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Holiday Gifting Guide Part 2: Holiday Markets

Holiday Gifting Guide Part 2: Edmonton Holiday Markets

Welcome back to our deep dive into holiday gifting in Edmonton!  Last week, we shared our picks for places to find unique gifts.  This week, we’ll showcase some of the popular holiday markets for your holiday gift needs.  We guarantee you will love the experience of discovering local artisans and small sellers and leave with everything you want for the holidays.  Read to the end to find out how you can get free gas, dining cards and even a pre-paid credit card for your shopping getaway.

Signatures Butterdome Craft Sale

Over the last 30 years, this holiday show has become an Edmonton tradition and it is very easy to see why.  The huge sale has 220 vendors of literally all kinds – every aisle is a surprise, loaded with creative, colourful, and fine quality gift items. 

A couple of our favourites are Beary Berry Honey and Acorns and Oak Trees.

Beary Berry Honey as the name suggests, has honey and beeswax products and the flavoured honeys are HIGHLY recommended.  Get a jar of their cinnamon honey.  You will not be disappointed.  Acorns and Oak Trees makes stuffed toys, mittens and throw cushions all from thrifted and upcycled materials like cotton, wool, and even real fur.  Memory bears can also be ordered, and custom made from a piece of a loved one’s clothing.

Find our favourites, and make some for yourself, on your visit to the show which runs from December 2nd to the 5th.

Royal Bison Art and Craft Fair

The Royal Bison has been promoting authentic artisan goods from makers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and B.C. since 2007.  The twice-per-year event has vendors selling items like ceramics, textiles, paper goods, and many more.  Although like other markets’ vendors, the Royal Bison vendors put a spin on their items that are imaginative and totally different.  It’s something you just must see!  Vendors for the holiday market are still being selected, but some of our faves from past fairs are Genevieve Ongaro of Material Culture (hand-pinched ceramic) and Naked & Frayed (embroidered items).

Go browse in-person during two weekends:  December 3rd to the 5th, and December 10th to the 12th.  Prefer an online shopping experience?  Online shopping is available from November 26th through to December 12thVisit their website for details.

Hand 2 Hand Handmade Market

This smaller, boutique market is held in the neighbourhood of Terwillegar on Edmonton’s south side.  This show is what you might refer to as a hidden gem.  Made up of around 60 vendors, the show came about from a partnership of 7 artisans who came together to create Hand2Hand for the purpose of showcasing artists and artisans in Edmonton.  Leave a little extra time to find parking as it might take a few minutes, but it will be worth it.  

Who do we love?   WoodsEdge makes cutting boards, charcuterie boards and trays from different kinds of wood.  Often, pieces are left with roughhewn edges and bark to show off the beauty of the wood.  Elle Richmann Artistry gives new life to old furniture and jewelry boxes.  Each item is refinished and painted in bright pastels or rich, brooding blues and purples.  Pops of colour from images of flowers and birds are added as the final touch.

Unlike the other markets, Hand2Hand is on for just ONE day, November 20th.  Visit their Event Bright page to book your timed-entry ticket so that you don’t miss this very special event.

Mill Woods Town Centre Mainstreet Holiday PopUp Market

Over at the Mill Woods Town Centre will have a fantastic market for two full weeks from December 1st to the 14th.  As many as 32 local artisans will be featured with a curated selection of items, in a dedicated storefront on the southside of the mall.  Local and handmade items will include favourites like bath and beauty products, clothing and ornaments but since vendors are still being selected, there’s no telling exactly what wonders you’ll find.  Like with the other markets, we’ve picked a couple of favourites.

Baubles by Bellavie uses sterling silver and gemstones in a jewelry line that embodies chic style.  Easy to wear pieces with classic designs work just as well with casual wear as for work or evening.  Stunning oil paintings by Oksana Zhelisko are another must see.  Original still lifes, urban landscapes and more will make the ideal compliment to your home décor.  Prefer to choose your own work of art?  Commissions are available, too.

Keep an eye on the Mill Woods Town Centre Facebook page for more information.

Are there any other holiday markets or unique shops that we missed?  Share with us in the comments and we’ll include them in a future blog.  Speaking of future, we’ll have more holiday-themed content in the coming weeks, along with winter activities for the whole family.  Get it all dropped right into your inbox by signing up for our Insider emails.

Ready to get a holiday shopping getaway booked that includes gas, dining and a pre-paid Mastercard with the full deal?  Get these amazing extras with your hotel when you book the 1, 2, 3 Shopping Experience.

