It’s that time of year again: holiday gift crunch time.
As we often do, we at Technical.ly have suggestions for Delaware-related gifts that support local artists and entrepreneurs. But this year, we have some extra help: Ellen Cappard, owner of Books & Bagels in Wilmington, offered a list of gift picks. You can even pick up some of them at her West Side independent bookshop, open evenings and weekends.
Here are her suggestions:
1. Special Edition Book Box
Books & Bagels teamed up with AIMA Tea Company for a tea and a book gift set that includes “All About Love” by bell hooks, one ounce of herbal tea (your choice), tea stirrer, a steel tea infuser and affirmation cards. Order here and pick up at B&B.
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2. Winter CSA boxes
Barking Dog Farm in Unionville, PA offers a weekly winter CSA — that’s community-supported agriculture — box filled with greens, root veggies and and other farm-fresh selections. Boxes are delivered to Books & Bagels on Thursdays for pickup. Gift a four-month subscription.
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3. Wine from Girard Craft & Cork
Girard Craft & Cork on Ninth Street can make a less personal gift like wine a thoughtful, personal gift by matching wine and spirits to the recipients tastes. Cappard recommends calling ahead for personal service, or go in on a Thursday evening for a free wine tasting with discounts on featured bottles. GC&C also has a wine club. Bonus: It’s next to Blitzen, so you can stop in for some holiday cheer after!
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4. Holiday postcards
These Books & Bagels exclusive holiday postcards are prints of hand painted artwork of the season done in-house. Order ahead and pick them up in store.
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5. Silver Stem Plants soy candles
Silver Stem Plants helps keep Books & Bagels green inside and out, and owner Lydia also makes soy candles, which you can purchase at the shop while they last.
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6. Big Man hot sauce
This hot sauce brand is Delaware-based, made in small batches by 9-year-old entrepreneur Bryce. A cool local gift for out of town guests or anyone who love hot sauce. Get it on Etsy.
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7. Apparel by Socially Wasted
For the recipient who struggles with “the social constructs of everyday living,” Socially Wasted is a Delaware-based clothing brand. Pickup is available at The Loft on Shipley Street in Wilmington.
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8. Sorella Finds jewelry
Ghanian jewelry and handmade earrings and beaded bracelets, available at B&B while they last.
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9. Sleeping Bird Coffee
This Delaware cafe started as a coffee truck, and now has a location on Miller Road in Wilmington near Wilmington Brew Works. Gifts here include bags of coffee, mugs, apparel and gift cards. Bonus, you can stop by WBW after!
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10. Something you made yourself
Gifts you made yourself are always special. If you don’t know where to start, Books & Bagels will be having a “craft-a-thon” the two Sundays before Christmas where you can come in and make gifts like candles and moss wall pieces with Lydia.
“It’s kind of a gift creating workshop ” Cappard said.
Craft-a-thons will have a small fee, plus the cost of materials. Keep an eye on B&B’s Instagram for more details.
11. More books!
B&B has a curated selection of books for kids and adults. Some of Cappard’s recs include “Atlas of the Heart” by Brené Brown, “This Here Flesh” by Cole Arthur Riley, “Celebrate My Voice” by Nonku Kunene Adumetey, “Joy to the World — Christmas Around the Globe” by Kate DePalma and Sophie Tatus, and “The Twelve Days of Christmas” by Rachel Griffin.
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Technical.ly bonus picks:
Check out Trolley Square Market, tucked inside Trolley Square Shopping Center on the second floor, for unique gifts for hard-to-shop-for people.
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Wilmington folk artist Eunice LaFate has something for virtually any budget, from inexpensive postcards to valuable original paintings, and just about everything in between, from mugs and tote bags to signed prints.
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If you’re near the beaches, BRASHhh in Rehoboth is open for the holidays.
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Don’t forget about the Delaware Art Museum Store — bonus, you can check out the collection and temporary Wes Memeger and Forgotten Pre-Raphaelite exhibitions.
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Flex tickets for Wilmington Drama League: A package of eight flex tickets can be used for one person going to eight shows, four dates, two family shows or one group of eight, or any combination. Also comes in packs of four tickets. Shows in 2023 (WDL’s 90th year!) include “Dreamgirls,” “Arcadia,” “Freaky Friday” and “Street Dreams.” The current show, “The Wizard of Oz,” runs through Dec. 28.
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Happy holidays!
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