A More Intentional Christmas

Before we all log out, I would like to spotlight one more sustainability topic and then share a few books that I have read this year, as well as introduce some small businesses I have supported this year. Both should serve as an inspiration if you’re still looking for Christmas gifts.

Sustainability Spotlight: Christmas Tree

“Tis the Season for Sustainability: Which Christmas Tree is Better for the Planet?” The real one or the artificial one?

Growing up in Europe, it was almost a given to have a real tree with real candles! :) But times are changing, and in North America, artificial trees seem to be more common. I was curious about their carbon footprint and emissions profile, so I took a closer look.

As with nearly all sustainability-related issues, this decision is made on a case-by-case basis. But if you want to learn more and delve into the details, I encourage you to check out my blogpost on this topic.

My Book Recommendations 2025

This year was a good reading year. I read 25 fiction books and 4 nonfiction books - more fiction than ever before, and fewer nonfiction books than I typically choose. But 2025 felt like a heavy year globally, and leaning into feel-good novels felt comforting. Below are a few book ideas for Christmas gifts, depending on what you’re looking for or who you’re shopping for.

• Canadian Voices:

  • Superfan by Jen Sookfong Lee, a Vancouver-based author (biography)

  • Crooked Teeth by Daniel Ramadan, a Vancouver-based author (biography)

  • Stealing Stanley by Christopher Courtin, a Victoria-based author

  • Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, BC-born author

  • Behind the Moon by Anosh Irani, a Vancouver-based author (a play)
    

• Books for Foodies:

  • Taste by Stanley Tucci
    

• Rom-Com Reads:

  • Every Summer After by Carley Fortune (I heard all her books are great, and she is also a Canadian author)

  • Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella

  • This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens

  • Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
    

• My Personal Favourites:

  • The Wedding People by Alison Espach

  • Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

  • The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

  • There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak
    

• Books to Read With Kids:

  • Aaron Slater and the Sneaky Snake by Andrea Beaty (a book about the power of storytelling to deliver scientific facts)

Thoughtful Gifts from Small Businesses

My call for this Christmas (and actually all year round): Support small businesses. Over the course of this year, I have supported a few small businesses, and I would like to share some of them here for inspiration for Christmas gifts. Because this year has been particularly tough for small businesses.

My suggestions are from Vancouver, and one from Ontario. However, if you’re reading this newsletter and aren't from the area, I encourage you to find some local businesses in your neighbourhood that you can support.

Usually, when I’m on 4th Street for a workout class at Turf, I stop at Makers, a store that sells the work of local businesses. You can purchase jewelry, mugs, bags, posters, candles, stickers, sweaters, and other items, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the businesses. I bought many gifts there; some are from Scandinazn, Sunny Saverz, Liberum Made (Moss art, as I would call it) or Trip Poster.

There are so many lovely jewelry brands in town, and some of my favourites are Zaleska, Fashionoise, or Karma Collective (plus Scandinazn and Sunny Saverz).

A shoutout to a fellow Swiss entrepreneur, Marissa from Stil Classics, who designs beautiful planners. A great gift for anyone looking to start the year off organized.

Also on 4th is Knix, where I found my new swimsuit this year. Knix is a Canadian brand, founded by Joanna Griffiths. She pioneered leakproof underwear, a new product category, and over the past decade expanded the offering to include swimwear as well.

If we’re already talking about underwear, let’s stay on the topic. One of my favourite discoveries this year is Huha. The founder, Alexa Suter, is from Vancouver and started the company in 2019. She is truly changing the industry with her Mineral Undie, which uses breathable, tree-derived fibres combined with antimicrobial zinc-oxide liners. To be honest, no joke, this is the best underwear I've ever worn; it’s so comfortable and breathable (you can actually feel the difference). Huha recently got the largest Dragons’ Den deal in history.

As a book nerd, I also want to recommend two lovely bookstores on Granville Island: Nooroongji Books, a multilingual bookstore, and Upstart & Crow. You may have noticed that all my book recommendations are linked to the Upstart & Crow website.

If you’re looking for beauty products, I recommend Harlow Atelier. They only carry local, clean beauty and health products. You can find the makeup brands I wrote about on the blog, Cheekbone Beauty and Elate, as well as many other products.

If you’re into crafting and would like to create your own jewelry for Christmas, I would recommend Beazu Wholesale in Mount Pleasant, it’s a bead heaven. :)

These are a few recommendations, and I hope they inspire you to shop more locally and support the dreams of small entrepreneurs.

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And with that, I wish you a wonderful rest of the holiday season. I hope you get some well-deserved time off and plenty of good moments.

xx,

Nina