Chocolate or china, sweet or sculpted, there's a gift for everyone on your list this Easter
Whether you’re brunching with family or attending a friend’s house party, you won’t want to arrive at this year's Easter celebration empty-handed. Luckily, Vancouver’s community of artisans and boutiques have wide range of alluring gifts on hand, perfect for any host or hostess. From chocolates galore for the sweet tooth to elegant tabletop decor, click through for our guide to Vancouver’s best Easter gifts
Praline Eggs from Beta5 Chocolate
Easter eggs have ascended to a whole new level of decadence at Beta5 Chocolates. The imaginative and highly skilled chocolatiers have hatched three types of praline eggs, each with a layered dark chocolate shell sure to instantly melt in your mouth. The first (pictured, left) is filled with a light, deliciously flaky mix of crispy wafers and praline of hazelnut and milk chocolate. The second (centre) holds a potpourri of almond, raspberry and white chocolate praline with marcona almonds and freeze-dried raspberries. The last (right) contains pumpkin seed and milk chocolate praline, finished with gently caramelized pumpkin seeds. Each impart a spectrum of flavours both bold and subtle that complement the smooth chocolate shell. $6 each, Beta5 Chocolates, 413 Industrial Avenue
Sculptural Bunny Spreaders from Williams-Sonoma
Inspired by bunnies that bounded through all those unforgettable vintage storybooks, this set of two bunny spreaders from Williams-Sonoma is made from hand-cast earthenware, glazed with white, atop stainless steel blades. What a fun way to butter your hot cross bun at Easter brunch! $19.95, Williams-Sonoma, 2903 Granville Street
Hoppi Dangling Rabbit from Atkinson's of Vancouver
Super soft and cuddly, the Hoppi Dangling Rabbit from Atkinson’s evokes memories of The Velveteen Rabbit. To resist squeezing the downy woven fur of this little critter is nearly impossible. The bonus? He’s washable, so those chocolate-covered Easter fingers aren't a concern. $126, Atkinson’s, 1501 West 6th Avenue
Mister Rabbit Book Tin from Purdy's
Think of your favourite bunny storybook that you read over and over throughout your childhood. Now imagine that it’s filled, not with pages, but with chocolate. A finer Easter tribute would be hard to find! The illustrated tin looks just like a book, but opens on a hinge to reveal an assortment of Purdy's finest milk and dark chocolates. Once all the chocolates have disappeared, the tin can be reused and admired for many Easters to come. $21, Purdy's Chocolates, various locations
Bunny Wagon Egg Cup from Pottery Barn
We all know the Easter Bunny’s an industrious fellow, and his work doesn’t stop at the table. Here he is dutifully hauling an egg, perhaps freshly boiled for Easter brunch, in his woven wagon of microwave- and dishwasher-safe stoneware. Who wouldn’t be delighted to receive such a practical and festive gift – especially one that could be put immediately to use? $9.50, Pottery Barn, 2600 Granville Street
Hot Cross Buns from Butter Baked Goods
Perhaps the most traditional of all Easter treats is the hot cross bun – and Butter Baked Goods makes a mean dozen. Baked until light and airy then glazed to perfection, these raisin- and cranberry-studded delights are pure bliss when eaten fresh out of the oven (but still incredible when cool, if they last that long). Tea time is a dream with one or two of these smothered in jam, dabbed with butter or topped with sharp white cheddar. Add a pot of jam or a wheel of fine cheese to a dozen hot cross buns and you’ve got a winning hostess gift. $3.25 each, $39 per dozen; Butter Baked Goods, 4907 Mackenzie Street
Coconut Egg Sculpture from Chez Cristophe
Chez Christophe is the place to go for an Easter gift that’s a work of art as much as a tasty treat. As usual, the chocolatier is hard at work making a variety of artistic chocolate Easter eggs, intricate lattice eggs made of 60 per cent dark Carma chocolate, and charming little Poulettes – chocolate hens with candy beak, eyes and wattles. The store is always filled with the aroma of buttery croissants and Parmigiano rosemary scones – great for Easter brunch. But one of Christophe's newest creations without a doubt takes the cake: the Coconut Egg Sculpture. Made entirely of chocolate with a brushed finish, the velvety outer egg and inner yellow egg get their colour from layers of rich cocoa butter. Inside lies even more chocolate bonbon surprises, so as beautiful as the sculpture is, you’ll definitely want to crack into it before long! $19.95 to $65 (small to extra-large sizes), Chez Christophe, 4712 Hastings Street in Burnaby
Yellow Duckling Plush from Papyrus
Daffodil-yellow with carrot-orange legs and beak, this plush ducky from Papyrus is a vision of spring. Bring him to your Easter party, and he’ll make a festive splash that his rubber counterparts could never pull off. Nestle him in a basket among a collection of chocolate eggs and jelly beans, or give him pride of place in the dinner table centerpiece. Wherever he sits, he’ll be an adorable Easter mascot. $12.95, Papyrus, Oakridge Centre, 650 West 41st Avenue; 765 Burrard Street
Milk Chocolate Jellybean Bark from Rogers' Chocolates
The ultimate combination of sweet and sour has landed at Rogers' Chocolates. To celebrate Easter, the company has crafted a decadent bark of milk chocolate made from 33 per cent cocoa and brightly coloured sour jelly beans. Eight delicious ounces of this playful Easter treat come wrapped in festive green and blue cellophane, trimmed with a soft green ribbon. Kids and adult jelly-bean lovers alike will be thrilled when the Easter bunny delivers such a colourful, tasty gift. $12.99, Rogers' Chocolates, various locations
