'25 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 - 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 Cheese Lover

1. Formaticum Cheese Storage Paper - Available in sheets or bags specifically designed to keep cheese fresh. $9.95
2. Cheese pairing spreads - A world of possibilities awaits when you break into a delicious trio of unique spicy-sweet spreads to pair with cheese. Available from two excellent local brands, Saltspring Kitchen Co and Gulf Islands Gourmet. $19.95-27.95
3. Swissmar Small Cheese Knife - A smaller version of the cheese knife series that make a great stocking stuffer. $13.95
4. Swissmar cheese knives - These are the real deal cheese knives, with designs suited for cheeses of all types and textures. $27.95
5. 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. $34.95-62.95
6. 'Don’t worry, Brie Happy' T-shirt - A soft tee with a happy dancing Brie.
7. Wood Cheese Slicer - This is our secret to clean, precise cuts - it’s a total game changer! Made in BC.
8. Gift Card - For cheese, of course!
9. Bespoke Taster Box - A fully customizable gift box that fits four pieces of cheese to delight the fromage lover in your life.
10. Cheese Knife Set - To serve, slice, and enjoy cheese in style. $34.95

Gifts for the Foodie

1. Gourmet local gift baskets - Choose from a selection of thoughtfully chosen ready-to-gift baskets. Available for store pickup and local delivery.
2. The Sauce Pantry - Ready-to-mix sauce sachets for those who find themselves needing smaller portions at a time. Less waste, fresh taste, more space! Just add liquid, shake, and go. And there's even a cute little jar to mix your sauces and keep them organized. BC made. $2.35/ea, jar $3.45
3. Urban Forage - Gourmet chef-made sauces bring life to the regular meal rotation. BC made. 11.25
4. Forest for Dinner wild foraged food - Marinated Morels, Spruce Tip Jelly, and Nootka Rose Sugar are a few of our favourite wild foods foraged from the wilderness of Vancouver Island. $11.95-22.95
5. Tilly’s Galley soup mixes - Delicious dried soup mixes that are actually worth keeping in the pantry. BC made. $7.95-9.25
6. Saltspring Kitchen Co Savoury Trio - These unique and scrumptious spreads pair well with cheese, meats, and more. The trio includes Onion & Thyme, Spicy Tomato, and Rhubarb Apple Chutney. BC made. $27.95
7. Gourmet Seasonings - Triple Smoke, Spiceworks, and From the Earth. $6.95-15.95
8. Moccia & Urbani Salami - Made in Port Moody from BC pasture-raised pork, you it’s quality you can taste. Choose from fine flavours like Truffle, Fennel, Fig Toscano, Roman, Argentinian, and more. $13.95
9. Stoke the Fire Garlic Syrup - 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
   

Gifts for the Littles

1. My Garden Activity Book - A soft rag book with tactile illustrations. $35.95
2. John Deere farming playsets - There's a farming & tractor playset for ages 12 months to 8+ years! Starting at $25.95.
3. Farm animal stuffies - From cows to sheep to sheep dogs, there’s a cuddly pal for everyone. $35+
4. 'Cow Front & Back' T-shirt - It’s cute, it’s quirky, and it’s our best selling kid’s tee. Oriented on Vancouver Island.
5. Barnyard finger puppets - An excellent stocking stuffer to complement a farming playset. $6.99/ea
6. Billy’s Barnyard Playset - A delightful wooden barnyard playset. $89.95
7. Fred’s Farm Apron - A cute & convenient apron for crafts and messy projects. Easy to wipe clean. $18.95
8. Tender Leaf Farm - A wooden barn with farm animals and fencing will ignite the imagination. $99.95
9. Farmyard Animals & Tractor - A wooden playset for the small farming enthusiasts! $39.95
10. Stacking Farmyard Animals - Suited for younger ages, this wooden playset will get little ones thinking as they arrange the animals in a stack. $29.95
11. Noisy Farmyard Rag Book - A sweet & simple rag book that introduces farm animal sounds. $17.95

Gifts for the Teens & Tweens

1. LQC Knit Toque - A perfectly understated mid-weight beanie that can be worn with the rim rolled up or down.
2. 'Brie Happy' Sweatshirt - Oversized seems to be the thing these days, so be sure to size up! Printed on Vancouver Island.
3. Flannel Patch Shirt - A favourite with all ages, our flannels are a versatile weight for year-round layering on the West Coast. Size up for an oversized look!
4. Tote Bag - The tote bag has become an everyday essential. Made from heavy cotton canvas with an adorable farm-themed print, this was our best-selling merchandise item this year. Printed on Vancouver Island.
5. 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.
6. Cobble Hill Puzzles - Give an engaging non-electronic form of entertainment to while away the cold winter evenings. $19.95-22.95
7. Extreme Dot-To-Dot - A fun activity for long trips, lunch breaks, or evenings in. $12.95

Gifts for the Guys

1. Spicy stuff - Local hot sauces and candied jalapenos for the spice lover in your life. $12.95-14.95
2. Gourmet Burger Collection - Effortlessly elevate your grill game. $27.95
3. ‘Legendairy’ T-Shirt - For the one with a reputation for the Dad jokes. Printed on Vancouver Island.
4. LQC Patch Flannel - For the one who dresses for comfort, style, and local flair.
5. ‘Brie Happy’ Sweatshirt - More Dad jokes, anyone? Printed on Vancouver Island.
6. LQC Camp Mug - For camping, fishing, and fireside cocoa.
7. Snap-out barn - For the one who likes a project. Snap out the pieces to build a barn ornament, complete with a cow inside! Made on Vancouver Island.

