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Celebrate the holiday season in West Chester with our 2018 Fig West Chester Holiday Gifting & Giving Guide.
Below, explore our curated collection of diverse local gifts and gifting experiences from West Chester and discover transformative nonprofits you can support in the community.
This season, shop local and give back to make our wonderful community event stronger.
Enjoy!
1) Gifting Guide
Explore the magic of West Chester and shop local this holiday season. Have your celebration shimmer and shine with meaningful gifts perfect for everyone on your list.
The Shops & Stores
The local stores where you can find curated, unique gifts.
Balance Hair Spa Studio
Be in perfect balance. This boutique salon features premiere hair and makeup services, with a highly trained team of stylists in a chic, relaxing environment. Choose from an extensive collection of 100% vegan hair care products with carefully selected ingredients to give nourishment and balance. Known for educating their clients on how to maintain their salon quality look all year long, stop in to have the Balance team choose a collection of hair care products that are perfect for you in the new year.
Gift Ideas: Gift certificates for coloring and highlighting, hair cuts, waxing, hair treatments, products for hair care, and more.
Explore: Website
Carlino’s Market
Food and family is their business and their passion at Carlino’s. They believe in the process of artisan food, the origin, the transformation and how it’s shared. Their brand is a tribute to their family, the inspiration for everything they do. Sharing this legacy and inspiration with their customers is the driving force behind everything they do.
Gift Ideas: Special holiday gift baskets, a huge range of pastas, cheeses, snacks, charcuterie, breads, meats, olive oils, vinegars, cookies, cakes, chocolates, dressings, and much more.
Explore: Website
Giunta’s Furniture
Choose from a thoughtfully curated selection of upholstery and furniture for every room, a wide selection of wood furnishings, locally built and custom pieces, and unique gifts for all occasions. Stop in and explore new decorating accents that will transform your space for the holidays.
Gift Ideas: Home accents perfect for the West Chester-lover, paintings, furniture, upholstery, lighting, home decor gifts, vases, and more.
Explore: Website
Jane Chalfant
Celebrating 85 years of fashion, Jane Chalfant has become more casual. Discover a beautiful selection of sweaters, from cotton to cashmere, featuring sizes extra small through extra large. Ideal for gift giving, or to pamper yourself.
Gift Ideas: Unique collections from denim to dresses and casual sportswear, accessories, scarves, hats, handbags, fun fashion jewelry, and more.
Explore: Website
KALY
Specializing in unique clothing, artisan handmade jewelry, eclectic gifts and accessories, Kaly is destination holiday (and year-round) shopping for women who want to look great while maintaining comfort.
Gift Ideas: Unique clothing, artisan handmade jewelry, eclectic gifts, accessories, baby items, organic products, local favorites, and more.
Explore: Website
Kaplan’s Fine Jewelry
Ivan, Lisa, and Evan Kaplan, of Kaplan’s Fine Jewelry, have a passion not only for jewelry, but also the custom experience. As a family owned business for 41 years, they are known for providing a personal service that makes each purchase as special as the occasion it celebrates. Whether an heirloom piece for future generations or a special moment in the making, make Kaplan’s Fine Jewelry yours this holiday season, New Year’s and Valentine’s Day.
Gift Ideas: An assortment of fine jewelry pieces including rings, necklaces, and much more.
Explore: Website
Luxey Little Ones
Looking for the highest quality brands for your baby? Luxey Little Ones is a one stop shop for sought after baby brands, while specializing in nursery and children’s room design. Shop handcrafted luxurious furnishings, exclusive private label bedding, must have designer baby gear.
Gift Ideas: Apparel for little ones, cribs, beds, rockers, strollers, car seats, bedding, decor, and more.
Explore: Website
Phineas Gage
A contemporary and casual wear store for the stylish male consumer, Phineas Gage offers quality brands and classic styles in a relaxed and trendy environment. Schedule an appointment for personal styling.
Gift Ideas: Clothing, casual wear, accessories, and gifts for the modern man.
Explore: Website
Yori’s Bakery
Made from scratch, Yori’s Bakery creates all baked goods on premise using only the freshest ingredients. Choose from their offering of fresh pastries, cookies, donuts, traditional holiday treats, or create a custom cake. Call to have a custom tray of festive treats curated for your holiday gathering.
