Here, then, are some of our favourite picks for a geeky, pop culture-friendly, 2025 Holidays.

PlayStation Swag and Sleek New Controllers

Sony’s ripe-for-gift-giving latest releases are a nostalgic trip down gaming memory lane. From PlayStation-branded baseball jerseys (replete with pinstripes) to slick PS-character backpack clips (anything better than those godforsaken labubu things), to an ice-cold brand-new DualSense controller, the “Icon Blue”, there’s something for every Crash Bandicoot-, Nathan Drake-loving nerd on your gift list.

Mubi Subscription

The entertainment industry may be on the verge of imploding into a black hole of wrong-headed (and probably illegal) monopolization, but there are still pockets of great content available to be found, if you know where to look. Case in point is Mubi, the film (and, increasingly, television) streaming service which hosts a rotating library of top-tier arthouse, independent, and foreign productions, ranging from (as of the December 2025 rotation) David Lynch’s Blue Velvet (1986) to Joachim Trier’s (he of Sentimental Education hype) The Worst Person in the World (2021), to Andreas Fontana’s phenomenal, and little-screen, Argentine junta thriller Azor (2021). Also, Twin Peaks is on here, so there’s that.

Candlelight Concerts Gift Card

For the more romantically minded gift-giver, there’s Toronto’s seemingly endless cycle of Candlelight Concerts, featuring a local string quartet performing arrangements of everything from Fleetwood Mac covers to Studio Ghibli tributes. Is it cheesy? Sure. Are some artists better-suited to the format? Of course. Is it still a lovely evening at the theatre, with talented musicians and a licensed bar? That’s true too.

Once Upon a Katamari (Switch, PS5, Xbox X, Windows)

It’s not, strictly speaking, our favourite game of 2025, but it’s definitely among the most party/holiday/family-friendly. The first wholly new Katamari game in over a decade, this latest entry (made without the involvement of creator Keita Takahashi, who’s been busy with his own oddball things this year) beautifully iterates on the classic “roll-stuff-up-and-see-what-sticks” gameplay of its predecessors, only this time across multiple themed eras, like a Wild West stage with hundreds of tumbleweeds to collect, or a Jurassic-themed level with a delightful menagerie of dinosaurs to attach to your ever-growing sphere-of-all-cosmos.

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For more gift-giving ideas, check out our favourite Canadian gifts/experiences from last year.

The post Pop Culture Gift Guide 2025 appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Imagine Cinemas is inviting moviegoers to participate in the inaugural Cans Film Festival, an exciting event designed to spread holiday cheer while supporting local communities. On December 9th and 10th, patrons can contribute to their local food banks by bringing canned goods or non-perishable food items to any Imagine Cinemas location. As a gesture of appreciation, donors will be treated to a free screening of either “Polar Express” or “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” With all locations opening their doors at 10 AM and films starting promptly at 10:30 AM, this festival promises to be a heartwarming experience for attendees of all ages.

The Cans Film Festival will be held at various Imagine Cinemas locations across Ontario, including Lakeshore, London, Carlton, Market Square, Elgin Mills, Promenade, Sudbury, Keswick, Alliston, Timmins, and Southpoint. No matter where you are, there is a convenient location nearby for you to take part in this festive event and contribute to a worthy cause.

In its effort to make a meaningful impact on local communities, the Cans Film Festival will support several food banks, including the Windsor-Essex Food Bank Association, London Food Bank, Fort York Food Bank, Richmond Hill Community Food Bank, ANIDA Food Bank, Sudbury Food Bank, Georgina Community Food Pantry, Alliston Food Bank, and First Baptist Church Food Bank. By donating canned goods and non-perishable food items, attendees of the festival will be directly supporting these essential organizations and helping those in need during the holiday season.

Imagine Cinemas invites everyone to join in the spirit of giving and enjoy a heartwarming holiday film this season at the Cans Film Festival. By bringing canned goods or non-perishable food items to any Imagine Cinemas location on December 9th and 10th, patrons will not only be treated to a free screening of a festive classic but will also be making a tangible difference in their local communities. Let us come together, create lasting memories, and support those in need during this joyous time of year.

