Sweetheart deal

Local gifts for your Valentine

It’s every cynic’s favorite time of year—February, the month of love, cupid, blah blah blah. You might say you don’t care, but no one believes you. Or maybe you do care, but you’re tired of the same unimaginative gift options. Either way, we’ve compiled a convenient list of unique, affordable and local gift ideas for your special someone this Valentine’s Day.

 STEMcell Science Shop
Ammonite fossils and crystal minerals, $10

If the thought of grand romantic gestures makes you squirm, consider the logical gift of science this Valentine’s Day. STEMcell Science Shop is Tulsa’s only store that specializes in science and math. Located at 502 E. 3rd St. in The Boxyard, the store offers a handful of rare pieces to help you communicate your everlasting love—like a 65 million-year-old Ammonite fossil from the Atlas mountain region of Morroco or a green opal from the store’s crystal mineral selection.

Retro Den 
Say it with succulents, $2-$25

Carnations are out, friends. Stop by Retro Den at 1216 S. Harvard Ave. and let storeowners Ashley Daly and Ashley Palmer point you toward the latest botanical trend—succulents. The plant bar is where you’ll find the desert beauties, plus vintage and hand-built planters, air plants and all the ingredients you need to successfully romance your beloved this Valentine’s Day.

Antoinette Baking Co.
Valentine’s red box special, $15

If your Valentine craves the delectable, look no further than Antoinette Baking Co. at 207 N. Main St. in the Brady Arts District. The French-styled bakery is well known for its decadent pies and offers a variety of treats to soothe the sweet-toothed. This year, the bakers are cooking up a Valentine’s special in the form of macarons. The Valentine’s Red Box special comes with six differently flavored macarons, packaged in a custom-made box and tied with a pretty red bow. Pick up your pre-ordered box on Valentine’s Day.

Post 
Floral smudge stick, $12-$24

Maybe your Valentine is a bit unconventional. Never fear! Post, located at 860 E. Admiral Blvd., has something for eccentrics, deviants, even graffiti-artists. Wrapped with sage, cedar, lavender and dried roses, floral smudge sticks by Catherine Rising are used to clear a physical or mental space of stagnant, negative energy. Each piece is one-of-a-kind and perfect for your nonconforming Valentine.

Passive Juice Motel 
Valentine Cards with a punch, $2

Sassy and downloadable Valentine’s Day cards by Passive Juice Motel (passivejuicemotel.com) come in a variety of collections. If you’ve deemed Cupid unreliable, consider allowing Michael Scott, Harry Potter or Snoop Dogg a shot with the bow and arrow this year. Themes include women of history, wizards, heartthrobs, authors, scientists, and more. The purchase comes with an 8x10 PDF file of six cards and recommends printing on an 8.5x11 sheet of white gloss paper.

Glacier Confection
Heart box, $9.95-$69.95.

Nothing says “I love you” quite like globs of saturated fat and sugar, especially when it’s from Glacier Confection on 15 E. Brady Street. And these local chocolatiers have a Valentine’s Day treat you can customize to perfection for the one who has your heart. Choose your heart-shaped box and fill it with your sweetheart’s favorite flavors. Boxes vary in size and color. 

Ida Red
Lucky Feather OK necklace, $15.95

Traditionalists unite! You can’t go wrong with jewelry on Valentine’s Day and every Okie girl needs an Okie necklace. Oklahoma silhouette necklaces made by Lucky Feather can be found at Ida Red, 3336 S. Peoria Ave. They are 16-18 inches, nickel-free, dipped in 14K gold and come with an adjustable toggle. 

Colors of Etnika
Studio K. Marina bracelet, $29.95-$69.95.

Looking for that one-of-a-kind piece for your Valentine this year? Colors of Etnika, located at 10 E. Archer St. has got you covered. The unisex bracelets found at Colors of Etnika, 10 E. Archer St., are unique, affordable, and handcrafted in Tulsa by storeowner Karla Aguirre. She uses high-quality glass beads and European genuine leather to craft her masterpieces. Choose your favorite leather color, beads and components to create a custom-made bracelet. 

Tulsa Spirit Tours
Valentine Winery Tour, Ages 21+, $89/person

Tulsa Spirit Tours is offering the ultimate Valentine’s Day package, DD included. Take your Valentine on a seven-hour tour of two of Tulsa’s historic wineries. The daylong trip includes transportation to and from the wineries, two wine tastings, a tour of an old historic building, prizes, wine and light bites.

For more from Laura, read her article on Small Business Saturday.