Five Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas from Local Shops
It seems the default mode for Valentine’s Day gift shopping is operating on autopilot. Sure, roses and chocolates are tried and true, but they may not do the trick when it comes to wooing a brand new valentine (or, perhaps, a longtime valentine).
To spare you hours of combing over Boston’s most charming shops and boutiques, we’ve identified five one-of-a-kind gift ideas from local makers and merchants. Ditch the cliché presents for cocktail accessories, outrageously delicious popcorn, and more.
Photo courtesy of Follain
Herbivore Botanicals Calm Bath Salts, $18
Follain, 65 Charles St., Beacon Hill, 53 Dartmouth St., South End
shopfollain.com
This rosy pink blend of bath salts mixes natural vanilla and ylang ylang flower essential oil, making for a pleasantly soothing cleanse. It uses ingredients like Himalayan Pink Salt crystals and salts sourced from the Dead Sea to detoxify the body.
Photo courtesy of Olives & Grace
Spiced Apple Cocktail Syrup, $18
Olives & Grace, 623 Tremont St., Boston
olivesandgrace.com
Morris Kitchen’s spiced apple and ginger syrups maintain just the right amount of sweetness for a wintry homemade spritzer. Use one part syrup to five parts soda water for a classic ginger ale or spiced apple cider.
Photo courtesy of Of Note Stationers
Love Inside Stamp, $12
Of Note Stationers, 220 N. Pleasant St., Amherst
ofnotestationers.com
For your snail mail-loving valentine, this elegant little stamp will seal the deal. It was originally designed for a love letter writing contest—use it to adorn envelopes, valentines, notes, cards, and more.
Photo courtesy of Craft & Caro
Cocktail Mixing Glass Set, $49
Craft and Caro
craftandcaro.com
This cocktail mixing glass set from W&P Design will bring the novice bartender in your life to the next level. Stir up a craft cocktail with the bar spoon and julep cocktail strainer, then serve it in your finest glassware—or simply in the mixing vessel.
Photo courtesy of Ava’s Caramel Popcorn
Valentine’s Day Sea Salt Caramel Popcorn, $8
Ava’s Caramel Popcorn
avascaramelpopcorn.com.
If heart-shaped boxes of chocolates have been your go-to for decades, consider Ava’s Sea Salt Caramel Popcorn your trusty gift for the years to come. Described as clusters of popcorn slathered in ultra-buttery caramel, this stuff may just be kernels coated in edible gold. Plus, they’re topped off with a sprinkling of Gloucester sea salt.
