At the tail end of every year, the holidays present us with a challenge. We are challenged to choose gifts that feel personal, spark joy in their recipients, and show care for the special people in our lives. It’s a thoughtful tradition to hold onto in our fast-paced world.
More and more, our community is embracing gifts that tell a story and honour where we come from, what we value, and who we are becoming as Estonians.
And so, this year’s holiday gift guide brings together six offerings that do exactly that. You could find yourself brightening a young person’s financial future, adorning a loved one with Estonian craftsmanship that reminds them of their roots, connecting deeply with their heritage, tasting traditional flavours, or providing a charmingly-written book that relates to someone just when they need it.
Northern Birch Credit Union—give the gift of a great financial start!
Setting the tone for this year’s guide is Northern Birch Credit Union, who remind us that generosity can be something we demonstrate in the present moment and in the years to come.
“This holiday season,” they encourage, “give the kids in your life something meaningful—a Northern Birch savings account for kids!” Each kid who has an account opened for them will receive a $30 bonus. Not only that, NBCU will cover the cost of their member shares (a $50 total value). Finally, they’ll get a Northern Birch piggy bank to help them start saving early.
NBCU tells us “It’s the perfect way to spark good money habits—and it comes with no monthly fees and friendly, personal service from staff who get to know you by name. Start a tradition of smart saving and community connection with Northern Birch Credit Union. Conditions apply.”
Verona Studios: A Mother-Daughter Journey in Jewellery Making
Speaking of things that grow over time, Evi Pertens’ and Riina Evelyn’s story of intergenerational creativity would add an extra sprinkle of beauty to any gift.
As Evi describes it, she began her silversmithing journey more than twenty years ago under the name Jewellery by Evi, “creating pieces inspired by nature, Nordic folk art, and my Estonian heritage.” What started as a personal passion has grown into a lifelong love of crafting jewellery that connects people through beauty and meaning.
She continues, “Today, I am delighted to share this creative path with my daughter, Riina. Together, we continue the craft under our new name, Verona Studios, named in memory of our beloved bichon frise, Verona, who brought endless light and joy into our lives and still inspires us every day.”
Their Estonian roots are at the heart of their designs. The two jewellers blend traditional influences with a modern touch to create jewellery that feels both familiar and fresh. To them, there’s something truly special about seeing someone open a handmade piece; a moment of joy that reminds them why they do what they do. Whether it’s a gift for someone special or something just for you, each piece is made with care and intention.
With Riina’s creativity and energy, the family business has also grown into the digital e-commerce space, sharing new pieces online each week. They invite everyone to visit often to see what’s new and find a piece that speaks to you.
If you’d like to look at their products in-person and meet the creators, take note! “We’re especially looking forward to our upcoming Christmas show on November 29th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Dundas, Ontario. It’s always a wonderful chance to connect with our community and share the joy of the season. Visit www.verona-studios.com or follow us on Instagram @_verona_studios. We hope you enjoy your keepsake jewellery as much as we love creating each unique piece.”
Equally crafted with care, but with words rather than metal, is one of our community member’s memoirs. Creating a book like this requires honesty, reflection, and courage. But the potential to impact readers’ lives is great.
Two Worlds Within: A Memoir of Dual Identity is a deeply personal, emotionally resonant journey through the complexities of growing up between two cultures. With lyrical prose and raw honesty, Anne Remmel explores the tension of navigating family expectations, cultural contradictions, and the search for a sense of belonging. Torn between two worlds—one inherited, one chosen—she takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, trauma, and eventual transformation. If you enjoy reflective memoirs about cultural identity, resilience, and healing, this is your next must-read.
For custom jewellery pieces, visit Anvil, a Toronto-based boutique established in 1965. Anvil offers in-house design, refurbishment, appraisal, and engraving services. They specialize in creating custom engagement rings with natural and lab-grown diamonds, as well as jewellery to mark special milestones in their clients’ lives. Anvil’s pieces are created with ethically-sourced precious metals and gemstones. They also feature one-of-a-kind collections by local Canadian designers in addition to their own ready-to-wear pieces. Anvil invites you to book a consultation for custom orders or shop their ready-to-wear collection at your convenience!
Letts Shop at the Latvian Centre
For the holiday dinner table, Letts Shop at 4 Credit Union Drive simplifies the wild goose chase (which seems to have become a tradition unto itself) for traditional staples. They stock authentic verivorstid (blood sausages) made by Eddie’s Meat and Deli Market using Alar Soever’s recipe, alongside valged vorstid. Beyond the main course, you can find a range of Kalev confectioneries to satisfy your sweet tooth this season. The shop operates weekdays from 08:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
A gift idea that connects to culture
Finding a gift for the person who has everything requires intentionality. A subscription to Eesti Elu offers a meaningful connection to heritage, curated for those looking to deepen their cultural roots without moving across the ocean. Whether they are fluent in Estonian or just starting to explore their background, a subscription provides educational and entertaining articles and resources in both English and Estonian. This year, holiday gift subscriptions are available at a discount: $99 for a one-year digital subscription or $135 for print plus digital.
No matter the shape they take, each of these offerings carries with it stories and a legacy. May your holiday giving this year honour the past, celebrate the present, and give meaning to the future.
Find all of these gifts in Eesti Elu's Classifieds section
