We are big fans of gifting experiences which is not only fun but creates lasting memories for the recipient. There are many options locally here whether it’s brewery tours, gourmet tours, dining and dancing, cooking classes and more. We have set out below a few of our favourites. We have included links which take you directly to each site to make gift giving that much easier.
Vancouver Brewery Tour – East Van Brewery Tour
Vancouver Brewery Tours does great brewery tours in and around East Vancouver and is a perfect gift for the beer lover. Vancouver Brewery Tours has regularly scheduled brewery tours which run approximately 3 hours.
Off The Eaten Track – Culinary Tours
Off The Eaten Track offers a number of culinary tours including Railtown Urban Eats Tour and Olympic Village Tour. Tours all begin at the Waterfront Station and times vary but are approximately 2 ½ hours for each.
Little Italy Food Tour – Taste Vancouver Food Tours
Commercial Drive is host to many delish food spots and Taste Vancouver Food Tours offers regularly culinary tours on The Drive Saturday afternoons from 2:00 to 4:30 pm. It starts at Fratelli’s Bakery and hits 8 spots. Cost is $79 per person and they are currently offering 15% off gift certificates.
Federico’s Supper Club – Dinner & Dancing
What about a gift certificate for an evening of dinner and dancing. Federico’s Supper Club offers amazing Italian food, wine and impeccable service. You will regularly find owner, Federico Fuoco, belting out tunes but they regularly bring in lots of local talent to mix things up.
Les Amis Du Fromage – Wine & Cheese Tasting
If you know someone that loves cheese, you may wish to consider purchasing a ticket(s) to one of Les Amis Du Fromage’s upcoming wine & cheese tasting classes. The regularly host tastings, but heads up, these classes do sell out quick. Alternatively, what about a gift certificate to use in store. Trying a variety of cheeses is certainly a delish experience and can get costly, so a gift card to this spot would be welcome in our Christmas stocking.
The Cultch, The York, Firehall Arts Centre – Live Theatre
There is some amazing live theatre that happens in East Van. Some productions are on now into the New Year at The Cultch, The York and the Firehall Arts Centre. Gift Certificate for an evening out makes a great gift.
Terminal City Glass – Glassblowing Workshop
Have a friend on the artistic side, or someone that wants to get in touch with their creative side? What about a gift certificate to a glassblowing workshop at Terminal City Glass? Terminal City Glass offers a host of classes including a Make A Heart Glassblowing Workshop February 1st that looks pretty cool.
The Gourmet Warehouse – Cooking Classes
Do you know someone that loves cooking, or wants to learn how to make easy meals. Gourmet Warehouse offers a wide variety of demonstration cooking classes for all skill levels and you get to eat what was made after class then shop in store with a discount. In the New Year, they are offering Healthy Choices on January 16th or learn how to make a Mexican Fiesta at Home on January 23rd although we have our eye on hands on class Crazy For Chocolate Class on February 5th. To purchase tickets, call the store at T: 604.253.3022 or visit Gourmet Warehouse online.
Park Board Gift Card – City of Vancouver
Are you buying a gift for a family? What about a Park Board Gift Card. Right now a $50 purchase gets you an additional $10 which the recipient can use at any local community centre to swim, skate, do yoga, play golf, take a cooking class, enroll kids in swimming lessons and much more.
These are just a few ideas, but there are many more. Know someone interested in yoga? Why not a gift certificate to a local yoga studio. For something on the artistic side, Collage Collage offers a wide range of craft making workshops for all big kids and wee ones as does 4 Cats on Main Street. The ideas are limitless and the memories are forever.

Richard Wolak of Vancouver Foodster is bringing back his 
OK I know many of you say it’s just a day on the calendar, and well to some extent, we have to agree. But it CAN be a day you show someone they hold a special place in your life. It doesn’t need to be romantic. It can be a dear friend, a senior living alone, a pet, the dog walker, your favourite teacher. Honestly, who doesn’t like to feel special and know that someone was thinking about them? With that in mind, we are going to set a few things that are happening that you can or cannot participate in that is happening in and around Valentine’s in East Vancouver for big kids and little ones.
It’s that time of year when gift giving is front of mind for the holiday season. We love to receive thoughtful gifts over the holiday season, but with more people downsizing and living in condos, space becomes an issue. Thus, over the years we have been fans of giving the gift of experience. Not only is it fun, but you are also creating memories, not just for the few minutes you are opening your gift, but for the many hours while the recipient enjoys the gifted experience. In East Vancouver, there are some great options for gifting an experience. We have set out below a sampling of ideas that speak to us.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and we know that a number of people are opposed to the day itself in principal because really for those you love and care about, you shouldn’t need a reminder one day of the year to express yourself. But this year, to be honest, I think we could all use a little love. With world news being what it is these days, it’s rather disheartening, whether you are talking travel bans, or the recent events in Quebec and France. We could go on, but won’t. Instead, we’d prefer to focus on the positive and what you can do to make someone feel just a little bit better. It could mean buying or making something small for someone, or just taking some time out to spend with someone. It could be a dinner for two with your partner in life, or your best friend or maybe a new friend. It could be as simple as a sweet treat and a card, a single flower or plant, a coffee/tea/cocktail or dog walk in the park, or doing something kind for a stranger. No matter the what, it is the action in doing and saying I value you and honestly, we think we could all use a bit of these days. So we’ve set out just a few ideas and some local businesses you can support while at the same time making someone feel special.
It’s that time of year when gift giving is front of mind for the holiday season.





