January always feels like an in-between month. The holiday season is behind us, the rush has settled, and for a few weeks, everything just feels… quieter. It’s that space between what was and what’s next—the moment where I sit with a coffee in hand, reflecting on what we just accomplished and figuring out where we go from here.
This past year was a big one for Farmer’s Son Co. We took some risks, explored new ideas, and made some much-needed changes to how we do things. Some ideas took off. Some didn’t. And through it all, we kept learning.
It hit me recently that this is our ninth year in business. That means we’ve now made it through nine holiday seasons—which still doesn’t feel real. Nearly a decade of building, evolving, and figuring things out along the way. And if there’s one thing I’ve realized, it’s this: I’ve been holding back.
Since the earliest days, I’ve wanted Farmer’s Son Co. to be more than just candles, more than just a shoppe. I’ve always imagined a space that feels personal, intentional, and filled with beautiful, useful, well-crafted pieces—things that make your home feel just right.
And the truth is, the only thing that’s ever stopped me from fully leaning into that vision…was me.
That’s changing.
This year, we’re pushing forward. We’re evolving, making space for new ideas, and letting go of what no longer serves us. We’re refining our approach to fragrance, expanding the shoppe to include more home and gourmet goods, and making some long-overdue shifts behind the scenes.
Here’s what that looks like.
Bringing More Flavour to the Shoppe.
Last spring, we stepped into the world of gourmet foods and pantry staples, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But wow, so many folks showed up for it!
What started as a few carefully chosen pieces quickly grew into one of the most exciting areas of the shoppe. And then came the chocolate.
Never in my life did I think I’d be selling chocolate, but here we are. And honestly? It’s been so much fun. We’ve built relationships with incredible Canadian and European partners, bringing in handcrafted bars from Pancracio (Spain), single-origin chocolate from Marou (Vietnam) along with pantry staples from Favuzzi, a family-run company in Montreal sourcing from small farms across Europe.
And we’re not stopping.
This spring, we’re expanding our gourmet collection - more chocolate, more beautifully crafted pantry staples, more of those unexpected finds that you won’t see anywhere else in Winnipeg. We’re working on curated selections for fondue nights, charcuterie boards, and gourmet gifting - because food isn’t just food, it’s an experience.
The Evolution of Custom Gifting.
One of the things we learned over the past year is that people love gifting through Farmer’s Son Co.
We’ve offered pre-curated gift boxes, and while they’ve been well received, we noticed something- people want to build their own gift bundles / boxes. They want something personal, something that reflects the recipient in a meaningful way.
So, this spring, we’re introducing custom gifting in the shoppe. We’ve sourced a range of beautiful crates, baskets, and boxes, making it easy to pull together a thoughtful selection of candles, chocolates, linens, and other finds.
And online? We’re working on a way to make the build-a-gift experience seamless. More details to come, but just know - it’s happening.
Gifting should feel effortless, personal and beautiful. That’s the goal.
Bringing More Home & Entertaining Pieces Into the Mix.
Over the past year, we’ve noticed something: folks are drawn to well-made, thoughtfully designed home goods.
We started adding barware, table linens and serving pieces, and it's quickly become clear that this was something worth expanding. So, we’re doing just that.
I love hosting & entertaining - pulling together drinks, setting a space, making a night feel effortless. And I want the shoppe to reflect that same feeling.
This year, we’re bringing in more cocktail bitters, glassware, serving trays and bar tools - pieces that feel special but don’t break the bank. There’s something about walking into a shoppe, picking up a bar spoon or a set of cocktail glasses, feeling the weight of them in your hands, and knowing they were chosen with care. That’s the kind of experience we want to create.
Expanding Our Linen Collection.
Our linen collection has become one of my favourite parts of the shoppe. There’s something about well-made, beautifully textured linens that just feels right - whether it’s a set of tea towels hanging in the kitchen, a throw draped over a chair, or a linen robe you reach for first thing in the morning.
Later this spring, we’re bringing in a collection of beach throws and towels, designed for easy, effortless summer days. We’re also in the early stages of developing a collection of linen robes, something I’ve wanted to offer for a while now. And if all goes to plan, we may finally be launching linen bedding. It’s something I’ve been sitting with for a while, figuring out if it makes sense for Farmer’s Son Co., and I think it does. How will we add this in? I'm not sure, but I see opportunity.
