Member Holiday Advent Calendar 2020
We want to keep local top of mind this holiday season. Local businesses have been resilient during these difficult times and need our support now more than ever!
Throughout the month of December, we will highlight local Member organizations as part of our Member Holiday Advent Calendar. Each day leading up to December 25, a new local business will be revealed. Whether you’re in need of gift ideas or are simply looking to shop local, view local members and holiday promotions below.
And together, let’s support local businesses throughout the holidays and into the new year!
Featured Holiday Members
Give t
he gift of local support this holiday season!
Sorrentino’s Restaurant Group (SRG) is a local, family owned company that has provided Albertans memorable dining experiences since 1979. SRG brands include Sorrentino’s Cucina + Bar, Buco Pizzeria + Vino Bar, Caffè Sorrentino, Bistecca Italian Steakhouse and Sorrentino’s Cooking Classes.
Holiday Promotion:
Sorrentino’s Restaurant Group is proud to participate in this year’s Give With Reason campaign. They will donate 5% of all online gift card purchases to 630 CHED's Santas Anonymous and the Christmas Bureau.
Sorrentino's has been dedicated to supporting the local community since opening over 40 years ago in Edmonton. Join them as there has never been a more appropriate time this season to give with reason!
Bring a touch of the holidays to your loved ones with a festive arrangement by Flowers by Merle! Flowers by Merle has been one of Edmonton’s most trusted florists for over 50 years. They offer professionally designed floral arrangements and floral gifts to fit any occasion – from everyday celebrations to Christmas to custom arrangements!
With festive gatherings being at a distance this year, Flowers by Merle can deliver hand-arranged floral arrangements to your special recipients in Edmonton or anywhere worldwide.
Holiday Promotions:
From Evergreen Embrace to Hollyberry Rose Lantern, Flowers by Merle offers a variety of festive Christmas arrangements for you to share with your loved ones. View their beautiful holiday creations here.
Climb your way through the holidays and into 2021! From drop-in climbing to introductory courses, Vertically Inclined Rock Gym (VIRG) is a full-service indoor climbing gym that has been providing unique adventure experiences since 1996.
VIRG is focused on providing access to climbing for all ages and abilities. With quality programs for kids and adults, anyone can get into climbing. The sculpted walls feature routes of all difficulty levels providing a challenge and entertainment for all climbers!
Let The Westin Edmonton take the stress of a holiday feast off your plate! With their Holiday Dinner to Go, enjoy a delicious cooked turkey dinner with all the fixings. From a small dinner for two to a complete feast for larger family, The Westin Edmonton, located in the heart of downtown, is here to support you!
And as you look to 2021, The Westin Edmonton has you covered with meeting space for your physically distant needs. With 416 guest rooms and over 27,000 square feet of meeting space, The Westin offers the largest downtown hotel and banquet space. Their ballroom is over 9,400 square feet with additional foyer space providing a perfect setting for conferences requiring breakout spaces, small meetings or galas.
Holiday Feature:
For their Holiday Dinner to Go, orders can be picked up on December 24, 25 or 26 between 11 AM and 4:30 PM. Deadline to place your orders is December 20 at 5 PM. Prices starting from $90. More details here.
Be inspired to keep exploring and start dreaming up your next getaway – let Paull Travel show you the way!
With 34 years of expertise behind them, Paull Travel is fiercely independent within their downtown Edmonton location. As a proudly female-operated organization, their agents bring a wealth of travel experience and knowledge – the majority of their staff have worked for the organization for over 15 years.
Paul Travell is a full-service agency and their specialty is “you”. They handle corporate travel and leisure travel from all-inclusive weddings to African Safaris – and everything in between!
Looking for opportunities to make a Christmas impact? This holiday season, share the gift of a meal and hope with your neighbours who are experiencing poverty and homelessness.
For the last 35 years, The Mustard Seed has helped and supported those facing homelessness and extreme poverty. The Mustard Seed offers a range of connected programs and services to our vulnerable community members including housing and emergency shelter, food security, basic needs items, education, employment, health, wellness and spiritual care. Their commitment is to not only meet immediate needs in the short term but also focus on the transformational change that will lead to a better life down the road.
