The holidays are just around the corner, and to help you get ready, we’ve put together a shopping guide packed with items and experiences you’ll find here in Hastings County. To make it easier, we’ve categorized the 30 gift ideas into six personality categories: The Outdoor Adventurer, The Gourmand, The Serenity Seeker, The Creative, and The Family. Happy shopping!
It’s hard to believe that fall is here, and that Thanksgiving is just around the corner. In Hastings County, there’s a lot to be thankful for and this year you can support local farmers, businesses, and artisans with a bit of pre-planning. As always, locally sourced items are abundant in the area. What better time than Thanksgiving to ty locally grown meats, veggies, desserts, beverages, and artisanal décor?
A few years ago, I had the chance to be away from Canada for an entire winter. The idea of it made me slightly sad. Even though I was leaving Canada to go to a warmer place, I felt as though I would be missing out on the special warmth of winter, and that somehow …
Across Hastings County, there is a myriad of lovely quaint cafés where you can pop-in and order yourself a warm coffee, tea, specialty latte or hot cider to get you through your Christmas shopping excursion, or to keep you toasty as you commute to work. There are also spots where you can buy your favourite holiday beverages and make them in the comfort of your own home. Let’s explore some of Hastings County’s best spots to relax and enjoy a treat to warm the soul.
It may not be the holidays as usual, this year, but there are still lots of ways to show your family and friends how much they mean to you. Now, more than ever before, retailers and service providers across Hastings County are opening up online shops or just making it easier for you to purchase from a distance.
So, whether you’re shopping for an outdoor adventurer, a gourmand, a serenity seeker, a naturalist, a creative, or a family, read on for 34 gift ideas.
There is plenty of holiday cheer to be found across Hastings County this November and December. From holiday markets to Santa Claus Parades, this magical time of year is only just beginning!
Why not leave the stress and chaos behind, and instead embrace all that the season has to offer with some family activities that are sure to brighten up your holidays and warm your heart all month.
The “Country Christmas Gathering Tour” takes place over two weekends in early November, and it’s the perfect opportunity to beat the weather, support local businesses and artisans, and find original, locally made gifts that will bring joy to those you love.
Local businesses have been SO busy preparing for the tour and their stores are filled with gifts that are more than impressive. So, plan your route by checking out the sites below, or just make it an impromptu adventure.
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Visitors often ask about the building and it’s name, Quinn’s of Tweed. In fact, tradition dictates that we keep, with honour, the name Quinn’s of Tweed, the original name of the store and building. The Quinn’s of Tweed building is one of the town’s oldest and most beautiful historic stone structures, dating back to the 1880s. The twelve foot walls allow us to hang paintings in the traditional French salon style. You’ll marvel at the craftmanship of the ash and maple staircase, the old bookeeper’s office, and the stained glass that brings one back to an era when a handshake and promise were as good as gold – today, we still believe in those principles.
Charles Frederick McGowan sold the lot in 1907 to William James Lawrence for $600.00. Shortly thereafter Mr. Lawrence erected the building which still stands there today. He conducted a furniture business until 1912, when he sold the property to the Traders’ Bank of Canada, which within the year, was taken over by the Royal Bank of Canada. It operated out of the building until 1942, when the war forced consolidations and closures due to a lack of tellers (men). The property changed hands a couple more times before local Tweed family, Gaylord Forest Products secured the property in 2003. Since then, they have evolved every inch of the interior into an experience. Each room throughout the building is a real life ‘showroom’ from top to bottom; you simply have to see it to believe it. The stairwell in particular holds a lot of history!
Experience the charm of our 1906 mansion, nestled in the village of Marmora, Ontario, an historic town celebrating 200 years in 2021. The large and stately home was built by Ed Shannon for lumber baron Henry Reginald Pearce (known as “Reginald”) and his family, who purchased the lot for $200. It remained a private family dwelling for many decades and eventually was converted to a Bed and Breakfast by Chris and Lilly Boldly.
It now operates as Marmora And Lake Inn B&B and boasts beautiful, spacious bedrooms with quaint old-world craftsmanship for a luxurious stay. Onsite amenities include an exceptional indoor swimming pool, bubbler tub, infrared sauna, large screen SMART TV’s in each room, wireless internet access throughout, and generous sized gathering rooms. And being a small town, the pool is open to the community and friends for a nominal fee (pre-booking is required).
Our guests enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast including locally baked breads and pastries, yogurt and fresh fruit, an extensive beverage and tea/coffee bar featuring a wide variety of flavours and blends. Great outdoor patio area for fair-weather relaxation and large private events.
Whether planning a romantic weekend for two, a small wedding, a family reunion or a week-long visit to bask in the natural beauty of the region, the Marmora And Lake Inn B&B will help make it a time to remember. (Please note that all bedrooms are on the upper levels and we don’t yet have accessibility assist.)
