Last minute gifts for a squirrel lover in Philadelphia?

August 28, 2010 7:08 AM

Last minute gifts for a squirrel lover in Philadelphia? Pretty much anything squirrel-inspired and under $25 will do. Toys, stuffed animals, kitschy figurines (including ashtrays, paperweights, nutcrackers, etc.) are all great.

I've already browsed several big-box stores to no avail. I'm looking for someplace that's not too far from center city.

Any suggestions are appreciated!

posted by null14 to shopping (9 answers total)

ModCloth has whisks with the inside shaped like a squirrel. I bought some for a squirrel-lovin' couple last holiday season.

Some hipster baby clothing store, mentioned on AskMe IIRC, has a really cute squirrel onesie but that might not be of any use to you...

Definitely do a search on etsy.
posted by ifjuly at 7:39 AM on August 28, 2010

Sounds like you need it today, but this seems like an etsy.com thing if you can wait for shipping (or pay for faster shipping). There have been times when I've found something perfect and can't get it to the person in time - you can just print out a nice photo of the item, put it in a nice card and say it's on the way.

Best I can think of is a Wild Birds Unlimited store - they often have squirrel stuff because squirrels love bird feeders. I don't think you want to all the way out to Dresher, PA, though.

You'd probably have the most luck looking at local antiques stores and thrift stores around Philly for squirrel stuff.

Or, you can make a squirrel-themed gift: bundle up some homemade trail mix or peanut butter cookies, make a little card out of a squirrel picture, and add a note saying to "squirrel this away" or something like that.

Or, offer to take him/her to the UPenn campus to try out squirrel fishing! You could even make a gift of a little squirrel fishing pole and include a bag of peanuts. Disclaimer: this is not as safe as it could be... as a teenager I tried this out and almost lured one into my house.
posted by belau at 7:39 AM on August 28, 2010

Here's those whisks.
posted by ifjuly at 7:40 AM on August 28, 2010

The feeder itself if out of your price range, but the Yankee Flipper bird feeder is a riot to watch, assuming a squirrel-lover with a somewhat dark sense of humor. Not seen one in action: watch here.

I bought one for my mother; my husband threatens to fill it with peanuts.
posted by workerant at 7:52 AM on August 28, 2010

Seconding ModCloth if you can wait for the gift to arrive. In addition to the whisks ifjuly mentioned, they have a number of squirrel items, including a squirrel dish.
posted by Majorita at 8:45 AM on August 28, 2010

Tried Etsy using the Shop Local feature, and found this cute vintage squirrel with tree stump bank before long. Maybe you could contact the seller and arrange a pick up or delivery?
posted by peagood at 9:26 AM on August 28, 2010

Art Star
623 N 2nd St, Phillly

I have a Squirrel badge from Happy Owl Glassworks. That retailer above carries their work.
posted by bibliogrrl at 10:04 AM on August 28, 2010

Another item from a Philadelphia-based Etsy Shop (because I love shopping and a challenge):

Vintage squirrel on walnut


Okay, and this, from Craigslist, is $95, but it is pretty amazing.

And this is an older listing, but maybe it's still available.

Send them Foamy the Squirrel videos?

Take a road trip to Squirrel Hill?
posted by peagood at 10:07 AM on August 28, 2010

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions. I took bibliogrrl's advice and picked up some outstanding squirrel trinkets at Art Star (a surprisingly good place whose existence I was not even aware of, so thanks again).
posted by null14 at 7:04 PM on August 28, 2010