Every year, as the holidays approach, I find myself craving a slow day of relaxation amongst the heightened busyness of the season. This year, I found that slow day at Thermea Spa Village Whitby, and I’m still thinking about it days later.

This year, instead of searching for something to wrap, we wanted to give each other a different kind of gift. Something we both needed more than anything else: time together.

I’ve gathered a list of local gift ideas that I’ve either given, received or bought for myself (this is your permission to give yourself a Christmas gift). I also included a lot of experience gifts, since that’s what I’m wanting the most these days.