Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. If you are like us and feel the pressure to find the perfect gift while also being unique, we have some great solutions for you.
Orange County, CA, is a great spot for finding locally-made products. There are some talented and successful businesses in the area that are more than willing to help you stand out on February 14th.
Seaside Gallery and Goods
If you want to find locally made products from a number of different artists all in one place, Seaside Gallery and Goods is the place to be. This location has more than 17 different local artists selling their products.
The products at Seaside Gallery and Goods range from aprons and pillows to jewelry and makeup. You can find some unique one of a kind pieces, and a good bit of it has a seaside vibe to it.
We found some wood heart ornament napkin rings that were unique and be used for more than just a special Valentine’s Day. With February 14th around the corner, Seaside Gallery And Goods has some season-specific products in stock. If you are shopping for someone who can be selective, you will find that perfect gift here.
Price Range: $10-$500+
124 Tustin Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92663
Mon – Sat: 10am to 5pm, Sun: 11am to 3pm
G. Toria’s Gift Basket
Have you ever felt like one gift was not enough, and instead, a basket of gifts is a better way to show your love? If that’s the case, then G. Toria’s Gift Baskets is a perfect Orange County location to get this done.
Each gift basket from G. Toria’s has a theme, and you can choose things from snacks and teddy bears to champagne and balloons. Each basket is personalized so that your special someone knows this basket is specifically for them.
Another great thing about the G. Toria baskets is that they can make for a great Valentine’s Day celebration. Simply have one of these put together and then enjoy the night with everything that it has to offer.
Price Range: $75+
450 Campus Drive, Newport Beach, CA
By Appointment Only
Schmids of San Clemente
A list of the best locally-made Valentine’s gifts would not be complete without some chocolate. Even if you want to change things up this year, you will still want to add some chocolate to the gift, and the chocolate-covered strawberries from Schmids of San Clemente could not be a better choice.
The strawberries are large and fresh, and the chocolate is done with a marbling pattern to really make them stand out.
If the strawberries are not for you, Schmids also does custom-boxed chocolates, and it is all homemade in-house. As you can imagine, this place gets busy around Valentine’s Day so be sure to get your shopping done early.
Price Range: $10+
99 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, CA 92672
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10 am-6 pm, Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 11 am-4 pm
M. Lovewell
M. Lovewell is a small shop that was started by two Orange County natives. You will find upon entering the store that the cards, gifts, and stationary featured at M. Lovewell this time of year are a perfect selection for a Valentine’s Day gift.
Some of the unique cards really stand out from others that you will find in the larger stores. There are also Valentine’s stickers and more practical gifts like planners and notebooks.
If the name of the store doesn’t give you a hint as to how these local creators feel about love, then you may have missed the point! M. Lovewell also offers classes and workshops, so a gift certificate can also be a smart choice.
Price Range: $5+
305-103 E. 4th St., Santa Ana CA 92701
Wednesday-Sunday 12-6
AeroHome
California home design is unique, and nobody knows it better than AeroHome. However, this shop is often overlooked regarding gifts for special occasions. AeroHome has a wide range of products, from jewelry and spa products to furniture and garden.
If you want to get a few unique things for Valentine’s Day, the AeroHome collection is a great spot. One of our favorite ideas was the lantern and candle sets that AeroHome offered. There are a variety of styles and sizes to choose from, and they can be a great piece to keep as part of your home decor for years to come.
Price Range: $50+
207 Ocean Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Open Daily 10 am-7 pm
Whether you are new to the area or a lifelong resident of Orange County, don’t forget about all the great locally made gifs when you are shopping this Valentine’s Day. Even though it’s best to shop early, these local shops can also save the Day when you need a last-minute solution.
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