Brave Leather, a leather goods purveyor in Toronto that boasts designs handmade in Canada, has launched a make-your-own-belt service for people who require belts to keep their pants up (hey, some people don’t need them). There are many style options, like a zebra-striped number that says “Hey, welcome back from the Serangeti,” or, for the less adventurous, a brown belt. Everything is customizable, from the belt buckle to the stitching, but to those looking to advertise how much of a “QT LOLZ” they are around their waist: this is not that kind of business.

Every weekend we round up the highlights from the other websites in the St. Joseph Media family. Check them out, after the jump.

• Like the rest of the world, Fashion can’t seem to decide whether rising artist Lana Del Rey—who performed at Toronto’s Mod Club on Wednesday—is plastic or genuine, street or poetic, dramatic or earnest. At least on this much everyone can agree: the girl can dress herself. Read the entire story [Fashion] »

• Canadian Family examines the controversy over a $5 “baby tax” at a U.K. all-you-can-eat buffet. We’re pretty confused ourselves; there’s no way such a measly fee will keep those annoying scamps out. Read the entire story [Canadian Family] »

• Ottawa’s food editor Shawna Wagman presents her holiday wish list for those of an epicurean bent—if you can’t find these picks in Toronto, remember to check out our 19 fantastic finds for food and wine fanatics. See the list [Ottawa Magazine] »

• Last month we also showed off 19 perfect presents for the jet-setting cosmopolitan—meanwhile, the sneaks at Where were putting together a full 50 gifts for travel lovers. View the gallery [Where] »

• While stressed-out Torontonians are used to replacing time-consuming meals with potato chips, 20 Minute Supper Club offers two recipes that incorporate those crispy calories into actual food. See the recipes [20 Minute Supper Club] »

• As long as the bakeries of the world keep cranking out ludicrous and awe-inspiring cupcakes, we will never stop looking at cupcake galleries. WeddingBells has another 24 creations to admire, including replicas of popcorn buckets, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, pandas, cheeseburgers and black-eyed Susans. View the gallery [WeddingBells] »

• Every year Quill and Quire selects its favourite book covers. The picks from 2011 include a paint-by-numbers-inspired piece for Giller Prize winner Johanna Skibsrud’s latest and a supremely unsettling axe-toting woman for Alexi Zentner’s Touch. View the gallery [Quill and Quire] »

• The first ever Roller Derby World Cup is being held in Toronto this weekend, and Karen Aagaard makes an appeal in Torontoist for media coverage that looks past the players’ pseudonyms, appearances and amusingly banal day jobs and actually addresses, you know, the sport. Read the entire story [Torontoist] »

This Phonophone tabletop sound system ($600) was designed in Toronto by Science and Sons as an anachronistic alternative to electronic speakers. It hooks up directly to your iPhone’s ear buds and uses old-school gramophone technology to amplify the sound. Click here to see 20 other presents we picked out for working girls and Bay Street boys »

Available at scienceandsons.com.

Forget those multicoloured pod-based insta-macchiatos. This machine is for purists who like their coffee ground, tamped and pummelled with boiling water. $750 (tamper, $95). Check out 10 other gifts for the big spender »

Available at Green Beanery (565 Bloor St. W., 416-588-7700 ext. 248).

Sometimes looking like a tourist is unavoidable, but thankfully we’ve found these crumple-able maps ($20) that will at least save us the embarrassment of trying to neatly refold paper on a windy day (it’s not just embarrassing, it also takes a long time). These maps can take some abuse, but just remember that the scrunched-up ball in your pocket is a useful map, not garbage. Click here to see 18 other presents we picked out for the cosmopolitan »

Available at Type Books (427 Spadina Rd., 416-487-8973).

Despite its price tag ($1,875), Proenza Schouler’s PS1 is immensely popular among the city’s tastemakers. And here’s why: the suede is supple, the messenger bag size is exactly right, and the preppy look is still at the height of trendy. As such, it’s the perfect present for any gal. Click here to see 17 other presents we picked out for the ladies in our lives »

Available at Intermix (130 Bloor St. W., 416-925-0111) and The Room at The Bay (176 Yonge St., 416-861-6251).

