The Local Mile Box

What's in the box: A curated set of handcrafted Canadian goods such as gourmet pantry items, maple syrup, stoneware, wooden home pieces and candles, each credited to its maker.

The Local Mile Box is a Canadian gift box shop built on one idea: every item comes from a small Canadian maker. The range includes seasonal mystery boxes, themed gift boxes, a Welcome Baby collection, Send A Hug care boxes and custom closing gifts for realtors. Collections are split into under $100 and $100 to $200 price groups. The featured Autumn Morning Box costs $133 and shows the approach well. It holds pancake mix from Alberta, organic maple syrup from Quebec, a handmade stoneware mug set from Montreal, cherrywood coasters from Windsor and a soy candle, with Quebec roasted coffee as an option. The company says each of these boxes supports six small businesses and a charity. A greeting card carrying your personal note is included, and shipping is free within Canada. The sourcing is the main draw. The site names who made each item and where it was made, which many gift boxes do not do. The trade off is price, since handcrafted goods cost more than mass market fillers. The site also works more like a gift shop than a true subscription. It does not clearly describe a recurring plan, so if you want automatic regular deliveries, check with the company before you buy. You can ask about corporate and custom orders through the chat on the site.