Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us! It’s time to celebrate with your loved ones, your tried and true friends, your kids… but maybe you stopped being turned on by flowers from the grocery store and Whitman’s chocolates a long time ago. Perhaps you never were into the foil-wrapped chocolate candy roses that teenage girls swoon over. Have you thrown anything at the television during diamond jewelry commercials lately? Does the idea of dialing 1-800-FLOWERS make you nauseated? Well then, hello kindred spirit!

I know I’m talking as if Valentine’s Day is for more than lovers. Well, isn’t it? Why should it only be for couples? If this is a holiday to celebrate love, then the more love we show, the better! My closest friends are the people I can always rely on, who accept me the way I am, will make time in their crazy schedules for coffee and gelato when I’m down, let me hide at their homes when I need a break from my very loud and boisterous family… I think they deserve treats. I love my kids more than anything and use this holiday as an excuse to make them handmade cards (it’s tradition) and give them small gifts and their favorite cookies. As for my husband? Well, he’s easy to buy for, but I have fun deciding on the “perfect” gift. Since we’re a couple of geeky oddballs, I’m not going to find that perfect gift at Zales, a flower shop, or the mall. Over the years, I’ve gotten really, really good at finding gifts at unusual places. (See our Holiday gift guide for even more inspiration.)

Fresh Roast Coffee Company, 3700 E. Douglas #2

For the coffee gourmet: Sure, you can go to Starbucks. Heck, you can stop at a grocery store and get flavored coffee and travel mugs on the cheap. But let’s say your honey is a true member of the church of caffeine. THIS is the place, and this is most certainly the coffee. Flavors? Forget it. This coffee doesn’t need any flavors. When the owner says “Fresh Roast,” he means FRESH ROAST. I haven’t tasted anything like it, ever. I bought some at Green Acres (the only place besides his shop where it’s sold), processed it to French press grind, and made the BEST cup of coffee I’ve ever had. Seriously. So I had to go to his shop and have a cup made his way. It takes about 3 minutes to get a cup of coffee, as the beans are ground when you order. I repeat: the beans are ground WHEN YOU ORDER. Have I died and gone to heaven? Amazing. So, if you’re looking for something for a coffee lover, and you want something to knock his (or her) boots off,  this is it!

Best of Times Gifts, 6452 E. Central

At first glance, you might think this is the kind of place your mom would shop. You’re probably right. Still, there’s nothing wrong with that; sometimes your mom is right. Let her check out cutesy stationary and refrigerator magnets with cats… you’re after the Lolita glass, Kansas food products, and Switchflops. My personal favorite Kansas food product? The Kansas City Snickerdoodle Cookie.

Wichita Pottery, 300 N. Meridian

This is a fully functional pottery studio, offering classes for all ages in everything from wheel pottery to more complex sculpture. The instructors also make beautiful ceramic items for sale – fanciful cookie jars, teapots with gorgeous glazes, and the list goes on. I don’t usually advocate couples taking a class together, because if there’s a competitive streak in either (or worse, both) of you, it causes trouble. However, you’ve all seen Ghost, right? Doesn’t that pottery wheel scene just make you want to take a class with your sweetheart? No? Maybe I’m being sentimental. You can also find items made by Jill Houtz, owner of Wichita Pottery, here and by others at Wichita Pottery here.

Mid-America All Indian Center, 650 N. Seneca

Of course, you’re going to find Native American stuff in the gift shop. When looking for gifts, I look for good quality beadwork, in particular earrings and hair fasteners. Jewelry made by Native artists is always a good choice, if it’s in your price range. Being handmade, some of it is quite expensive. If the person you’re shopping for is a history buff, check out the books. Finally, consider an Indian blanket to cuddle under and a CD of flute music. You know, originally flute music was used for courting and romance; just think of it as the “Al Green” of the Native world, and let it set the mood.

City Arts, 334 N. Mead

While the gift shop is small, I’ve gotten some amazing treasures here, such as a stained-glass nightlight, a wrought-iron incense holder with pinon incense , eyeglass holders (the necklace kind) made with handmade beads, and Dia de Los Muertos greeting cards. What will they have in store for you for Valentine’s Day? You’ll have to check. Worst case scenario, you’ll “waste” a trip and just have to peruse whatever art is hanging in the gallery. My heart breaks for you!

Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd.

There is no admission charge just to visit just the Museum Store. You can find gifts in here for your child (or your loved one’s inner child), your best friend, or yourself. After all, everyone should have Earigami earrings! Keep your eyes on the book selection; it often has titles on Kansas’s artists that you won’t find at a mainstream bookstore. Like puzzles? Definitely check this place out. Want to just splurge? ART GLASS! We have some serious talent in this town making unbelievable items out of glass. (Between you and me? I bought my husband’s gift here this year.)

The Science Education Center, 2730 E. Boulevard Plaza

Ever wanted a microscope? Telescope? Interested in getting a basic chemistry set and seeing what mischief you can get into with your kids, and how much you all can learn at the same time? Ever wanted to build and then shoot off a rocket? Be careful, that’s some addictive stuff! No matter, this is your place to go. Not only can you find everything you need, the folks who work here will make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into, and they won’t steer you wrong. While it seems kind of crazy to bring home science kits, if they’re about “magnetism” and “electricity,” isn’t that going to make sparks fly? Sorry about the bad pun, but hey; I’m a woman who has gotten (and loved) Valentine’s Day treats like “man-eating plants” (V-Day, 2007).

Where have you found the perfect, if unusual gift? What strange, but exciting Valentines have you received, and where did they come from?

Related posts:

1. [shop] Local Pet Store Picks
2. [shop] The Disappearing Local Business
3. [shop] For Gifts on the West Side
4. [shop] local: Holiday Gift Guide
5. [shop] Alternatives to Dillons