Shop NSCC

2024 Shop NSCC Alumni Gift Guide

This year’s Shop NSCC Gift Guide is sure to help you get the title of best gift giver. Use our curated list of cool gift ideas from talented alumni makers and entrepreneurs to get your holiday shopping done with style and feel good about supporting local.

African Accessories

Ova Afrique, founded and owned by Omolola Adeyemi (Office Admin '14, Business Admin '22), offers a selection of unique accessories that celebrate the beauty, diversity and vibrancy of the Afrocentric lifestyle. Shop the site to discover diverse styles in their Ankara and beaded bag selection.

Alcohol Ink Art

Want a gift for the art lover in your life? Consider one of a kind, hand painted alcohol ink artwork by Shae MacLean (AMCA '20, Graphic and Print Production '24). Using a relatively new medium, Shae creates vibrant, unique pieces of art. Take a peek at her online store.

Brilliant Bath & Body Goods

Give the gift of self-care this holiday season with handmade bath and body products from Angry Goose Candles and Bath. Jamie Wark (Business Admin ‘20) creates shampoo bars, soaps, beard oil, lotion and more to keep you looking dapper and smelling fantastic. Explore her products online.

Cozy Candles

You need to smell the candles by Alben Lane Candle Co., co-owned by best friends Becca Williams and Jess Douglas (Environmental Engineering Technology '17, Ocean Technology '19). On top of their amazing scents, sustainability is at the heart of their products with 100% soy wax candles hand poured in Halifax using all-Canadian, vegan, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly materials. Plus, you can return your empty candle jars to be reused for future candles and get a free candle for every five jars you return. Order your candle online.

Captivating Creations

As a multi-disciplinary Anishinaabe artist who’s a member of Wasauksing First Nation, Josh Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (Graphic Design ’14) creates a variety of captivating pieces, from artwork to award-winning children’s books. His books explore themes of language revitalization, ancestral knowledge sharing, and memory. We love his distinct artistic pieces that are rich in cultural and spiritual meaning. Check out his website to order stunning pieces of art and important cultural reads for kids.

Coffee with a Cause

Katie Lunn (Business Admin ‘19) founded Coffee Pro and Rescue Coffee to combine her two passions: coffee and animals. Rescue Coffee offers fair-trade organically grown coffee that is roasted in Canada and gives 10% of their profits to animal rescue organizations. Pop over to their website or a local partnering store to find the perfect blend, coffee accessory, or stylish swag for the caffeine fiend on your holiday shopping list.

Delicious Drinks

Ready to up your hosting game this holiday season? Coldstream Clear, a family-owned business run by siblings Olivia, Riley and Liam Giffen (Power Engineering Technology '18), offers a variety of coolers, spirits and beer. Their fun swag includes stylish clothes and drink accessories. Check out their website to explore the variety of goods, including festive beverage recipes.

Elegant Earrings

Handmade earrings are always a great gift idea for your dear ones who appreciate unique jewelry. Megan Watt (Office Admin ’11) makes beautiful, hypoallergenic earrings using 100% genuine leather (printed leather is vegan) and polymer clay with lead and nickel-free hardware. Pick out your favourite pair on her website or a store nearest you.

Local Lit

Want a page-turning, edge-of-your-seat book for the mystery lover in your life? Check out The Treasure Hunters Club: A Mystery by Tom Ryan (Screen Arts ’01), a rollicking murder mystery which has been named an instant bestseller in Canada and the US. Another must-read book released this fall is Atlantic Ghosts: Tales from the Haunted Coast by Bee Stanton (Applied Communication Arts ’08, Graphic Design ’09), a keepsake collection of supernatural folklore from Atlantic Canada with original pen-and-ink illustrations.

Handcrafted Home Decor

Have someone on your list who appreciates handmade goods? Head to Country Roads Rustic Décor’s website to order handmade decor, giftware, and wooden signs – plus there are many personalized options and creative DIY kits. Owned by Taylor Andrews (Continuing Care ’14), this business has unique pieces that are sure to be a hit.

Saporous Sea Salt

Sea salt farmers and lifelong partners Kim Kelly (Business Admin ’24) and Onya Hogan-Finlay have built a thriving business which received rave reviews in The New Yorker and Vogue. Following environmentally sound business practices, they offer a variety of sea salt blends, ritual salt, branded hats and fun bumper stickers. Browse their website or find a local store in Nova Scotia and beyond that carries their goodies.

Tranquil Treatments

A spa day is a wonderful way to relax, refresh and rejuvenate amidst the holiday hurrah. Visit Monique Gracie (Cosmetology '02, Business Admin '16), master esthetician and owner of Tranquility Spa, for a variety of tranquil treatments from manicures to facials. Check out the spa services available on her website and pick up a gift card or treat yourself.