The Canadian giftware and craft industries produce a vast array of products ranging from one-of-a-kind, handmade items to mass-produced souvenir-type items. Collectibles, costume and imitation jewellery, specialty food, art and decorative products, paper articles, home and garden articles and toys are just a few examples.

The industries are understood more in terms of their distribution channels than by the type of manufacturing technology. The same product marketed through one store (a department store), can be a housewares product and through another store (a high-end boutique) can be a gift. Because the definition of each product may vary, it is difficult to determine definitively the size of the industry.

The Canadian gift and craft industries are characterized by:

• a few major manufacturers who sell their products regionally, nationally and at international trade shows, and
• many artists and artisans who work at home and sell their products at community, regional and provincial gift and arts and crafts shows.

The increasing uptake of electronic commerce provides all Canadian producers of gifts and crafts the opportunity of expanding their market into the international realm.