Holiday Promotions:
This December, you can support the Mustard Seed on:
- December 8-9: Family Gift Centre where The Mustard Seed sets up a Christmas store with gifts donated by the community. Clients can shop at the store for $2/gift for their kids ages 0-18 years.
- December 12-23: 12 Days of Giving where donations of specific items every day or funds to help purchase those items for our community in need
Ruth’s Chris Steak House will give you an experience that “SIZZLES” your festive season!
Ruth's Chris is no ordinary restaurant. Enjoy one of their Prime steaks, broiled to perfection at 1800 degrees and served sizzling, expertly executed seafood, unforgettable desserts and exceptional level of service – this is a steakhouse to which others aspire. Ruth’s Chris Steak House Edmonton is conveniently located in the heart of downtown, situated in a historic building that once housed a bank.
Whether it’s a special celebration, an important business meeting, or a holiday celebration, come for an unforgettable outside-the-box dining experience inside an Edmonton heritage building.
Holiday promotion:
A gift for them, and a holiday bonus for you! Earn a 10% bonus card on gift card purchases of $250 or more. Learn more here.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and The Fairmont Hotel MacDonald could not be more excited to safely celebrate the holidays with you. While their festive gatherings will look different this year, there’s no denying that Fairmont Hotel Macdonald is filled with the holiday spirit!
For more than 100 years, Fairmont Hotel Macdonald has effortlessly delivered timeless luxury in the heart of downtown Edmonton. Nestled upon the North Saskatchewan River Valley, the hotel’s charm and ever-evolving elegance have earned it the spotlight as one of the city’s most sought-after locations. As Edmonton’s only historic, four-diamond “Chateau on the River”, the hotel offers unparalleled views of North America’s largest expanse of urban parkland.
Visit ALL Safe and Well to learn more about the extensive measures we are taking to safeguard, protect and care for our valued guests and employees.
Holiday Promotion:
From holiday dinners to Nutcracker Afternoon Tea, don’t miss out on the full line up of Christmas activities. Check out the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald Festive Guide.
May the runner in your life be merry with help from Running Room's Holiday Gift Guide! Running Room is proudly a family-owned company. In 1984, this entrepreneurial retailer decided to fill a niche in the marketplace by opening a small one-room store in the renovated living room of an old house in Edmonton, hence the name, "Running Room."
Running Room's reputation has been built upon product innovation, quality and knowledge of the sport of running. Running Room's unique private label assortment was developed to provide customers with the best in style, functionality and fabric innovations at a reasonable price.
Running Room is truly a store for runners by runners.
Enjoy A Christmas Carol from the comfort of your home in a magical new imagining of Edmonton’s holiday tradition adapted for the camera!
The Citadel is an Edmonton-grown theatrical powerhouse that creates extraordinary productions, made for YEG but fit for the world’s great stages. We have a slate of in-person shows that allow for masks, distancing, and more safety procedures in our Shoctor Theatre, or streaming of shows like A Christmas Carol for the comfort of your own home!
Holiday Promotion:
A Christmas Carol returns for your online enjoyment – from the Citadel stage to your home on streaming video! Get more for less with a Citadel x Public Holiday Goody Stash featuring a bunch of local treats and a streaming pass for only $80+Fees/GST/Delivery! Buy tickets
Give your loved ones the gift of time this holiday season – more time to connect with loved ones safely, and less time fretting over a turkey dinner! For nearly three decades, A Cappella Catering Co. has played an integral part in Edmonton’s major, corporate and private events industry, offering the city’s most advanced and efficient off-site catering operations.
Occupying a 10,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility in central Edmonton, the team now prepares safe-serve meals for virtual corporate events, intimate weddings and doorstep drop-offs of their legendary family size Take & Bake meals.
Holiday Promotion:
Enjoy a scratch-made, oven-ready holiday dinner including bread, salad, two sides, turkey stuffing and all the fixin's for under $25 per person. Learn more or simply call 780.454.2642 for details.
In the spirit of giving, $10 from the sale of every Holiday Take & Bake Meal will be donated to Edmonton's Ronald McDonald House.
Take the stress out of the holiday season – throw an axe at Axe Monkeys Edmonton!
