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The ultimate Philly holiday gift guide

Shop Philadelphia's top local and small businesses for all your holiday gifts, from jewelry and pet supplies, to ready-to-ship food. (Yes, even cheesesteaks.)

Philly gifts
Philly giftsRead moreAnton Klusener/ Staff illustration/ Getty Images
    by Hira Qureshi and Staff Reports
    Published 

Take gift-giving to the next level by boosting your favorite local vendors and businesses. Shopping local not only yields unique gifts you can’t find anywhere else, but your spending doubles as a show of civic pride. With a wide range of gift ideas in 12 categories — featuring only locally made gifts, vendors, and small businesses — this guide from Inquirer reporters and editors makes shopping around Philly just a little bit easier.

1. Get a gift card for one of this year’s top 10 restaurants
2. Buy top-notch pantry items from a Philly restaurant
3. Non-perishable gifts for your favorite food-obsessed pal
4. Pamper your loved ones with locally made self-care goodies
5. Show off your Philly pride
6. Support local artists and shops with thoughtful trinkets
7. Send Philly specialties across the country
8. Get a good book from a local bookstore
9. Support a Black-owned business
10. Support an AAPI-owned business
11. Shop for a good dog (or cat) gift at one of these local boutiques
12. Shop at one of Philly’s best gift stores
Gift your taco-loving best friend a meal at El Chingon, 1524 S 10th St.
Gift your taco-loving best friend a meal at El Chingon, 1524 S 10th St.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer

1. Get a gift card for one of this year’s top 10 restaurants

For your friends and family who love to explore the city and region’s food culture, treat them to dinner at one of food critic Craig LaBan’s top 10 restaurants in Philly from this year’s Inquirer Dining Guide. While two hot spots (My Loup and Hearthside) don’t offer gift cards, the others make gifting a night out easy with online gift cards.

  1. Kalaya 🎁 Buy a gift card

  2. Friday Saturday Sunday 🎁 Buy a gift card

  3. El Chingón 🎁 Buy a gift card

  4. Gamarjoba 🎁 Buy a gift card

  5. Laurel 🎁 Buy a gift card

  6. Andiario 🎁 Buy a gift card

  7. Laser Wolf 🎁 Buy a gift card

  8. Royal Izakaya 🎁 Buy a gift card

2. Buy top-notch pantry items from a Philly restaurant

You can never go wrong stuffing stockings with specialty jerky, honey, or fried pickles. For the snackers in your life, we’ve got some local food items perfect for their pantries.

  1. Fishtown Pickle Project: Fried Pickle Kit, $35, 🎁 Buy it

  2. Mural City Cellars: Forin Vermut, $36, 🎁 Buy it

  3. Philly Jerk: 3-pack vegan jerky variety pack, $27 🎁 Buy it

  4. Philadelphia Bee Co.: DoomBloom honey, $14 🎁 Buy it

  5. Honeysuckle Provisions: Black Farmer chef-driven box subscription, $75 🎁 Buy it

3. Non-perishable gifts for your favorite food-obsessed pal

Gifting food is great — but the below accessories help your most enthusiastic friends flaunt their obsessions loud and proud.

  1. Possum: Bagels and oysters market totes, $70, 🎁 Buy it

  2. Vix Emporium: Stoneware bowls by Jason Silverman, $24, 🎁 Buy it

  3. Downtime Bakery: “Big Bread Hug” sweatshirt, $40, 🎁 Buy it

  4. Remark Glass: Recycled kombucha bottle Crown Cup, $22, 🎁 Buy it

  5. Craftwork Designs: Walnut serving tray, $40, 🎁 Buy it

  6. Downerrs: Cherry puffy lunch box, $38, 🎁 Buy it

  7. This Corner: Mortadella tote, $22, 🎁 Buy it

  8. Bawdy Plus: Pretzel handbag, $34, 🎁 Buy it

  9. Ray’s Reusables: Reusable paperless towels, $3, 🎁 Buy it

  10. Omoi Zakka Shop: Snack Prints by Maddy Conover, $22, 🎁 Buy it

4. Pamper your loved ones with locally made self-care goodies

Make sure your family has the tools they need to treat themselves to a self-care day. These local businesses will take care of them with sustainable and ethically-sourced items.

