Looking to shop local this holiday season?
The sixth annual Windsor Essex Holiday Gift Guide is here now and filled with hundreds of locally crafted and curated items for everyone you’re shopping for this season: your friends, your coworkers, your special someone…any maybe even yourself, too.
This year, WEtech Alliance has teamed up with Tourism-Windsor Essex Pelee Island for a special spotlight on regional innovators. From sustainable beauty products to DIY tech gadgets to custom LED signs, we’re excited to showcase some of our top picks for the people on your list who love receiving the latest unique items that combine innovation with creativity.
WonderWell Toy Co. – The Kindness Mouse
Knowing that play brings out the best in children, The Kindness Mouse™ activity set was created by local founder Jana Hallum to help parents and caregivers foster compassion.
The Kindness Mouse is a playful adventure for kids focused on fun, empathy, and inspiring the good within. The activity set includes a story, a plush mouse character, and a set of activity cards.
Since launching last year, the company has continued to grow. Through WEtech’s partnership with The Accelerator Centre, Jana was one of 100 high-impact Canadian startups selected to participate in The Accelerator Centre’s AC: Studio, an accelerator program that provides funding, mentorship, and tactical supports to high-impact startups across southern Ontario.
Learn more about WonderWell Toy Co. at wonderwell.ca.
UNIVERSAL-SOLDER – DIY Bluetooth Speaker Kit
UNIVERSAL-SOLDER Electronics is one of Canada’s leading electronic supply stores, offering an extensive range of quality products.
Searching for the perfect gift for a beginner that focuses on the fun of building? We love their DIY Bluetooth Kit: a very easy and fun to build Bluetooth Speaker with LED light effect, MP3 player and remote control. Follow the instructions to assemble all the parts onto the circuit board, solder the LED lights, and more!
WEtech has been excited to work with this Windsor-based as they continue to grow their offerings of electronic supplies including resistors, capacitors, and diodes, as well as more specialized items like microcontrollers and IoT devices.
Learn more about UNIVERSAL-SOLDER at www.universal-solder.ca.
Osmosis Glow – Custom LED Sign
What to get the person on your list who has everything? A one-of-a-kind LED sign from Windsor’s own Osmosis Glow is quite possibly the coolest gift to give (or receive!)
Osmosis Glow produces customized environmentally friendly neon-style lighting using silicon rubber, acrylic, and LED lights. Founder Cheyron Rennie will take the time to chat, understand your vision, and make it happen.
The local founder is dedicated to using the best materials to create signs that are not only beautiful but built to last and has been a proud participant of WEtech’s award-winning ScaleUP Accelerator and i.d.e.a. Fund.
Learn more about Osmosis Glow at www.osmosisglow.com.
Gruppo Nutrition – Polar Joe Cold Brew
We all have a coffee lover or two on our list, don’t we?
For the caffeine connoisseur in your life, kick things up a notch with Polar Joe Cold Brew – protein infused, fully functional iced coffee (or tea!)
This tasty, protein-rich beverage was created by the CEO of Gruppo Nutrition Darcy Haggith, who was inspired to make a product that would positively impact the lives of more Canadians, not just athletes.
Established in 2006, Gruppo Nutrition proudly manufactures in Windsor and has grown to encompass a wide array of sports nutrition, everyday protein drinks, as well as clinical research.
Learn more about Polar Joe at polarjoe.com.
Cedar Valley – Pita Chips
Need a good stocking stuffer for the foodie in your life?
Arguably the world’s best pita chips are Windsor-based Cedar Valley Pita Chips: a taste explosion that will elevate your snacking experience with an assortment of mouth-watering flavours including Classic Spice, Garlic & Herb, Sea Salt, and Cinnamon Sugar.
Cedar Valley began as a high school project after Ameen Fadel received a $3,000 grant from his school board in partnership with the Canadian government.
Since then, the family-run business has grown exponentially; partnering with some of North America’s largest retailers to bring their products over 1800 locations. They also received a $1,000,000 Dragon’s Den offer from Canadian businesswoman Arlene Dickinson and have been participants of WEtech’s ScaleUP accelerator program and i.d.e.a. Fund.
Learn more about Cedar Valley at cedarvalleyselections.ca.
Alchemist Athletics – V-15 Jump Ropes
Alchemist Athletics specializes in elite level jump rope gear, aiming to elevate lives through fitness.
Designed by local founder Muna Fadel for athletes of all levels, the V-15 Rope features ergonomically engineered handles allowing users maximum comfort and control.
Alchemist Athletics was selected to participate in WEtech’s ScaleUP accelerator program and seeks to inspire individuals to realize their full potential and find empowerment and excitement through physical activity with this game-changing tool.
Learn more about Alchemist Athletics at alchemistathleticsofficial.com.
NEXE Innovations – Compostable Coffee Pods
For the coffee lover seeking an eco-friendlier morning cuppa joe, we love the compostable coffee pods by local manufacture NEXE Innovations. (In fact, we use them daily at the office to fuel the WEtech team!)
NEXE Innovations is disrupting the multi-billion-dollar single use plastic industry by pioneering innovative, compostable materials that break down and can be safely returned to the soil after use.
NEXE Pods work with Keurig® Brewing Systems and offer a wide variety of flavours from well-known coffee brands and manufacturers.
Learn more about NEXE Innovations at nexeinnovations.com.
CL Cosmetics – Harvest Moon Collection
Innovation is everywhere, including your makeup bag!
Founded by Samantha George, Kingsville-based CL Cosmetics has worked hard to create a line of sustainable beauty products including the Harvest Moon Collection, where 80% of the ingredients are locally sourced and sustainable packed.
Perfect for the conscientious beauty lover on your holiday list, the Harvest Moon Hydro Toner and Facial Oil collection promises to rejuvenate the skin and soul.
Learn more about CL Cosmetics at www.clcosmetics.ca.
Lymphology Skincare – Body Cream & Lymphatic Care Products
Lymphology Skincare, based in Amherstburg, is a full product line curated to support your lymphatic system and elevate your self-care plan.
Each product works to reduce mild swelling, heaviness, and discomfort, promoting better lymphatic flow and a stronger immune system. Whether managing a lymphatic condition or enhancing overall wellness, Lymphology Skincare empowers you to take charge of your own health from the comfort of home.
WEtech first connected with founder Maddie Simone through our Innovation Outposts program and have closely followed her entrepreneurial journey, which includes winning BizX Magazine’s 2022 “Outstanding New Business” award.
Learn more about Lymphology Skincare at www.lymphologyskincare.com.
Looking for even more regional holiday gift options?
For the tinkerer or burgeoning innovator on your list, we suggest a gift membership to Meta Makers in Windsor, or Dabble Maker Space in Chatham-Kent.
You can also check out even more locally made Chatham-Kent gift options at LuvLocal.
