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Photo courtesy of Handmade Habitat.

14 Gifts from Local Makers: Your Guide for Shopping Local this Valentine’s Day

January 31, 2023 @ 5:23pm |

Did you remember to ask your partner to be your Valentine this year? Or maybe you’re celebrating a new relationship. Whatever the situation, Valentine’s Day is near, and you may be wondering if you should spoil your loved one with a gift. The answer is yes. Whether their love language is receiving gifts or not, here are some ideas to show your love for them and for local businesses around D.C.

For the Food and Drink Lover

Treat Boxes from Buttercups Bakeshop
Forget about the cheesy chocolate box from CVS. Buttercups has created V-Day treat boxes to satisfy your sweet tooth, filled with brownies, cupcakes, cookies and cake pops. This is a gift that won’t go unused. 1331 4th St. SE, DC; buttercupsdc.com // @lovebuttercupsdc

 

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Rye-Forward Spirits from District Made
For a heartier gift, pick out a bottle of whiskey, vodka or gin from District Made. These drinks are made from grains grown in Maryland and Virginia, and the production is done completely here in the city. They call their signature flavor and unparalleled taste the “heart of rye.” 1135 Okie St. NE, DC; districtmadespirits.com // @districtmadespirits

For a Change in Pace

Spice Set from Z&Z Manoushe Bakery
Wanna add a little spice to your relationship? Turn to no other than Z&Z to pick up their Mama & Baba Approved Gift Box, which includes four jars of spices from Palestine, Turkey and Syria. This unconventional gift will give you more than just one night of a romantic, homemade dinner. 1111 Nelson St. Rockville, MD; zandzdc.com // @zandzdc

 

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Cannabis from Gifted Curators
Let’s talk about the unconventional. Gifted Curators call themselves an “artwork gifting cannabis dispensary.” With their mission of providing the best cannabis gifting experience in D.C., and with lots of rave reviews, there’s no doubt you’ll have fun picking out this gift for your loved one. You may even want to pick up a little something for yourself, as well. Right now, they are hosting two giveaways so you can celebrate 2.14 like it’s 4.20. 2469 18th St. NW, DC; giftedcuratorsdc.com // @gifted.curators.dc

For the Candle Burner + Plant Lover

Candles from Handmade Habitat
If you’re on top of the latest candle trends, you might have heard about most candles’ toxic ingredients. Not this brand, though. Every candle sold by Handmade Habitat is made from natural, renewable materials. What better way to say “I love you” than with candles that won’t shorten your lifespan (or your relationship). 716 Monroe St. NE, DC; handmadehabitat.co // @handmadehabitat

Plants from Little Leaf
Do you love your partner as much as they love plants? Do you want to take your relationship to the next level and care for a plant together? Find the perfect plant baby for you and/or your loved one’s space at this popular plant shop in D.C. For those who don’t want to drag this fragile gift on the metro, they also deliver in the DMV area. 1401 S St. NW, DC; littleleafshop.com // @littleleafshop

 

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For the Traditional V-Day

Flowers from Lee’s Flower Shop
Maybe you want to take the traditional route this year. Or maybe you’re scheduled to work late this Valentine’s Day (you know how it is in D.C.). In that case, surprise your date with an extravagant bouquet of flowers sent to their doorstep. Flowers never go out of style. 1026 U St. NW, DC; leesflowerandcard.com // @leesflowersdc

Wine and Candle Set from Sparkle-ist
If you have run short of ideas, turn to the classic wine and candle gift. Sparkle-ist’s Valentine’s Day gift sets feature two bottles of premium wine and an UnOrthoDoc Candle, hand poured by D.C. orthodontist, Patrice Smith. sparkle-ist.com // @thesparkleistclub

Shaving Products from Dapper Guru
Give your hairy-faced partner a practical gift this Valentine’s Day with handmade, all-natural shaving products. From Havana Bay Shave Soap to Havana Beard Butter, you might want to give your partner an extra kiss after you smell these products. thedapperguru.com // @dapperguru

 

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For the Fashion Forward

Vintage Clothing from Femme Fatale
Nothing beats the perfect vintage find. At Femme Fatale, you can rummage through the best D.C. vintage has to offer, and on February 11, they’re hosting a vintage market to offer even more options than usual. If you don’t find the perfect piece, they’ve got plenty of other local handmade gifts to peruse. 3409 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC; femmefataledc.com // @femmefataledc

Self-Love Products from The Phoenix
Take a one-stop pit stop at The Phoenix. Their Valentine’s Day gift guide gives you the perfect self-care, self-love choices from skincare products and candles to chocolate and jewelry. 1514 Wisconsin Ave. NW, DC; thephoenixdc.com // @thephoenixdc

Accessories from Shinola
Feeling fancy? Shinola has you covered with a Valentine’s Day gift guide for him and her. From engrave-able jewelry to deluxe watches to personalized leather goods, your loved one will be impressed. Bonus: from February 11 to February 14, Shinola is featuring The Watering Can by Kiki, a Black-owned floral designer, and No Plan Press, a D.C. card and paper goods company, at their Logan Circle location. You can also find one of our favorites, Stitch and Rivet, here.1631 14th St. NW, DC; shinola.com // @shinola

 

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For the Surprise Lover

Steadfast Supply
This is one of those stores where you think you finally found the perfect gift and then something else catches your eye on the way to the register. You’ll be sure to find niche knick knacks that’ll get a laugh out of you and your partner. And if you don’t have time for shopping, no worries. You can easily order a gift box from their website. 301 Tingey St. SE, DC; steadfastsupplydc.com // @steadfastsupplydc

Shop Made in DC
If you haven’t heard of or shopped here before, where have you been? This store is the hub for showcasing products made by local D.C. makers. You’ll walk out of this store with more than just a gift for your valentine. In between the home goods, art, and apparel, there isn’t much you won’t find here. Multiple locations; shopmadeindc.com // @shopmadeindc

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A soon-to-be graduate of journalism at American University, Meredith is excited to be writing about the D.C. life and culture scene as an editorial fellow at District Fray. She is just starting her venture into the full-time work force and the communications industry and cannot wait to expand her experiences.

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