Decorative Robin's Eggs from Pottery Barn
Easter eggs needn’t all be made of chocolate. Welcome spring and brighten up your holiday table with these delicate faux robin’s eggs from Pottery Barn. The pale, speckled paint finish completely disguises the Styrofoam underneath, giving them a realistic look and a durability that will last long after Easter. The set of 12 is ideal for arranging in a nest like the one above, along a mantelpiece or in a glass vase. Or include them in an Easter gift basket as a decorative touch – but be sure to distinguish them from the chocolate! $14.50, Pottery Barn, 2600 Granville Street
Jack Rabbit Chocolate Bomb from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
As if the Chocolate Bombs at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory aren’t magnificent enough, the company rolls out a special Easter version with the daintiest ears, eyes, nose, feet and tail. Each one is handmade, with a chocolate centre coated in caramel then coated in another layer of chocolate. The wide-eyed little icing faces, pink-toed feet and dolloped tail make it hard to decide where to take the first bite. If Jack Rabbit is simply too cute to eat, Rocky Mountain has a number of other bombs available in flavours like cheesecake, English toffee, espresso, cookies 'n' cream, and the exclusive tiger bomb, which has a chocolate and peanut butter centre that any PB lover would die for. $4.49 each, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, various locations
Bunny Hook from Nineteen Ten
The best type of decor is the kind that’s functional as well as aesthetically pleasing. This Bunny Hook from Nineteen Ten is both of these. Its long bunny ears, perked up at different angles, provide not only an elegant and realistic Easter-themed ornament, but also act as the ideal hook for coats, towels, bathrobes and bags. The textured antique brass gives it awarm vintage appeal, like a grandfatherly Peter Rabbit. $18, Nineteen Ten, 4366 Main Street
Peter Rabbit Apron from Williams-Sonoma
The mischievous Peter Rabbit has left Mr. McGregor’s garden for the holidays and munched his way into kitchens everywhere, courtesy of this charming children’s apron. The cotton-linen blend makes for a durable and comfortable apron that can be machine-washed without losing Peter’s colour. An adult-sized version is also available for Mom and Dad. $24.95, Williams-Sonoma, 2903 Granville Street
Bashful Cream Bunny from The Cross
With his soft floppy ears, the Bashful Bunny from The Cross makes the perfect Easter gift for even the newest babe. He also styles well as a guardian of chocolate treats in an Easter basket. Add a ribbon bow tie and he’ll be the handsomest guest at the party. $14.95, The Cross Décor & Design, 1198 Homer Street
Easter Egg Filled with Truffles from Gem Chocolates
The unique and exquisitely crafted eggs from Gem Chocolates are a much-anticipated seasonal treat here in Vancouver. Each year, founder and chocolatier Glenn Knowles designs a new series of peek-a-boo and speckled ggs that are a wonder to behold – and pure bliss to taste. Each egg is made from the finest tempered chocolate and filled with egg-shaped, cocoa-dusted truffles of vanilla bean ganache. Vegan? No problem – the folks at Gem are happy to fill the egg with their equally delicious vegan mint truffles. $22.95 each, Gem Chocolates, 2029 West 41st Avenue
Spring Tea Collection from David's Tea
All the juiciest flavours of spring are expertly blended into this seasonal David's Tea collection: the luscious, creamy sweetness of strawberry fields, the lightly floral elderflower spritz, and the ripe fruity notes of Berry Poppins, white nectarine and melon drop. Taken at the end of a fancy dinner or at a garden party amid freshly mown grass, these black, white and herbal teas denote renewal, refreshment and a celebration of spring. They’re a cleansing complement to an Easter feast, be it an eggs Benny brunch or a honey ham dinner. $27.50, David’s Tea, various locations
Bunny Bag from Purdy's
Give all the traditional favourites with this bundle of Purdy's classic Easter treats. Inside the handsomely printed bag, a milk chocolate lolly in the shape of a hare watches over a collection of mini foil-wrapped eggs with help from his friends, the white chocolate lamb and the milk chocolate frisky bunny. A handful of foil-wrapped milk chocolate bunnies and a fudge egg, made from rich chocolate fudge enrobed in dark chocolate, add even more chocolate fun to the flock. Truly a chocolate-lover’s favourite! $12, Purdy's Chocolates, various locations
Snuggle Bunny Wrap from Indigo
For many, Easter is a springtime celebration of new beginnings, of birth and rebirth. How appropriate then is this baby’s snuggle bunny wrap from Indigo? Its plush embrace is the sweetest gift you could give to a newborn who, with the eared hoodie on, is sure to elicit a chorus of aww's from the family. Destined to enliven this year’s Easter photos, this 100 per cent polyester wrap is machine-washable, and comes in blue, pink and cream. $24.50, Indigo, various locations
Chocolate Flowerpot from Thomas Haas
Some Easter creations are just as wonderful to admire as they are to eat – and the chocolate flowerpot from Thomas Haas is one of them. With such bright colours and beautiful sculpture, it’s hard to believe that almost the entire thing is made of chocolate. The bright yellow, solid chocolate duck sits googly-eyed atop a smooth chocolate flowerpot, the proud matriarch of several pastel-coloured Thomas Haas signature Easter eggs. $39, Thomas Haas Chocolates & Patisserie, 128-998 Harbourside Drive, North Vancouver; 2539 West Broadway