There’s a welcome chill in the air, towns have started decorating their streets with holiday wreaths and a festive vibe is all around us. That can only mean one thing—the holiday season is here!
Ready to start your gift shopping? Let The Town Dish help with our handy gift-giving guide, which features unique and sure-to-be-adored items ranging from local wine and artisanal chocolates to theater tickets and seasonal brews. Read on for a ton of great gift ideas.
May your holidays be filled with good friends, great food and lots of cheer!
For the Beer, Wine and Cider Lover
Black Walnut Winery
Pick up individual bottles of Black Walnut’s red, white and rosé varietals, such as the 2013 Sauvignon Blanc and 2012 Merlot, and create your own gift baskets for the die-hard wine lover. When stopping into the winery’s locations in either Phoenixville or Sadsburyville, help a local child by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots until December 13. In addition to doing something nice for others, you’ll also receive free tastings of five Black Walnut Winery wines for your good deed. 3000 Lincoln Highway, Sadsburyville, (610) 857-5566; 260 Bridge St., Phoenixville, (484) 924-8740
Borderland Vineyard
Shop local and pick up some Borderland Vineyard wines to give as gifts this year. Whether your gift recipient is a sipper of Chardonnay, Merlot or Riesling, Borderland Vineyard will answer the call. While shopping for gifts, don’t forget to grab a few bottles for holiday parties and to bring as hostess gifts when heading over to friends’ and family members’ homes for the holidays. 332 Indiantown Rd., Landenberg, (215) 436-9154
Chaddsford Winery
For gift-giving this year, choose a few different bottles of Chaddsford Winery wine to hand out to your favorite oenophiles. Want to take it a step further? Chaddsford Winery sells pre-made gift baskets with wine and all of the sipping essentials. Not sure what types of wine strike the fancy of friends and loved ones? Purchase a Chaddsford Winery gift card to let them choose what they enjoy. 632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, (610) 388-6221
Exton Beverage
Craft beer lovers on your list? We’ve got the perfect way for you to pick up a gift for these individuals as well. For beer drinkers who know what they like, a case of their favorite IPA or porter this holiday season has “cheer” written all over it. For those who like to try new beers, Exton Beverage offers an unbelievable selection, from hard-to-find American craft brewery seasonals to coveted import brews. Mix and match, add in a few pint glasses from your favorite brewery and you can be sure that the end result is a gift that won’t soon be forgotten. 310 Lincoln Hwy., Exton, (610) 363-7020
Jack’s Hard Cider
Hard cider has become increasingly popular in the past few years, and Jack’s can provide you with the perfect items for anyone who is a fan of this trendy beverage. Jack’s Hard Cider is pressed on site in Biglerville, Pa., and comes in a wide array of varieties. In addition to flagship cider offerings, Jack’s Hard Cider also creates seasonals, perfect in a sampler for the cider lover on your list. 410 Cashtown Rd., Biglerville
Pennsylvania Winery Association
For the wine lover who enjoys events where vino takes center stage, tickets to one or more of the happenings sponsored by the Pennsylvania Winery Association are the ideal present option. Grab tickets to a wine tour at a local vineyard, or reserve a spot at the table for a painting and wine party evening. All of these options and more can be found on the Pennsylvania Winery Association events page.
Penns Woods Winery
At Penns Woods Winery, any and all wine lovers are equally represented. Flavorful whites, bountiful reds and surprise seasonals will appeal to the most discriminating on your list. Take a peek at the wine options by visiting Penns Woods Winery, and be sure to enjoy a mug of mulled wine during your visit. Some gift ideas? Mulled wine kits and gift cards are sure to please this holiday season. 124 Beaver Valley Rd., Chadds Ford, (610) 459-0808
Victory Brewing Company
Craft beer gifting is good anytime of the year, but especially during the holidays. Victory Brewing Company offers three locations where you can pick up Victory products, in addition to beer, to create the beer basket to end all beer baskets. Fill one up with Victory items—t-shirts, pint glasses, bottle openers, hats and more—and then add the finishing touch: a Victory Brewing Company gift card and, of course, some Victory brews, such as their Winter Cheers seasonal. Locations in Downingtown, Kennett Square and Parkesburg
Waywood Beverage
Kennett Square’s Waywood Beverage is the place to pick up brews for the beer lover in your life who adores seasonals. Known for its extensive, rotating stock of seasonal craft beer, Waywood Beverage has the perfect gift waiting for you. Looking for a particular brew that you don’t currently see? Waywood Beverage will find it for you! 624 Millers Hill, Kennett Square, (610) 444-BEER
For the Food Lover
Country Butcher Fine Foods Market
With over 100 artisan cheeses in stock and plenty of accompaniments to go along with them, Country Butcher Fine Foods in Kennett Square is where you should stop to make the most-inclusive, and appreciated, gourmet basket for the food lover in your life. While there, pick up all of your holiday party essentials so that you are totally prepared for the festive gatherings you’ll be hosting this holiday season. 145 S. Walnut St., Kennett Square, (610) 444-5980
Éclat Chocolate
