Holidays

Gift This Elevated Canadian Subscription Box For Mother’s Day (Win!)

April 12, 2022

The Gift Refinery (TGR), a curated and elevated Canadian subscription box that delivers quality, Canadian-made products right to your doorstep recently announced its Spring 2022 Box, and we think it’s the perfect gift for Mother’s Day! We chatted with TGR founder Jessica Avellino to learn more about the service, and are giving you a chance to win! —Noa Nichol

Hi Jess! Please tell us a bit about yourself to start?

Hello! I am the founder of The Gift Refinery (lovingly referred to as TGR). I adore travelling, coffee, wine, shopping—and of course, all things Canadian. My passion for discovering new Canadian brands is actually what led me down the path of entrepreneurship. Myself and my amazing husband are proudly raising two boys. While outwardly I’m a girls’ girl, you’ll catch a different side of me while I’m cheering our sons on at their hockey, basketball and soccer games! I’m grateful to be a part of a tight-knit local community, and make a point to give back in whatever way I can.

When and why did you launch The Gift Refinery? What niche were/are you aiming to fill?

TGR evolved out of my love of shopping local and sharing the stories and products of the many amazing Canadian artisans and brands that I would discover. I found myself always in pursuit of the next up-and-coming Canadian brand and felt connected to the founders’ stories and wanted to share their amazing stories and products with others. What began as an idea to offer a modern take on gift boxes + baskets quickly transformed (after a few glasses of wine!) into a dream to create The Gift Refinery. Today TGR is an elevated subscription box and conscious lifestyle brand offering Canadian babes access to products that align with their values, and an opportunity to give back to Canadian charities. Today, TGR’s mission remains the same: to show our customers that supporting the Canadian community can be easy, chic and charitable.

How does the program work? Can people buy just one box, or is it a subscription service? How about gifting? What’s generally included in each box, how many items?

At TGR we offer Seasonal and Annual Subscriptions. Customers can also purchase the current season’s box as a One-Time Purchase, which is perfect if you want to try a box before subscribing to TGR. Our TGR Subscription boxes offer 7-10 full-sized lifestyle products which range from beauty, jewelry, wellness, pantry items and more. Each season is carefully curated so that the products play well together, giving the customer an immersive and cohesive collection to enjoy. The box is delivered straight to your door, and every new season promises over $200 in retail value. We also offer a line of one-time purchase boxes called TGRCares that are perfect for gifting to family, friends, loved ones and yourself!

We love that you feature all Canadian products; what are the criteria for the items that fill each box? Have you discovered some little-known gems along the way?

Each season we feature products from Canadian artisans and brands and when selecting products, we place a focus on items that are seasonally appropriate and well-designed, ethically sourced and sustainably packaged. When it comes to building brand partnerships, we recognize and celebrate diversity while deliberately working with founders from coast to coast. I’m always in search of something new and look towards unique collaboration opportunities to keep each seasonal box fresh and engaging for our TGR babes.

Tell us about the charitable “give back” component.

Each season a portion of our proceeds are donated to Noelle’s Gift, a local Sarnia Lambton non-profit organization that provides schools and established administrators access to funds for elementary and secondary school aged students that provide nutrition, clothing and educational equipment for families in need. Through our TGRCares line of boxes we have also donated to: Noelle’s Gift,  Food Banks Canada & That Girl’s Got Moxie, which is a local Sarnia Lambton non-profit organization that assists those undergoing cancer treatment.

Do the boxes have themes? What have been some of your favourites to put together?

I personally curate each TGR box, and I am incredibly passionate about sourcing products that offer our customers a unique and curated experience. I take so much joy and pride in putting every season together. Summer will always have a special place in my heart as the summer of 2019 was our first-ever season, but it truly feels like every new box just keeps getting better.

For the upcoming Spring 2022 box, what can we expect to find inside? Do you have a fave product that’s included in this one?