Axe Monkeys Edmonton is a fully licensed recreational facility featuring two Rage RoomsÆ – it’s your opportunity to destroy a wide variety of breakable objects for the ultimate smash therapy. Plus, for your axe throwing pleasure, their facility features 10 lanes for axe or knife throwing. They also have 3 mobile units that can be brought to your workplace for even more fun!
Holiday Promotions:
Buy $50 in gift cards and receive a free Axe Monkeys t-shirt.
Make a difference this holiday season!
Edmonton’s Food Bank has remained open throughout these challenging times. Through the months of January, February and March, 2020 they were on track to be the highest record number of people needing their help; March saw an 18% increase in requests for hampers. And now that government subsidies have ended, the need for their services is rising again!
This December think of the gift of giving. Help serve Edmontonians in need this holiday season by making donations of time, food and money. Charities like Edmonton’s Food Bank rely on the continued community support to do what is essential in our communities.
Happy Holidays from the DoubleTree by Hilton West Edmonton! The perfect oasis whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure. Feel welcome the moment you arrive as their friendly staff offers you a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie.
Centrally located, the hotel is minutes from West Edmonton Mall and Mayfield Common, home to great shopping, entertainment and dining.
Large or small, the DoubleTree has the perfect space for your event. They can configure their 35,000+ sq. ft. of flexible meeting and banquet space for up to 700 guests (100 with social distancing). See a virtual tour of their fa
For the person who appreciates art on your Christmas list, don’t miss out on the artwork at Rowles & Company! Rowles & Company is a local art gallery, representing over 60 artists creating artful items in a wide variety of mediums from $40 - $500. They specialize in managing corporate collections, gifting for employee Service Awards, incentives, retirement, client appreciation, special events, conferences, and Christmas shopping. If you are looking to give the gift of art, a bio of the artist, boxing and gift wrap are complimentary. To personalize your gift further, shipping and engraving inscriptions are available upon request!
Holiday Promotion:
Use the Code GALLERY10% to receive 10% off your purchases by email until January 1, 2021 – email rowles@rowles.ca
Take this holiday season to indulge in new food and best of all get loaded with pierogi! At Loaded Pierogi, located on Jasper Avenue, they like to say that this is where tradition ends and innovation begins. From butter chicken pierogi to wild mushroom and truffle to dessert pierogi, there’s something for every customer and craving. Dishes are loaded with endless choices of toppings, including smoked brisket, buffalo chicken, wild mushrooms, and a variety of cheeses. This December, be sure to try their limited time offer dish, Honey Sriracha Chicken. It’s spicy, it’s a little sweet, and it’s delicious!
For more information on how to get loaded (with pierogi) safely inside your bubble, email catering@loadedpierogi.com or 780.652.0955.
Holiday Promotions:
- 15% off five take-out orders. Come into the restaurant and pick up a VIP card!
- $25 gift card for $20! Spread the “Get Loaded” love to someone special this holiday season!
- 2 for $22! Get Loaded with 2 small Baba’s Classics, 1 Crispy Cauliflower snack, and 2 Soft Drinks for only $22!
- Get Catered, Get Delivered. Free delivery on Holiday Catering orders over $125. Group orders can also include individual dishes. A safe way to dine together.
The perfect 2020 gift? Something comfortable, washable, and gives back to your community – look no further than Unbelts!
Edmonton-based business and Certified B Corporation, Unbelts, is committed to ethical manufacturing while creating a product that can be worn and loved for hundreds of wears. In April, Unbelts expanded their product line to include cloth masks as uniquely comfortable as their belts.
Unbelts has given over 20,000 masks to Alberta schools in need and, on top of that, donates 20% of their mask inventory to Canadian families and community organizations.
With their stretch belts and cloth masks holiday bundles, they offer you savings while supporting the community.
Holiday Promotion:
For every belt purchased this holiday season, Unbelts will match it with a community donation.
Looking for a little holiday sparkle? Shop locally at the family-operated jewellery store, Boulevard Diamonds!
Since opening their doors in 2001, Boulevard Diamonds has provided customers with quality products, exceptional service and complete satisfaction. They’re authorized dealers of Maple Leaf Diamonds, Mark Schneider, Carlex, Tissot, Movado, Citizen and many more brands!