  1. Haiama Beauty Co.: Cupuaçu + Kokum Hair/Body Cream, $29, 🎁 Buy it

  2. Triton Soap & Skincare: Sand Bar Soap, $9, 🎁 Buy it

  3. Nooked: avocado and shea body lotion, $20, 🎁 Buy it

  4. Sabbatical Beauty: “Beauty is Political” set, $250, 🎁 Buy it

  5. Rescue Spa: Spa gift card 🎁 Buy it

5. Show off your Philly pride

Philadelphians are known for their unmatched city pride. It only makes sense your gifts would confuse the out-of-town guests. Here are some wonderfully wacky jawns to share the Philly love.

  1. Occasionette: Phanatic koozie, 🎁 In-store only

  2. Jawnaments: Rocky Gritty Jawnament, $15, 🎁 Buy it

  3. Girl Holding a Pen: Citizens Bank Park High Hopes, $30, 🎁 Buy it

  4. Vix Emporium: Philly Skyline tee, $25, 🎁 Buy it

  5. Castle Brothers Workshop: Custom walnut sign, $80, 🎁 Buy it

  6. South Street Art Mart: “iggles” shirt by grimgrimgrim, $25, 🎁 Buy it

6. Support local artists and shops with thoughtful trinkets

Finding unique gifts isn’t hard with plenty of Philly artists to support. From tarot decks to wallets, these one of a kind trinkets are sure to bring joy, even to the family Grinch.

  1. Queer Candle Co.: 3-scent Discovery kit, $36, 🎁 Buy it

  2. Moon & Arrow: 10 kt Gold Crescent Necklace, $228, 🎁 Buy it

  3. Room Shop: Crossbowie Midi Bounce Bag, $98, 🎁 Buy it

  4. Worm’s Emporium: “Warped” tarot deck by Holly Simple, $40, 🎁 Buy it

  5. August Moon Co.: MANDRN Remy belt bag, $159, 🎁 Buy it

  6. Philadelphia Museum of Art: “Omens of Autumn” printed fabric by Wildcraft Print Shop, $20, 🎁 Buy it

  7. Walter Pine: Flower subscription, $65, 🎁 Buy it

  8. Keene Pottery: Sunshine vase, $95, 🎁 Buy it

  9. Baker B Leather: Minimalist wallet, $65, 🎁 Buy it

  10. Arete Complete: Workout gear and sets, $85-$168, 🎁 Buy it

  11. No. 27 Collection: Garnet bib necklace, $68, 🎁 Buy it

  12. Soroya Naomi: Melons and Money necklace, $90, 🎁 Buy it

7. Send Philly specialties across the country

If you want to send a taste of Philly across the country, you can. Yes, even cheesesteaks. We found the Philly-est food gifts, from Lore’s chocolates to La Colombe to some DiBruno classics, that ship across the United States.

  1. Philly chocolates and confections: 🎁 Buy it: Lore’s Chocolate, Mueller Chocolate Co., Shane Confectionery,

  2. Philly cheesesteaks: 🎁 Buy it: Pat’s, Jim’s, Donkey’s Place, Campo’s, John’s Roast Pork, all via Goldbelly ($79-$109 for a four-pack)

  3. Baked goods: 🎁 Buy it: Jezabel’s Alfajores Gift Boxes ($25), Metropolitan Bakery Gift Boxes ($30-$83), Essen’s Jewish Bakery Bundles ($49-$89)

  4. Cheeses and meats: 🎁 Buy it: DiBruno Bros. gift baskets (price varies)

  5. Philly coffee: 🎁 Buy it: Ultimo, Reanimator, Rival Bros., Greenstreet, La Colombe, Ox, Càphê Roasters, Nilaa

» READ MORE: https://www.inquirer.com/philly-tips/best-coffee-shops-philadelphia-20210928.html

8. Get a good book from a local bookstore

“We’re lucky in Philadelphia. There are so many great neighborhood bookstores,” Helen Ubiñas wrote when Booked opened in Chestnut Hill. And she’s right, we’re spoiled for choice. Browse the selection at one of the area’s great independent bookshops during your holiday shopping. A bonus: many locally owned bookstore staffers will help you find the best title for your loved one.