The TGR HelloSpring 2022 Box features products from seven amazing Canadian artisans and brands, including:

  1. Pixie Mood Rae Crossbody Bag (customers will receive one of the following surprise colours: Black, Desert Clay or Sand)
  2. Aira Release Multi Purpose Wash
  3. DermaTech Gold Sculpting Beauty Bar
  4. Dom. Rosemary Hand Sanitizer Spray
  5. Joya Two Dark Chocolate Bars with Lion’s Mane
  6. Voir Haircare Rhythm of the Rain Hair Mask
  7. Lunata Beauty Tame Me Gloss Serum

It’s totally impossible to play favourites! Each product that is included in the TGR Boxes is hand selected because I’ve fallen in love with it in some way … but there are a few details I’ve been obsessing over. I love that Pixie Mood’s Rae Crossbody Bags are made from recycled plastic bottles from the recycled vegan leather to the lining—such an innovative way to remain sustainable, and a gorgeous design. Another product that I was pleasantly surprised with is Dom and their Organic Rosemary Sanitizer Spray. It has a beautiful scent and I’m always reaching for it when I’m on the go. Lastly, Ruth the founder of Joya had me try her Dark Chocolate Bar with Lion’s Mane Mushroom. Not only is it amazingly delicious and made from premium ingredients, it’s also full of antioxidant rich, immune-supporting Lion’s mane mushroom extract. Based on the taste, I was shocked to learn that it only had 1 gram of sugar and was plant based. Their sustainable packaging is an added bonus! The list goes on and on. I love every single one of our Spring products and partners, and encourage you to learn more about each of them by visiting our Brand Partnerships Page!

thegiftrefinery.ca

Win! A $235 The Gift Refinery Spring 2022 Box!

Congrats Cheyenne M. of Montreal, QC, who will receive a $235 TGR Spring 2022 Box! Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadaily.ca. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.

share:

  1. Bonnie mccleery

    April 13th, 2022 at 9:04 am

    Would love to try this box!

  2. laurel jones

    April 13th, 2022 at 9:14 am

    Joya Two Dark Chocolate Bars with Lion’s Mane
    @rosehavenca

  3. Pnina

    April 13th, 2022 at 9:17 am

    Would like to try

    @xmontrealer4

  4. Jan Griese

    April 13th, 2022 at 9:20 am

    I’d love to try the Derma Trek. @try.painting

  5. Mary Davies

    April 13th, 2022 at 9:27 am

    Would love to try the Aira Release Multi purpose wash.Thanks for the chance @maximary1120

  6. Lisa

    April 13th, 2022 at 9:35 am

    Voir scalp mask @mama_to_oli

  7. Myrna Johnson

    April 13th, 2022 at 9:36 am

    Great combination in giveaway.
    Would like to try Aira Release Multi Purpose Wash

  8. Julia D.

    April 13th, 2022 at 10:01 am

    DermaTech sculpting beauty bar! IG: @juelzdinh

  9. Catrina Lyttle

    April 13th, 2022 at 10:07 am

    Would love to try the hair masque and scalp detoxify!
    @aliceltranty on IG

  10. Kerry

    April 13th, 2022 at 10:23 am

    I’d love to try the hair serum for my frizz in Cambridge, ON

  11. Sharon

    April 13th, 2022 at 11:07 am

    Lunata Beauty Tame Me Gloss Serum Sounds intriguing. Then again so do the Joya Dark Chocolate bars.

  12. Florence Cochrane

    April 13th, 2022 at 11:38 am

    The chocolate bar sound definitely! @fossie55

  13. @tatdewar

    April 13th, 2022 at 11:39 am

    Would love to try the DermaTech Gold Sculpting Beauty Bar

  14. Lana Hood @PrairieLoon Insta

    April 13th, 2022 at 12:56 pm

    I would like to try the DermaTech Gold Sculpting Beauty Bar

    @PrairieLoon on Insta

  15. Rosalie Reeves

    April 13th, 2022 at 1:23 pm

    The Pixie Mood Rae Crossbody bag would be an item that I would love to win! @oxo.cube

  16. carole taschereau

    April 13th, 2022 at 2:26 pm

    J’aimerais tant gagner afin de profiter de ce merveilleux prix! Merci…

  17. sandra Lebeau

    April 13th, 2022 at 2:32 pm

    Hair serum for my out of controll locks

  18. jean smith

    April 13th, 2022 at 2:34 pm

    Would love to thry the Pixie Mood Rae Crossbody Bag @julies1949

  19. Amanda Rowlands

    April 13th, 2022 at 4:05 pm

    I would love to try the Voir Haircare Rhythm of the Rain Hair Mask

  20. M Liz Beisel

    April 13th, 2022 at 4:37 pm

    I would be interested in trying the DOM. @akathenan

  21. Rebecca

    April 13th, 2022 at 6:36 pm

    Would love the cross body bag!

    @busibecca

  22. Monique L.S.

    April 13th, 2022 at 6:48 pm

    Interested in the Pixie Mood Rae Crossbody Bag. IG @minty_mo2020

  23. Mary

    April 13th, 2022 at 6:49 pm

    Aira Release Multi Purpose Wash
    @marylovestoronto

  24. Christina

    April 13th, 2022 at 7:19 pm

    I’d love to try the Pixie mood Rae Crossbody bag!

