Give Cheer this Holiday Season with Unique Gifts from the LCBO

TORONTO, Nov. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - LCBO's GIVE CHEER holiday promotion taking place in more than 635 stores across Ontario helps make your holiday season shopping easier by offering many unique gifts for any adult on your holiday list.

"With more than 180 gift packs and many festive wine, beer and spirits products for every budget, LCBO offers a vast selection of gifts for everyone on your holiday list. Our knowledgeable staff can help you take the guesswork out of choosing holiday gifts by recommending the perfect products for hosting, gift giving and entertaining," says Nancy Cardinal, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing & Insights. "And for the hard-to-buy-for on your list, we have a great selection of gift cards - perfect and ready for giving." 

LCBO's complete festive assortment is located on the interactive gift finder at www.lcboholiday.com.  Recipes for holiday cocktails, alcohol-free Mocktails and helpful entertaining and hosting tips are also available on this microsite. Here are some of the top holiday gift picks from LCBO and vintages:

FOR WINE LOVERS:
Nothing says holiday entertaining and gifting like sparkling wine. The holiday period accounts for 33 per cent of annual LCBO Champagne and sparkling wine sales. Additionally, red wines are proving to be customer favourites from all regions - New World, Old World and local.

• Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Brut and Rosé Gift Pack - 2x750mL - $59.90
• Veuve Clicquot Ice Jacket - 750mL - $67.95
• The Dreaming Tree Duo Gift Pack - 2x750mL - $29.95
• Reif Estate Icewine and Ice Syrup Gift Pack - 100mL - $29.95
• Masi Masianco and Campofiorin Gift Pack - 2x750mL - $34.95

FOR GETTING INTO THE SPIRIT:
Consumers are looking for deluxe vodkas for entertaining as well as amber and spiced rums for cold weather cocktails. Single Malt Scotches top many wish lists this year, while decadent liqueurs make dessert a snap when entertaining friends and family.

• Criollo Chocolate Sea Salted Caramel Liquor - 375mL - $19.95
• Aberlour 12-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky - 750mL - $58.95
• Crystal Head Vodka Rolling Stones Gift Pack - 750mL - $99.95
• Bacardi Reserva Limitada - 750mL - $119.95

BREWS FOR THE CRAFTY:
Premium imported brands and specialty craft beers continue to grow in popularity. Craft beer sales have grown by more than 335 per cent in the past five years, while sales of Ontario craft beer grew 28 per cent over last year.

• Ontario Craft Beer 2013 Brewmaster's Choice Discovery 6-pack - 4x341mL, 2x355mL - $13.50
• Wychwood Brewery Beers of Character Collection - 4x500mL - $12.95
• St. Ambroise Vintage Ale 3-pack - 3x341mL - $17.95

COLLECTOR OR CONNOISSEUR, TRY VINTAGES:
For hard-to-buy-for people on your list, check out the vintages gift guide or visit www.vintages.com ˗ a mobile-friendly site providing great gift suggestions. Look for more assortment in large format bottles, perfect for holiday entertaining, and new sparkling wines.

• Belle Glos Las Alturas Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011 - 750mL - $44.95
• Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 - 750mL - $59.95
• Ornellaia 2010 Anniversary bottle - 750mL - $189.95
• Armand de Brignac Brut Rosé Champagne in a lacquered gift box - 750mL - $594.95

Gift cards are one of the most popular and convenient choices for gift giving, with 54 per cent of all LCBO gift card sales happening during holiday season. Last November and December, gift card sales rose more than 21 per cent to $34 million. LCBO and vintages gift cards are available in any denomination between $10 and $500 and can be purchased at more than 4,500 LCBO stores and approved retailers, including Shoppers Drug Mart, Shell, Walmart and Metro, or online at www.lcbo.com/giftcards.

LCBO holiday sales in 2012 totalled $624 million, representing nearly 14 per cent of last year's total business. Last December, the average LCBO customer spent $47 compared to $39 at other times in the year. December 21 and 22 were the busiest selling days for LCBO last year, with sales of $43 million and $40 million respectively. This year, LCBO expects December 23 to be the busiest shopping day.

To promote safe and memorable holiday celebrations, LCBO's Deflate the Elephant campaign is back again with online and in-store presence and a new TV ad, encouraging people to plan ahead, drink responsibly and to never consume alcohol when driving. This year, Ontarians are invited to enter the "Speak Up and Win" contest, at www.facebook.com/deflatetheelephant, for a chance to win the use of a new 2014 Kia Rondo for one year. Visit www.deflatetheelephant.com for responsible hosting tips, tools for home bartending and proper pouring, as well as alcohol-free Mocktail recipes.

Join our conversation through Facebook (www.facebook.com/LCBO) and Twitter (@LCBO) as we share gift ideas, new seasonal products, recipes, entertaining ideas and more throughout the holiday season.

For more information on the GIVE CHEER promotion, contact the toll-free, bilingual helloLCBO Contact Centre at 1-800-ONT-LCBO (668-5226) or online at www.hellolcbo.com. In Toronto, call 416 365-5900. They will be open for extended holiday hours on Sundays during November and December. The TTY number for people who are deaf or hard of hearing is 416 864-6898 or 1-800-361-3291. Customers can also access the LCBO website at www.lcbo.com and VINTAGES information at www.vintages.com. 

SOURCE: LCBO

Heather MacGregor, LCBO Media Relations Co-ordinator
Tel: [phone]; Cell: 416.587.3279; Email: [email protected]

Lauren Wolff, Wolff Public Relations                        
Tel. [phone]; Cell: 416.451.2061; Email: [email protected]