Looking to knock a few items off of your holiday shopping list? Why not start on campus! Check out the local and unique items available at U of G.
For your sweetie
Discover the sweet delight of U of G honey, harvested right on campus! You can find it at the Bookstore or explore a wide range of honey and beeswax products, including honeycomb, beeswax candles, educational materials, beeswax food wrap, lip balm, and more at the Honey Bee Research Centre’s online store. 100% of proceeds fund research for honey bee health.
For the latte lover
Start your morning with a signature Fair-Trade certified coffee blend that directly supports U of G students. The Gryphon ’64 Coffee blend is a dark roast made in partnership with Baden Coffee Co. and funds the #SupportGryphons campaign for the Guelph Student Foodbank. Gryphon Blend from Planet Bean is grown by indigenous women in Peru and Sumatra and supports Gryphon women’s athletics scholarships.
For the home chef
Bring U of G’s best and most beloved recipes into your home with the Cooking in Season cookbook! Featuring a collection of recipes created by U of G’s award-winning chefs, the cookbook inspires readers to cook with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients while learning the stories behind the dishes. All proceeds from the cookbook sales go toward the Student Food Bank, helping to support students in need. Available in soft cover and hard cover at The Bookstore.
For the foodie
Treat yourself or your loved ones to a delightful assortment of holiday desserts from the Creelman Bakeshop! Order a festive dessert bars box, a holiday cookie box, a seasonal charcuterie gift basket, or a holiday peppermint brownie gift basket by Dec. 13 at 5 p.m. $2 from each dessert box purchase goes to support the United Way.
For the apple of your eye
Spread some Providence Crabapple Jelly on anything from toast to dinner rolls to sandwiches and more for a flavourful burst of sweetness. This jelly was developed by Plant Agriculture prof Dr. John Cline at the Horticulture Research Station.
For the craft beer enthusiast
Gryphon Athletics and Wellington Brewery have partnered to bring back the Gryphon Gold, a crisp and refreshing Helles-style lager with an iconic can design that showcases the Gryphon. As part of the partnership, Wellington Brewery will make an annual gift to support the Gryphon Scholarship program which supports student athletes.
For the nature lover
From calendars to t-shirts, biodiversity sheets, biodiversity booklets, window decals, buttons, lanyards, bamboo mechanical pencils and more, the Arboretum has fantastic gift options. New this year, you’ll find a native conifers of Ontario sweatshirt and cute Arboretum tote bags. You can also give the gift of an Arboretum workshop about birds, trees, stars, gardening, international biodiversity hotspots and more! All proceeds support the Arboretum.
For the campus architecture buff
Get the most iconic U of G buildings emblazoned on a coaster set. The drawings of Johnston Hall, the Bullring, the portico, War Memorial Hall, and the OVC building were drawn by U of G alum Priyasha Mueller.
For the jokester
Delight your loved ones with a crew sweater featuring a festive design and “Guelf,” a cute play on words that makes a perfect unique holiday gift.
For the cozy vibe lover
Warm both your body and your heart with the U of G United Way hood! $5 from each sale of this luxuriously cozy hoodie goes towards the United Way. Check out the red hood, black hood, red crew or black crew.
For your bubbly bud
Enjoy bubble tea while creating less plastic waste! Give the gift of a reusable Glass Bubble Tea Cup with Straw Lid by ReTea. ReTea was founded by hub incubator entrepreneur Toby Zhou while studying at U of G.
For your closest colleague
What work colleague wouldn’t enjoy being treated to their choice of lunch or coffee on campus, or a treat at the Bookstore? Show your appreciation with a U of G gift card, available in $10, $25, $50 and $100 denominations. University gift cards can be purchased online or in-person at Chef’s Hall in the UC or at the University Bookstore.
For your community
U of G’s Student Volunteer Connections continues the tradition of the Holiday Giving Guide, formerly created by the People and Information Network (PIN). Browse the guide for a list of the needs of local charities and non-profits as they support vulnerable members of our community during the holidays. The guide includes cash donations to help purchase children’s Christmas presents, toiletry or clothing donations, or volunteers to help wrap gifts or support a community event.
For a former Gryphon
Several U of G alumni now own diverse companies with lots of innovative products! Get inspired with gift ideas from alumni-run businesses, curated by Alumni Affairs and Development.
For someone who wants to make an impact
Celebrate the joy of giving by making a meaningful donation to the University of Guelph in honor of someone special. Choose an area close to their heart—like student scholarships, groundbreaking research, or campus initiatives—and send them a personalized eCard to share how the gift is making a difference.
Make your gift today and set your eCard to deliver any time—even Christmas morning, and create lasting change.
What did we miss? Share other cool U of G gift ideas with campusnews@uoguelph.ca.