Monday, December 22, 2025
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kawarthaNOW.com's Keep It In The Kawarthas® is a choose local campaign that helps connect consumers with locally owned businesses in the greater Kawarthas area. kawarthaNOW.com is a locally owned independent media publisher. We choose and support locally owned businesses first.

From locally made gifts to holiday décor to hosting festive gatherings, locally owned independent small businesses on Water Street between Hunter and Simcoe streets in downtown Peterborough have you covered this holiday season, including Needles in the Hay, Watson & Lou, The Neighbourhood Vintage, Sweet Fern Floral Studio, and St Veronus and Bijoux Bar. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Shop the Boro: Find one-of-a-kind gifts and celebrate the holidays at the eclectic businesses of Water Street in downtown Peterborough

Megan Gallant -
Whether you're Christmas shopping or hosting a holiday celebration, these five businesses have you covered.
Give the gift of fresh cut flowers this holiday season by shopping at Sweet Fern Floral Studio on Water Street in downtown Peterborough. Owner and lead designer Angela McDonald offers stunning pre-made and custom floral arrangements and wrapped bouquets, including customizable holiday arrangements and centrepieces, as well as home décor, locally made art, and sweet treats to add to your gift or enhance your holiday celebration. (Photos courtesy of Sweet Fern Floral Studio)

Shop the Boro: Decorate your home with fresh cut flowers at Sweet Fern Floral Studio in downtown Peterborough

Megan Gallant -
From gift arrangements to stunning centrepieces, Angela McDonald's Water Street flower shop is blooming with festive finds.
Boardwalk Board Game Lounge in downtown Peterborough first opened its doors on November 29, 2018. Opened and operated by brothers Dylan and Connor Reinhart, over the past seven years the small business has more than doubled its board game collection, greatly expanded its food and drink menu, and welcomed thousands of visitors to connect and experience the nostalgia of playing board games. (Photo courtesy of Boardwalk Board Game Lounge)

Boardwalk Board Game Lounge celebrates seven years of bringing ‘nostalgic’ fun to downtown Peterborough

Megan Gallant -
With a library of over 700 games and a chef-crafted comfort food menu, brothers Dylan and Connor Reinhart have built a uniquely Peterborough take on the board game café.
Alicia Doris, owner of the award-winning Living Local Marketplace in Peterborough, has set up a Christmas Marketplace at Horlings Garden Centre in Selwyn until December 22, 2025. The boutique shop's home for the holidays offers a wide range of products from Canadian artisans and small businesses while crafting a holiday experience that includes beautiful Christmas displays, hot cider and cookies while you shop, and gift wrapping services, with both customizable and ready-made gift boxes available, including for corporate gifting. (Photo: Amy Zand / Elmwood & Baker)

Know Your Locals: Living Local Marketplace’s new home for the holidays offers a one-of-a-kind Christmas shopping experience

Megan Gallant -
Enjoy complimentary hot cider and candy cane shortbread cookies while shopping for Canadian-made products at Alicia Doris' Christmas Marketplace at Horlings Garden Centre in Selwyn.
The Neighbourhood Vintage at 391 Water Street in downtown Peterborough is the perfect shopping destination to find sustainable and trendy one-of-a-kind vintage gifts for women and men this holiday season. (Photo: Bryan Reid)

Shop the Boro: Find sustainable and trendy one-of-a-kind gifts at The Neighbourhood Vintage in downtown Peterborough

Megan Gallant -
Jacquelyn Craft's Water Street shop offers curated high-quality vintage clothing from a collective of vendors as well as vintage sunglasses and BAGGU bags.
Give the gift of local this holiday season by shopping at Watson & Lou on Water Street in downtown Peterborough. Focusing on products handmade by artists and makers in the Peterborough area and from across Canada, the shop features a wide selection of candles, bath products, jewellery, stationery, artwork, and holiday-themed goods. During the First Friday art crawl on December 5, 2025, shoppers are also invited to browse and purchase work by Watson & Lou studio members and featured artists. (Photo courtesy of Watson & Lou)

Shop the Boro: Find local handmade gifts this holiday season at Watson & Lou in downtown Peterborough

Megan Gallant -
Open 7 days a week during December, Katie Küntz's Water Street shop will also feature work from studio and visiting artists during the First Friday art crawl.
The Neighbourhood Vintage and First Friday Peterborough are teaming up once again to host the fourth annual Holiday Night Market, held in the Bankers Commons Courtyard off Water Street in downtown Peterborough on December 5, 2025. The outdoor market will feature 24 local artisans and makers selling art and homemade goods, as well as live music from five local musicians, and holiday treats and drinks from five downtown restaurants. (Photo: Luke Best)

First Friday Holiday Night Market returns to downtown Peterborough on December 5

Megan Gallant -
Outdoor market in the Bankers Commons Courtyard features 24 local artists and makers, four local musicians, and food and drink from five downtown restaurants.
At Needles in the Hay on Water Street in downtown Peterborough, owner Deanna Guttman has curated a collection of "Great Gifts for Makers" for the holiday shopping season, including this winter-themed pack of stitch markers from Canadian brand Firefly Notes. Other items in the collection include yarns, threads, project wallets, and other gifts that would appeal to fibre artists of all stripes. (Photo courtesy of Needles in the Hay)

Shop the Boro: Get hooked on fibre art gifts at Needles in the Hay in downtown Peterborough

Megan Gallant -
The Water Street yarn and fibre arts store will soon be launching new dates for beginner knitting and crocheting classes,
Established in 2003, Potash Creek Farms in Omemee is one of 11 tree farms located in or near the greater Kawarthas region where people can cut their own or buy pre-cut fresh, locally grown trees. Potash Creek Farms will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from November 29 until December 21, 2025. (Photo: Potash Creek Farms / Facebook)

Where to find cut-your-own and pre-cut Christmas trees in the Kawarthas

Megan Gallant -
With 11 farms already offering fresh locally grown trees, a new family Christmas tree farm is in the works in Douro-Dummer.
Married couple Shannon Mak and Roland Hosier are the creative forces behind the St Veronus Café & Tap Room and the annex bar Bijoux Bar in downtown Peterborough. While St Veronus takes pride in serving rare Belgium ales coupled with Belgium-inspired cuisine, Bijoux Bar offers an extensive wine list and original twists on classic cocktails. From holiday lunches and dinners to intimate cocktail parties, both locations offer a unique atmosphere for holiday gatherings. (Photo courtesy of St Veronus)

Shop the Boro: Host your holiday get-togethers at St Veronus and Bijoux Bar in downtown Peterborough

Megan Gallant -
Roland Hosier and Shannon Mak's side-by-side venues offer both Belgium-inspired dining and an intimate space for private functions.
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