Racing to buy a last minute gift? You’ll find it on the Hill

by Kathryn Evangelista
Posted 12/15/22

Maybe you made your list and checked it twice – only to discover that someone fell through the cracks. Not to worry. Chestnut Hill’s shopkeepers have you covered.

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Racing to buy a last minute gift? You’ll find it on the Hill

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Maybe you’re the kind of holiday gift giver who made your list and checked it twice – only to discover that one or two friends or relatives somehow fell through the cracks. Or maybe you’re a procrastinator who was sure you still had plenty of time to find presents for all of your loved ones and just realized that there are precious few days before Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

Not to worry. Chestnut Hill’s shopkeepers have you covered. Here are just a few of their suggestions for last minute items that will fit any budget:

CHESTNUT HILL SPORTS at 8628 Germantown Ave. is managed by Tom Amodie. He says the Eagles have made shopping very easy this year. Any Eagles shirt or jacket will do just fine. And pickle ball is now so popular that any accessories for the sport would make a great gift.

AR WORKSHOP at 8607 Germantown Ave. is the place for crafty gift givers. It’s famous for DIY classes where your friends can make their own treasures – including signs, trays, and picture frames – in wood, canvas or a variety of other materials. Gift cards can be loaded with amounts from $25 to $200.

KITCHEN KAPERS at 8530 Germantown Ave. is the place for just about everything you need for the kitchen or the dining room – from cookware to knife sets, tablecloths to serving platters, and every gadget you can think of. Among their holiday offerings are novelty items like a Jumbo Lites flashing headband for $5.99 or an Ugly Christmas Sweater for a wine bottle, also $5.99. On the more serious but tasty side, there’s a Republic of Tea Downton Abbey Christmas Tea canister for $12.99.

TAILORED HOME at 8528 Germantown Ave. is offering Holiballs, the oversized inflatable Christmas tree ornaments that could have been conceived by Claes Oldenburg (creator of Center City’s giant clothespin). They can be displayed indoors or outdoors and they come in two sizes – 18 inches and 30 inches – as well as a variety of colors. Prices range from $40 to $60.

GREENE STREET, a consignment shop at 8524 Germantown Ave., is offering the gift of convenience for shoppers who need to carry home their last-minute gifts. And you can express your loyalty to the store with a reusable tote bag emblazoned with the Greene Street logo, available for $5.95. They make great stocking stuffers – or keep your stockings on your feet and hang the tote bags by the fireplace. 

CALEB MEYER at 8520 Germantown Ave. has a unique selection of beautifully handcrafted jewelry, and they’re also offering “live-edge” cutting boards, perfect for serving holiday cheeses and charcuterie.

THE BONE APPETITE at 8517 Germantown Ave. specializes in pampering pets. Friends with dogs and cats will appreciate your thinking of them and the number one item this year is a Christmas Tree treat dispenser.  

ROBERTSON’S PLANTS AND FLOWERS at 8501 Germantown Ave. has embraced the holiday spirit with Poinsettias, Frasier fir and Christmas floral arrangements. Locally made Mt. Airy Candles are also very popular.  

CURE DE REPOS at 8439 Germantown Ave. is dedicated to your beauty, with products and treatments that range from creams and lotions to waxing, massages, even an “infrared light sauna.” A gift certificate will bring your loved one what their website calls “the ultimate boutique spa experience.”

QUELQUE CHOSE at 8437 Germantown Avenue is sure to have something for every girl in your life. This year’s big sellers are crop tops. According to proprietor Susanna Forjohn, “Everybody loves them.”

THE SPICE RACK at 8428 Germantown Ave. is featuring Moji Masala, a line of products dedicated to introducing home cooks to the joys of Indian cuisine. Their premeasured spice packs come with easy-to-follow recipes that will have you preparing dishes like chicken tikka masala or aloo rasedar in no time.  Single recipe packets cost as little as $6 to $10. Gift sets are priced at $16 to $25 with a “Try it All” set for $85, while supplies last.

FOLIAGE at 8514 Germantown Ave. is where you will find some hard-to-find plant varieties, some exotics and expert advice about keeping them alive and healthy once you take them home.

GLG GRAVERS LANE GALLERY at 8405 Germantown Ave. is the place to go for fine-art gifts. Featured artist Aimee Petkus is an expert in geology. She knows where every unusual stone in her work is mined. And delicate glass birds by Fera are another popular item.

POMPANOOSUC MILLS at 8400 Germantown Ave. is known for their contemporary custom built furnishings including beds, dining tables, bookcases and benches, and now might just be the best time to buy. Their annual in-stock sale is underway with discounts from 20 to 50 percent off.

MOONDANCE FARM STUDIO at 8236 Germantown Ave. has an eclectic mix of jewelry, artwork, fun fabric wine totes, live edge charcuterie boards, custom designed velvet pillows, hand-painted silk scarves and more. Everything they carry is handmade by local artists and makers.

HIDEAWAY MUSIC at 8232 Germantown Ave. Forget Spotify, or even CDs, real aficionados know there’s nothing like Vinyl records for listening pleasure, and Hideaway Music is the place for new and vintage recordings and stereo equipment.

ADELINA’S RESTAURANT located in the Chestnut Hill Hotel at 8235 Germantown Ave. is the new place to gather for holiday cheer, a celebratory dinner or just a night out with friends. Their gift cards offer your friends the gift of good taste. You can set the amount you’d like to put on the card. 

TASCO ART SALON AT 8113 Germantown Ave. has introduced artwork from Africa to the Hill and also allows her space to be used for small private events.  The shop facilitates parties, craft events and corporate meetings and can also teach customers how to repurpose, and recreate special items in the shop into unique gifts.

ARTISTS AND CRAFTSMAN SUPPLY at 7926 Germantown Ave. has an impressive array of art and craft supplies and so much more, from high end paints and papers to stocking stuffers like puppets, harmonicas and miniature animals, not to mention high-end wrapping papers and cards. 

THE PHILADELPHIA GUILD OF HANDWEAVERS has opened a holiday pop-up shop at 8135 Germantown Ave. Stop in to apply your talent or learn a new craft to create a gift no one else can give.

THE NIGHT KITCHEN BAKERY at 7723-25 Germantown Ave. has everything you need to make your own holiday cookies. Each $28 cookie box includes vanilla shortbread cookies, icing bags and sprinkles for decorating.

EMPIRICAL POINT ACUPUNCTURE at 40 W. Evergreen Ave. recognizes that the holidays can be stressful and that even routine activities can cause aches and pains. They’re offering gift certificates for sessions to “destress, relax and reset.”

SPA ELYSIUM at 55 Bethlehem Pike is a full-service spa offering special attention to hair and nails, facials, massages, waxing, makeup, body treatment, airbrush tanning, even wedding and prom packages. Their gift certificates offer a chance to look and feel refreshed.

KIMBERLEY JAMES BRIDAL BOUTIQUE at 15 W. Highland Ave. suggests giving The Wedding Gown Preservation Box. They say it’s the perfect gift for a bride to be or newlywed.