The post The Cans Film Festival – A Blend of Movies and Charity appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Toronto Winter Village

The Distillery District Christmas extravaganza is a festive rite of passage for Torontonians. Yes, it is busy, but boy is she cosy. For Hallmark movie style feels, the Winter Village is a must. It is outdoors so bring your cutest toques and berets, and make the most of the beautiful lights and MASSIVE Dior decorated tree. Came for Santa, stayed for the drinks? Yeah, same. Just joking, I came for the drinks alone. Toronto Winter Village has upped its game with its offering of cocktails (hot and cold) and an assortment of whisky flights. Yeah, flights of whisky; it’s a thing! Non alcoholic mixed drinks and, of course, hot chocolate are also available at the drinks huts. This is one bar you can bring your kids to, if you really want to. Aunty over here really does like to give them a wide berth, though.

Please note, the Winter Village is ticketed on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after 4:00 pm. 

Order: 

• Raspberry Gin White Hot Chocolate 
• Ontario-spiced apple cider and a sprinkle of cinnamon (Spirit-Free)

Thirsty Elf at the Fairmont Royal York

Back again for another year, the Thirsty Elf is always a smash hit, sell-out success. Reservations MUST be made in advance as this spot is super tiny. If Christmas threw up on a small-scale British pub, it would be something akin to the Thirsty Elf in the absolute most glorious way. Glassware is seasonally joyful and the cocktail menu, curated by the Fairmont’s director of mixology Rus Yessenov, is well balanced and delightful. Have you ever wanted to sip a drink from a Christmas ornament? Of course you have. The Thirsty Elf has you covered. Plus you get to venture into the stunning Fairmont property, replete with a beautifully lit tree and an underground Gingerbread walkway. 

Order: 

• The Naughty List
• Be Good For Goodness Sake (Spirit-Free)

Java Jingle at Little Sister 

Now across both Little Sister locations in Toronto, the Java Jingle brings the magic of yuletide to the two popular Dutch-Indonesian eateries. The pop-up cocktail bars have decked the halls with boughs of glitter and there is an extensive cocktail list with a lightly tiki skew. Playfully named drinks (e.g “Hot Girl Winter” and “Getting Blitzen”) will have you trolololing with your friends. The best news is that the food here is AMAZING. If you want to fill your bellies with snacks as well as laughter, Little Sister is serving Christmas at the beach vibes. 

Order: 

• Grinch Please
• Sumatra Spiced Beef Croquettes

Project Giggle Water 

One of the city’s best cocktail bars dials up the festive cheer each year by wrapping the whole place in christmas paper and filling the space with light-up, blow-up bears. The light show doesn’t stop at the decor either; a number of drinks on the menu come sporting disco ice cubes. The early 00s called to say hi, and we were here to receive it! Bringing pure merriment to Dundas West, Project Giggle Water is nestled in one of the city’s coolest neighbourhoods and is the perfect spot for post-dinner holiday drinks! While there isn’t a child in sight, the bar is donating $1 from every drink sold to Toys for Tots Canada

Order: 

• St Nick’s Secret Spritz
• Smash Burger

Miracle on Bloor St

OKAY WOWZA. This seasonal pop-up graces the city but once a year, however it is categorically the most magical place ON EARTH let alone in Toronto. Pioneered the team behind Civil Liberties, recently voted the Best Bar in Canada by World’s 50 Best Bars, excellent mixology is as high a focus as the flawless decor. There are so many iconic moments to be had in this floor-to-ceiling immersive Christmas space including a rather handsy bear, cocktails served in dinosaurs and fabulous Christmas drag performances. This year, Miracle have also teamed up with Glade candles on a series of festive scents, which means the whole place smells amazing too. Can I live here? Seriously, though. 

Order: 

• Grandma Got Run Over By A T-Rex
• Hot Buttered Rum

A very merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night drinking (responsibly, obvs).

