Wandering Philadelphia’s Christmas Village can be overwhelming, navigating through the bustling crowd of shoppers, tempted from all directions by food, hot beverages and thousands of potential presents.
We braved the bitter cold to check out the shops at this year’s outdoor market, which is open in LOVE Park through Dec. 24, in search of gifts for everyone on our lists. Here were 10 of our favorites:
MORE: Christmas Village to feature new mulled wine varieties, first vegan booth
But first, here’s the map to plan your shopping excursion:
Provided Image/Christmas Village in Philadelphia1. Dog breed socks
Store: Sockadelphia
Booth number: 5
Price: $10-$15
Description: Sockadelphia has a wide range of novelty socks that feature everything from Philly sports teams to famous rock bands, but the crew-length dog socks really caught my eye, maybe because of the variety of breeds represented. (They even had ones with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.) And don’t worry, there are some for cat lovers, too.
Who to buy this for: A pet owner who wants to wear their puppy love on their sleeve, er, ankle.
Franki Rudnesky/PhillyVoice
Sockadelphia is selling a wide array of novelty socks, including these with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
2. Garlic grater plate
Store: I See Spain
Booth number: 13
Price: $30
Description: These handmade, painted plates are imported from Spain and can be used to grate garlic, cheese, chocolate, nutmeg, ginger, garlic, nuts, turmeric and more. They also come with a garlic peeler, plate stand and basting brush.
Who to buy this for: Someone who loves to entertain and appear chic while doing so.
Franki Rudnesky/PhillyVoice
I See Spain is selling grater plates that can be used on everything from garlic to cheese.
3. Cocktail Bombs
Store: Cocktail Bomb Shop
Booth number: 16
Price: Six for $30 or 12 for $50
Description: Reminiscent of a bath bomb, these Cocktail Bombs can be dropped into a drink of your choice to make the alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage of your dreams. They come in a variety of flavors, from margarita to mimosa, and some even have edible glitter for an especially festive vibe.
Who to buy this for: Your cocktail or mocktail drinking buddy.
Franki Rudnesky/PhillyVoice
At the Cocktail Bomb Shop, visitors can peruse a variety of Cocktail Bombs that come in flavors like coconut margarita and creamsicle.
4. Philly-themed pillows
Store: Candace’s Canvasses
Booth number: 18
Price: $45
Description: The pillows come in multiple shapes with painted designs depicting the Philadelphia skyline, nostalgic Jersey Shore staples and Philly sports mascots.
Who to buy this for: Anyone whose couch is looking bare and sad.
Franki Rudnesky/PhillyVoice
At the Candace’s Canvasses booth, there are a variety of pillows covered in designs inspired by Philly and the Jersey Shore.
5. Body butter
Store: Gold + Water Co.
Booth number: 25
Price: $22, or two for $40
Description: The shea butter-based products are a top seller at Gold + Water Co., as they are smooth, spreadable and creamy to the touch – great for moisturizing dry winter skin. They also come in a variety of scents that have hints of vanilla, florals or sandalwood.
Who to buy this for: The self-care king or queen in your life.
Franki Rudnesky/PhillyVoice
The shea butter-based products at Gold + Water Co. are smooth, spreadable and creamy.
6. Baby shirt
Store: Paper on Pine
Booth number: 28
Price: $24
Description: These baby shirts and onesies depict Philly staples, including our sports teams and delicacies – like the cheesesteak and soft pretzel.
Who to buy this for: A kid who you want to instill a love for Philly at a young age.
Franki Rudnesky/PhillyVoice
Paper on Pine sells baby shirts with designs inspired by Philly sports teams and delicacies.
7. Recycled chopstick bowl
Store: Chopstick Art
Booth number: 35
Price: $45-$70
Description: The folding baskets at this pop-up are made from recycled bamboo chopsticks and come in a different shapes and colors. New this year, there are dog and owl shaped bowls.
Who to buy this for: Your environmentally conscious pal who needs something in which to display their fruit or trinkets.
Franki Rudnesky/PhillyVoice
The folding baskets at Chopstick Art are made entirely from recycled bamboo chopsticks.
8. Birdhouse
Store: Edible Birdhouses
Booth number: 52
Price: $45
Description: These tiny, whimsical cottages are birdhouses covered in edible birdseed. The seeds are made with a special hot pepper formula that is tasty for birds but keeps away squirrels or other unwanted animals. Plus, the birdhouses can be re-seeded once they’re empty.
Who to buy this for: An avid birdwatcher who hopes to attract more flapping friends and less squirrel interlopers.
Franki Rudnesky/PhillyVoice
These edible birdhouses can be refilled and keep away unwanted squirrels.
9. Philly sports wrestling mask
Store: Erika’s Mexican Art Crafts
Booth number: 63
Price: $25
Description: The Luchador-style wrestling masks pay homage to the rich heritage of Mexican wrestling with a nod to the city’s sports with Phillies, Eagles and Flyers designs. Shopping for a non-Philly sports fan? (First of all, why are you doing that?) The shop also has wrestling masks representative of other cities’ teams.
Who to buy this for: The sports fan in your life who wants to show their fandom in a unique way, and perhaps get into a good-natured smackdown at halftime.
Franki Rudnesky/PhillyVoice
The wrestling masks sold at Erika’s Mexican Art Crafts pay homage to Philly sports teams.
10. ‘Harry Potter’ necklace
Store: Adorned by Aisha
Booth number: 75
Price: $38
Description: This jewelry shop sells necklaces, pins and rings inspired by the “Harry Potter” franchise. The ones that caught my eye were necklaces with charms that look like miniature versions of the “Harry Potter” books. They even open into lockets.
Who to buy this for: A muggle who wants to assert their Potterhead status with a statement piece.
Franki Rudnesky/PhillyVoice
Adorned by Aisha has lockets that look like tiny ‘Harry Potter’ books.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
