The winter holidays are upon us and with them comes the search for unique gifts. If you're looking to support a local business this holiday season, we've got you covered.
For this year's PHL Inno gift guide, we drew on companies we've profiled in recent years, with a particular focus on local startups. Whether shopping for a foodie or a fashionista, here are 25 gift ideas from companies based in Greater Philadelphia.
Food and Drink
Saint Lucifer Spice Balsamic & Spice Box
$40
Based in Royersford, friends Tom Hewell and Ted Ebert launched Saint Lucifer Spice in 2011. Three years later, they introduced their signature Habanero Table Spice #11, which blends garlic, salt, paprika, vinegar and habanero peppers into a dried seasoning perfect on pizza, burgers, eggs and other dishes. This bundle also includes its Mexican-inspired Jalapeño #13 Table Spice, a bottle of its Divine Nectar Habanero Infused Balsamic Vinegar, which is made in Italy, plus packets of its Famous Bloody Perfect Bloody Mary mix.
Many Hands Coffee Co. Holiday Gift Box
$40
For the coffee aficionado, Philadelphia-based Many Hands Coffee Co. has launched a sampler set of five of its blends. Each of its fair trade beans come in 4-ounce bags and the gift box includes its popular Mainstay blend, plus a Guatemala Huehuetenango, a Peruvian Cajamarca, a Sumatran decaf, plus a new light roast, Honduras Lempira. Many Hands was created just two years ago by the founders of Germantown Espresso Bar with a focus on the triple bottom line.
IrieVeda Baking Spirits Bright
$40
Getting together for a cookie swap? Looking for something to gift a baker? West Chester-based IrieVeda has launched a seasonal baking set that includes Cozy Cacao Chai – made with organic cacao, mesquite, cinnamon alba, allspice, ginger, cardamom, cloves, fennel and white pepper – Happy Harvest – ideal for a festive roast vegetable dish – and Jolly Gingerbread. The allergen-friendly brand from Tashelle Darby-Wong launched earlier this year.
Home Goods
Blissful Belle Co. Champagne Toast Candle
$34
With the new year on the horizon, celebrate with a toast that lasts longer than a glass of champagne. This hand-poured candle – created in Philadelphia by Merck employee Ragine Williams – has a crisp citrus scent reminiscent of the sip it’s named for.
Kitchen Garden Textiles’s Reusable Linen Coffee Filter
$24
A sustainable stocking stuffer, this reusable coffee filter is made from linen and can be used up to 450 times. It comes in two sizes, making it suitable for both coffee machines and pour overs. The creator, Heidi Barr, launched Kitchen Garden Textiles under that name in 2015 with the goal of creating environmentally friendly alternatives to everyday household products.
$100-$210
For the cooking enthusiast, Philadelphia woodworker Cody Hughes creates a selection of handcrafted cutting boards for both everyday use as well as serving like the Amedeo Double Handle Serving Board ($100), the Amedeo Long Serving Board and the Yayoi Polka Dot Board ($210). Using smaller cuts, he also creates air plant holders ($28).
Skincare, Haircare a Makeup
Gold + Water Maker’s Choice Soap Sets
$27-$45
Chartel Findlater debuted her Philadelphia-based handcrafted soap brand in March 2019 with the goal of creating a luxurious experience for customers. The eye-catching bars can be purchased in sets of three ($27) and five ($45). Soap dishes are also available to add to the bundle.
H. Honeycup Orange Sunflower Body Scrub
$32
Made with sunflower oil, mango butter, orange essential oil and coriander oil, this body scrub gently exfoliates skin and is Made Safe certified, something that was essential to Cindy Barberes, who launched the Main Line company in 2017.
$24
Temple University alum Camille Bell snagged a coveted Best of Beauty award from Allure magazine last year for her newly launched cosmetics company Pound Cake. Based in Philadelphia, the brand has a line of classic red lipsticks that come in six shades, making the suitable for varying skin tones.
Young Buck Skin Unnecessary Roughness Skin Soothing Balm
$22
Soothe dry skin this winter with this smoothing balm. Made with apricot kernel and grapeseed oil, it has a citrus scent with hints of Douglas fir. Young Buck Skin, based in Wayne, launched last fall with a focus on men’s skincare.
$68
Give their hair a boost with this hydrating and conditioning mask duo. The serum is made with jojoba, patchouli, castor, frankincense, peppermint and eucalyptus oils while the powder contains ingredients like Indian soapberry fruit powder and aloe vera powder. The founders of this Coatesville company, Christine Martley-Ochola and Anne Cheatham, both have science backgrounds and formulated their products to be clean and chemical-free.