Gift Ideas: A variety of baked goods made fresh daily, including danish pastry, holiday items, donuts, cinnamon buns, pies, french pastries, cupcakes, muffins, decorated cakes, a large variety of butter cookies, bread, and rolls.
Follow: Facebook
Explore: Website
H. Rose Boutique
A boutique for Mom-Mom, Mommy & Me! Built on the love of family, fashion, and unique design, this three generation shop in the heart of downtown West Chester offers apparel, accessories, and gifts for all ages and sizes. Find the perfect gift in-store or online this holiday season.
Gift Ideas: Baby clothing and adult clothing including hats, accessories, bags, towels, kimonos, shirts, skirts, and more.
Explore: Website
Taylor’s Music Store & Studio
West Chester’s oldest retail store, Taylor’s has served as the center for musical instruments and music education in Chester County for almost 90 years. Offering everything from guitar picks to grand pianos, and music from Bach to Rock, Taylor’s Music Store is truly your one stop shop for making music.
Gift Ideas: A variety of instruments pianos, percussion, strings, brass, woodwinds, and more, along with speakers, mics, amps, recording accessories, audio items, software, and more.
Follow: Facebook
Explore: Website
Unite For Her
Unite For HER is committed to helping women diagnosed with breast cancer navigate their way through treatment by providing complementary therapies designed to promote physical and emotional wellness. Our goal is to be a continued resource and support system for those affected by breast cancer.
Gift Ideas: Visit hercarebox.org to purchase a HER care box for someone in need. This box features a carefully chosen range of self-care items that align with the Unite For HER mission to educate and promote healing for every woman. 100% of the proceeds received from HER care box benefit Unite for HER’s mission to support the physical and emotional wellness of breast cancer patients.
Follow Unite For Her: Instagram, Facebook
Explore: Unite For HER’s Website
The Experiences
Get tickets and share the gift of an experience with those you love this holiday season.
Brandywine Ballet
At Brandywine Ballet another edition of their annual show The Nutcracker hits West Chester! Get tickets for this immensely popular ballet before they sell out. And for a gift, explore the ticket options for Cinderella—their show happening May 2019.
Explore & View Events: Website
Resident Theatre Company (RTC)
A new batch of incredible New York City caliber theater is coming to West Chester. Share the gift of an experience by giving tickets to one of the exciting upcoming events. Don’t miss shows like Lend Me A Tenor and the early 2019 show Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Explore & View Events: Website
Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center
There is always an exciting lineup of great events at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center! Give the gift of tickets to one of the exciting upcoming shows early 2019 including the Joe Conklin Comedy Show and musical events you don’t want to miss. Explore the full event listing and get tickets today.
Explore & View Events: Website
2) Giving Back Guide
Giving back is personal, passionate, and deliberate. West Chester has a deep generosity and a thriving creativity that makes giving back a celebration of the good work happening all around us.
Chester County Arts Association
Mission:
To be a source of inspiration, creativity, and community by connecting artists, students, patrons and the wider community to and through art.
Who They Serve:
As a nonprofit art organization, CCAA serves the entire Chester County community. Their audience ranges in age from 3 to 93, and includes beginning artists, art appreciators, and professional artists. CCAA is dedicated to nurturing creativity in everyone through high-quality arts education, inspiring art exhibitions, and building creative communities.
Stats:
- 750 – art classes, workshops, and camps offered annually
- 7,000+ – students each year that participate in CCAA art education programs
- 900 – individual art pieces featured in 50 unique art exhibits hosted annually
- 20,000 – people who experience CCAA gallery exhibits, lectures and artist talks
How To Give Back & Volunteer:
Donate directly through PayPal, mail a check, by calling, or online at chestercountyarts.org. For volunteer opportunities, call 610-696-5600 or send an email to assistant@chestercountyarts.org.
Good Things Said:
“Our goal is to inspire creative thinking and creative problem-solving. We believe that everyone is an artist, and we help develop individual abilities and foster art appreciation along with a sense of artistic community. Art is our passion, and we encourage everyone to experience its transformative power!” — Wendy Kershner, Executive Director at CCAA
The Greater West Chester Chamber Of Commerce
Mission:
To focus on helping members build relationships, promote their business, grow their network, address their most serious business challenges, and become an integral part of the community by providing advocacy, resources, and opportunities.
