Peach, Black Cherry, and Strawberry Fig. $16-$18
10. Gourmet Gift Basket - Cover all your bases with a hamper full of gourmet local foods.

Gifts for the Littles

1. Farmyard Animals playset - A wooden playset for the small farming enthusiasts! $59.95
2. Farmyard Tractor - A farmer, a tractor, hay bales, a horse, and a duck. What more does one need to start their own farm? $39.95
3. Farm-opoly - Buy, sell, and trade farm properties, collect green acres, and upgrade them into big red barns while avoiding hazards like the drought.  2-6 players, 8+. $26.95
4. Stitched cow rattle - This very cute cow has a soft cotton exterior and baby-safe rattle inside. $29.95
5. Vehicle transporter playset - For the littles who like to load, tow, and drive. $29.95
6. My Garden Activity Book - A soft rag book with tactile illustrations. $35.95
7. Rocking cow - Ready to assemble into an adorable 3D ornament. Island-made. $11.95
8. Tender Leaf Farm - A wooden barn with farm animals and fencing will ignite the imagination. $99.95
9. Toy chicken coop - Wooden chicken houses for your up-and-coming agriculture enthusiast. $15.95-29.95
10. Curd Nerd tee - Cheese-loving littles can rock their inner Curd Nerd in this soft buttery yellow tee.

Gifts for the Cheese Lover

1. Cheese Lover’s gift basket - Any cheese lover will enjoy this delicious hamper, brimming with three of our own cheeses alongside local meat, crackers, and preserves as well as a dedicated cheese knife and BC made maple cheese board.
2. Gulf Islands Gourmet Pepper Jelly - Our go-to pepper jelly comes in Sweet (mild peppers), Hot (medium spicy peppers), and Fire (hot peppers). It’s so good with cheeses like our Island Brie. 110ml $5.95, 250ml $9.95
3. Brie Baker - A handy little dish, perfect for baking a wheel of Brie. $21.95
4. Gift card - For cheese, of course!
5. Formaticum Cheese Storage Paper - Multi-layer pouches specifically designed to keep cheese fresh. $9.95
6. Wood Cheese Slicer - This is our secret to clean, precise cuts - it’s a total game changer! Made in BC. $45.95
7. Cheesemaking kits - It’s more than a gift, it’s an experience! Cheese lovers will appreciate experiencing cheesemaking first hand. Each kit makes multiple batches. Available in Cheddar, Feta, Poutine (Curd), Cream Cheese, and Mozzarella/Ricotta. $24.95-42.95
8. Cheese Knife Set - To serve, slice, and enjoy cheese in style. Canadian made. $34.95
9. Curd Nerd tee - It's the squeakiest cheese in the west, so why not wear it proudly? Cheese lovers can rock their inner Curd Nerd in this super-soft garment-dyed tee.
10. Swissmar cheese knives - These are the real deal cheese knives, with designs suited for cheeses of all types and textures. $27.95
11. Best of LQC cheese gift box - Take the guesswork out of cheese-choosing. We’ve packed our four most-loved cheeses into one ready-to-gift box. $35.00

Staff Picks

1. The Gift of Milk - A gift that keeps on giving! Surprise a friend, family member, or neighbour with all they need to fill up with milk at their local farm - even a punch card to get them started.
2. Acacia & resin serving board - With numerous colours to choose from, these boards make everything you serve on them look impressive. Canadian made. $53.95-$115.95
3. Field Good tee, blue - Field good and look even better is this soft garment-dyed tee. Graphic on the front only.
4. Field good tee, green - Field good and look even better is this soft garment-dyed tee. Pocket print of the front with full graphic on the back.
5. ‘Brewed’ soy candle, Wick & Soak - The scent of warm, lightly spiced coffee immediately wraps you up in comfort. $22.95
6. Jam & jelly gift packs, Mrs. Jones Jams - The unmistakable taste of homemade jams and jellies, made in the Cowichan Valley by Mrs. Jones Jams. Available in packs of two or three for carefree giving. $17.15-$25.99
7. Field Good tote - Share the field-good vibes everywhere you go! Thick cotton canvas and a gusseted bottom mean you can stack, pack, and fill it with all the essentials. 
8. Salt Spring Island Vinegar gift packs (3x 50 or 60ml) - Beautiful wrapped artisan vinegars in unparalleled flavours, like Raspberry Champagne, French Tarragon, and black cherry. $16-$18
9. Build-your-own gift box - We love this gift box for its simplicity and easy customization, making it a great choice for any recipient.

Stocking Stuffers

1. Snap-out barn ornament - Everyone’s inner child comes to life when they get to build this little barn, complete with a cow inside. Made on Vancouver Island. $23.95
2. Gourmet artisan vinegars (50-60ml) - Individual 50ml or 60ml bottles are the just the right size to tuck into a stocking.
3. Dairy farm sticker sheet - Farm-loving kiddos will have all sorts of fun with this sticker sheet, full of all things farm, cows, and cheese. Designed & printed on Vancouver Island. $5
4. Bath salts - A soothing and refreshing bubbling mineral soak. Island-made. (Coming soon!)
5. Prairie Berry spread - The most adorable mini jars of Saskatoon berry spread! 45ml, $3.60
6. Artisan soap - With multiple scents to choose from, there’s one for every stocking. $8.95
7. Small cheese knife/spreader - A more compact version of the Swissmar cheese knives. $13.95
8. Small soy candle - Give warmth and comfort with an Island-made candle. $13.95
9. LQC Stickers - Fun items to tuck in to a stocking! $2.50
10. Wooden push-pop toys - A classic wooden toy, available as multiple farm animals. $6.99
11. 100ml Organic Maple Syrup - Canada No. 1 Medium, Grade A Dark Amber. $9.95
12. Dry sauce mixes - These are a really fun gift for someone organization, shelf space, and yummy sauces. Sauce mixes $2.35, jar $3.45
13. Foraged seasonings - Savoury and sweet flavours from the wilds of Vancouver Island. $14.95
14. Seagull sweets caramels - Choose from delicious seasonal flavours like Gingerbread, or stick with the classic line of salted caramels. $12.95
15. “Over the Moon” ornament - And the cow jumped over the moon… but the moon was made of cheese! Goes well with our ‘Over the Moon’ baby onesie. Made on Vancouver Island. $13.95

Gifts for the Host

1. Acacia & resin serving board - With numerous colours to choose from, these boards make everything you serve on them look impressive. Canadian made. $53.95-$115.95
2. Jam gift packs - The unmistakable taste of homemade jams and jellies, made in the Cowichan Valley by Mrs. Jones Jams. Available in packs of two or three. $17.15-$25.99
3. Gourmet trio gift packs - Saltspring Kitchen Co. is renowned for their exquisite spreads. These trios of small 125ml jars offer a taste of something new. Pictured: Savoury, spicy, and gourmet burger collections. $27.95
4. Wood Cheese Slicer - This is our secret to clean, precise cuts - it’s a total game changer! Made in BC. $45.95
5. Gourmet gift packs (60ml x3), Salt Spring Island Vinegar - Beautiful wrapped artisan vinegars in unparalleled flavours, like Raspberry Champagne and French Tarragon. $16-$18
6. Soy candles, Wick & Soak - A beautiful gift in a range of lovely scents. Made on Vancouver Island. $22.95
7. Best of LQC cheese gift box - We’ve done the hard work for you, and packed our four most-loved cheeses into one ready-to-gift box. $35.00