 

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The post Top 5 Holiday Themed Bars in Toronto appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Savoury Holiday Leftovers Pot Pie

Yield: 6-8 servings

Prep Time: 15min
Cook Time: 30min
Total Time: 45min

Ingredients

– 1 Prepared pie crust
– 2 cups leftover cooked turkey or chicken, coarse chopped
– 1/2 cup leftover cooked ham, diced
– 4 cups leftover roasted vegetables (corn, peas, green beans, carrots, onions)
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
– 2 cups chicken stock
– 1 cup milk
– 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
– 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a cookie sheet with foil and place on the bottom rack of the oven to catch any drips from cooking.

2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour until combined and clumps start to form.

3. Gradually add in the chicken stock and the milk, whisking to blend, repeating until fully blended and smooth. Continue whisking until somewhat thickened, raising the heat slightly if needed, around 10-15 minutes. This will form a thick sauce.

4. Add leftover meat, vegetables, salt, and peppers. Cook about 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring until heated thoroughly. Add seasoning, salt and pepper, until desired.
Pour mixture into prepared pie pastry crust.

5. Roll second piece of pie pastry and top the pie, sealing the edges by pressing with your fingers. Use a knife to cut five 3-inch long vent slits across the top of the pastry.

6. Bake on middle rack, uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until crust is golden and the filling has begun to bubble.

Cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

The post Savoury Holiday Leftovers Pot Pie by Love Food Hate Waste Canada appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

CANADIAN GIFTS – Holiday Gift Guide

FABRIQ – $ Various

These speakers are awesome. We have a few of them at home and you can connect multiple speakers to your WiFi network and then select which ones to use for various situations. Have some in the living room, others in the kitchen. Control the speakers connected directly through your device or Spotify.

Check out our post with the founder.

We have a 20% off Promo Code for our readers. The promo code is ‘ToGuardian 20’ and will be valid on their website. The code is valid through the holiday season until December 31st, 2018.

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FANFIT GAMING

Toronto-based FanFit Gaming sells geek gifts with a heavy emphasis on classic gaming and pop culture. That includes: delightfully illustrated (and decently sized) console-themed mugs – Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, etc. – along with my personal favourite, the Super Nintendo Chalmers. Other highlights include greeting cards shaped like SNES controllers, an “Asteroids” iPhone case, and, for the kids, various Overwatch, League of Legends, and Minecraft swag. Their line of Neon Lights is also pretty nifty, if a tad on the expensive side.

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SHIRTPUNCH!

ShirtPunch has been around for a while – garnering endorsements from the likes of Kevin Smith, Ricky Gervais, and the late Stan Lee along the way – but we only recently discovered this Whitby-based apparel company. ShirtPunch specializes in one thing, and one thing only: artist-submitted pop culture fan art, custom printed on t-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, and the like. New designs are uploaded daily, largely consisting of tributes to beloved franchises, and many, many mashups of said franchises. You’ll find Zelda’s Link wielding the “Infinity Rupees”, a Tarot-style Sailor Moon sitting as the “High Priestess” , and tributes to Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Disney, Harry Potter, and other mega-franchises. My personal favourite is the Escher Sketch, with its very silly twist on a very famous illusion.

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AGA KHAN MUSEUM GIFT SHOP – Various

The Aga Khan Museum in Toronto has a lot of unique gifts at their shop. Check out their website for the full list of available items that range from books to decorative pieces.

View all the items on their website.

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IRON ROAD WEST: An Illustrated History of British Columbia’s Railways
by Derek Hayes – $34.99

“A wildly entertaining ride through British Columbia’s past, Iron Road West traces the development of the province through its rail lines, revealing the exciting frontier-like atmosphere as competing railways jockeyed for position through the difficult terrain. This is a stunning and intricate book full of archival images, maps and drawings, perfect not only for railway enthusiasts (and we all know one!), but for anyone with an interest in Canada’s history.”