Embellish Beauty Fabulous Liquid Lipstick
$22
QVC makeup artist Marcia Williams reconceptualized her Conshohocken-based Embellish Beauty in 2020, including debuting a slew of new products. A perfect stocking stuffer, the brand’s liquid lipsticks come in numerous shades like this nude pink to bold colors like purple. Embellish Beauty was formulated to be gluten free and vegan so those with allergens could also use them.
Franklin & Whitman Botanical Steam Combo Pack
$59.95
Help them unwind this holiday season with a trio of botanical steams from Franklin & Whitman. It contains 4-ounce jars of the Washington Square, Jefferson Square and Cobbs Creak botanical steams which are intended to help relax muscles and stimulate circulation. The Philadelphia brand launched by Christopher Cieri in 2015 is known for its cruelty-free and vegan formulations.
Jewelry and Accessories
Violet & Brooks Grace Earring Gift Quint
$58
Based in Media, this Oprah-approved brand created by industry veteran Robbin Cook in 2017 offers a set of five delicate earrings that include crystal, pavé and faux pearl looks.
$240
Send them to the South Pacific with this handcraft bag. ShanPaulo, created by a husband and wife team based in Wyncote, makes its bags from reclaimed wood in Brazil, where Co-founder Paulo DeOliveira originally hails from. The bag measures 8.7 inches by 8 inches by 1.3 inches.
$150
Equally playful and stylist, this ring features three stones – citrine, aquamarine and peridot – set in a gold-plated band. The ring – created by Philadelphia-based jeweler Rachael Compton – also comes in silver and 14-karat gold.
$195
Upgrade his footwear with these derby-style dress shoes. Made with full grain cowhide leather, the shoes also feature temperature regulating material that keep feet cool. A performance insole means they won’t wear down, while a padded collar decreases rub, both issues AmerisourceBergen alum Andrew Crews sought to solve when he launched the line earlier this year.
Valencia Key Sparkle Believe 1.5-inch Small Hoop Earrings
$100
Subtly emblazoned with the worlds “sparkle believe,” these earrings are a reminder to shine, which is part of the mission behind the brand. Lia Valencia Key founded her West Chester company to bring small moments of light to wearers every day. Since, the brand had gotten nods from O, The Oprah Magazine and is sold on QVC.
$187
A backpack that can hold a water bottle, a laptop, and a pair of shoes or a lunch? That’s exactly what this MinkeeBlue bag offers. Created by Sherrill Mosee after being frustrated she couldn’t find a bag that fit it all, her Philadelphia-based brand includes bags ideal for those on the go.
Jane Win Love JW Original Coin Pendant
$278
One of the pieces that started it all for Wayne-based Jane Win Jewelry, this coin pendant is dipped in 14-karat gold and measures 1.2-inches in diameter. On one side, the coin has a quatrefoil and heart and on the other the word “love.” The coin pendants come in a number of other sayings like “peace,” “strong” and “joy.”
$259
Emily Soloby designed these chic boots to be worn from the office to a worksite. Made with a steel toe, the boots are certified for impact and compression, plus have a non-slip tread.
Apparel
Printfresh Twinkling Trees Flannel Long Sleeve Top and Shorts Set
$148
Perfect for holiday photos and cozy winter nights alike, Philadelphia pajama brand Printfresh’s holiday collection includes these lightweight flannel PJs made with organic cotton poplin. The print is also available in a unisex robe ($158). The company, founded by husband-and-wife duo Amy and Leo Voloshin, is known for its bold prints.
$41
This sports bra is chic enough to be worn as a standalone top. Available in six sizes and two colors, the line was created by Temple University alum Rebecca Ardekani in 2020. Based in Philadelphia, the collection focuses on high-quality, affordable athleisure apparel.
$995
Sustainable and ready-to-wear, Green Suit launched earlier this year with the goal of creating chic styles that weren’t harmful to the environment. The suits are made with a 65% blend of USDA cotton and 35% Repreeve Reflexx fabric. Each suit contains 30 recycled bottles and the fabric has both give and recovery. It comes in three colors – olive, navy (pictured) and light grey. Craig von Schroeder is no stranger to menswear, having launched his bespoke concept Commonwealth Proper 15 years prior.
$69.99
Thick and cozy, this unisex hoodie has a teddy fleece interior and exterior and a double-layered satin-lined hood. The latter concept is what helped Philadelphia entrepreneur Philomina Kane snag a deal with Lori Greiner and Emma Grede when she appeared on the Season 13 premiere of “Shark Tank” last year. The hoodie is available in sizes extra-extra-small to 4XL and comes in around a dozen colors.
