Tricky Gifting Made Simple at Toronto Eaton Centre

A sponsored hip + urban girl post. 

Some people on my Christmas shopping list are so easy to buy for. My bestie who is a yogi / leadership strategist loves anything earthy, boho, good for your bod and the planet. My dad the foodie techie is another. I just get him the latest kitchen gadget and he’s good to go. Then, there are the tough ones. My cousin who is just a little bit of a label snob, for example. God love her but it’s all Chanel, Prada, Tom Ford. I can’t shop on the sales rack or she’ll accept it lovingly and then shove it to the back of her closet which is such a waste but I definitely don’t have the budget to hit her most frequented shops on Bloor so it’s always a challenge.

If you’ve got a challenging gift recipient on your list, Toronto Eaton Centre is the premiere destination in the city to make the hunt so much easier. With over 235 retailers to choose from and free gift wrap valet service to boot, you can find something fab for just about anyone on your list in record time.

To test the theory, I took on a major shopping challenge this weekend to find gifts for 3 very hard to find loved ones to show you just how easy it is to score major brownie points this holiday season:

The Young Fashionista

Trendy teens or tweens can be tough. They want the latest and practically live at the mall so it’s a challenge to find items they’ve love and don’t already own. My strategy here is to search for what I call trendy staples. Items that are on trend but easy to mix with basics and not as likely to go out of style next week. 

Mission Accomplished: I hit up Aritzia, Pink by Victoria Secret and French Connection where I found a great camo jacket, bejewelled backpacks and animal motif sweaters. Fun but functional as my little style maven can wear these pieces to school but also to the movies and just chillin’ with friends on the weekend. Wait. Do kids say chillin’ or is my 30s showing?

The Gear Loving Athlete

Being the opposite of sporty all my life, this is always a hard one for me. Can someone explain the difference between a cross trainer and a running shoe? I usually just pick based on colours I like best. To get the right gear for my athlete, I figured hitting the sports speciality shops at Toronto Eaton Centre were my best bet and I was totally right.

Mission Accomplished: Both the Nike Store and Foot Locker had super knowledgeable staff and I found great pieces with moisture wicking properties and light weight warmth that are great winter sports. They also happened to be super stylish... perhaps I should strap on those skis and get active myself?

The Label Savvy Friend

Remember that cousin I mentioned earlier? Well she might be sad to know she’s not getting Louboutins or Balenciaga bags this year -- Sorry cuz! However, I did score major success with a little creative thinking.

Mission Accomplished: Michael Kors is a great entry priced luxury label and I found great wristlets, phone accessories and wallets under $125. Sephora’s luxe beauty selection also has labels she loves like Gucci and Dior but in the form of perfume and polish which means I can gift her the brands she covets while still paying my mortgage. 

So there you have it 3 major gift giving challenges solved and I’m happy to report I had 3 items picked out, paid for and wrapped for free in less than 2 hours on a Saturday morning. If you’re looking for a one-stop shop Toronto Eaton Centre is sure to make your challenging gift shopping a breeze too with extended hours and that fabulous gift wrapping valet service being offered now through December 24th on Level 1 just outside of the Dundas station or at the valet kiosk in the Urban Eatery. With this service you actually drop your gifts off and can pick them up any time before the mall closes. A great way to free up your arms as you buy gifts throughout your visit.

To get you started I’ve giving one lucky winner over $300 in gifts I scored during my shopping challenge. The prize includes items from French Connection, Michael Kors and Aritzia and is perfect for the fashion lovers on your list. It comes already wrapped and ready to give!

To win, simply leave a comment with your biggest holiday gift giving challenge and your email address and one winner will be selected randomly on Friday, December 6th, 2013. Good Luck!

For more info on Toronto Eaton Centre including store info, shopping hours and details on gift wrapping valet and other holiday services visit Toronto Eaton Centre online at www.torontoeatoncentre.com follow them on twitter @toeatoncentre and like them on Facebook.

-- Tamika Auwai is our resident Style Editor, Shopping Enthusiast and Wardrobe Expert.