Each year my family does a holiday ornament exchange. We sit around the fireplace, draw names and go on a two-week mission to find the best possible ornament for our Kris Kringle. While this is one of my most loved family traditions, I noticed how year after year our trees were getting crowded with typical, albeit still beautiful, Hallmark ornaments. As much as I love all the ornaments I’ve collection over the years, my tree was starting to lose that tradition feeling it had when I was a kid.

A few years ago I went on a mission to find a unique, old-school ornament for my brother, and what I discovered changed my holiday shopping forever. I’m so excited to share with you all my best kept holiday secret, in two simple words. Are you ready for it? …RETRO FESTIVE! Once a year this magical store opens its doors to the public and invites you inside to discover a world of retro holiday style, housing everything from classic holiday ornaments to ugly sweaters to the most creative Christmas paraphernalia. For the ornament you never thought you’d find, for the widest selection of unique and fun holiday sweaters & pajamas or for a trip down memory lane, check out retrofestive.ca. With three locations in the GTA (one in Oakville, two in Toronto) and a booming online store, Retro Festive is quickly becoming Canada’s favourite retro-inspired holiday shopping destination.

I had the pleasure of attending this years’ Retro Festive grand opening last weekend, and I’m excited to bring you my Retro Festive experience. Sit back, pop in your favourite Christmas album (might I suggest Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas II You), and get ready to be whisked back to your childhood with a peek inside this store.

Stay tuned for my Retro Festive Holiday Ornament Guide, coming soon!

 

Shop the Retro Festive collection online here

If you prefer to shop in person, here is list of Retro Festive locations & hours:

Oakville Warehouse Store

1100 Invicta Drive, Unit 1

Oakville, ON L6H 2K9

HOURS (Open from November 1st, 2015 – December 24th, 2015)

Sat – Tues: 9am – 5pm

Wed – Fri: 9am – 7pm

 

Toronto Distillery District

Toronto Christmas Market

Distillery District (Kiosk)

Trinity Street

Toronto, ON

HOURS (Open from November 1st, 2015 – December 24th, 2015)

Tues – Fri: 9am – 5pm

Sat  – Sun: 9am – 7pm

 

Toronto Union Station

Union Station Holiday Market

John A MacDonald Square (Kiosk)

65 Front Street West

Toronto, ON

HOURS (Open from November 30th, 2015 – December 20th, 2015)

Mon – Fri: 7am – 7pm

Sat  – Sun: 10am – 6pm

*Only select items available at Market kiosk locations. Distillery District kiosk does not carry ugly sweaters. Union Station carries predominantly ugly sweaters. Full range of products available online and at Oakville location.

Thanks for stopping by! The Retro Festive Holiday Ornament Guide will be coming soon!

xo, Kiki