Max says: Every Christmas, I gift delicious treats to my all my friends and family. Over the years, I’ve tried catnip-flavoured candy canes, tree-ornament kibble balls and turkey giblets enrobed in dark chocolate. But while some of my edible pressies have been more popular than others––2017’s trout-flavoured figgy pudding was not a hit­­––I recently discovered some amazing goodies that send everyone I know into an incurable purring frenzy.

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Opening their warm and welcoming new café on Vancouver’s Main Street earlier this year, Sweet Thea is a near-legendary, family-run B.C. bakery that’s famous for making scrumptious breads, delightful pastries and irresistible treats for in-the-know locals. But during the holiday season, they also prepare what may be the region’s finest range of top-notch festive goodies.

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I recently visited the new café to browse my options, discovering shelves brimming with plump stollen loaves, ribbon-tied bags of chocolate-covered Honey Hearts and tempting little gift boxes filled with a variety of handmade holiday cookies. But my tail really began to twitch when I spotted the Sweet Thea fruitcakes, packaged in brightly coloured red or green wrappers.

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It’s not hard to find Christmas fruitcakes in local supermarkets. But not even starving shop mice would touch those sorry slabs of misery. In contrast, Sweet Thea’s version is a small-batch, made-from-scratch symphony of flavour that starts life in summer. That’s when the organic sour cherries are soaked in rum for hours on end (just like my Great Uncle Malcolm at his recent birthday party).

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Over time, almonds, orange peel, lemon zest, a hint of brandy and more are added, creating the kind of rich, eye-rollingly luscious cake that pleases even the pickiest of recipients. Which reminds me of my posh cousin Portia, a Persian who usually turns up her nose at my gifts. This year, when I delivered a Sweet Thea fruitcake to her penthouse apartment in Yaletown, she gobbled it down like a ravenous Cookie Monster. I’ve never heard a cat burp so loudly.

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It’s best, though, to take your time and slowly savour every juicy morsel of this best-in-show holiday cake. And you even get two options to choose from: one is a traditional fruitcake and the other is topped with a generous layer of delectable marzipan. Personally, the marzipan version is my favourite—and I’ve made sure to purchase a couple of extra ones for myself this year. I’m definitely not telling you where I’ve hidden them, though.

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Ready to buy?

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Head to Sweet Thea at 4789 Main Street to browse their full selection of baked holiday goodies and find your own gift-tastic treats for everyone on your 2024 pressie list (including yourself). And if you’re worried that I might grab them all before you arrive, you can also order from Sweet Thea’s website for UPS delivery or pick-up from their Main Street or Langley locations.