Click here to launch the official RMx Directory! New businesses added daily!

‘Tis the season wherein we all attempt to spoil the ones we love to the best of our ability. It’s a time of joy, it’s a time of stress, it’s a time to do everything in your power to withhold your hard earned cash from the likes of Jeff Bezos.

That’s why we’ve taken the time to compile this directory of our favourite small businesses in Toronto (fear not: almost all ship) that we recommend you support this holiday season. After all, mindful spending is an important part of financial planning (which is why we cover it extensively in our new book, Get Your $hit Together, which you should also add to your holiday gift list 😉

If you have disposable income right now, you’re in a unique position to decide what the future landscape of retail will look like. Do you want a future filled with box retailers or boutique shops? The choice is literally yours to make. Now more than ever, we must take a really hard look at what exactly we’re buying, what consequences come with our purchases, and whether we can make better everyday decisions.

If you don’t know where to start, we got you. There are a SLEW of small businesses that can get you what you need and leave you feeling better about whose pocket your money is filling.

When we put together this list, we were looking for:
Canadian, sustainable, good quality
Brownie points for female and mama-run

And without further ado, we give you the RM SMALL-BUSINESS HOLIDAY DIRECTORY! We will be updating this list on a regular basis and hope to keep our favorite spots in business for a long time – because the thought of big-box taking over the foreseeable future makes us shudder.

xx RM

Uncuffed for the best leather accessories
Narwhal for laid-back fashion lovers (think Venice beach vibes)
Gotstyle city slicker fashion for him AND for her
Ela Handbags x Sasha Bag for hands free living
Ani and Wren for fashionable preggos and babymamas
Kotn for the best basics for grownups
Peace Collective for proud Torontonians
VSP Consignment for fashionistas who love a good gently worn designer find
George C for all the latest in designer duds and the sickest shoe collection in the city
Clementines Luxury for curated luxury clothing, accessories and more
Chosen Vintage for fashionistas with a penchant for nostalgia
Gadabout for the absolute best vintage selection (complete with original Hudson’s Bay blankets)
Horses Atelier for lovers of laid back elegance
Red Sky Shop for lovers of extreme comfort and quirk
Luxton Woman for dreamy outerwear|
Mayana Geneviere for anyone (nursing or not) who needs a good bra in their life
Alday Maternity for essential basics for the preggo on your list
Latre for beautifully curated dead stock vintage and other treasures for the cool dad who has everything
Good For Sunday for every day basics made ethically in Canada
OkayOk – for killer sweatsuits and unique pieces
Flying Flamingos for cute loungewear and accessories
Opticianado for the coolest vintage frames and sunnies
Samara for elegant vegan leather lap top bags, belt bags and other necessities
Thursdays for the best in loungewear and other essentials

L’oro for the watch he’s been pining for all year
Good Neighbour for fresh LA-style duds, footwear and accessories
Gotstyle for trendy and timeless pieces
VSP Mens for designer on a budget
Latre for reworked vintage military pieces that will keep him cozy
Beau Mens for the coolest dad gifts, accessories, clothing and more
Better Gift Shop for badass streetwear (clients include Lebron, like, the Lebron)
Real Sports for the die hard sports fan (who could use a new jersey)
Peace Collective for the Toronto proud
Uncle Otis – for slick designer lines
Livestock for rare sneaker finds
Gerhard Supply for the best in curated menswear
Lost and Found for the hipster dad
Drake General for vintage tees, sweatshirts, gifts and PJ sets
Fendrihan for grooming products, leather accessories, pens and more
Indigo Books for reads he’ll love (we’ll start with Barack’s new one)
Ollie Quinn for killer sunnies and frames
Bellwoods Brewery for local beers delivered right to your door
Cocktail Emporium for cocktail sets that will bring out the mixologist in your man

