Welcome to the — incredibly affordable, 100 percent feel-good, largely locally made — 2022 Philadelphia Holiday Gift Guide. If there’s one thing Philadelphia absolutely stars at, it’s our incredible community of crafters and creators, small business owners who delight us with their handiwork and hard work. They’re everywhere you turn in Philly, from the studios in South Philly’s Bok Building to Germantown Avenue to your neighbor’s kitchen table (to Etsy, of course!). Philadelphia makers have been prepping for months to anticipate your every holiday gift giving need.
So, resist the temptation to Amazon your way through the next few weeks and instead support Philadelphia makers like the ones listed here. They represent a mix of BIPOC-, LGBTQIA+, AAPI- and women-owned purveyors as well as entrepreneurs whose proceeds give back to the community in meaningful ways. (For more great businesses to support, see our regularly-updated list of veteran-led and Black-owned-businesses too.)
Whatever you celebrate, we wish you health, peace, and community in the new year and beyond.
THE MUST-HAVES:
The it book of the holiday season will undoubtedly be Michelle Obama’s The Light We Carry. Get it at a local bookstore, like Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee and Books. $30.23 at unclebobbies.com, in person at 5445 Germantown Avenue.
Everyone knows someone who’d be elated to get this tote. Go big and fill it with books — piles and piles of them, from Our Sister Bookshops, Harriett’s and Ida’s. $34.25 at oursisterbookshops.com, here and in person: Harriett’s, 258 E. Girard Avenue; Ida’s, 734 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ.
Eagles center Jason Kelce created his line of merch to benefit Philly kids — get it for the kids (and grownups) in your life — quickly, before it sells out again! From $20 at underdogphl.com.
There’s nothing like a lightweight hoop earring to make you feel insta-stylish; Kasie Degan’s peace sign ones are the most hopeful update we’ve seen. $48 at kasiemakes.com, here.
THE STUFF THEY’LL WEAR ALL THE TIME:
First came the summer lager, by Triple Bottom Brewery, with proceeds benefitting Ukraine. Now, the design for Volya — which means both freedom and will in Ukrainian — is a t-shirt, available for women and men. All the money from the shirts, after production costs, goes to the Ukrainian government in its fight against Russian aggression. Available from Universal Exports of North America, $30 ($20 donated), here.
Middle schoolers are impossible to shop for. This Stranger Things-by-way-of-Gritty tee will excite them enough to look up from TikTok. $24 from Philadelphia Laser & Industrial Design, here.
Yeah, pets are our favorite people, too. From $24.99 to support the PA SPCA, here.
For everyone on your list who’s at that age when great socks make their day, check out the cozy pairs from United By Blue. From $39, here and in person at 205 Race Street and 3421 Walnut Street.
Rocking sneakers in the board room is a total power move; get a pair from Bungee Oblečení, then read all about founder Darrell Alston’s journey to launching the local biz here. $160 at Bungee Oblečení, here.
We’re thrilled that m.a.b.e.l is now based in Philly — Paige Sato’s one-of-a-kind jackets, tops, bags, and jeans are created from upcycled quilts and make you feel warm all over. $300 at mabelstyle.com.
These dangly earrings are the ultimate badge of honor for any Phillies — or Philly (or Robyn) — fan. $30 from Studio Bladel, here.
THE HOME GOODS THEY WON’T RE-GIFT:
Throw pillows from Spartan Made Quality Carry will update anyone’s couch with a homey, chic touch. From $62 on Etsy, here.
From bacon to banana nut bread, butter popcorn to birthday cake, Gourmet Candle has created scents to transport you to pretty much wherever you’d like to be. From $8.50 here, available in person here.
This banner from Felt Up By Amelia will make your favorite introvert feel oh so seen. $25 on Etsy, here.
Is it weird to be in love with … a cutting board? A bottle opener? Then color us kooky and check out Honorable Oak’s stunning wares. From $25 at honorableoak.com.
This mod update to the hanging planter from ceramicist Lauren Rider’s Rider Ceramics is enough to inspire anyone to believe they can keep a fern alive. From $55 at riderceramics.com.
Everything from Remark Glass is elegant beyond comparison (and sourced from Bottle Underground, to cut down on waste, and employs returning citizens); this year, we’re gifting stemless flutes for bubbly — and hoping for many occasions to use them. From $25 here.
Finally, chic Hanukkah merch! These (and soooo many more) adorable tea towels make the best gifts for your hosts; local artist Sara Selepouchin Villari, owner of Occasionette, draws them, and Girls Can Tell prints ‘em. Win-win-win. $15.99 from Girls Can Tell, here, and Occasionette shops, 1825 E. Passyunk Avenue, 8521 Germantown Avenue, 724 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ.
Support Project HOME with their always-elegant holiday gift box, featuring Sister Mary’s Sinfully Delicious Cranberry Sauce, Black Lava Cashews from Di Bruno Brothers, and more. $60 here.
Queer Candle Company’s holiday scents are here! Perfect for the friend who longs for the holiday season all year long. From $19 here.
FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES:
Your little one can color their own skirt — and make a matching one for their doll. Super-love. From $8 at Sew Much Cooler here.
Bee Handmade’s matriarch crochets the most darling dolls — from Paw Patrol’s pups to RBG, rest her dissenting soul. From $10 at beehandmade.com.
The perfect stocking stuffer for your boss at the (virtual) office, or whoever runs the show at home. $25 from Philadelphia Laser and Industrial Design, here.
And you thought spotted lanternflies were good for nothing! Philadelphia Bee Co. now sells Honey DoomBloom Spotted Lantern Fly Honey with a smoky flavor, collected from around PA. $14 here.
You know Vellum Street for its wooder ice scented candles and lip balms (and partnerships that allow owner Melissa Lynn Torre to package it all in upcycled containers); this year, we’re getting everyone the company’s signature Fat Marshmallow Whipped Tallow Skin Fluff. $28 at vellumsoapcompany.com, here.
Our favorite upcycled backpack comes from Grant BLVD, where owner Kimberly McGlonn has been shouted out by billboards, Beyoncé, and beyond. $138 at Grant BLVD, here and in person at 3605 Lancaster Avenue.
Scoop up a stocking-full of pins for whatever causes are dear to the folks who are dear to you. Elkins Park-based Dissent Pins donates at least 50 percent of proceeds to charity — they’ve raised nearly $900,000! Pins from $14.95 here.
Pretty sure we all know a zayde who’d kvell to get this tee from the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, where 100 percent of its store’s proceeds go to support the museum. $37.95 here and in person at Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 South Independence Mall.