By Fraser Abe, Karolyne Ellacott, Kevin Naulls and Mark Teo | Photography by Carlo Mendoza

For friends and family just moving into a new place or on the lookout for their next apartment, it’s nice to pick out gifts that will make those places feel like home. We scoured the city and found a fantastic hand-carved deer for a dose of Canadiana (it says, “Hey, I know I don’t live in a log cabin, but I can try”), a cord chair that beats those schoolhouse ones we used to think were cool and a selection of tchotchkes that aren’t likely to be re-gifted or simply tossed in the garbage.  Check out 30 great holiday gifts for the homeowner »

By Fraser Abe, Karolyne Ellacott, Kevin Naulls and Mark Teo | Photography by Carlo Mendoza

The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and we’ve tackled the ever-difficult task of narrowing down a list of items that would be perfect for the men, women and children in your life. We find it is always a big to-do finding that special something for the wine snob who likes to aerate his or her wine, but we’ve got it covered, and to spare moms, dads, uncles, aunts and friends from waiting in line for this year’s Tickle Me Elmo, we’ve found some cool options for rug rats that won’t break down and send a greedy child into a tantrum. Check out the 90 presents that make up our 2011 ultimate holiday gift guide »

By Fraser Abe, Karolyne Ellacott, Kevin Naulls and Mark Teo | Photography by Carlo Mendoza

The modern man is more complicated than the slipper-wearing, pipe-smoking, paper-reading image of yesteryear. This year’s gift guide reflects a different breed: instead of slippers, consider a pair of ultra-comfy cashmere socks from Harry Rosen, and while pipes are passé, a Siglo humidor will keep his cigars in pristine condition. But if you feel like embracing the stereotype for a moment, fear not—we still have a bottle-opening wrench for cracking a few brews before the big game. Check out 17 great holiday gifts for the modern man »

By Fraser Abe, Karolyne Ellacott, Kevin Naulls and Mark Teo | Photography by Carlo Mendoza

Any aspiring Tess McGills or Gordon Gekkos would be pleased to get any gift on our list for the Bay Street broker. There aren’t any miniaturized rock gardens, stress balls or Tiffany lamps because, let’s face it, we can do better than that. We’ve found a beautiful humidor to hold post-meeting cigars, a phonograph-shaped iPhone-docking system for when that Patrick Bateman–esque Walkman finally conks out, and a whisky decanter for when, um, the market crashes (or to celebrate—it’s up to him or her). Check out 21 amazing gifts for the executive on your list »

By Fraser Abe, Karolyne Ellacott, Kevin Naulls and Mark Teo | Photography by Carlo Mendoza

Pay no attention to what the advertisers tell you: there’s no gift “perfect for every woman in your life.” Still, we’re pretty sure discerning females will find a few things on this list to love. As the winter drags on, a Philip Lim muffler is sure to get a lot of use (and envious glares), and for women with a style all their own, we’ll show you where you can mix some custom fragrances. Finally, for that very special lady, we have a diamond necklace that won’t break the bank. Check out 18 gifts that are sure to make any gal smile »

By Fraser Abe, Karolyne Ellacott, Kevin Naulls and Mark Teo | Photography by Carlo Mendoza

Let’s face it: shopping for kids is hard. The fads change every few months, and while we admit some toys today are pretty darn cool, there are plenty we just don’t get. Thankfully, the classics never go out of style. We hand-picked some charming stuffed animals that are sure to be the highlight of any collection, plus an ash toboggan that will encourage your kid to actually go outside, if only to show it off. And while we love a Charlie Brown–esque Christmas, there’s plenty of modern stuff, too, like wall-climbing robots and a hoodie that transforms your precious tyke into a terrifying lizard. Check out the 20 treasures just for the tots »

By Fraser Abe, Karolyne Ellacott, Kevin Naulls and Mark Teo | Photography by Carlo Mendoza

Everyone needs to eat, but some people have more refined palates than others. For the wine snobs and fine diners in your life, we’ve compiled a list of great ideas for the at-home butcher, baker and boozer. Check out 19 fantastic finds for the foodie on your list »

By Fraser Abe, Karolyne Ellacott, Kevin Naulls and Mark Teo | Photography by Carlo Mendoza

There was a time where an adult would be embarrassed to ask for a limited-edition Green Lantern statuette in its original box, but the times have changed. Geekdom is in vogue right now, and while you won’t find any comic-book heroes on this list, we’ve got plenty of must-haves for high-end enthusiasts. Tinny ear buds have made most of us forget what real music sounds like, but audiophiles will love the quality of Urbanears headphones. Apple die-hards and casual users alike will appreciate a classy leather iPad case or an iPod dock shaped like a gramophone. These gifts will surprise the writer, photographer, future train conductor or, um, that kid who lives in your basement. Check out all 10 of the presents we picked »

By Fraser Abe, Karolyne Ellacott, Kevin Naulls and Mark Teo | Photography by Carlo Mendoza

We can’t all be glamorous jet-setters and playboys, skipping across the globe to test the slopes of Whistler, Kitzbühel and Les Arcs all in a single week. But for the trips your loved ones can take, they can do it in style with a high-performance pair of electric blue Salomon skis, a quality Olympus E-P3 camera and a sharp—and pocket-friendly—travel toothbrush. We even found some great maps that never crease no matter how much you abuse them (seriously). Check out all 19 of our travel and playtime essentials »