Little Nudniks for upcycled kids gear
Early Bird and Worm for sleek clothes, toys and accessories
Mini Mioche for the best basics for babies and kids
Sweet Peas Baby Box perfectly curated for the urban baby
August Kinn for nursery decor and cool kid stuff
Mikki Rae Little Ones for adorable waffle sets
Hey Kiddo for stylish tots
The Rerun for stylin and sustainable kids wear
Wkid Collection for cool toddlers and big kids
Mi Baby for the stylish, minimalist baby
mimiTENS for the best mittens and booties for babies and toddlers
Petit Nordique for high quality, ethically made baby things
MacPherson Toy House for expertly curated kids clothes and gifts
Mastermind Toys for the best in educational toys
Kol Kid for kiddos with style and imagination
Snug as a Bug for matching PJ’s and all the toys
Scooter Girl Toys for whimsical options
Spark Journals for helping kids build a stronger mindset
Advice From A Caterpillar for the fancy babe
Ella Minnow Books for an awesome children’s selection
Vara Barn for Scandi-style sustainable kids wear
Tiny Trendsetters for trendy babies and kids up to size 14
Wood Wood Toys for the loveliest eco-friendly wooden toys

AND FOR THE FUR BABIES!

Mateo Paw Store for all the accessories your furry baby will need
The Bone House for curated items with you, your pet and the environment in mind
Wooftown for literally everything you need including healthy and delicious pet food

Good Goddess for the contemporary wellness enthusiast
Health Hut for curated gift boxes full of feel-good essentials
Xalish for the best in plant medicines and tinctures
Rainbo for optimizing health and open minds with medicinal mushrooms
Totum Women for all the little things a new mama may need
Hoame for essential oils, mists, candles and teas that will have you maxin and relaxin in no time
Modern Alchemy for hand-poured coconut soy candles and all the vibes
Kegel Release Curve for your vagina or the vagina of someone you love

Tight Clinic for the anti-aging beauty junkie
Victoria Radford Studio for the skincare obsessed
Hammam Spa for the most luxurious self-care products
Thic Hair Oil for anyone whose hair needs a little love
Province Apothecary for all natural skincare and the best ingredients
BIA Skin for Canadian made body care that smooths bumps, tightens skin and reverses signs of aging. Bless.
Gee Beauty for the ultimate in hair and skin care
Blur Makeup Room for the makeup obsessed (professional products!)
Arte Stile for lovers of expertly made beauty and grooming tools
Sudsatorium for organic ethically sourced skincare
Eco Edit for vetted lists of clean skincare products

L’oro for show stopping jewels and timeless watches
Lisa Corbo Designs for statement pieces
Warren Steven Scott for stylish accessories featuring contemporary Indigenous design
Pyrhha for handcrafted and sustainable jewelry with meaning
Jenny Bird for beautiful contemporary pieces at a palatable price point
Acapulco Gold for the sparkly stoner
Noemi Shay for handcrafted, gold-plated bracelets you can personalize
ByAnnaLay for celeb approved pieces to glam up your life
Made You Look for beautiful handmade jewelry

Black Rooster for curated gift boxes for design-lovers (and generally drool-worthy housewares)
The Orchid Shoppe for the slickest in home decor
Fique and Clay for the most beautiful ceramic dishes, designed in Toronto, handmade in Colombia
Mjolk for lovers of Japanese / Scandinavian design and sensibility
White Terry Home for bedding that dreams are made of
Clementine Boutique for sustainably designed products, made in France
Mary Ratcliffe for the prettiest catch-alls
Cocktail Emporium for the cocktail aficionado
Spruce for stunning homewares and beautiful apothecary
GUFF for vintage treasures that take it to the next level
Coolican and Co. for small batch furniture made right here in TO
Quinn Rockcliff for stunning prints and illustrations
Caitlin Cronenberg for iconic photography (think Drake’s “Views from the 6” cover art) turned puzzles, greeting cards and coffee table books
Analogue Gallery for rare and iconic photographs (from film and fashion to music and sports)

Drake General Store for kitschy gifts and stocking stuffers
Good Neighbour for cool gifts for the whole family
The Wanderly for an ever-evolving collection of well-crafted goods
Beau and Bauble (& Beau Mens) for great gifts for literally everyone on your list (even tweens!)

