Hanukkah begins Saturday, which means the holiday season is fast upon us. (Another indicator: the profusion of lights and wreaths errupting in my South Philly neighborhood.) For a writer like me, it wouldn't be December if I wasn't putting together a holiday gift guide. This one has a particularly Flying Kite-esque flair: local, fun, affordable and flexible.
A few general tips: Buy functional (or edible), get good value, and wrap your presents in newspaper (funnies and travel section are the best two options), augmented by a solid-colored cloth ribbon. It looks great, and the ribbon is an ideal item for your recipient to reuse. Bonus gift!
The dirty little secret of this time of year is that it actually
is more fun to give than to receive—there are few pleasures more acute than offering an unexpected, thoughtful, perfect present. Here are a few suggestions:
Food In Jars: Preserving in Small Batches Year Round by Marisa McClellan
Gift Target: A simple, seasonal cookbook from a local blogger for the wanna-be canner/preserver in your life.
Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction's boutique spirits; Root, Snap, Rhubarb Tea and Sage
Gift Target: The perfect tipple for the local-phile who boasts a fully-stocked bar and is always looking for interesting cocktail fodder.
Philadelphia Distilling's Bluecoat Gin
Gift Target: See above
Market Day Canele
Gift Target: For your favorite sweettooth; these gorgeous pastries from Bordeaux, made locally by hand, are incredibly special. Available at the
Headhouse Square Sunday Farmers' Market.
Three Potato Four, 376 Shurs Lane, Philadelphia, (267) 335-3633
Gift Target: Pick up something unique for fans of vintage homewares with great taste.
Foodery Gift Certificate, 324 South 10th St. & 837 North 2nd St.
Gift Target: The irrefutably awesome gift for the picky beer-lover who prefers to select their own brews.
Brewery Tour at Philadelphia Brewing Company, 2439 Amber St.
Gift Target: Give this to a couple that needs an excuse to get out of the house and get tipsy.
T-shirt from the mind of Zoo With Roy
Gift Target: This is a wonderful surprise for the (currently demoralized) Philly sports fan with a silly sense of humor.
EyesHabit South Philly or Philadelphia Riverwards poster
Gift Target: A beautiful present for a friend with a taste for design and a deep love of their neighborhood.
Fante's Kitchen Shop Gift Certificate, 1006 S. 9th St.
Gift Target: Give this to your favorite home cook; you're not only giving them the gift of stuff, but also the gift of spending an afternoon wandering around Philadelphia most awe-inspiring culinary supply store.
Flying Kite Holiday Craft Fair
Sunday, December 16, 1:30 - 6:30 p.m. at St. Mark's Church, 4442 Frankford Avenue (2 blocks from the Church Market-Frankford Line stop)
Gift Target: Everyone!
Still looking for holiday gifts? Head up to St. Mark's Church in Frankford on December 16 for Flying Kite's First Annual Holiday Craft Fair. We' re teaming up with
Philly Swap, DIY-and-upcyclers extraordinaire, to bring you area crafters and other vendors. We'll highlight artists who use recycled materials, and also provide plenty of activity stations for you to make your own gifts. December is our last month in Frankford before moving to our next
On the Ground space, so don't miss your chance!
LEE STABERT is managing editor of Flying Kite.