    @ccuma

  25. M. S. Thompson

    April 13th, 2022 at 9:06 pm

    Would love to try the Pixie Mood Rae Crossbody Bag.
    @SThompson788

  26. gwen ziegler

    April 13th, 2022 at 10:37 pm

    would love to try Aira Release Multi Purpose Wash

  27. Tabby72

    April 14th, 2022 at 6:45 am

    I’d like to try the Voir Haircare! @tabby_1972

  28. Amy liu

    April 14th, 2022 at 9:13 pm

    I would love to try the Pixie mood Rae crossbody bag, followed both IG account as @mllil604

  29. Emily Lyons

    April 15th, 2022 at 9:35 am

    Can’t wait to try the gloss serum!

    @elyonsway

  30. Rachel C.

    April 15th, 2022 at 10:35 am

    the joya chocolate looks delicious!

    @rachelanncartwright

  31. Elaine P

    April 15th, 2022 at 12:42 pm

    Would love the Pixie Mood Rae Crossbody bag ?
    @heartsinparadise

  32. Vanessa Ripley

    April 15th, 2022 at 4:34 pm

    The chocolate!

  33. Jackielou

    April 15th, 2022 at 6:17 pm

    I would love to try the voirhaircare❤️

  34. Carole D

    April 15th, 2022 at 6:44 pm

    I would love to try the DermaTech Gold Sculpting Beauty Bar

  35. Carole D

    April 15th, 2022 at 6:45 pm

    Forgot @alwayscraftingg

  36. Sandra Smith

    April 15th, 2022 at 8:03 pm

    I look forward to wearing Pixie Mood’s crossbody bag!????✅????

    slsmith_

  37. Victoria

    April 16th, 2022 at 7:05 am

    The lions mane chocolate looks awesome! @thevloh3

  38. Paula B

    April 16th, 2022 at 7:43 am

    Pixie Mood Rae Crossbody Bag

  39. Giovanna Daga

    April 16th, 2022 at 1:29 pm

    Would luv the Derma Tech @voyageurandstylista

  40. Rosanne Robinson

    April 16th, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    This box sounds amazing, love the Pixie Mood Rae Crossbody Bag & chocolates!
    @hillview37

  41. John Leung

    April 16th, 2022 at 7:44 pm

    Don’t know where to start but I’m sure my wife would love these from our kids. @iamjohnleung

  42. Lynn M

    April 17th, 2022 at 2:06 am

    Joya chocolate sounds great.
    arcticvixen007

  43. Shirley Ng

    April 17th, 2022 at 11:22 am

    Tame me serum

    shirlng22

  44. Tammy Klym-Wolfe

    April 17th, 2022 at 2:06 pm

    Definitely need the Pixie mood cross body bag so can stop carrying such a big purse or just my wallet around. Though very interested in the Voir Haircare Rhythm of the Rain Hair Mask and the Lunata Beauty Tame Me Gloss Serum!!

  45. Xu Li

    April 17th, 2022 at 8:57 pm

    cross body bag! @liangliangcanada

  46. Gloria Webber

    April 18th, 2022 at 11:32 am

    I would luv to try the Voir Haircare Rhythm of the Rain Hair Mask

  47. Gail Whitworth

    April 18th, 2022 at 1:19 pm

    Would love to try the hair masque and scalp detoxify!

  48. Alana LeSueur

    April 18th, 2022 at 4:19 pm

    I would like to try the purse by Pixie Mood Rae.. I have never owned a vegan leather purse, and so I have no idea just how well it will stand up to daily use… but in 2022, now is the time to do so. @diamondchick60

  49. Cheyenne

    April 18th, 2022 at 9:27 pm

    I would love to try this amazing box especially the Derma Tech skin device.

  50. l p

    April 19th, 2022 at 1:46 pm

    Pixie Mood Rae Crossbody Bag
    @asdsafel

  51. Lianne

    April 19th, 2022 at 9:05 pm

    Rhythm of the rain hair mask

    @lianne2014

  52. Michelle cox

    April 19th, 2022 at 11:31 pm

    The Dom Rosemary hand sanitizer spray 🙂

    @mcox12

  53. Eileen @604girl

    April 20th, 2022 at 7:01 pm

    I’m most keen on trying DermaTech’s Gold Sculpting Beauty Bar.
    @604girl

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