Who remembers calling everyone in your contacts list for intel on where to get verivorstid while Christmas dinner approached rapidly? Or rushing around just days before to find a present for someone?
Those days are over! This December, an online visit to lettsshop.org or a trip to the Latvian Canadian Centre is all it takes to access unique gifts and meal essentials for the holidays.
Located at 4 Credit Union Drive in Toronto (M4A 2N8), Letts Shop will be a convenient place to get authentic sausages this year, made by Eddie's Meat and Deli Market using Alar Soever's recipe. This includes both verivorstid (blood sausages) and valged vorstid.
Before the meal starts, though, serve your guests some appetizers made with Riga Gold smoked sprats. And in a pinch, you can serve some Põltsamaa kõrvitsasalat (pumpkin salad) beside the main dishes.
If you need some stocking stuffers, Letts Shop recommends taking a look at their selection of candy and chocolate. Among their selection of Christmas flavours, they have Kalev's Piparkoogipallid piimašokolaadis (gingerbread balls in milk chocolate). Otherwise, they sell Kalev's Mesikäpp (honey-flavoured) chocolate bars, Marmelaadi (blackcurrant-flavoured) jelly candies, and the Vana Tallinn cream dark chocolate.
Photo gallery
A selection of sweet treats from Letts Shop
We all know winter in Canada is a long affair, so why not give the gift of a fun activity to do inside on cold days? For one thing, Letts Shop has half a dozen different Latvian mitten kits that people with a knack for crafts can enjoy.
But then there’s cooking as well. In their book collection, Letts Shop has Silvena Johan Lauta's cookbook The Food and Cooking of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania: Traditions, Ingredients, Tastes and Techniques in 60 Classic Recipes. Maybe even get it for yourself, to try out some new recipes for your friends and family.
If you're seeking a gift with extra significance, you might consider the shop’s finely crafted Latvian jewellery. These are more expensive items, ranging from a $30 amber bracelet to a $99 ring and a $225 sterling silver brooch. However, each has intricate details and elegant design that will be appreciated by those who love traditional crafts and fashion.
If you happen to be at the Latvian Canadian Centre for the Rahvajõulupuu on Saturday December 9th, stop in at Letts Shop, which will be open at the same time (from 12:00 to 4:00 PM). If you’re in the building for another event, or simply to do your banking, you can shop there between 7:30 AM and 4:00 PM from Monday to Friday.
Let’s make Christmas preparations more enjoyable — let’s shop!
