The ROAM team has selected some of their favourite winter items that we think everyone should know about. All are affordable (from $10 to $80), available from local retailers, and make great gifts for any occasion.
We also heartily condone purchasing any or all of these for yourself as a kind of winter self-care kit. So when rain lashes your windowpanes, winds whip the waves into a frenzy, and snow starts piling up in the roadways, you’ll be ready to weather the storm.
1. VILLAGER PUZZLES
Designed in the Comox Valley and featuring unique art from contemporary Canadian women artists. Each 1000-piece puzzle is made of recycled paper board for a great feel and look. Puzzle more, scroll less!
Wildflower Mercantile in Courtenay, Island Affair in Comox, or villagerpuzzles.com
2. COMEXICO PALE ALE
Juicy citrus flavours and a hint of the tropics will brighten up the darkest winter day.
Land & Sea Brewing Co in Comox or local liquor stores
3. MITTENS BY MARIE
These soft and colourful upcycled mittens are designed and crafted locally. Anna-Marie Hunt turns preloved wool into felt, makes the mittens, and lines them with brand-new cozy fleece. Available in a variety of children’s and adult sizes.
JIPSI TREE in Cumberland
4. DRINKING CHOCOLATE
Available in four flavours, this fair-trade hot chocolate mix is organic, all natural, and irresistibly rich and smooth.
Dark Side Chocolates in Cumberland
5. EVERLASTING CANDLES
These elegant no-wick steel candles never melt! Instead of wax, they burn an odourless, soot-free, and clean-burning mineral oil. Handmade in Vancouver in partnership with the Disability Association of Canada. The Wylie Signature Set includes three candles, a vase, and Pristine Oil®.
JIPSI TREE in Cumberland or everlastingcandleco.ca
6. BLUE MILANO COFFEE
Your kitchen may lack the buzzy ambiance of a Milano cafe, but at least you can enjoy their hand-roasted coffee at home. These full-bodied, medium-roast Blue Milano beans offer a hint of cocoa notes—a perfect little pick-me-up for a Blue Christmas.
Milano in Courtenay or milanocoffee.ca
7. LUMRUM
Add this all-natural, non-alcoholic spirit—with classic seasonal flavours like cinnamon, clove, molasses, nutmeg, and ginger—to your favourite mix for a festive, non-boozy highball or cocktail. Traditionally distilled in Vancouver.
Edible Island in Courtenay or enjoylumette.com
8. VINTAGE NOVELS
Books are the ultimate escape, any time of year, and going second-hand is a great way to revisit your favourites or try a completely new genre. Bonus points for Canadian authors!
Second Page Books in Courtenay or Nearly New Books in Comox
9. 40 KNOTS PINOT GRIS
Connaisseurs may note its flavours of apricot, honey, and Granny Smith apple, while others just call this a “go-to, good-feeling wine.”
40 Knots Winery in Comox or local liquor stores