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RUN LITTLE MONKEY – Various

I love the branding and designs from Run Little Monkey. A company that produces technical shirts made with an incredible blend of rayon from bamboo, cotton, and spandex/elastane. They are naturally eco-friendly, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, wicking, and, most importantly, luxuriously soft against your beautiful skin. Designed primarily for women, our sizing is also ego-friendly.

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THE CHEF’S PLATE – Various

For that budding home chef, this all-in-one meal kit provides main ingredients and instructions for creating a delicious meal. Impressive recipes are created, tried, and tested right in the company’s studio kitchen by expert chefs. There are even time-crunching 15 minute meal kits for the super busy. Subscriptions are available as are gift cards.

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KENSINGTON MARKET STREET FOOD – Various

Got a food lover in your household? Be sure to try Kensington Market Street Food’s line of products. Inspired by the diverse and unique global flavours in one of Toronto’s most curious neighbourhoods. You can read our article on them here.

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ENDY BEDDING – Various sizes

Canadian mattress brand has gone one step further to offer bedsheets, duvets and pillows. Thoughtfully designed for Canadians in mind. Our summers nights are hot and our winter nights are cool, so their R&D team created the ideal sheets to keep your body temperature comfortable. Little details also won us over including a stay-put elasticized edge on the fitted sheets. Need a new mattress? Endy also has a 100 night trial. Don’t like it? They’ll arrange for pick up and donate it to a local charity.

***BLITZ FACIAL BAR & Skincare: 

The popular facial bar has its own skin care line that’s made in Canada with all natural ingredients. The sheet masque continues to be a wildly successful at-home treatment for all ages. There are three available to choose from at affordable gifting prices or opt for a gift certificate for one of their signature treatments:

INTERNATIONAL GIFTS – Holiday Gift Guide

RECIPES FOR OLIVE OIL & VINEGAR LOVERS: The Boxed Set – $22 each

“A perfect gift for experienced and novice cooks alike, introducing the magnificent flavours of the Mediterranean and Middle East through the comfort of any home kitchen. Foodies will love learning about the rich, ancient cultures of Italy, Spain, Greece and Syria by using the mystifying powers of olive oil and vinegar.

Recipes include Spinach And Beef Stew with Aleppo Spice, Deep Dish Focaccia, Spiced Semolina Cake, Pumpkin Yam Moussaka, Grilled Peaches with Yogurt and Honey.”

GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS & GAMER’S EDITION – $19-$40

The Guinness Book of World Records’ latest release has a gaming version that showcases records based on video games. We found a few Toronto references in both books. Here are a few of them.

Drake: Most consecutive weeks on US singles chart (multiple singles)
Justin Bieber: Most weeks at No.1 in USA (single)
Evan Unger: Highest standing jump and the Highest standing jump on one leg.

Largest PAC-Man arcade machine: The Rec Room in Toronto has one of these.

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BRITBOX – $8.99

The streaming service for BBC and ITV is roughly $9 a month and has a lot of classic British TV and film. Black Adder, Boon, Classic Doctor Who, Cracker, Midsomer Murder and Red Dwarf are just some of the shows you could own for the monthly fee.

In order to actually “gift” a BritBox subscription, users can purchase a one-year subscription for $89.99. They you get a code that you can send to the recipient to use.

Check out their website.

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MONOPOLY GAME: CHEATERS EDITION – $29.99

This version of Monopoly is pretty fun. It comes with handcuffs that chain a player to the board. You only play with Hotels, rules are bent, money is borrowed, and funny business is welcomed. You can fake a die roll, steal money from the bank, and skip out on rent. Complete designated cheats to get a reward, but if you fail a cheat pay the price.

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BILL & TED’s MOST EXCELLENT COLORING BOOK – $21.99

It was announced that Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter will return as the most excellent duo Bill & Ted in an upcoming feature film. Celebrate the return with this fun collector’s colouring book.

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HOME CINEMA 2100 1080p 3LCD PROJECTOR – $999.99

We always talk about our preference for projectors. They have come down a lot in price for the quality and are a good way to minimize floor space used by mounting it on the ceiling. Who doesn’t want to watch their favourite film on a 10-foot screen? We found this projector to be a moderate choice that performs very well.

