January 30, 2023 — Steal hearts this Valentine’s Day with the ultimate gift-giving guide curated specially for our beloved Philadelphians. From deluxe glassware to beautiful bouquets, fall in love with thoughtful, unique and for some – boozy – gift ideas, fit for a significant other, close friend, or even oneself this lovable holiday from Art in the Age, Baba’s Acid Trip, Bellemille Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Char & Stave, My Local Brew Works, and Occasionette.
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Occasionette, the independent, woman-owned and operated, gifts and goods retailer known for insanely creative and inspired gifting, is helping love blossom this Valentine’s Day with their Galentine Bouquet Party on Saturday, February 11 at the flagship Collingswood location. Attendees will be able to make their own Galentine or Valentine bouquets at a bouquet bar outfitted with various flower varieties while enjoying complimentary prosecco and snacks plus a limited edition Occasionette reusable cotton tote bag and 10% off purchases in the shop during the event. Tickets include eight stems for a bouquet (more available for purchase à la carte) for $46 and will be available at www.occasionette.com.
Occasionette will also be offering pre-order Valentine Bouquets ($54) through their website that will be available for pickup at their Collingswood, East Passyunk, and Chestnut Hill shops on Monday, February 13, and Tuesday, February 14. Additionally, Occasionette’s truly massive stock of carefully curated greeting cards has been refreshed for the season with a wide variety of Valentine’s-themed stationery, perfect for accompanying one of their bouquets.
Hours of operation for Occasionette East Passyunk, Collingswood, and Chestnut Hill are Monday through Saturday from 11am – 7pm, and Sunday from 11am – 5pm. Occasionette Joy Shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11am – 7pm, and Sunday from 11am – 4pm.
1825 East Passyunk Ave | 8521 Germantown Ave Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia PA | 215.465.1704 | www.occasionette.com
724 Haddon Ave, Collingswood, NJ | 865.854.0111 | www.occasionette.com
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Art in the Age, Philadelphia’s best “hidden” bar, tasting room, bottle shop and home barware supply in Old City, carries a wide array of giftable items, from jiggers and shakers to over 150 types of bitters, plus celebrity-penned cocktail books, and spirits from sister distillery Tamworth Distilling – including the recently-launched, perfectly PINK Tamworth Garden Damson Gin.
Tamworth Garden Damson Gin is a spirit with roots dating back to 18th century Britain, made by infusing tart, sweet damson plums harvested during early fall into gin. Ringing in at 60 proof, the viva-magenta-hued spirit pairs damson plums with juniper, bitter, orange, anise hyssop, and hops to create a tartly sweet and herbaceous spirit. Sitting at a low proof, lovers can enjoy this spirit neat, stirred into a zhuzhed-up Negroni, or used in suggested recipes from Art in the Age mixologist Lee Noble, like the Damson Gin Fizz, Plum Crate, or Damson Twist. The Tamworth Garden Damson Gin is available now via Seelbachs.com for $55, as well as at Art in the Age (116 N. 3rd St. Philadelphia PA).
Additionally, Art in the Age is offering a Valentine’s Day special on “couples” glassware, where shoppers who buy one glass get one 50% off, available February 6 through February 14. Lovers can also secure a stunning flower bouquet inspired by classic literature from local Philly florist, Books and Blooms, in-store on Saturday, February 12.
Hours of operation: 12 – 7pm Tuesday through Thursday, 12 – 8pm Friday and Saturday, and 12 – 6pm Sunday
116 N. 3rd St. Philadelphia PA | 215.922.2600 | www.artintheage.com
Tamworth Garden Damson Gin is a spirit with roots dating back to 18th century Britain, made by infusing tart, sweet damson plums harvested during early fall into gin. Ringing in at 60 proof, the viva-magenta-hued spirit pairs damson plums with juniper, bitter, orange, anise hyssop, and hops to create a tartly sweet and herbaceous spirit. Sitting at a low proof, lovers can enjoy this spirit neat, stirred into a zhuzhed-up Negroni, or used in suggested recipes from Art in the Age mixologist Lee Noble, like the Damson Gin Fizz, Plum Crate, or Damson Twist. The Tamworth Garden Damson Gin is available now via Seelbachs.com for $55, as well as at Art in the Age (116 N. 3rd St. Philadelphia PA).
Additionally, Art in the Age is offering a Valentine’s Day special on “couples” glassware, where shoppers who buy one glass get one 50% off, available February 6 through February 14. Lovers can also secure a stunning flower bouquet inspired by classic literature from local Philly florist, Books and Blooms, in-store on Saturday, February 12.
Hours of operation: 12 – 7pm Tuesday through Thursday, 12 – 8pm Friday and Saturday, and 12 – 6pm Sunday
116 N. 3rd St. Philadelphia PA | 215.922.2600 | www.artintheage.com
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Baba’s Acid Trip, a line of tart and tangy kombucha vinegars born from beloved kombucha brand, Baba’s Bucha, is the ideal Valentine’s Day gift for any culinary or cocktail lover. Gift givers can choose from four unique flavors, including the magenta-hued Raspberry Lime flavored vinegar ($12.99/12 oz) that brings a zing to any dish or drink – like a Berry Mock-jito or Secret Admirer. Browse Founder and Owner Olga Sorzano‘s culinary and cocktail recipes online here.