Whether it’s their extensive collection of engagement rings and bridal jewellery or custom design services, Boulevard Diamonds is committed to serving their customers with the highest quality of materials. Their design team is committed to creating exquisitely-crafted jewellery that is one-of-a-kind, unique, and reflective of your personality and lifestyle.
As a full-service jewellery store, Boulevard Diamonds also offers expert jewellery repairs, restoration and quality watch repair. All repairs are personally handled by their professional goldsmith and watch technician, which greatly reduces the turn around time and cost.
Holiday Promotion:
Use code ECC10 to receive 10% off online
A flag shop that sells more than just flags – that’s The Flag Shop! For the last 30 years, The Flag Shop Alberta has been a leader in supplying flags, banners, flag poles, custom printed flags and other flag-related products and hardware to the province of Alberta. With many of their products made here in Canada and finished right in their store, you’re truly supporting a local business!
After all, a custom flag may be the perfect gift for someone on your list!
Make this Christmas a meaningful one by supporting the community!
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Northern Alberta advances the dignity and worth of all women and girls who are criminalized and those who are considered at risk. They offer critical programs and services that address access to justice, human rights, basic needs, and personal well-being.
Currently, Elizabeth Fry Society is seeking holiday donations to support their Housing Program that provides rent-subsidy and supports for Indigenous women with histories of imprisonment, human trafficking and homelessness. Participants are working toward independence, self-reliance and healthy relationships with themselves and their loved ones. COVID-19 has made it difficult for them to connect meaningfully with resources, programs, and even their children. Donations will support them throughout the holidays and beyond – let’s show them that the community cares!
Have yourself a merry little coffee at Upper Crust Café & Caterers Ltd!
Since 1986, Upper Crust has been making delicious, comforting food in their Garneau cafe. They offer safe-serve catering, physically distanced dine-in (when allowed), takeout, and no-contact home delivery. Plus, their deli has been expanded to include fresh vegetables from farmers market vendors, pies, pastries, dressings, house-made ice creams, among many other frozen and fresh items. It’s the perfect one stop shop for making a gift basket of local products for someone special on your list!
Eddie’s Men’s Wear is committed to helping you look your best this festive season.
Local to Edmonton, with over 62 years of experience, Eddie’s Men’s Wear is here for you and your fashion needs. From custom tailoring to full made-to-measure service to special orders, their finest fabrics and styles will transform your wardrobe or add that special seasonal addition. Eddie’s Men’s Wear carries high quality casual to formal men’s wear – with a strong focus on Canadian Manufacture.
For the latest on their gift giving guide and current promotions, follow them on Instagram @eddiesmens
Spread the holiday cheer of Brazillian food and culture!
A Bite of Brazil by Pampa offers Brazil’s most popular street food such as gluten-friendly cheesebread, coxinhas (chicken fritters) and brigadeiro truffles. While dining in (when allowed), customers can experience a cozy environment while having authentic Brazilian coffee, desserts, cheesebread sandwiches and much more. You can bring Brazillian street food to your doorstep by ordering from Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes and Door Dash.
At A Bite of Brazil, they are passionate about our Brazilian food and culture, and are always excited to share it with Edmontonians.
Holiday Promotions:
Receive 10% off Rumpsteak Cheesebread Burger throughout December.
The perfect holiday treat to add to your Christmas dessert menu, Pinocchio Ice Cream!
Inspired by Italy, produced in Edmonton, Pinocchio Ice Cream is the perfect dessert for any occasion – especially the holidays! With their microcreamery and experimentation of recipes using local ingredients, Pinocchio Ice Cream continues to source local dairy to create the best quality in North American ice cream mixed with Italian gelato formulation. And they’ve done so for the last 30 years!
Made from scratch with no artificial colours or flavours in their ice cream, sorbet, and gelato, this creamery is able to balance each product we make to have an outstanding palate satisfying experience.
They believe in making an honest premium natural product that speaks for itself since 1981. Start scooping local their handcrafted ice cream – view their retailer or grocer locations here.
Start planning your new year off right with a new fitness routine! Bringing fitness to you – safely in your own home! Fitness on the Go provides an individualized exercise plan for those that have chronic disease, or for those wanting to improve their health and well-being. As a mobile and online service provider, exercise programs are completed in the comfort of your own home. For those wanting to know if Fitness on the Go is there right fit for them, free consultations are provided!