Holiday gift guide

holiday alumni business directory 2

This holiday season support alumni-owned businesses, save with Purple Perks and travel the world with educational vacation packages!

Featured alumni-owned businesses

Apparel

  • Encircled - Owned by Kristi Soomer, BACS'03

    Direct-to-consumer eCommerce fashion with designs that are comfortable, high quality, stylish, and sustainable at fair prices, committed to ethical manufacturing with 100% of our clothing sewn locally in Toronto, Canada.

  • Five One Nine Clothing - Owned by Taylor Norris

    Clothing company run by young entrepreneurs, offering high quality and innovative products while giving back to the community. Save 15% with the code "PURPLEANDPROUD" (online only).

  • Live + Love Labels - Owned by Goretti Fordyce, BA'02

    Two mom and daughter duos created Life + Love Labels to empower everyone to thrive and express themselves. Save 10% off your first order when you subscribe to their email list.

  • Hairstrong - Owned by Nicole Baranowski, BA'19

    An adjustable, non-slip hair band that actually works and has been approved by the world's best athletes. Save 15% off your entire order with code "WESTERNALUM15".

  • Old North Co. - Owned by Mallory Kemp, BA'15

    Canadian lifestyle and pet accessory brand handcrafted in Ontario for your everyday adventures. Save 10% off your first order with the code "WESTERN"!

Food and beverage

  • beTeas Inc. - Owned by Michelle Pierce Hamilton, BA'93

    beTeas (Balanced Energy Teas) offers a uniquely curated collection of over 100 teas and tisanes. Save 10% off all teas and herbs with the code "WesternGrad10" (online only).

  • Canadian Barley Tea Company - Owned by Janice Ishizaka, BA'94

    The only organic roasted barley tea in Canada. Save 10% off with the code "WESTERN10".

  • Cafézia Coffee - Owned by Natalie White, HBA'17

    Premium organic coffee infused with the natural power of herbs. Save 10% discount with the code "ALUMNI" (online only).

  • Sidetrack: A Wortley Café - Owned by Mano Majumdar, MBA'16, and Richie Bloomfield, MBA'20

    London, Ontario café known for direct-trade, third-wave coffee and loose-leaf tea, baked goods (particularly bagel bombs), ice cream and cocoa, all sourced from local partners. EGift cards are available.

  • Buzz Bagels - Owned by Jeremy Glied-Beliak, BA'21

    London, Ontario gourmet bagel shop offering bagel sandwiches, coffee, smoothies, pastries and bagels by the dozen. EGift cards are available.

  • Island Chef Pepper Co - Owned by Vincent Capitano, BA'13

    A family-owned business selling handcrafted hot sauces, jellies and seasonings. Grads save 10% on their orders.

  • Marshall's Pasta and Bakery- Owned by Blake Marshall

    London, Ontario restaurant specializing in homemade Italian pasta and sauces, meatballs, lasagnas and sandwiches. EGift cards are available.

  • Mid-Day Squares - Owned by Jake Karls, BA'16

    Chocolate bars that are rich in protein and fibre and are made with real food ingredients. Save with code "WESTERN".

  • Organic Ocean Seafood Inc.- Dane Chauvel, MBA'84

    Sustainably harvested and responsibly produced seafood with a contactless home delivery service across Canada. Save 10% with the code "WESTALUMNI10".

  • Rheo Thompson Candies - Kristene Steed, BA'94

    Chocolatier and candy maker specializing in custom packaging, creating corporate gifts and putting smiles on faces.

  • Sunday Farms - Charlie Iscoe, HBA'09

    One of the largest direct-to-consumer providers of pasture-raised meat and wild-caught seafood in Ontario. Save $25 off your first order with the code "WESTERN25".

  • Symply Syrups - Maariyah Qazi, BA'18

    Flavoured syrups used for cocktails, tea, coffee and cooking. Save 5% with the code "SYMPLY-WESTERN".

Home and self-care

  • The Follicle Spa - Owned by Craig Robert Green, BEd'84

    Burlington, Ontario spa offering professional treatments in aesthetics, hair care, therapeutic message and reflexology. EGift cards are available.

  • Madmatters - Owned by Fred Wideman, HBA'86, and Caroline Wideman, BA'87

    Eco-friendly mats, rugs, runners and rug-making supplies.

  • Muskoka Honey Bee Products Inc. - Owned by Annmarie Boehm-Tapley, BA'88

    100% pure wildflower honey, artisan products and honey wine. Save 5% with your alumni card (in person only, excludes wine products).

  • Ode to Toy - Owned by Stacey Greenberg, HBA'05

    Pre-loved and new toys, children's books and sporting gear for up to 70% off of retail! All items are sanitized, cleaned, and ready for your kids to love.

  • Savons Koaino Soaps - Owned by Rebecca Meagher, BA'98

    Natural handmade soaps, eco-lip balms, bath bombs and more without the plastic pollution.

  • SowSweet Greetings - Owned by Renato Rossi, BA'16

    Greeting cards made from recycled paper embedded with wildflower seeds ready for planting.

  • Riverside Yarns - Owned by Josette deBrouwer, BA, Diplome de Francais Pratique'86

    Full range of knitting and crochet tools including Chia Goo interchangeable needles, fine European yarns, Canadian wool and classic British brands.

Jewelry

  • Bellchamber Rings - Owned by Jason Bellchamber, BA'95

    Custom jewellery and repair. Save 15% on custom jewellery or repairs.

  • Kimberfire - Owned by Jonathan Goldberg, HBA'06, MBA'09

    Engagement rings and diamond jewelry, with a unique Zoom-based process to assist alumni worldwide. Save 10% on any piece of ready-to-wear jewelry with code "WESTERN10" (online only).

  • Nash Jewellers- Owned by Colin R. Nash, BA'01

    London, Ontario jewellers providing "the ultimate jewellery experience". Save 10% off regular-price merchandise (excluding repair, appraisals and Rolex).

Pets

  • Kabo Fresh Dog Food - Owned by Zachary Bernardi, BMOS'13

    Delivering human-grade, cooked dog food all made and sourced in Canada shipped right to your door, with proportions based on your dog's profile. Get two weeks of food 50% off by using the code "WESTERN50".

  • The Good Paws - Owned by Rebecca Williams, BA'14

    Offering people and their pets bandanas, leashes, collars, paw balm, poop bag holders, crewneck sweatshirts, t-shirts, earrings, scrunchies and much more. Save 10% off with the code "WESTERNALUM".

Browse all of our alumni-owned businesses for more inspiration! Are you a business owner? Apply to be part of the Alumni Business Directory.

Featured Purple Perks

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Featured trips

 View all of the 2024 trips.