Give an Experience

Hello friend,

I’ve learned a thing or two about what my children appreciate about the holidays now that two of them are away from home. Their nostalgia about Christmas has little to do with gifts they’ve received over the years and everything to do with the experience of having family and friends in the house, spending time together in activities like dressing the tree and indulging in the occasional treat. It’s got me thinking about gift giving and how giving the gift of an experience can make a lasting impression.

This week in the newsletter, we feature five woman-owned brands that offer experiences that will enrich the memory bank of whomever is on the receiving end. Choose from a wine tasting, a facial, brunch for two, a bespoke perfume making session or a night in ski country and know that the female founder behind the experience has done all she can to make every moment special and memorable. And just think what you’ll save in gift wrap!

Thank you for choosing to read Genuinely Stellar each week. We are grateful for your loyalty and support. We hope you find each newsletter enlightening as we introduce you to some exceptional woman-owned brands. As always, we invite you to respond to the poll at the end of the email and leave comments. Your feedback helps us shape our content and provide you with the stories and information you expect of us. We hope you are inspired by these elevated experiences enough to gift one to someone you love this holiday season.

Enjoy! 

The wine lover in your life will love you for sharing a winery-like experience without leaving the city. Sip, nibble and learn about local and international wines, all blended by this woman-owned wine bar and bottle shop.

 It’s been called the best facial in Toronto and you can get it at one of our favourite skincare hubs. Book a facial for a friend to celebrate the holidays and you will be in her good books forever. PS They happen to use products from woman-owned brands.

This fluffy stack of pancakes dripping in blueberry compote, topped with whipped cream is just one of the highlights of brunch at Toronto’s iconic Mildred’s Temple Kitchen. Put a promissory note in a card for brunch for two, or email a gift card and hope they choose you as their brunch companion!

A box of perfume under the tree is a fairly standard holiday gift for family or friends, but what if they get to make their own custom fragrance while learning about how to blend notes of their favourite scents?

A night or two away at a cozy and intimate hotel in ski country will put a twinkle in your loved one’s eyes and set the stage for memories that will last well beyond the holidays. Did we mention this cozy retreat is woman-owned?

Watch this space for five quick things to make your life a little richer.

Speaking of brunch, we found the most delicious make-at-home Hanukkah Brunch Menu from the owner of Arthur’s Nosh Bar in Montreal (who happens to be a woman), which features traditional Jewish food with a Moroccan twist.

If catching up on movies is on your to-do list this holiday season, then you will want to consult this list of the Best Movies of 2025. Grab a blanket, cozy up on the couch and watch to your heart’s content!

We hate to bring up the flu in the midst of holiday cheer, but the flu has a funny way of creeping up on us at this time of the year. According to the Medical Officer of Health in Manitoba, flu seasons in Canada are about to get worse. Gasp!

Pantone announced it’s colour of the year for 2026. Drumroll please! Wait, is that even a colour?

Here’s a pretty and simple way to jazz up a cheese board, a cocktail or dessert if you’re entertaining over the holidays. Introducing “Pear Glass.”

Miss an issue? We’ve got you! Find quick links to recent issues right here.

If you’re playing Santa this year, you will want to take a peek at our curation of little gifts that make a big impression. Get Stocking Stuffer Issue here.

Find out what you have to look forward to next Sunday in Genuinely Stellar!

We’ve got more holiday inspiration to come in December, all woven together with the stories of enterprising women entrepreneurs.

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