There’s a new deal coming every week, many available for a limited time and in limited quantities. The best way to get first notice is by signing up for our Insider emails below.

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Terms and Conditions

The “1,2, 3 Pick Your Rewards”, Terms and Conditions and Blackout Dates 

Rewards Program campaign dates

Reward package available to book from January 5, 2022 for stays to December 31, 2024 for rewards except for possible blackout dates. At present there are no blackout dates scheduled.

Rewards are subject to while supplies last.  Substitutions of equivalent kind, value may be made as necessary.  Rewards are non-transferable, no cash value, no cash back.

  • Rewards are non-transferable, non-exchangeable, have no cash value, no cash back.
  • Rewards cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion.
  • Reward deal is net non-commissionable.

Blackout dates

At present there are no blackout dates scheduled. 

In the event blackout dates are scheduled, any guest who makes a booking for a hotel stay during the blackout period prior to the blackout period being named will receive the rewards they are booked for. 

Rewards Program offerings

Book one night’s stay with Edmonton’s Best Hotels and receive your choice of one of three $50 rewards excluding blackout dates:

  • $50 Gas Card or
  • $50 Prepaid Mastercard, or
  • $50 Ultimate Dining Card

Book two night’s stay with Edmonton’s Best Hotels and receive your choice of one of five reward packages excluding blackout dates:

  • $150 prepaid MasterCard, or
  • $75 Gas card and $75 MasterCard, or
  • $75 Gas card and $75 Ultimate Dining Card, or

Book three night’s stay with Edmonton’s Best Hotels and receive your choice of one of four reward packages excluding blackout dates:

  • Three Night Reward 1: $225 Prepaid Mastercard
  • Three Night Reward 3: $75 Ultimate Dining Card + $75 Prepaid Mastercard + $75 Gas Card

One choice of reward per stay. 

Guest must be 18 years of age or older at time of redemption. 

Prepaid Mastercard’s can be used for online purchases only. In Canada, prepaid Mastercard’s cannot be used at any retail outlet (including your hotel) with point-of-sale systems.

Rewards distribution

Rewards will be emailed directly to guests within 48 hours of Edmonton’s Best Hotels confirming their check-in.  Rewards are not provided by the hotel’s front desk.   All rewards are sent electronically. 

Reservations

Guest must reserve a minimum of 24 hours prior to arrival.

Rewards are NOT available for reservations made less than 24 hours in advance of arrival.

Reservations made directly with hotels and not through Edmonton’s Best Hotels are not eligible for rewards. No exceptions. Rewards are only provided to guests who book through Edmonton’s Best Hotels online booking platform.  Booking reservation confirmations will have Edmonton’s Best Hotels branding on them. Rewards not provided for hotel reservations during specified blackout dates.

Reservations cannot be extended by hotels for additional rewards.

Guests may add a night to an existing one-night deal reservation and receive additional rewards if the request is made a minimum of 24 hours in advance of arrival.

Booking terms and conditions

Rewards provided for more than one night, must be for consecutive nights under one registration under one name at one property. In addition, no more than up to three consecutive nights will be honoured. If a guest checks in for three days and then checks out and re-checks in for the next day, this is considered a consecutive night booking even if the second booking is made at different hotel.  

There must be a minimum of three days between bookings.

Multiple reservations for the same person for the same night(s) is considered a double booking and only one of those bookings will be eligible for rewards. For example, if a guest books two nights on x and y date and then makes another two-night booking for the same dates at the same hotel or another hotel, EBH considers this a double booking and will honour rewards for only one of those bookings. 

Is there a limit on the number of bookings I make on different dates?  Edmonton Best Hotels welcomes repeat business.  Some of our guests visit Edmonton every month.  Please note as stated earlier there must be a minimum of three days between bookings. Please also note stated blackout dates.

Cancelling and date changes to reservations

If a guest wants to cancel or change the dates of their booking.

What if I want to cancel my booking?  Edmonton Best Hotels must cancel your booking (not the hotel).  If you want to cancel, contact info@edmh.ca and let us know.  We will cancel your booking and send you a cancellation number for your records.  Please do not cancel directly with the hotel.

What if I want to change the dates of my booking?  You must contact Edmonton Best Hotels at info@edmh.ca and let us know you want to make a date change.  Your original booking must be cancelled first.  You will receive a cancellation number for your records.  Then, you must rebook for your new dates.  The hotel nor Edmonton’s Best Hotels cannot make date changes to the original booking.  Please note this does not guarantee you will receive the same hotel rate when you rebook for different dates.

Any questions, please contact Edmonton Best Hotels at info@edmh.ca 

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