A Gift Guide for the Generations: 21 Gifts for the Baby Boomers on Your List

Tracking down the perfect present for your favourite baby boomer can be tough, since many boomers are downsizing to smaller houses or condos. That’s why it’s so important to find a gift that will truly be valued instead of just becoming more clutter. We’ve rounded up some of this year’s most thoughtful, sure-to-be-appreciated holiday gifts.

Clothing & Accessories

1. Wool Slippers

Glerups slippers mould to the shape of one’s foot after wearing them just a few times, making them feel custom-made. Each pair is crafted from no-itch wool stitched to either a leather or a natural-rubber sole. Find these cozy slippers as slip-ons, shoes or boots ($100 to $140).

2. Compression Socks

Performance compression socks ($62) from Bombas do more than just look cute—they apply gentle pressure to ease pain and improve blood circulation. Plus, for each pair sold, the company donates a pair of socks to a person experiencing homelessness.

3. Lounging Pants

As comfortable as pyjamas but with a more polished look, the Cool-Comf Lounge Chill pants ($184) from Londre are made from soft and lightweight recycled natural fibres. The Vancouver brand is known for its focus on sustainability.

4. Long Puffer Jacket

The Ripzone Sunday Xtra Long puffer jacket ($240) from Sport Chek is made to weather winter storms. Warm and water-repellent, this cozy coat also features a two-way front zipper.

5. Shoes

The new Konos Trillium ATR trail-running shoe ($160) from Columbia delivers comfort, stability, traction and support, all in a lightweight but durable package. The breathable mesh upper, the responsive foam midsole and the clever lace-webbing system—which helps to keep the heel from slipping around—all work together to make this shoe the perfect choice for venturing off the beaten path.

6. Earrings and Pendant

For those splurging this holiday season, who wouldn’t appreciate a piece of jewellery tucked inside Tiffany & Co.’s distinctive blue box? New pieces in the brand’s Paloma Picasso Olive Leaf collection include stud earrings ($1,700) and a pendant ($1,450), both in yellow gold with pearls. Picasso has long found inspiration in the olive groves around her home in Marrakesh.

Food & Drink

7. Fruitcake

Fruitcake often gets a bum rap, but only by people who have never tried Bel Café’s traditional fruitcake ($25). It’s filled with dried fruits that have been soaked in dark rum, and it’s finished with festive marzipan, resulting in a decadently delicious seasonal favourite from this Vancouver spot.

8. Sparkling Tea

Saicho uses cold-brewed single-origin teas to make their sparkling teas, which have the complexity of wine but with zero alcohol. The Darjeeling ($33) pairs well with grilled pork or lasagne, the Hojicha ($33) goes well with steak or oxtail soup and the Jasmine ($33) is ideal to serve with dessert.

9. Sparkling Wine

Nothing says “holidays” quite like a bottle of bubbly. Sparkling Brut ($23) from the Okanagan’s See Ya Later Ranch is the perfect accompaniment to any celebration, and it pairs perfectly with fresh seafood, smoked salmon, prosciutto or a fruit plate.

Pampering Products

10. Skincare Set

The Hydration System set ($410) from SkinCeuticals contains C E Ferulic vitamin C serum, Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 cream and HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan hyaluronic acid serum—all packaged in a charming vanity case. Each product is designed to help make skin plump, healthy and hydrated.

11. Bath Soak

Breathe in the calming aromas of lavender, vanilla, black pepper and rose with the soothing bath soak ($28) from Wildflower Mercantile. Made in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, this relaxing bath soak contains no dyes, sulphates or phosphates, and it comes in a refillable glass jar.

Gadgets & Electronics

12. Smart Ring

The Oura Ring 4 Ceramic ($650) available at Best Buy looks good and works hard, too, tracking biometrics such as heart rate, steps, sleep, calories burned, blood oxygen levels and temperature. This water-resistant ring is made from durable zirconia ceramic, and it keeps going up to eight days before needing a charge.

13. Binoculars

Nocs Provisions waterproof binoculars ($125) from MEC are small but powerful, ideal for travel or bird-watching. They have twist-up eye cups, so they’re comfortable to use with eyeglasses, as well as a textured outer housing, making them easy to grip.

14. E-Reader

Waterproof, lightweight and easy to read even in bright sunlight, the Kobo Libra colour e-reader ($230) available at Best Buy can hold up to 24,000 e-books or 150 audiobooks. It integrates with OverDrive and Libby, allowing access to public library collections.

Housewares

15. Candles

SOJA & CO. has introduced four festive scents for winter 2025: fir and cactus flower, marshmallow and clementine, frozen berries and pine, and atlas cedar and spiced orange. Each candle comes in a 4-ounce ($24) or 8-ounce ($34) size, with the smaller ones burning for around 25 hours and the larger ones going for up to 50 hours. Handcrafted in Quebec, these candles are made from natural soy wax poured into reusable and recyclable amber glass jars.

16. Glass Ornament

Vancouver glassblower Maria Struk makes whimsical bowls, vases and ornaments. Her Glass Blown Rainbow Sprinkle ornament ($70) was recently honoured in the annual Etsy Design Awards, winning in the “Holidays and Celebrations” category. Struk’s love of colour is evident in all of her playful pieces.

17. Duvet Cover

Silk & Snow’s flax linen duvet cover ($270) is soft and breathable, and it gets even softer with each washing. The flax linen comes from France and Belgium, and the covers are sewn in Portugal.

18. Bed

Hear us out. As baby boomers reach the stage in life where sleep can be elusive—due to factors ranging from chronic health conditions to natural changes in circadian rhythms—one thing that can help is a high-quality bed.

Hästens is world-renowned for making the world’s most luxurious beds, and the Swedish brand recently opened a flagship close to the Ferrari, Maserati, Audi and Bentley dealerships on Burrard Street in Vancouver. Visit the new showroom to see creations such as the Grand Vividus, made famous by celebrities like Drake who aren’t daunted by the bed’s million-dollar price tag—each one is crafted from natural materials including cotton, wool, flax and horsehair, taking more than 600 hours to construct by hand.

Hästens also makes less pricey but still luxurious beds, pillows, sheets, down quilts, throws and pajamas, for those of us who lack Drake’s bank account but nevertheless want to splurge on improving our fave baby boomer’s nightly slumber.

Other Cool Stuff

19. Hudson’s Bay Stripes Collection

The Hudson’s Bay Stripes holiday capsule collection from Canadian Tire delivers warmth, coziness and a generous dose of nostalgia. The collection includes a knit cushion with pom-poms ($35), knit stocking ($30), teddy bear nutcracker ($20), mittens ($17), coffee mug ($8) and more. Available in stores only, starting December 5.

20. Pottery Book

Renowned potter and philanthropist Mary Fox, who hails from Ladysmith on Vancouver Island, shares a wealth of knowledge in Developing Glazes: Low-Fire Reduction and Oxidation ($45). This beautifully photographed book encourages ceramic artists to experiment and have fun. All royalties go to the Mary Fox Legacy Project Society, which helps young potters.

21. Personalized Calendar

Help your favourite baby boomer show off photos of family, friends, pets, hobbies and more by designing a personalized premium deluxe calendar ($30) for them. Staples has a variety of easy-to-use templates.