Welcome to February! It’s cold, gray, and the perfect time to start thinking about those last minute Valentine’s Day gifts. Yes, the season of love is upon us once again, but we’re switching it up this year, and we encourage you to as well. It’s all about buying local this year, so we are only going to showcase local gifts that are available here in Portland, Maine! We’ve got a little something for the foodie, the animal lover, the fashionista, and the jewelry lover, and more. So pull out your wallets and get ready to make buying last minute Valentine’s Day gifts fun!
1. The Fashionista: Sea Bags
There’s no such thing as a bad time to receive a classic Sea Bag, but for Valentine’s Day, it’s just a little bit sweeter. We love all of the patterns available, but for that quintessential Maine look, the anchors and lobsters are our favorites! The versatility of Sea Bags means you can take it to the beach, then the office, and then out for a night out on the town, all in one day and look put together. Thinking a more personalized bag is the way to go? Sea Bags are available to be customized but we recommend getting started on this sooner than later, as custom designs can take up to 7 days to produce. Check out all the amazing bags and accessories online here!
2. The Sweet Tooth Addict: Whoopie Pies From Cape Whoopies
We know this is probably going to open the doors for heated discussion, but whoopie pies make amazing gifts! There are probably hundreds of places that you can buy whoopie pies, but we love the gourmet flavors that are available from Cape Whoopies. What we love even more: if you’re in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey or the rest of the East Coast, your whoopie pies will arrive by FedEx Ground in just 2 days. So if you’re looking for sweet (literally and figuratively) last minute Valentine’s Day gifts, Cape Whoopies has you covered! We’re obsessed with flavors like Boston Strong (think a Boston Cream Pie, but in whoopie pie form) and the Strawberry Shortcake. If you’re tired of giving chocolate covered strawberries, year after year, it’s time to check out Cape Whoopies.
3. The Foodie: CrateFull of Maine
Looking to gift a little bit of everything? We love that the CrateFull of Maine crates are literally chockfull of what’s so great about Maine. There’s a little bit of the soul of Maine in each crate, like Maine maple syrup, Lost Wood hot sauce (our favorite!), Naturally Jammin Blueberry jam, Vena’s Fizz House Bitter Orange Sugar Cubes, Coastal Maine Popcorn, and so much more! And yes, even non-foodies will love CrateFull of Maine. If you love Maine and want to spread the love, why not ship out a CrateFull of Maine crate for those last minute Valentine’s Day gifts?
4. The Jewelry Lover: CHART metalworks
There’s a lot to love in Maine, and that includes unique, one of a kind jewelry from CHART metalworks. If there are places in the state of Maine (or the world) that are special to you and your significant other, there’s now a way to wear your favorite places. From delicate necklaces inscribed with your names to custom barware, every CHART metalworks piece tells an unparalleled story: yours! Want to really stun her this year? Check out CHART’s new Valentine’s collection. Pair a Heart Mini Necklace with Heart Mini Earrings and you’ll be close to their hearts, no matter where they may be!
The Cupcake Aficionado: East End Cupcakes
No matter what age your Valentine may be, cupcakes are something that can make everyone smile. And if you want the best cupcakes in Portland that money can buy, order from East End Cupcakes! Even if your Valentine is gluten free or vegan, East End Cupcakes will accommodate dietary needs. Our favorite flavors are classics like Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting, Chocolate with Chocolate Italian Buttercream (chocolate chocolate is the best kind of cupcake!) and Dark Chocolate with Sea Salted Caramel. Feeling daring? You can create your own combinations too!
The Animal Lover: Animal Refuge League
Is your Valentine a huge animal lover? Make this Valentine’s Day about helping animals that are in need. The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland is an amazing organization that helps animals, big and small. Want to make a difference all year round? You can give a monthly gift and become part of the Humanitarian Club. For pets at the shelter, you can also sponsor a cage. By sponsoring a cage, you’ll help an animal in need with food, as well as shelter. You can also shop the Animal Refuge League’s wishlist at the Fish & Bone! No matter how you do it, you’ll be helping homeless animals on their journey to a forever home.
The Accessories Fiend: Traps Eyewear
The Maine aesthetic is unique to Maine, and Maine alone. If you really want to look like a cool Mainer, Traps Eyewear is a must. These sunglasses are made from re-purposed lobster traps, and are made in Maine. Each pair is unique, and is a “direct interpretation of the New England coastal aesthetic.” There are several collections available including the Flagship, which is directly influenced by the style of JFK, and the Hardwoods Collection, which features woods that are local and handcrafted. For the true Maine aesthetic, make sure you’re wearing a pair of Traps. Want them before Valentine’s Day? For last minute Valentine’s Day gifts, shipping takes no longer than 7 days, so there’s still time!