Sweet tooth on your list? Éclat Chocolate’s artisan confections range from highly sought-after truffles to unique themed creations, such as the Gobble Gobble Hey free-range chocolate and the Living La Vida Local sweet treat. Stop into Éclat Chocolate to scoop up gifts for your chocolate-loving gift recipients—and don’t forget some for yourself, too! 24 S. High St., West Chester, (610) 692-5206
The Market at Liberty Place
Eager to check a few people off of your gift list at a convenient, one-stop shop? The Market at Liberty Place can help. With vendors such as Paradocx Vineyard, Yo’R So Sweet, Terra Foods and more, gift giving has never been simpler. 148 W. State St., Kennett Square, (610) 925-3411
Weaver’s Orchard
Another one-stop shopping option that should be on your radar is Weaver’s Orchard. In addition to grabbing your holiday essentials, it’s also a wonderful spot to purchase culinary gifts for food lovers this holiday season. Pick up a fruit basket filled with fresh produce, or peruse the garden center for gift ideas that will make garden-loving gift recipients smile. 40 Fruit Ln., Morgantown, (610) 856-7300
For Those Who Appreciate Something Unique
Chester County Eye Care
Do you know someone who has expressed a desire to get a new pair of glasses, or maybe cosmetic surgery services have appealed to him or her as a way to refresh for the New Year? If so, arranging a visit to Chester County Eye Care is a great gift option. Help your loved one get a whole new look for 2016! Locations in West Chester, Exton and West Grove
Luigi Bormioli Glassware
Have a friend who’s just moved into a new place? Or maybe someone you know has talked about giving his or her glassware a much-needed sprucing up? Luigi Bormioli’s impressive array of products will provide a unique and exquisite gift option. Barware, stemware, serveware and more await you when you shop Luigi Bormioli’s glassware line. Shop online
Main Line Today
For magazine readers on your list who live in or near the Main Line area, a subscription to Main Line Today will be a welcome gift at the holidays this year. Main Line Today offers an easy and insightful look into all things Main Line-related, from where to shop to which restaurants offer the best meals at the best prices—and so much more! Available online
The Daily Local
For gift recipients who call the West Chester area home, a subscription to the Daily Local is sure to please. Help friends and loved ones keep up to speed on the latest news and events happening in and around West Chester. Available online
West Chester Parks and Recreation
Another unique gift idea, perfect for those who love a good field trip, is to purchase bus trip tickets through West Chester Parks and Recreation. In addition to trips to New York City and Washington, DC, you can also find tickets for a wide array of local attractions—a creative and fun gift option to consider.
For the Charitable Gift Lover
Chester County Food Bank
There is often nothing better than helping others during the holiday season. Giving the gift of a contribution to the Chester County Food Bank will serve two purposes. This is a spot-on gift for those on your list who put charitable giving at the top of their must-do list. By giving the gift of a donation to the Chester County Food Bank, you are helping others to put food on their tables this holiday season and throughout the year.
Chester County Hospital Foundation
In addition to giving donations to help the food insecure in Chester County, another excellent charitable organization that would appreciate donations during the holiday in the name of a loved one is Chester County Hospital Foundation. Give the gift of health and wellness this year, and make your charitable gift recipient a happy individual.
For Those Who Want an Unforgettable Experience
Brandywine Ballet
For lovers of the arts who may be on your holiday gift list, why not gift a unique experience, such as tickets to see a Brandywine Ballet performance? This talented ballet troupe offers a wide array of performances throughout the year, such as the current showing of The Nutcracker, a true holiday classic. You can also purchase tickets for a special meet-and-greet tea for that full Brandywine Ballet experience. Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, 700 S. High St., West Chester; tea held at Philips Autograph Library (2nd Floor Philips Memorial Hall), also at 700 S. High St.
People’s Light and Theatre Company
If musicals and plays are more to the liking of the cultural arts lover on your list, the People’s Light and Theatre Company offers a great gift solution: purchase individual tickets or give the gift of a People’s Light subscription! Any and all of these options are sure to be welcomed with open arms. Another option? Purchase a dinner at the adjacent Farmhouse Bistro and a show that same night for the special someone in your life. 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern, (610) 644-3500
Done your shopping early and looking for some fun holiday events to partake in, or maybe you want some ideas for where to shop on Small Business Saturday? Take a look at these local towns’ websites and embrace the true holiday spirit of the season!
Eclat Chocolate photo: Michele Kornegay
Penns Woods Winery photo, beer bottles photo: Nina Lea Photography
Chaddsford Winery photo, Jack's Hard Cider photo, apple photo, Luigi Bormioli photo: Alexandra Whitney Photography
Park photo: Ed Williams
Brandywine Ballet photo: Brandywine Ballet
Black Walnut Winery photo: Laura Taylor
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