Buy good things and keep them for life. We come back to this concept again and again during our design process and anytime we create something new at GOODLAND. It isn’t enough for something to be useful and beautiful—it also needs to last.
For the holiday season, we invite you to explore giving gifts that are designed to truly last. This doesn’t only help avoid some of the waste that can come with this time of the year, but also can help make sure your gift has a life-long impact.
When choosing a gift with longevity in mind, look at things like materials and construction. Using durable materials is important, but brands that prioritize high quality production are also those that are more likely to last. Looking into the building process, the attention to detail, and more can help give you insight into whether you can count on an object to stand the test of time.
Below, explore a selection of gift ideas, each chosen with longevity in mind.
A Quality Chore Jacket
A good chore jacket is something that you can have for life, becoming even more special with wear and tear. With roots as workwear from 19th century France, it’s also a timeless style—something that you can wear for years to come. We love the selection of quality, classic pieces at Canadian brand Rosa Rugosa. For a different take on the chore jacket, Olderbrother carries a changing selection of chore jackets, made in California with natural dyes.
A Weekend Getaway
Gifting an experience can have a lasting impact. It’s more than simply the experience itself—you’re also gifting a memory to look back on. Consider gifting an escape not too far away. For those in Vancouver, where GOODLAND’s design studio is based, we love escaping to the Trail House on Bowen Island—just a short ferry away. Or, check out Arro Dunes in Joshua Tree, or River Cabaan just outside of Portland.
An Everyday Mug
A thoughtfully chosen mug or cup can make every morning just a bit brighter, becoming a cherished object that lasts for years ahead. For coffee drinkers, there are few things better than the perfect ceramic mug—like this hand-thrown mug from British brand Tender, or a Hasami porcelain mug from Kinto. If you know they opt for tea in the mornings, consider selecting a tea cup in a shape and colour that suits them.
A Good Cookbook
The good cookbooks are the ones that are really used, and that really last. Where the pages are worn and covered with notes, where there are recipes perfect for everyday occasions. We’ve loved Matty Matheson’s newest cookbook—Soups, Salads, Sandwiches: A Cookbook. It’s one of those cookbooks that you flip through wanting to bookmark each page. (There’s also some great shots in there of Matty Matheson using his hot tub, which just so happens to be our Wood Burning Hot Tub).
A Made-to-Last Garden Hose
If you have a gardener in your life, consider gifting them something to make their time outdoors easier and more enjoyable. Our Everlasting Garden Hose has sold out multiple times for a reason—it’s kink-resistant, UV-resistant, and freeze-resistant, and made in Canada. Designed specifically to be the last garden hose you ever need to buy, it comes with a lifetime guarantee.
A Bird Feeder
Feeding local birds is an opportunity to tune with nature and the world around you. And, by gifting a bird feeder, you’re also gifting the experience of slowing down and connecting with nature. Our Wall Mounted Bird Feeder makes the perfect gift—it’s easy to mount it onto a wall, fence, or post, allowing it to work with a range of outdoor setups. Created in collaboration with Montreal-based Thom Fougere Studio, it’s as beautifully designed as it is functional.
A Warm Scarf
When cared for properly, a good scarf can last a lifetime. A well-made, cozy scarf also makes a great gift—if you live somewhere warm, it’s one that can be used right away. Looking into the materials and how it’s made can help make sure it’s one designed to last. We love the thick scarves from Canadian brand Kotn, or consider taking a look through a vintage or used clothing store near you to find something that’s just right.
Charlotte Boates
Charlotte is a writer who heads up the Journal at GOODLAND. She’s written extensively for a range publications on slow living, design, architecture, and more. A frequent traveler, Charlotte is driven by sharing meaningful and impactful stories that encourage us to become more aware of the world around us.