In the city:

  1. Booked, 8511 Germantown Ave., 🎁 Shop now

  2. A Novel Idea, 726 E. Passyunk Ave., 🎁 Shop now

  3. Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse, 🎁 Shop online

  4. Brickbat Books, 709 S. Fourth St., 🎁 Shop now

  5. Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter St., 🎁 Shop now

  6. Hakim’s Bookstore, 210 S. 52nd St., 🎁 Shop in person

  7. Harriett’s Bookshop, 258 E. Girard Ave., 🎁 Shop now

  8. The Head and the Hand, 2644 Coral St., 🎁 Shop now

  9. Head House Books, 619 S. Second St., 🎁 Shop now

  10. Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books, 5445 Germantown Ave., 🎁 Shop now

Harrietts Bookshop by visual artist Henry Crane who painted and designed the new Philadelphia Bookstore Map, Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
Harrietts Bookshop by visual artist Henry Crane who painted and designed the new Philadelphia Bookstore Map, Wednesday, June 21, 2023.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

In the suburbs / New Jersey:

  1. Narberth Bookshop, 221 Haverford Ave., Narberth, 🎁 Shop in person or by email

  2. Reads & Company, 234 Bridge St., Phoenixville, 🎁 Shop now

  3. The Doylestown Bookshop, 16 S. Main St., Doylestown, 🎁 Shop now

  4. Main Point Books, 116 N. Wayne Ave., Wayne, 🎁 Shop now

  5. Inkwood Books, 106 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, 🎁 Shop now

  6. Labyrinth Books, 122 Nassau St., Princeton, 🎁 Shop now

  7. Second Time Books, 114 Creek Rd., Mount Laurel, 🎁 Shop now

» READ MORE: The best indie bookstores in Philly

9. Support a Black-owned business

Philadelphia’s Black-owned shops sell everything from soaps and body oils to books and tea. We have a guide to Black-owned shops where you can do your holiday shopping this winter, here are a few to check out:

  1. Vera Doyle. Shop stylish home decor, unique gifts, and handmade jewelry at this Mt. Airy boutique, which prioritizes brands and goods from BIPOC creators. 7118 Germantown Ave. FL 1 🎁 Shop now

  2. Freedom Apothecary. The sleek space that makes up this Northern Liberties shop is made up of giftable items for the skin care fan on your shopping list. Browse toxin-free cleansers, serums, makeup, moisturizing lotions, and even some candles and other home items. 736 N. Second St. 🎁 Shop now

  3. Gold + Water. In March 2019, Chartel Findlater launched Gold + Water Co., a line of handmade body products that includes body butter, beard balm, and soaps that resemble small slabs of Italian marble with accents of gold mica — a natural shimmering pigment. 🎁 Shop now

  4. Mount Airy Candle Co. What started out as Marques Davis’ small, made-to-order Etsy shop now produces hundreds of candles a month in scents like white tea & ginger, grapefruit mimosa, golden teakwood, and tobacco noire, spice poached pear, and black pepper & cardamom. 🎁 Shop now

  5. Mitchell & Mitchell Wines. One of Philly’s only Black-owned wine shops, Mitchell & Mitchell wines sells more than a dozen kinds of red and white wine. 🎁 Shop now

  6. Jeantrix. Deric “Nyce” Crawley and Muhammad “Homm” Abdul-Basit officially launched their luxury streetwear brand, Jeantrix, in 2006. The brand’s signature look is graffiti-styled artwork and calligraphy applied to mostly denim and leather fabrics. 🎁 Shop now

  7. Viva Tea Leaf Co. “Drinking a cup of tea is a form of introspection,” says Viva Tea Leaf Co. owner Christa Barfield. “When I’m doing my meditations and praying, … drinking tea allows me to sit in the moment and be present.” 6730 Germantown Ave., 🎁 Shop now

  8. Grant Blvd. Kimberly McGlonn’s one-of-a-kind, upcycled, sustainably made garments are both sustainable and chic. 3605 Lancaster Ave., 🎁 Shop now

  9. Cultured Couture. Erik Honesty relishes the art of menswear — the blazers, topcoats, cufflinks, ties, bow ties, pocket squares, tie clips, and capes — “the whole gauntlet of getting dressed up.” 2639 Girard Ave., 🎁 Shop now

  10. Trunc. At Trunc, a Northern Liberties artisan boutique, there are requirements for artists who aspire to sell their work there: All items have to be handmade and their art has to tell a story. 929 N. Second St., 🎁 Shop now

» READ MORE: 14 Philly Black-owned businesses to support right now

10. Support an AAPI-owned business

Check out our guide to AAPI-owned businesses in Philly for places to find cool sneakers and boots, glassware by modern Japanese designers and artisans, Korean-inspired beauty and skin-care products, and more.

