What will my advent calendar give me on the first day of December?

A locally-made advent calendar showcasing products made by Edmonton entrepreneurs offers options beyond traditional chocolate.

“We try to do everything from sweet and savory items to everyday pantry items and kitchenware,” said Camilla Cuglietta, assistant buyer for the Italian Center in Edmonton.

Italian Center Shop’s annual advent calendar It sells out very quickly every year.

“On the first sales day of the calendar, when we sell, there are usually queues outside our stores, and we sell on the same day,” Cuglietta said. “We estimate we will sell out online within minutes.”

A number of Edmonton and Alberta-based businesses have advent calendars ranging from chocolate to wine and everything in between.

“We do a bubbly box…one rosé, three white wines, seven reds, all different styles,” said co-owner Juanita Roos. Color De Vino.

“It’s all unique, it’s all small production, it’s all things we believe in as a family here.”

If wine is not to your taste, coffee or tea may be to your taste. There is a calendar for everyone.

“I’m trying to bring as much of the local roasters as possible to some people who don’t know about them,” said Richard Lobb of the business’s own Local Roasted Calendars. advent calendar.

The local store movement has been gaining momentum in recent years.

In 2022, the Edmonton Downtown Business Association launched a gift card that can be used at more than 50 shops, restaurants and hospitality businesses downtown.

In October, Edmonton held a local store campaign to support the city’s small business community.

According to the city, Edmonton is home to more than 38,000 businesses, 95 per cent of which are small businesses.

The city says $66 of every $100 spent at a small local business stays in the local economy.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Evan Kenny