JEFFERSON PARK — There's nothing worse than messing up Valentine's Day for your special someone with the wrong gift, whether it is a handheld vacuum for her or a new snow shovel for him.
With our picks for gifts give you a road map to find the perfect gift to make your lady — or dude — feel sexy, happy and loved — all without leaving the neighborhood.
Local Goods Chicago, 5354 W. Devon Ave., in Edgebrook showcases the work of Chicago artists. Any gift from this store is sure to be unique, but Tru Blooms perfume ($20 for rollerball) will last longer than any bouquet of roses. For those of us who have trouble expressing our deepest feelings, KVG Designs Typewriter Poem Block ($30) will handle the heavy lifting in a cool retro-chic way.
Replica Chicago, which opened its Jefferson Park store, 4425 N. Milwaukee Ave., in 2012 and plans to expand to the storefront next door this year, and is the go-to source for Chicagophiles for all over the city. The store's Windy City Beard Elixir ($10 for wax, $20 for elixirs) is the perfect gift to manly men from their ladies who want to them them keep their beards and mustaches in tip-top shape. The store's Our Player 1 + Player 2 Best Friend key chains (mini $12, large $16) is perfect for those of us who celebrate Galentine's Day and no one wouldn't get a kick out of the super fun and colorful acrylic heart necklaces by Purple and Lime ($16).
For the sweetheart with a sweet tooth, the candy wall at Mia's Gelateria Focacceria, 4200 N. Central Ave. in Portage Park, offers a variety of candy — and their cafe offers cupcakes, cake and gelato. (Prices vary)
Superior Nut and Candy, at 6620 W. Irving Park Road in Dunning offers a truly impressive collection of nuts, candy and chocolate. If retro-cool candy conversation hearts are your Valentines-must have ($2.99 per pound), look no further.
For the man — or woman — prepared to spare no expense for their beloved on Valentine's Day, Dahlia Blooms, 5858 W. Irving Park Road, in Portage Park, offers a stunning rose basket featuring 264 roses for $1,059. If that's a bit out of your price range, the shop offers a variety of arrangements.
To pamper your significant other, Distinct Bath and Body at 6051 W. Irving Park Road in the Irving-Austin Business District offers a limited supply of heart-themed soaps. Each bar is made of olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, sunflower oil, macadamia oil, rice bran oil, sweet almond oil and shea butter.
If a traditional bouquet is your lady's heart desire, you can't go wrong at Romance In Bloom at 6729 N. Northwest Hwy. in Edison Park. The shop's Love Squared bouquet is $99.95, but the shop offers a wide-array of arrangements to fit any budget.
Let's be real guys — jewelry at Valentine's Day is never the wrong answer. Schierer & Popp Jewelers — which has been selling bling in Portage Park for nearly 60 years — offers a foolproof $99 Valentine's Day package that includes a pearl necklace, a real rose trimmed in 24-karat gold and Russell Stover Chocolates. Seen here is shop owner Donna Schierer.
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