If Calgary is known for anything, it’s our sense of adventure. With a unique blend of urban and natural landscapes available nearby, it’s no surprise that we’re always on the hunt for our next exciting experience.
So why shouldn’t your holiday gift list reflect that? From exploring the city and beyond to learning a new skill, this gift guide will help you find the perfect present for everyone on your list.
Get to Know Calgary’s History
The city’s past is a rich and storied tapestry that’s worth exploring all year long, which is why the gift of membership is perfect for anyone on your list looking to learn.
Located in the heart of the Beltline neighbourhood, historic Lougheed House offers an affordable yearly membership that provides exclusive benefits, including free admission with a guest per visit, members-only house and garden tours and gift shop and space rental discounts. Price: $35
Gift an experience of the past at Heritage Park Historical Village with their yearly membership. Spend time exploring two dozen historical buildings year-round with free admission, free parking and exclusive experiences only for members. Price: $89.95
Hone Your Cooking and Baking Skills
Calgary is well-known for its foodie scene, so it’s no surprise that there’s plenty of cooking and baking classes available for the connoisseur in your life that make the perfect gift.
In the basement of specialty food shop the Cookbook Company is a space for monthly cooking classes. Whether your gift recipient is looking to learn how to make pasta, design the perfect dinner or entertain the kids with dessert creation, they have something for everyone. Price: $90+
Maybe you want to gift a new baking skill – Ollia Macarons & Tea has you covered. Specializing in the petite French meringue-based confection, Ollia makes these challenging desserts easy for the everyday baker to learn. Plus, you get to bring home what you bake! Price: $130
Explore Something New
There’s something satisfying about giving a completely unexpected gift that will have your loved one saying, “I would have never thought of that!” Whether you’re building a terrarium or day-tripping to somewhere new, these gifts take you off the beaten path.
Inglewood’s much-beloved shop Plant offers more than your next indoor greenery – they also host monthly workshops, ranging from wreath building to DIY terrariums. Spend a couple hours in one of their classes and learn how to build with plants and care for them in their new form from the experts themselves. Cost: $60+
Let someone else plan your gift of adventure with Guess Where road trips. Select a theme – like Quirky Gems or Rocky Mountain Route – and then receive your package by mail or digitally in your inbox. Select a dedicated day and then open your packages as your road trip progresses and explore Calgary and area in a completely unique way. Price: $65
Indulge in Local Art
For the art enthusiast on your list, Calgary has plenty to offer. The gift of art and culture is invaluable, and the city is filled with ways to broaden our artistic horizons from being an audience member to creating something for yourself.
The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra has been around for 70 years, hosting more than 60 concerts a season ranging from epic classics to rocking pop shows. They also offer a wide range of gift options from single concert tickets to patron programs that allow recipients exclusive access to members perks like unique event invitations. Price: $20+
If your artistic loved one wants to explore the process of creation, then a class at Workshop Studios would make the perfect gift. This local studio offers a variety of workshop formats including multi-week, single-day and date night classes in most mediums, including rug hooking, tufting, quilting, bird house building, jewelry casting and more. Price: $120+
Spend Locally
Receiving a gift that was made right here in Calgary can be a unique experience all on its own. Makers in the city create iconic products that are beloved by all, so from monthly subscriptions to local shopping, you’re sure to find something for all.
For the pasta lover in your life, look no further than La Mano Pasta Club. The food delivery box is increasingly popular for folks who just don’t have the time to cook every day of the week – so why not subscribe locally? You can choose pasta delivery once or twice a month, adjust based on how many people live in the home. Price: $32.95/month+
Sometimes a gift card serves a purpose for the gift receiver who prefers to shop for themselves. For a fun, local option, give Calgary Farmers’ Market Bucks that come in $5, $10 and $20 denominations for both market locations. From fresh produce to locally made products, give the gift of shopping. Price: $5+
Relax and Unwind
At the end of the year, we all need a chance to breathe a sigh of relief and de-stress. Luckily, Calgary and area offer plenty of incredible places to do just that. From massages to a soak in the hot pools, the gift of spa is a crowd pleaser.
Calgary’s only urban thermal spa, SKA, is located in the Beltline and offers indoor hydrotherapy with hot and cold facilities plus a full line-up of spa treatments. Gift a massage or a facial that both come with 75 minutes of hydrotherapy, including a hot and cold pool plus three unique saunas. Price: $70+
Get outside of the city and visit Kananaskis Nordic Spa to experience hydrotherapy in the mountains. At the spa, you can gift a massage with hydrotherapy included or purchase access to the hydrotherapy space itself, which includes five hot pools and saunas, two cold plunges and multiple areas to rest, unwind and relax. Price: $115+