  1. Rikumo. The all-online shop is owned by a husband and wife team to connect locals with Japanese artists and makers. Browse writing and paper goods, cups, plates, its line of binchotan charcoal products, and more. 🎁 Shop now

  2. Sabbatical Beauty. Adeline Koh’s small-batch, handcrafted, Korean-inspired beauty and skin-care products have amassed a deeply loyal following. 1901 S. Ninth St #308, 🎁 Shop now

  3. Japanese pottery by Shinobu Habauchi. Tokyo-born potter Habauchi makes each piece by hand using traditional methods and local resources, sourcing wild clay from Maryland, and makes glazes with ash from wood, rice straw, and rice husks. 🎁 Shop now

  4. P’s and Q’s. Styles that reflect skateboard culture and the look of local designers are available at this shop, which sells a range of sneakers, backpacks, boots, and grooming products. 820 South St.. 🎁 Shop now

  5. Vault+Vine. Shop a wide selection of local plants and flowers, in addition to items made by local makers at this East Falls hybrid shop-cafe. 3507 Midvale Ave. 🎁 Shop now

11. Shop for a good dog (or cat) gift at one of these local boutiques

Between treats, toys, and even clothing, there are plenty of items you can purchase for your pet this holiday season. Looking for more? Check out our guide to top pet shops in the Philadelphia region.

  1. Amelie’s Bark Shop. Shop here for “puptarts” and custom-made pet-friendly cakes and cookies, along with a selection of toys. 1544 E. Passyunk Ave. 🎁 Shop now

  2. Doggie Style Pets. If you live in the city, you probably already know Doggie Style, which offers grooming, training and more. 861 N. Third St. 🎁 Shop now

  3. Baltimore Pet Shoppe. This small shop has an extensive, curated range of food, toys, and supplies for your cat or dog, and it also partners with local shelters and rescue groups for adoptions. 4532 Baltimore Ave., 🎁 Shop in person

  4. BONeJOUR Pet Supply. BONeJOUR has long been the spot for Old City dogs and cats, thanks to its focus on all-natural pet food and treats, as well as its wide range of toys, accessories, and other supplies. 53 N. Third St., 🎁 Shop now

  5. Rittenhouse Pet Supply. With about two decades under its belt, this Center City shop is one of the longest running on the list. 135 S. 20th St., 🎁 Shop now

  6. The Bone Appetite. As its tagline goes, this Chestnut Hill shop is “the store for the serious pet owner” — particularly if you’re the pet parent to a cat or dog. 8517 Germantown Ave., 🎁 Shop now

  7. Pet Friendly Dog Bakery. Manayunk pups with a sweet tooth are in luck at this Main Street shop, where locally baked, hand-decorated treats run the gamut from doggie-safe “brownies” and cookies to carrot and grain-free peanut butter cakes. 4324 Main St., 🎁 Shop in person

» READ MORE: The best pet shops in Philly

A variety of beanies at the South Fellini, in Philadelphia, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022.
A variety of beanies at the South Fellini, in Philadelphia, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022.Read moreTyger Williams / Staff Photographer

12. Shop at one of Philly’s best gift stores

Looking for last minute gifts? We’ve got you. These spots always have items that are perfect for those of us in a rush, and many even offer in-store wrapping.

  1. Occasionette. Shop here for candles, cards, cookbooks, holiday decor items, cute bar cart items, decorative trays and plates, funny knick-knacks, toys for kids, and more. 1825 E. Passyunk Ave. and 724 Haddon Ave., Collingswood 🎁 Shop now

  2. Ritual Shoppe. Go to this Barbie-pink shop for handmade jewelry, astrology-themed items, crystals and gemstones, incense, face oils, cool art prints, and more. 2003 Walnut St. 🎁 Shop now

  3. Philadelphia Independents. At this Old City boutique, browse handmade items by Philadelphia makers, from Eagles necklaces and Gritty t-shirts to wood cutting boards and cozy pillows. 35 N. Third St. 🎁 Shop now

  4. Open House. Dainty jewelry, Philly-themed coasters and prints, candles, fun drinkware, totes, and more are all available at 13th St. shop Open House. 107 S. 13th St. 🎁 Shop now

  5. South Fellini. Find t-shirts, hats, tank tops and more apparel and accessories that scream Philly. 1507 E. Passyunk Ave.🎁 Shop now

  6. Mitchell & Ness. Head to this sports apparel company to shop retro jerseys, new release jerseys, fitted hats, hoodies, t-shirts, and more. 1306 Walnut St. 🎁 Shop now