Getting Our Hands in the Dirt: Garden Tools & Projects.
Last year, I introduced my garden hand tool collection, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But the response? Better than I ever could have imagined.
This year, we’re expanding our collection of garden tools and accessories, sourcing well-made, thoughtfully designed pieces that make working with plants feel even more enjoyable. I’ve got a few new tools and essentials on the way, and I’ll be sharing more about my own garden throughout the year. Gardening is more than just a hobby; it’s a form of therapy for many of us, myself included.
Living with the Seasons: Goods That Accompany Life’s Rhythms.
Each season brings new scents, new textures and new rituals - whether it’s lighting a candle on a crisp fall evening, gathering with friends around a summer table, or embracing the quiet stillness of winter with a hot coffee in hand.
This year, we’re curating seasonal goods that make the most of each moment. Spring will bring fresh, clean fragrances and lighter textiles. Summer will focus on effortless entertaining, time spent outdoors and easy beauty. Autumn is all about comfort - rich, layered scents, deeper tones, and warm, inviting spaces. And winter will be about candlelight, warmth, and reflection.
Fragrance: New Launches & Big Changes.
At the heart of Farmer’s Son Co. has always been fragrance. Scent is memory, comfort, atmosphere - it’s what turns a house into a home, what marks the shift between seasons, and what lingers long after a moment has passed. From day one, our focus has been on creating thoughtfully crafted home fragrances that are deeply personal, transportive, and unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere.
This year, we’re continuing to build on that foundation, introducing new fragrances while refining how we bring scent into your spaces.
This February, we’re launching two new spring fragrances: Blue Violet & Seedling. Both are bright, fresh, and deeply connected to the feeling of renewal that comes with early spring. Blue Violet is delicate yet complex - floral but grounded, evoking the first signs of greenery pushing through after winter. Seedling captures that moment in the season when everything is growing again, with earthy, dewy notes that feel alive, green, and full of potential.
We’re also releasing Spellbound, a limited-edition fragrance that leans into something a little deeper, a little moodier. It’s the kind of scent that lingers in the air long after you’ve left the room, something warm, textured, and just a bit hypnotic.
And after years of requests, we’re moving Grasslands into our year-round Signature Range. Grasslands has always been one of my personal favourites - a scent inspired by long prairie drives, the dry sweetness of sun-bleached grasses and the grounding, nostalgic feel of wide-open spaces. It’s been a seasonal piece for too long, and it’s time to make it a mainstay.
But new launches don’t stop there.
We’re going to continue experimenting, exploring, and crafting new fragrances throughout the year. Some scents come together in an instant; others take months - sometimes years - to get just right. And that’s something we love about the process.
Farmer’s Son Co. has never been about churning out mass-market candles with generic scents. We approach fragrance the same way a perfumer does - building layer by layer, balancing notes, creating something that feels like a moment in time, bottled.
In the months ahead, you’ll see more seasonal launches, more limited releases, and a continued focus on creating scents that tell a story.
And because scent is so much more than just candles, we’re also launching our first in-house incense collection this spring. Designed and handcrafted by our lead fragrance designer, Christopher Oates, these aren’t your average incense sticks. They’re hand-dipped, resin-coated, and created for an immersive, transportive scent experience - something that fills a room in a completely different way than a candle does.
We’re also revamping our charcoal incense collection with new packaging and expanded scent profiles, allowing us to explore different methods of burning and diffusing fragrance in the home.
Looking ahead, we’re already in development on new fragrance ideas, including some that push the boundaries of what home fragrance can be. We want to continue to explore the unexpected - to create scents that feel deeply personal, nostalgic, and emotional.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what scent is: a way to connect - to a memory, to a moment, to a feeling. And that’s what we’re committed to bringing into your spaces, season after season.
Oh, And We’re Moving.
I don’t know exactly where yet. I don’t know exactly when. But by late summer, Farmer’s Son Co. is getting a new home. We love our current space, but it’s time for something that better reflects where we’re headed.
Looking Ahead.
This year is about leaning in. Letting go of what no longer fits. Making space for new ideas, new experiences, and new ways to bring beauty into the everyday.
I’m excited for what’s ahead. And as always, thank you for being here, for supporting us, and for making Farmer’s Son Co. what it is today.
Here’s to what’s next.
I can't wait!
Cheers,
Dan
