Amaranth Staff Holiday Picks: What We’re Loving This Season
This year, we asked a few members of our team four festive questions:
-What product from Amaranth is part of your daily life?
-What’s an underrated stocking stuffer?
-What’s your top gift idea?
-What treats are you bringing to your Christmas celebrations?
Here’s what they had to say:
Sigrid — Grocery Category Manager
Daily Essential You Can’t Live Without
Chickadee Organic Italian Spices
“It’s the best Italian spice blend I’ve ever had. The herbs are grown on a farm near Flatbush, AB and dried so perfectly that they stay bright green and full of flavour. I also love The Gathering Place Poultry Blend — both make everything taste incredible.”
Underrated Stocking Stuffer
Local Coffee Beans
“A bag of good-quality local coffee is practical and delicious. Eclipse Coffee is my favourite, but we have other amazing roasters like Oso Negro, High Horse, and Canadian Heritage.”
Top Gift Idea
Honey Candles
“These Alberta-made beeswax candles are so beautiful. This year we have Mulling Spice scents made with natural oils — such a lovely seasonal gift.”
Christmas Treat Picks
Schar Speculoos Cookies + Homestead Stollen
“The Speculoos are thin, crispy, and perfect with tea or coffee. The Stollen from Homestead is my favourite Christmas breakfast — soft, with dried fruit and marzipan inside. Kristen is an incredible baker!”
Makayla — Assistant Category Manager Wellness
Daily Essentials You Can’t Live Without
Nature’s Farm Free-Range Eggs
“Eggs on toast is my go-to breakfast, and I often pair them with L’Ancêtre Mozzarella and Homestead sourdough.”
Aida’s Mouhammara
“Beyond delicious. I use it on everything — including breakfast!”
Himalaya Whitening Toothpaste
“My teeth feel so clean, and my dentist approves.”
Tanit Monoi Deodorant
“Smells amazing, lasts all day, and doesn’t stain clothes.”
78 Acres Chai Tallow Whip (Holiday Edition)
“Smells like icing and makes my skin unbelievably soft. Their infused tallow balms are next-level.”
Underrated Stocking Stuffer
Spice Blends
“We carry so many interesting ones (like Spice Merchant). Anyone who cooks will appreciate great spices.”
Top Gift Idea
Dr. Squatch or All Things Jill Soaps
“Soap is a classic, and we have such fun seasonal options.”
+ Moody Bee holiday lip balms — always a win.
Christmas Treat Picks
Rosemary crackers and GF options for cheese boards
Stuffed olives breaded and fried (using Kinnikinnick GF panko for mom!)
Eggnog — essential for lattes
Mulling Spice + Organic Connections Hibiscus to make Sorrel
“A delicious Caribbean holiday drink my partner introduced me to — tastes like mulled wine but made with hibiscus. So festive and so good!”
Jillian — Grocery Buyer
Daily Essentials You Can’t Live Without
G2G Protein Bars
“The best tasting protein bars ever — Almond Chocolate Chip is my favourite. Perfect breakfast when I’m busy.”
Nature’s Farm Free-Range Eggs
“Rich yolks and great flavour. I always keep the 30-pack on hand.”
78 Acre Woods Vanilla Cocoa Tallow Lip Balm
"I find it difficult to find lip balm to keep my lips moisturized, but this works wonders!"
Himalaya Mint Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste
"Leaves my mouth feeling clean and fresh, and keeps my teeth healthy."
Underrated Stocking Stuffer
Sourdough Starter Kits
“The sourdough craze never ended! We carry Better Basics, Breadtopia, Homestead, and Holy Kraut (including einkorn and GF options).”
Top Gift Idea
Twin Candle Co. seasonal scented candles - NEW
"Canadian, Local (Calgary), Women-owned, Non-toxic, fantastic scents; need I say more!?"
Compass Chocolates - NEW
"I met the owner & her husband this year, they are such lovely people; they focus on ethical sourcing & sustainability with their company. They make some of the best tasting chocolate I have ever had!"
Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes
"The perfect addition for your bath. Sooths muscles & joints & nourishes your skin."
Living Libations Best Skin Ever Serum
"You can use for cleansing and moisturizing. Multipurpose queen serum! My face feels moisturized and glows all day."
Christmas Treat Picks
Paneriso GF Bread Crumbs
“My go-to for our family’s meat stuffing recipe.”Winter’s Turkey Thigh Roast
“Perfect size for a dinner for two — and the best part: all dark meat.”Benjamin Bridge NA Piquette + Wild Folk Bee's Knees
“My favourite Canadian-made mocktails.”HOLYSH*T Ice Cream Sandwiches
“The new Amaranth collab flavour Applely Ever After tastes like apple crumble with ice cream — unreal.”
Because our team loves a lot of good things at Amaranth, here are a few extra picks that earned a special shoutout this season.
Please note: Not all products mentioned will be available at every Amaranth location, and some items may have limited stock during the holiday season.