Something Personalized for monogramed blankets, towels, PJs, bags and more

Saudade for people who love Portugal and all its treasures
Eemah for new mamas who deserve a little extra TLC
Rosie the Label for all your custom gifting needs
Crying Out Loud for anyone on your list who’s had a particularly tough year
Spoon Studio for unique gifts for the artistically inclined
By The People for the mindful and modern on your list
Supercrush for lovers of scrunchies and en-vogue hair accessories
Token beautiful gifts with a record store in the back for the music enthusiast
Helen & Hildegard for handmade soaps, lotions, essential oils, and candles
Logan & Finley for thoughtfully chosen, well designed, ethically sourced, sustainable goods
Lindo F for the most adorable pom pom hats
Resin Inc. for handmade alphabet sets for curious preschoolers
Studio Flora for handmade floral art that will add charm to any room
That Nonna Life for vintage masks that are very gucci-esque
Queen Books for the literary obsessed in the East
Type Books same, but in the West
Local Bookstores – search them all here by location

The Green Cannabis Co. for the au natural stoner
Superette for the pothead who loves a good aesthetic
Tokyo Smoke for stoners with style who love a good weed accessory
Calyx Wellness for the best in all things CBD
Bodega Dispensary for the indie cannabis lover
Hunny Pot for a huge variety of cannabis products in one spot
High Noon for hand-crafted ceramic pipes
Sackville and Co. for the marijuana connoisseurs
Hemlock Rose for sleek, discrete and stylish accessories
Welcome Cannabis for weed accessories and more
Canabis for the only leisurewear you need to straight chill

Floris
Sweet Pea
Quince
Garden’s Path
Blush and Bloom
Wildhood
Coriander Girl
Thorn Floral
Leslieville Bundles

IQ Essentials for healthy + delicious ready-to-cook meals and snacks for the whole fam
Kitchenette for delicious prepared foods and catering
Botham’s for West Enders who want a classic Sunday night dinner without having to cook it themselves
Tre Mari Bakery for classic Italian cookies and more
Sanremo Bakery for dessert… and mains… and coffee… and apple fritters…
Lucia Olive Cake for the cake that everyone will rave about because it’s “not sweet”
GA Pizza Club – a stack of frozen neapolitan pizzas made from high quality ingredients (ready to eat in 5 min); a pizza lover’s dream
Courage Cookies for delicious cookies supporting a noble cause
Forno Cultura for a true taste of Italy
Sud Forno and Spaccio for the die-hard Terroni lovers
St. Philips Bakery – for the gold standard of cheesecakes (since 1968!)
All The Graze for the charcuterie of your dreams
Farina Plus for fresh pasta, sauces and prepared food that doesn’t disappoint  – straight from the ‘Bridge with love
Euro Desserts for exactly what you’d imagine
Lamanna’s Bakery for the most drool-worthy desserts
Nut Bar treats your healthy, gluten-free friends
Nadege Patisserie for the Parisian wannabe’s
Bar Raval for the best tapas AND cheesecake (to die for)
Mamakas / Agora for delicious Greek fare that will transport anyone to Mykonos
Giulietta for the best Italian outside of Italy (really)
Jacobs and Co. for the fancy meal everyones pining for
Bespoke Assorted Wine Box for lovers of organic, biodynamic & sustainable reds, whites, and bubbly delivered to your doorstep within 48 hrs
Playdate Wine by moms, for moms
Salty Paloma for cocktail classes and beautiful curated kits

*

Did we miss a small-business you absolutely love?
Drop it in comments below or on socials and we will check it out!

***

RELATED POSTS:

THANKS, BUT NO THANKS: ADDRESSING THE OVER-GIFTING EPIDEMIC

ALL WE (DON’T) WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

A NOTE TO THE XMAS MAGIC MAKERS

10 REASONS WHY MOMS HATE THE HOLIDAYS

*

FOLLOW THE REBEL MAMA ON:
INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, AND FACEBOOK