The goodies here fall into the Brotherly Love vein (hand-drawn neighborhood maps, prints featuring neighborhood-centric designs) without veering into cheesiness. Everything is made in the Philadelphia area, so you're supporting local business when you buy that "Home Sweet Jawn" watercolor print. Read More »
35 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA | 267-773-7316 | Website
You won't find anything flashy here. That's the beauty of this flea-market-like store, which brims with handcrafted, low-key-cool treasures like fringed yarn wall hangings,unglazed earthenware air-plant slings and gorgeous jewelry, so you'll never have to scrape off a "Made in China" sticker before wrapping. Read More »
754 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-469-1448 | Website
Easiest way to become everyone's favorite friend? Buy your gifts from this Bryn Mawr-based online company, which curates luxe gift boxes full of festive items — cocktail ingredients, truffles, candles, catchalls — that feel handpicked and thoughtful. You can even modify the pairings (or create your own) to perfectly tailor your present. Read More »
| 610-500-3477 | Website
It's quite possibly the best idea we've seen this year: a subscription-based gift-box service for people dealing with cancer. The Philly-based brand, brainchild of cancer survivor Kimberly Fink and her childhood friend Wendy Nichols, curates thoughtful gift boxes (full of uplifting and pampering products like journals and organic lotions) that you can order on a onetime or monthly basis. Read More »
This two-in-one shop has original mid-century-modern home accessories placed like found works of art on shelves, as well as throws, funky pillows and colorful serving trays. In short: Everything here is worthy of your wrapping paper. Read More »
125 East State Street, Kennett Square, PA | 484-732-8554 | Website
Being faced with a birthday party for a particularly persnickety co-worker is daunting. Finding him an inspired gift a chardonnay-scented candle in a reclaimed wine bottle at this cheery boutique is not. Read More »
201 East Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA | 610-975-8908 | Website
Men: Go here, tell gift-whisperer/owner Dana Bank what you did, and she'll find you the perfect thing to make it all better. Women: Go here, tell Dana all about your fabulous girlfriend, and she'll find you the perfect thing your fabulous girlfriend didn't even know she wanted. Read More »
1616 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-972-5100 | Website
Come here for Riedel decanters for your snooty oenophile uncle, handpainted glasses for Mom and her gal pals, and a posh picnic basket stocked with stemware for you (because outdoor drinking need not be limited to tailgating at the Linc). Read More »
227 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-627-9463 | Website
Things we've found this year in this compact Walnut Street boutique: a delicate gold-dipped leaf pin (for Grandma); a knuckle-dusting gemstone ring (for friend); a Big Buddha bag with a sassy leather flower (for sister); dapper watch-movement cuff links (for boyfriend); a wide-brimmed sun hat (for ourselves ... couldn't resist). The place remains a never-ending source of delightful trinkets and accessories many of them under $50 and the free gift-wrapping seals the deal. Read More »
1927 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-301-4752 | Website
This teensy Old City shop has everything you'd want for a shower, birthday, holiday or thank-you, from organic onesies to locally farmed bouquets to all-natural candles to recycled notebooks (below). Read More »
35 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-733-0505 | Website