How do Ottawa gift basket services typically work?
These services source themed products, follow Ontario alcohol licensing rules, use courier or Canada Post delivery, and apply shipping limits for alcohol and international orders. Operations often differ from grocery-based gift programs in customization and compliance.
Warm Wishes Gifts was a gift basket retailer based in Ottawa, Ontario, serving customers across Canada, the United States, Europe, and Australia. Known locally as warm wishes, the company focused on curated gift baskets, gift boxes, and customizable orders for personal occasions, holidays, and corporate use. Its services were often associated with gift baskets Ottawa customers relied on for both local and long-distance delivery. Operations combined local courier delivery, Canada Post shipping, and regulated alcohol delivery under Ontario rules, including compliant handling of liquor gifts Canada. This overview documents how the retailer operated, including sourcing practices, alcohol licensing, delivery rules, and community involvement.
Editorial note: This article uses Warm Wishes Gifts as an example to explain how Ottawa-based gift basket services typically handled sourcing, alcohol delivery, shipping, and seasonal campaigns. Warm Wishes Gifts is no longer operating. The information below reflects how the business functioned during its active years and is presented for reference and comparison purposes.
Location, Reach, and Online Presence
Item | Details |
|---|---|
Headquarters | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
Service Regions | Canada, United States, Europe, Australia |
Website | https://www.warmwishesgifts.ca |
Contact Phone | 613-248-9595 |
Contact Email |
Prices and timelines reflect historical listings and may differ from current market rates.
Product Philosophy and Sourcing
Warm Wishes Gifts described its work around four core ideas: creativity, quality, Canadian sourcing, and artisan production. The company developed themed baskets for a range of occasions, including christmas gift baskets, while also supporting customization through manual product selection. Vendors and artisans were reviewed individually, with products assessed for usability, visual design, durability, and taste. Alongside Canadian-made goods, some baskets featured premium food items such as godminster cheese 2kg, depending on availability and destination restrictions. This approach positioned the company closer to boutique gift services than mass-market retailers.
Beer, Wine, and Spirits – Licensing and Compliance
Ottawa-based gift basket services that offered alcohol typically operated under AGCO licensing. Warm Wishes Gifts followed this model, sourcing beer, wine, and spirits from LCBO-operated stores. Alcohol could be added to Canadian-bound orders, subject to legal drinking age requirements. One example of a commonly added item was Apothic Red, sometimes presented as part of an apothic red gift box, paired with food baskets for celebrations and business gifting. Deliveries outside Ontario used Canada Post’s Proof of Age service.
For customers, this meant:
- alcohol gifts complied with Ontario regulations
- proof of age was required at delivery
- selection depended on LCBO availability
- some items could not ship internationally
Featured Beer Addition: Beau’s Lug Tread Lagered Ale
This example illustrates how locally produced beer was included as an optional add-on within gift baskets, alongside wine and spirits, under Ontario alcohol delivery rules.
Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
Product | Beau’s Lug Tread Lagered Ale |
Price | $8 CAD |
Style | Kölsch-style ale |
Format | 473 mL can |
Origin | Ontario, Canada |
Alcohol | Must be legal drinking age |
Description | Gold-coloured beer with a rich head; flagship and award-winning product |
Alcohol Catalogue – Representative Selection
- Wine and Sparkling Wine: included brands such as Apothic, Ruffino, and Veuve Clicquot
- Spirits and Liqueurs: featured Canadian whisky, gin, vodka, and cream liqueurs
- Beer and Ready-to-Drink: offered local Ontario beers and ready-to-serve beverages
Delivery Options and Timeframes
Delivery services covered Ottawa and surrounding areas, with local courier delivery for houses and businesses and Canada Post Expedited Parcel for apartment buildings. The company also handled deliveries to Gatineau, making it a practical option for gift baskets Gatineau customers seeking cross-border regional service. Canada-wide and international shipping followed standard Canada Post timelines, with express options available for major Canadian cities. This approach differed from grocery-based gift programs, which often relied on centralized shipping and limited customization.
Delivery summary:
- Local Ottawa/Gatineau: courier + Canada Post
- Canada-wide: 3-8 business days
- U.S.: 4-6 business days
- International: limited, restrictions apply
- Same-day delivery: not available
What this means today:
Similar services operating now still face the same licensing and shipping constraints, especially for alcohol and cross-border orders.
Liquor-Specific Delivery Fees
Item | Fee |
|---|---|
Single bottle liquor delivery | $25 (includes packaging and gift note) |
Legal requirement | Proof of legal drinking age |
Address and Return Policies
Scenario | Fee / Policy |
|---|---|
Address correction | $15 |
Returned to sender | Canada Post return fees passed to sender |
Unclaimed packages | Return fees apply |
United States and International Shipping
United States
- Canada Post Expedited USA service
- Delivery time: approximately 4-6 business days
- Arrival dates not guaranteed
International Shipping
- Surface service: 3-5 weeks (no tracking)
- Air service: available upon request
- Phone contact required for air service quotes
Import Restrictions
- Cheese, meat, and alcohol cannot be shipped to most U.S. or international destinations
- Duties and taxes may apply at destination
- Orders may be refused for certain countries, with full refund issued
Warm Wishes Gifts used its blog to take part in Canadian events and social causes, not only to announce products. In August 2016, the company published content celebrating Canadian women’s achievements at the Rio Olympics, with specific recognition of Penny Oleksiak’s medal wins. The post framed these results as a moment of national pride and positioned the company as publicly supportive of Canadian athletes during a major international event, setting its editorial voice apart from more transactional content often associated with large retailers such as save on foods gift baskets.
The company also took part in environmental initiatives through seasonal campaigns. In April 2015, Warm Wishes Gifts partnered with the David Suzuki Foundation for Mother’s Day, offering a limited-edition card included with early orders. The initiative involved a $25 donation per order to support bee conservation efforts, along with seed paper cards designed to grow bee-friendly wildflowers. This campaign linked gifting with environmental awareness and reflected direct participation in a national conservation effort rather than a standard promotional activity. These posts show that the company used its platform for public engagement and cause-based initiatives, not only sales communication.
How to Use This Information
- To understand current Ottawa gift basket services
- To compare boutique vs grocery-based gifting
- To verify how alcohol delivery is regulated in Ontario