Gifts for Her

1. Brie baker - A handy little dish, perfect for baking a wheel of Brie. Pair it with #2 for a fun themed gift, or with #5 in a matching colour. $21.95
2. 'Brie Happy' Sweatshirt - It’s soft, it’s cozy, and it pairs equally well with jeans or a glass of wine and a couch. Printed on Vancouver Island.
3. Gourmet spreads - A world of possibilities awaits when you break into a delicious trio of unique fruity spreads. This one from Saltspring Kitchen Co bundles Raspberry Rose, Peach Lavender, and Blueberry Basil. BC made. $27.95
4. Winter collection candles - The Winter collection from Grumpy Goat Soaps is always a treat, with comforting scents like Gingerbread and Yuletide accompanied by a crackling wood wick. Made on Vancouver Island. $19.95
5. 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
6. Cheese knife set with resin embellishments - Serve, slice, and enjoy cheese in style. Bonus points for pairing with #5 in a matching colourway. $34.95
7. Round serving tray - A versatile item for  serving drinks, snacks, breakfast in bed, or beautifully organizing small items. Choose from a selection of subtle to saturated hues, complemented by a wooden rim. Canadian made. $147.95
8. Cobble Hill Puzzles - Delightful vistas and cozy vignettes take shape piece by piece. Pairs well with candlelight, a cheese board, and a glass of mulled wine. 19.95-22.95

Tip: For a matching gift, pair #5, #6, and #7 in a coordinating colourway.

Staff Picks

1. Wooden Farm Playsets - Charming toys for younger anges that are sure to ignite the imagination.
2. All You Need for Baked Brie! - A baker, a board, a topper, and the Brie itself! We love this for a holiday host/hostess gift.
3. ‘Lump of Coal’ local soap - Surprise someone on your naughty list with a lump of coal in their stocking! Not only is the name well-appointed, but it gives a warm spiced citrus scent. $12.50
4. Build-your-own gift box - We love this gift box for its simplicity and easy customization, making it a great choice for any recipient.
5. Snap-out LQC heritage cabin - Assembly required! We seriously love that these are more than just an ornament, they’re an experience. Inspired by the heritage cabin on our farm. Made on Vancouver Island.
6. LQC Patch Flannel - A cozy and versatile layer everyone loves.
7. ‘Gingerbread’ candle - This is our favourite from Grumpy Goat Soap’s Winter collection this year! Warm spiced notes with a subtle sweetness are complemented by a crackling wood wick. Made on Vancouver Island.
8. 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.
9. - 10.  Lynn & Liana resin serveware in a coordinating colourway

Stocking Stuffers (Under $15)

1. Gourmet chocolates - An excellent gift, for who doesn’t love chocolate? Explore unique and interesting flavours such as Matcha Raspberry and London Fog. 9.75
2. Locally foraged seasonings & herb salts - Impress foodies and locavores with unique finds like chanterelle powder and wild herbs from Forest for Dinner. $11.95
3. Cow notebook - For the cow-loving kiddos! $8.95
4. Cow squishy pen - Another one for the cow lovers out there. $8.95
5. Go! Beanz - Fun & unique snacks are meant for stockings. And with all the sweets around this time of year, it’s nice to have a healthy option like this! Canadian made. $1.95
6. Stocking-sized Canadian maple syrup - A classic Canadian stocking stuffer is the most adorable sized bottle! $9.95
7. Artisan made soaps - We particularly enjoy the Winter collection from Grumpy Goat Soaps and would definitely like one (or two) in our stockings. Made on Vancouver Island. $12.50
8. Mini gourmet preserves - Gourmet Canadian-made jellies and spreads in the tiniest, cutest little jars you ever did see. Choose from pepper jellies (Hot, Sweet, Mild, Chipotle, and Rasberry), wine jellies (Cabernet Sauvignon, Rosé, and Ice Wine), and a Saskatoon berry spread. Canadian made. $3.59-6.96
9. Thrive Wagyu beef bar - Beef jerky just got more tender and flavourful. A fun snack to find in your stocking! $6.50
10. Wooden tractor toy - A well-appointed addition to any of the farmyard playsets.
11. Protein Candy - A candy “cheat” to balance out all the Holiday sweets. Canadian made. $5.75
12. Wooden serving knife - A beautiful and functional addition to cheese and charcuterie boards. Canadian made. $14.95
13. Denman Island Chocolates - A host of flavours to choose from mean something for everyone. BC made. $4.15
14. '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.
15. Snap-out rocking cow ornament - A small project suitable for many ages. BC made. Made on Vancouver Island. $6.95
16. Artisan-made soaps (Winter collection) - Intriguing scents including ‘Mulled Wine’ and, our favourite, ‘Lump of Coal’. Made on Vancouver Island. $12.50