The Twelve Days of Muskoka - Christmas & Holiday Local Gift Guide :: Day 11

We really dig living in Muskoka. The area is home to many beautiful iconic features and creatures that have come to help symbolize Ontario and Canada as we know it. But one of features that we like the most is how inspiring it is to live amongst the many artisans and crafters - that have made this land of rock and water their home - as well the smaller businesses that have come to be part of the personality and character of the Muskoka we have come to know and love. Thus Twelve Days of Muskoka, inspired by Suburban Tourist's Twelve Days of Holiday Gift Giving, is meant to celebrate these people and their businesses as well as introduce you to some new gift giving ideas and remind you of some old favourites.

The Eleventh Day of Muskoka Christmas & Holiday Gift Giving Guide
The Nutty Chocolatier :: Huntsville

Most of us have come to expect chocolate at Christmas. Such treats have become a tradition for many. Stockings filled with milk chocolate, hard candy, and nuts are a delicious treat that most take delight in. A trip to the old fashioned chocolate, candy, and ice-cream store however is the stuff Yuletide dreams are made of! The Nutty Chocolatier in downtown Huntsville is one of the magical places we like to take visiting friends to during the summer... but at Christmas... it just becomes that much more special. Like stepping back in time, this shop of tasty treats has many hard-to-find childhood favourites and all the old classics. (Makobe really digs on the "chocolate frogs" whereas Fiona tends to favour the truffles and the "pecan puddles".)

The Nutty Chocolatier on Main St. in Huntsville

Their hot chocolate, on a cold wintery day is truly the perfect treat while you sit window-side in some old fashioned ice cream parlour chairs. Unique and imported items (like real English toffee) line the shelves. And specialty shaped chocolates in the form of tools, animals, shoes, and all sorts of other unique designs are a great edible gift and conversation starter - for any chocolate lover. You will be able to fill everyone's stockings while fulfilling their unique tastes too. There is even a selection of no sugar added products. Regardless of the time of year, this is definitely one of our family's favourite shops to frequent in Muskoka. We really dig it there!

Find out more about The Nutty Chocolatier franchise on their website: www.thenuttychocolatier.com - there are a few locations to choose from dotted on the map of Ontario.

The Twelve Days of Muskoka - Christmas & Holiday Local Gift Guide :: Day 4

We really dig living in Muskoka. The area is home to many beautiful iconic features and creatures that have come to help symbolize Ontario and Canada as we know it. But one of features that we like the most is how inspiring it is to live amongst the many artisans and crafters - that have made this land of rock and water their home - as well the smaller businesses that have come to be part of the personality and character of the Muskoka we have come to know and love. Thus Twelve Days of Muskoka, inspired by Suburban Tourist's Twelve Days of Holiday Gift Giving, is meant to celebrate these people and their businesses as well as introduce you to some new gift giving ideas and remind you of some old favourites.

The Fourth Day of Muskoka Christmas & Holiday Gift Giving Guide

Screen shot of the Shutterbug homepage.

Shutterbug Gallery

Kelly Holinshead

Kelly Holinshead is a professional photographer and the owner of The Shutterbug Gallery.  Her gallery showcases brilliant examples of her truly exceptional photography. She is one of Muskoka’s leading photographers with a strong reputation for excellence in fine art, wedding, portraiture, and commercial photography.

As described on the Shutterbug Gallery website: "Kelly’s signature fine art images incorporate a technique where she overlays various photographs of similar or varying subject matters, creating interesting and unusual textures and colors.   By implementing various photographic techniques, and shooting from unusual perspectives and angles, Kelly continually offers her viewers fresh views of iconic images."

Kelly photographs Mike in one of the Badger Shops

In all honesty, her artwork is enough to take anyone's breath away and make for excellent gifts for those on your list who are appreciative of fine art or photography.  Her line of "Shutterduds" clothing would fit the bill for many too. And her photography services would make for an excellent gift idea as well. We can personally vouch for her amazing abilities. Kelly was the photographer for the Muskoka Magazine feature done on our family business this past summer.

For those of you who do not know, our son Makobe has severe autism and it is hard to get a nice photo of his handsome face as he has a hard time posing naturally for the camera. He is also usually quite uncomfortable around strangers. But Kelly immediately put us all at ease with her lovely nature and personable manner. She took such wonderful photos of Makobe and our family, that we were quite (pleasantly) surprised. {See thumbnails of the pages of the magazine feature about Badger Paddles above} Kelly also made the experience so fun and positive that we will be sure to cherish the memories forever. Truly, when you thing about it, what better gift can you give than cherished memories?

Canoe, Kayak, Skiff & Boat Repairs in Huntsville, Ontario

Looking for Canoe or Kayak repair help?  Have an issue with your laminate or gelcoat?  Want to protect your canoe with new Kevlar skid plates... how about damaged gunwales or seats?  Or maybe you have an aluminum boat that needs some welding... then talk to John Gall.


For almost 2 decades, John (of Johnny's Boat Repairs in Huntsville Ontario), has been working intimately with fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon fiber, Royalex and aluminum, even specializing in thin laminate construction and repair.  From canoes to kayaks, to rowing shells, sailboats and skiffs; you can trust John to fix it!


Located in part of Ontario's cottage country, Johnny's Canoe & Kayak Repair Centre is the one stop boat repair place for when you are at the lake, the cottage or touring beautiful Muskoka.  You can't get any more convenient then that!

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John is also a canoe builder so he understands the makings of watercraft intimately.  He also understands that some of us don't have the time to do our best at maintenance.  That is why John offers the convenient service of "Annual Maintenance" and "Fleet Maintenance".

We all know properly maintained gear lasts the longest and if you want the job done right - sometimes it pays to invest in a professional.  And, it always pays to head off any slight damage with a repair before it gets serious.


After knowing John for many years now, we can vouch for his quality of work and experience.  His friendly personal service and special expertise will have you recommending him to your friends too!

For more information call

705-783-7141

or visit www.johnnysboatshop.com