All four Baba’s Acid Trip flavors (Pear Ginger, Grapefruit, Cayenne, Raspberry Lime) are now available ONLINE for national distribution, and locally, at Kimberton Whole Foods, Riverwards, Salt & Vinegar, as well as at boutiques, bottle shops, and bars and restaurants across the Greater Philadelphia Area.
For more information, and for recipe inspiration, please visit Baba’s Acid Trip on Instagram, Facebook, and online.
333 Morgan St, Phoenixville PA | 267.738.1973 | www.babasacidtrip.com
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Bellemille Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the premium olive oil brand founded by Philadelphia native turned expat, Alexa Dombkoski, offers the gift of love through food- Italian style. In Italian culture, food is a crucial vehicle in bringing friends and families together and Alexa strives to create that parallel between her hometown of Philly and adopted home in Florence, Italy with Bellemille. The oil was harvested fall 2022 on a single Tuscan estate in Reggello, La Città dell’Olio, or “the city of oil.” Bellemille is intensely fruity and a bit peppery with notes of almond and artichoke, crafted with Frantoio, Leccio del Corno, Moraiolo and Pendolino olives. The Bellemille bottle pops with a lime green label and chic and unique white opaque vessel, shaped more like a bottle of alcohol than a typical bottle of olive oil, meant to be displayed on shelves and dinner tables.
Perfect for any foodie, amateur chef, baker or at-home mixologist, this luxe oil can be used in cooking, baking, mixing cocktails, drizzled on a bowl of pasta or used for dipping with a crusty loaf of bread.
Bellemille is available for $39/375mL and can be found locally atSalt & Vinegar in Bella Vista, Local PHL Market in Washington Square West and Sweet Magnolia in Glenside. Bottles are also available for nationwide shipping at Bellemille.com.
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Char & Stave, Ardmore’s premiere all-day café and cocktail bar, is home to a range of highly giftable coffee roasts and amorous spirits — including Bluebird Distilling’s Juniperus Gin — both rumored aphrodisiacs. Char & Stave’s coffee blends, roasted in-house, provide coffee lovers a stimulating morning cup of joe, with roasts including Bluebird Morning ($17), a whole bean light roast with citrus, bright floral, and honey notes, Adventure Espresso ($17), a sweet medium roast with notes of chocolate and citrus, and Four Grain Bourbon Barrel Aged Espresso ($25), a specialty roast aged in barrels used to create Bluebird Distilling’s flagship Four Grain Bourbon.
In addition to buzzy brews, Char & Stave also stocks a bevy of spirits from sister distillery Bluebird Distilling, including the botanical-laden Juniperus Gin. Available on-site at Bluebird Distilling and at Char & Stave for $39.99, the spirit stands at 90 proof and features flavors of juniper, lemon, vanilla, and toffee that mix perfectly into love potions like a simple G&T or Bee’s Knees, perfect for at-home Valentine’s Day sipping.
Hours of operation: 7am – 11pm Monday through Thursday, 7am – 12am Friday, 8am – 12am Saturday, 8am – 11pm Sunday
21 Rittenhouse Place, Ardmore, PA | 484.414.4102 | www.charandstave.com
21 Rittenhouse Place, Ardmore, PA | 484.414.4102 | www.charandstave.com
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My Local Brew Works (MLBW), Philadelphia’s first custom craft brewery focused on special events and contract brewing, has a unique, personalized package fit for beer enthusiasts this Valentine’s Day with the newly launched Custom Craft Brewing Package. Whether gifting to a loved one or planning a special experience for two, the Custom Craft Brewing Package allows an interactive, in-depth look into the craft brewing process from start-to-finish.
Gift-givers and recipients of the package have the ability to join Tim Montague and Wayne Humphrey, two award-winning local home brewers and founders of My Local Brew Works, as well as George Hummel, brewing mentor, in the brewery located in the industrial-chic Globe Dye Works building, to brew their own custom beer with full creative control of beer style, hops, recipe, name, and more. From choosing the grain to designing the label, participants can be as hands-on or off as desired. Those partaking in the full-length Custom Craft Brewing Package can expect about a six hour long-experience including the following:
- Pre-brew consultation (handled over the phone or at the brewery) to discuss the special event, beer theme, style, recipe, quantity, packaging/labeling, pricing, scheduling, and brew-day catering
- Arrive at Globe Dye Works on day-of brewing, and meet Humphrey and Montague in the main lobby where the tour of Globe Dye works will take place
- Tour of the brewery and discussion of hops, grain bill, yeast selection, aroma sampling mashing process, and more, followed by start of brewing
- Mid-way, lunch is served and samplings of specific beers take place
- Post-lunch, the brewing process resumes with final hops (and other additives) added at the end of boil, then prepare for cooling, and transfer begins to the fermenter as beer is cooled
- After this final step, a celebratory toast is offered and MLBW-branded gifts are distributed to all guests
Pricing varies based on a number of factors including volume of beer brewed, fermentation time, and ingredients, but starts at $120 per person and includes a full brew day, beer tastings, food and a parting gift. Those interested in learning more about the custom brewing process and to reserve a brew day with My Local Brew Works may do so by emailing beer@mylocalbrewworks.com.
-Eleni Sterious