Who They Serve:
The Chamber services nearly 700 local businesses and entrepreneurs in central Chester County.
Stat:
$700,000 – the economic impact of additional sales at local restaurants and shops because of two large single-day events. This includes only out-of-town visitors—indicating that this economic impact was generated solely as a result of the events.
Did You Know?
The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce is a membership based nonprofit organization located in the heart of Chester County. The Chamber’s efforts help businesses grow and prosper. The Chamber’s ThinkShopBuy…LOCAL initiative encourages area residents to purchase goods and services from local businesses, reinvesting more of every dollar back into our community. The organization has a Workforce Development Initiative that focuses on skilled labor recruitment, a Senior Leadership Council for leaders/CEO’s to meet and discuss challenges facing the business community, an Internship Development Program partnership with West Chester University, Professional Development programming that offers first-class training, an assortment of Community Events such as QVC West Chester Christmas Parade, Benchmark Twilight Cycling Classic, and Autumn/Spring Gallery Walks, that engage thousands of guests and generate thousands of dollars in revenue for local businesses. The Chamber advocates for a variety of business principles—an improved tax structure and local economic vitality, improved infrastructure including transit, and training, education, and workforce development.
Friends Association
Mission:
To promote the independence of families with children by providing shelter, programs and services that prevent and end homelessness in Chester County.
What They Do:
Through Emergency Family Shelter, Homeless Prevention Programs and their newest program, Outreach to Homeless Families, the Friends Association address the needs of a wide range of families, from those who have become homeless to those who only need rental assistance for a limited time.
Who They Serve:
Homeless or near homeless children and their families.
How To Give Back Or Volunteer:
To donate in the form of dollars, gift cards, or household items, contact Robin Meixner, Development Director at 610.431.3598 ext. 204 or email r.meixner@friendsassoc.org.
Habitat For Humanity
Mission:
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
Who They Serve:
Habitat for Humanity serves low-income families of Chester County regardless of race, gender, culture, religion or familial status. Habitat is designed to help a unique group of people who are in need of adequate housing, in a position to make monthly mortgage payments, and unable to obtain conventional mortgages by other means.
Impact:
Since 1989, Habitat volunteers have provided affordable housing for 151 families in need in Coatesville, Downingtown, Phoenixville, and West Chester. A simple, decent place to live helps families by freeing them from physical and mental hardships. An affordable mortgage means they have a chance to create savings and invest in their education and health. Through shelter, Habitat empowers.
How To Give or Volunteer:
Families who partner with Habitat build their own homes alongside volunteers, pay an affordable mortgage, and are grateful for your help. Donate today online! Also, the Kennett and Caln ReStores are home improvement stores that accept donations and then resell to the community. Proceeds from the sales of these items help Habitat’s work in Chester County. Find out more at online.
Good Things Said:
“Where would be without the volunteers that have come out to help build our home, countless groups, companies and of course individuals too? You have given up one of the most precious things you can, in my opinion, and that’s your time, to help someone else. We really do appreciate all you have done in helping us build our home. I hope we convey that feeling when we were working amongst you at the site by actions and words.” – Marcus & Maryann
Unite For Her
Mission:
To bridge the gap between the medical and wellness communities by funding and delivering complementary therapies that support the physical and emotional needs of those with breast cancer during treatment and beyond. Unite for HER educates women and the community about the role of healthy lifestyle choices in the prevention of disease and the promotion of wellness.
Who They Serve:
Unite for HER serves women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer and offer extended, ongoing support for those with stage IV or metastatic disease.
Stats:
- 4,000 – women Unite for HER has served since opening in 2009
- 1,200 – newly diagnosed women Unite for HER offers support to on a yearly basis by providing access to healing complementary therapies at no cost to the participant.
How To Give Back & Volunteer:
To donate, visit uniteforher.org/donate and send a Unite for HER care package to a loved one newly diagnosed with breast cancer by visiting hercarebox.org. For volunteer opportunities, email info@uniteforher.org.
