Top Places in the Byward Market to Buy Her a Gift

It’s that time of the season where Ottawa’s Byward Market brings the holiday spirit to life. As the lights twinkle on the store shop windows, and the cold air is scented with fresh evergreen as the wreaths are laid out for purchase in the square. The charming ByWard Market District is the heart of Ottawa’s downtown, with its handsome heritage buildings, it is dotted with a mix of indie boutiques, world-class retail locations and of course the original BeaverTails stand.

As you strive to strike off those remaining names from your holiday list, ArtHaus Condos offers you: Top Places in the Byward Market to Buy Her a Holiday Gift.

Cyclie Artisanal Chocolates

A woman’s love for chocolate can range from a casual affair to all out infatuation. Eating chocolate makes you feel pleasant, because it increases levels of serotonin in your brain, making it the perfect indulgence over the oft-stressful holiday seasons. ‘Tis the season for giving, but it can be a challenge to find an original, inspiring Christmas gift for the perfect someone. Over on Dalhousie, Cylie is a quaint shop produces hand made delectable collections of fine artisan chocolates and bonbons.  Made of 72% Valrhona chocolate, their bonbons, area filled with a rich chocolate ganache, in flavours of  mango caramel, milk chocolate or infused with Organic Apple Crumble tea, and countless others. What sets these bonbons apart from the big chain chocolateers is that each one is individually decorated with cocoa butter-based paints–and the taste, of course, is far above the run of the mill. It’s no surprise it takes up to three days to produce a batch of these divine edibles. Cylie is the perfect place to shop local and fill her stocking with a unique gift of dark chocolate bar drizzled with bacon bits, or exquisite hand dipped orange peels.

Nordstrom Rideau Centre

With 35 departments, a restaurant and coffee bar, Nordstrom’s newest Rideau location is the ultimate holiday shopping destination. Nordstrom Rideau Centre features the company’s newest design concepts, which incorporate natural light, wood finishes and other modern updates in the hopes that the store will be easy to navigate and (more) explore for customers. The high-end American retailer targets those who fashionable and see themselves as fashionable and are trend conscious. If you have someone on your list who fancy herself a veritable Carrie Bradshaw, mix of apparel, shoes and accessories straight off the runway are sure to please. Brands exclusive to Nordstrom Rideau are: Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Pedro Garcia and Valentino. It’s not just the luxury brands you see on your favourite celebrities that make this department store a draw, Nordstrom customer service professionals are known for going over and above what is typically expected of a retailer. Get in some leisure time at Nordstrom’s full-service bistro-style restaurant Bazille that features specialty cocktails and a wine list, with plenty of natural light from a wall of windows offering a view of the bustling Byward.

Kate Spade

New York City-based Kate Spade is a popular designer label in the newly renovated Rideau Centre that features handbags and accessories, women’s ready-to-wear, footwear, stationery and address books, fragrances, eyewear and a home collection. Given the company’s variety of offerings, it has become referred to as a ‘lifestyle accessories and fashion brand’. Fun and playful yet elegant and sophisticated, the Kate Spade motto is ‘live colorfully’. A good mantra by which to live. From their elegant dangling statement earrings, reminiscent of a crystal chandelier,  to their popular wallets, women’s apparel, there is much to choose from. The ever-coveted Kate Spade hand bag with their beautiful patterned linings and ladylike handles is an item that you just can’t go wrong with gifting her.

Magpie Jewellery

Magpie Jewellery is an independently owned and local jewelry boutique in Ottawa, offering unique artist-designed pieces. Bringing together the finest jewellery from designers across Canada and the world, they feature unique displays that entice and inspire. It is Magpie’s whimsy and variety, that make this -place extra special. Many pieces are hand-crafted using sterling silver, gold, platinum, and stainless steel. It is the epitome of the chic Byward alternative to large-scale chain jewellery stores. Purchase something new or re-purpose a family heirloom piece for a meaningful vintage and ‘green’ choice, all the rage in jewellery right now. Magpie works with eco-friendly karats of gold, silver and platinum, ethically sourced Canadian diamonds and gemstones. The Lissa Bowie Collection is popular for it’s original pieces, such as ‘The Ottawa Necklace’ at $38.00, of a mix of brass and copper. The Dark Forest Fontana Earrings by Ayala Bar Jewelry is made of silver plated brass & metal alloys, glass beads, ceramic stones, and crystal rhinestones. With a wide range of unique styles and varied price points, Magpie is a guaranteed one-of-a-kind experience for a one-of-a-kind gift.

As the horse-drawn carriages gallop through the buzzling Byward streets, immerse yourself in the bevy of boutiques and world-class retailers, mere moments from ArtHaus Condo.