When you’re looking for the perfect holiday gift, you can never go wrong with something sweet, salty, and made close to home. Atlantic Canada is bursting with incredible chocolate makers and snack brands, each with its own story, heritage, and unmistakable taste of the East Coast.

At Rising Tide Gifts, we work with hundreds of small businesses across the region, but these five are our go-to favourites when it comes to creating unforgettable gifts that people actually get excited to open.

Whether you’re curating a gift for a client, a friend across the country, or your entire team, here are five beloved local brands that capture the flavour and heart of Atlantic Canada.

1. COWS Creamery (PEI)

What started as a cheerful ice cream shop in Charlottetown has grown into one of Prince Edward Island’s most iconic brands, and one of our favourites to gift. Beyond their famous cones, COWS Creamery produces award-winning cheddar, rich sea-salt butter, indulgent fudge, and their latest obsession-worthy snack: Moo Crisps, made entirely from oven-baked cheddar.

Their cheeses, crafted using old-world techniques and 100% PEI milk, have won international awards for their depth of flavour and quality. Everything they create captures the character of the Island: rich, authentic, and proudly local.

We love adding COWS chocolate covered chips or Moo Crisps to our holiday boxes for a playful nod to PEI craftsmanship (and a little Island humour, too).

2. Ganong Bros. (NB)

No list of Atlantic Canadian favourites would be complete without Ganong, Canada’s oldest chocolate company. Founded in 1873 in St. Stephen, NB, Ganong has been delighting generations with Chicken Bones, Delecto Chocolates, and Pal-o-Mine bars, all still made right here in New Brunswick.

There’s something deeply nostalgic about Ganong; we hear it from customers every single day. It’s a brand that feels like family, still locally run and deeply tied to its roots. Including Ganong in a gift isn’t just about the chocolate; it’s about sharing a memory we all seem to have: the candy dish at your grandmother’s house, the familiar pink candy coating, the taste that instantly takes you home. You’ll find their classics featured in several of our Maritime-themed boxes this holiday season.

3. Peace by Chocolate (NS)

Few brands embody the spirit of Atlantic Canada quite like Peace by Chocolate. Founded by the Hadhad family after they immigrated to Nova Scotia from Syria, their story is one of resilience, community, and kindness. All values perfectly aligned with the welcoming heart of the Maritimes.

Their Nitap Bars, created in partnership with Indigenous communities, and their holiday boxed chocolates are thoughtful, conversation-starting gifts that are ideal for clients, teams, and anyone who could use a little extra sweetness (and light) this season.

4. Covered Bridge Potato Chips (NB)

Not every great gift has to be chocolate. Enter Covered Bridge Potato Chips, made in Hartland, NB. These kettle-cooked chips are thick, crunchy, and seasoned to perfection, from their collaboration bags with East Coast Lifestyle to the iconic Storm Chips.

Crafted from locally grown Russet potatoes, Covered Bridge proves that simple ingredients, handled with care, can create something extraordinary. We love including them in our shareable snack boxes because every chocolate deserves a salty sidekick.

5. Newfoundland Chocolate Company (NL)

From the colourful streets of St. John’s comes the Newfoundland Chocolate Company, a family-run business that has spent nearly two decades crafting small-batch chocolate that celebrates their province’s culture and coastline. This year, we brought in their chocolate bark and chocolate-covered honeycomb, and we are always impressed by their creativity and imagination. Every product is beautifully made and absolutely delicious.

❤️ Why We Love Gifting Local

Beyond the taste, there is something special about giving a gift filled with products made by real people from our region. Every treat has a story, and every purchase supports local families, farmers, and artisans. We are willing to bet that at least one of these brands brought back a fond memory for you, and we would love to hear what it was.

When you choose Atlantic Canadian products, you are doing more than giving something delicious. You are helping to sustain the makers and communities that make this region such a remarkable place to live. Each chocolate, cookie, and bag of chips carries a little piece of our shared story.

This holiday season, skip the generic gift baskets and send something that truly means something. Celebrate the creativity, craftsmanship, and heart that make Atlantic Canada shine.