Good Things Said:
“I’m a pretty strong person, but after my diagnosis I just felt lost at sea. I was looking for someone to give me a shove in the right direction. That was what Unite for HER did for me—you put me on the track and helped me see where I needed to go. I used my Wellness Passport for acupuncture, hoping that it would help with the neuropathy in my hands and feet. The first two treatments were helpful, and after the third treatment the relief was almost immediate—I walked out and felt like a million bucks! My experience with Unite for HER allowed me to see all the beautiful things, all the kindness shown to me during that time. I can’t put into words how much you helped me. I am so grateful to Unite for HER for allowing me to see this past year as a positive, meaningful time in my life.” – Eileen, woman served at Unite for HER
Westside Community Center
Mission:
To empower families and youth academically, socially and spiritually, inspiring them to take on leadership roles in their community.
Who They Serve:
Westside Community Center serves Youth and families in the West Chester community.
What They Do:
Through the After-School Program, Skate Spot, Community Garden and various other programs, the Westside Community Center seeks to ask the question “What God given gifts, or ‘assets’, do you possess that can be used to improve your life and the lives of those around you?” The Westside Community Center is a safe place where students and families are encouraged and empowered amidst the various stresses of life.
How To Give Back Or Volunteer:
Visit westsidecommunitycenterwc.org or call 610.314.4327.
West Chester Film Fest
Mission:
To entertain, enlighten and educate the public through the presentation of global independent and innovative short film and interactive workshops by presenting an annual international short film festival.
What They Do:
For three days every April, the West Chester International Short Film Festival showcases the spirit of independent filmmaking and diverse voices from around the world in Downtown West Chester, PA. Over 3,000 film lovers get to enjoy an exciting flurry of short film blocks, workshops led by industry professionals, networking events, fantastic parties, and more! Film submissions are juried by a panel of industry professionals.
How To Give Or Volunteer:
See their website for details about sponsorship levels, perks, and more information. Custom sponsorships are also available! Visit westchesterfilmfestival.com/sponsorship or email sponsorship@westchesterfilmfestival.com
Wings For Success
Mission:
To empower women in need to pursue employment and economic security through apparel, advice, and advocacy.
Who They Serve:
Wings For Success serves women who are struggling to buy clothes appropriate for employment while balancing needs for food, rent, and childcare. Over 70% of clients come from referral partners working with women in the midst of vulnerable situations—be it escaping domestic violence, recovering from addiction, returning from active duty in the military, an unexpected layoff or disability.
Stats:
- 700 – women per year Wings of Success serves
- 77% – of total served women move towards employment or retained employment
30% – of women who were seeking appropriate attire to succeed at a newly obtained job were still employed 6 months later - 96% – of women said that Wings had increased their self-confidence
How To Give Back & Volunteer:
Donate online or via mail, or you may also give through United Way, Your Cause, Corporate Matches, and Amazon Smile. Volunteer opportunities are listed in detail on the website at wingsforsuccess.org.
Good Things Said:
“The women at Wings didn’t make me feel less. They didn’t pity me. They surrounded me to lift me up.” — Terry, Wings for Success client
“It’s great to see there’s people out there willing to help you succeed in life.” – Cathy, Wings for Success client
YMCA
Mission:
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
Who They Serve:
The YMCA of Greater Brandywine serves more than 73,000 local members in Chester County, thousands of visitors through the Y’s reciprocity program, as well as brand loyalty which spans over a century.
Stats:
- $2.9 MILLION financial assistance provided to more than 9,880 individuals and families
- 3,977 kids enjoyed YMCA summer camps
- 1,808 kids that were taught life-saving water safety skills
- 1,245 free memberships to 7th graders through the 7th Grade Initiative
- 603 tweens and teens were provided a safe haven through the Saturday Night Lights program
How To Give Or Volunteer:
Inquire about volunteering online, call 610.643.9622 ext. 2153, or contact Patti Cambell at pcambell@ymcagbw.org.
Good Things Said:
“As a working mom, the Y’s childcare has been a lifesaver. My daughter loves her classes and is learning so much… and I feel happy knowing she is well cared for. I don’t know what I would have done without their financial assistance program; it is a wonderful resource for our community.”
– Chai, parent