– Widescreen Full HD 1080p entertainment up to 11 feet or more (over 4x larger than a 60-inch flat panel)
– Built-in 10 W speaker and easy setup
– Colour accuracy: Up to 3x brighter[6]
-Enhanced projection technology for smooth, sharp, true-to-life images

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HUAWEI MATE20 PRO SMARTPHONE – $1200

We recently reviewed the most recent release by Huawei which aims to be the most competitive phone across all categories. Check out our review if you are looking to get an upgrade for a loved one, or yourself.

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SWAGTRON SNOWTIDE ‘SMART’ SKI AND SNOWBOARD HELMET – $149.99 USD

If you are looking for a new Ski/Snowboard helmet, be sure to check out this tech helmet from Swagtron.

Check out their website.

It features:

-Built-in Bluetooth Audio and Mic
-Two-Way Group Comms
-iOS/Android App Enabled
-One-Click PTT (Push to Talk)
-S.O.S. Alert System
-Anti-Loss Alarm
-15 Vents / Six Sliding Vents
-Dial-Adjustable Fit
-Goggle Guide and Strap Lock
-Removable / Washable Liner
-In-mold Construction (EPS + ABS)
-Battery: 16 hours (48 hours on standby)
-USB Charge Time: 2 Hours

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AMAZON ECHO SHOW (2nd Generation): $299.99

Our team is blown away with this next gen of this handy device. Great for office or home for daily updates, playing music and playlists, keeping you organized, watching shows, making lists, listening to audiobooks calling your contacts  and random musings – yep, just ask “Hey Alexa, tell me a joke”. It also connects with many smart home devices so you can see who’s at the front door. The size of a tablet but it’s meant to stay put and not be carried around. You won’t have to worry about it tipping over. The built-in speaker system is impressive and the design works well. Alexa is a conversation starter and she’s constantly adding new features. Comes in charcoal or sandstone colour.

Features:

• Vibrant 10″ HD screen
• Voice Control with far-field voice recognition with 8 microphones
• Bluetooth connectablity
• Dolby sound
• Hands-free video calling and messaging

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ROSE QUARTZ FACIAL ROLLER: $27.99

Facial rollers have been HOT items in the beauty segment recently but it’s actually nothing new. The roller (or versions of it) have been used for centuries in other cultures. Claims to help blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. Made with precious and semi precious stones, it’s a much loved beauty gadget that’s won over reviewers (us included) and beauty editors alike. We’ve been keeping an eye on them and noticed the prices have started coming to a more attainable level. We spotted this Rose Quartz  one on Amazon.ca.

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PORSCHE 911 RSR Collector Edition T-shirt $87

The luxury car company celebrates its 70th anniversary this year and for fans of the brand this limited edition Porsche 911 Motorsport collection edition t-shirt is a pretty cool gift.  Unisex T-Shirt featuring the Porsche 911 RSR. Comes in an exclusive tin box with a postcard. 100 % cotton.

THIS WORKS Deep Sleep Pillow Spray: $79.00 at Sephora.ca

One of our wellness writers brought a bottle of this on her travels recently and tells us it really does work! Spritzed onto pillows just before bedtime, its award-winning, natural, aromatherapeutic superblend of lavender, chamomile, and vetiver calms both mind and body helping to reduce sleep-associated anxiety and improve sleep quality.

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SWATCH Women’s Sparklelight Watch: $85

The golden dial catches the light with a gold-coloured dazzling ring sprinkled with Swarovski Crystals. It’s got just the right amount of twinkle for an everyday timepiece.

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FUJIFILM INSTAX SQ6: $115.60 on Amazon.ca(at time of publishing)

We love the square images that this instant camera creates. Auto exposure controls the lighting even in night scenes. Three modes help capture images and filters can also tint the colour of each shot. Takes two CR-2 Lithium batteries. Also available in other colours. Shown here is Blush Gold.

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