The holiday season is upon us and that means it is officially time to shop until we drop tax-free in Delaware! The stress of finding the perfect gifts for your loved ones seems to be getting more difficult by the year. Think outside the gift card this year. Grab some eggnog and scroll through our list of five unique gifts that can only be found in Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley!
1. Memberships
A year of events in just one box! Your loved ones will surely be impressed throughout the year with the enriching and extravagant experience of an annual membership to one of Wilmington’s amazing attractions. Membership allows for visits throughout the year to explore ever-changing exhibitions or enjoy nature’s seasonal colors. Plus, annual memberships provide additional benefits such as special guest rates, early access to special event tickets, members-only events and so much more. A museum or garden membership is the gift that gives all year long.
Nestled in the rolling hills of the Brandywine Valley, Winterthur is a historic estate on par with some of the most famous estates in the country, such as Biltmore Estate, The…
Explore one of the great gardens of the world, featuring 1,100 acres of meadows, gardens, and woodlands including a 4-acre Conservatory. With dazzling horticulture displays…
Hagley is a large, indoor-outdoor museum experience with hundreds of years of history. Explore the new Nation of Inventors exhibition celebrating diverse stories of American…
Discover an outstanding collection of American art housed in a 19th-century mill with a dramatic steel and glass addition overlooking the banks of the Brandywine River. Renowned…
Voted “Best Botanical Garden” in the 2020 USA Today 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards, Mt. Cuba Center is one of Delaware’s hidden treasures. Find space to breathe, relax, and…
Explore reimagined art galleries, a spacious sculpture garden and labyrinth, and spectacular special exhibitions. The Delaware Art Museum is best known for its large collection…
Explore immersive ecosystems from Delaware and around the world at the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, recently reopened after a complete renovation to its galleries and…
Visit the village of Odessa, Delaware and admire examples of 18th- and 19th-century architecture, and tour the Historic Odessa Foundation's five historic houses.
The Delaware Children’s Museum is Delaware’s first and only kid-centric museum, teaching math, science and technology through hands-on exhibits. The Museum features 37,000…
Visit the Brandywine Zoo in Brandywine Park! A Delaware jewel in Wilmington, the Brandywine Zoo is a cool place to meet a lemur or condor, or a capybara up close. Awesome zoo…
Built in 1871, this magnificent concert hall in Downtown Wilmington entertains and engages its communities through exceptional, diverse live performances and educational…
OperaDelaware is a professional non-profit opera company with a reputation for excellence in both opera and arts education. OD presents both grand opera productions and intimate…
2. Craft Beer
Check multiple people off your list with Wilmington craft beer. Grab the boss a bottle at Wilmington Brew Works, fill a growler at Bellefonte Brewing Company for your uncle, send your cousin on a tour and tasting at Delaware’s first meadery, Liquid Alchemy Beverages, and give your niece and nephew the best brews in the county with a First State Brew Tour.
3. Décor
When thinking outside the box for gifts, ornaments don’t often come to mind? However, Critter Ornaments from Brandywine River Museum of Art are an annual favorite in the Brandywine Valley. Each holiday season the volunteer staff turn all-natural materials into hand crafted, decorative critter ornaments to hang from your tree or use as tabletop décor. This year, the sale will be December 5-8th! But don’t fret, if you miss out on the Critters, the museum also offers an amazing selection of prints and posters from three generations of the Wyeth Family – N.C., Andrew, and Jamie. Any Wyeth print is sure to make a statement!
4. Theatre
If you’re tired of gifting toys, for young or old, that end up stored on a shelf, why not gift an experience instead? Grab tickets to show stopping performances throughout Wilmington's arts and culture attractions. From the Grand Opera House to Candlelight Theater, there are still plenty of shows left in the 2019-2020 season! Check out Wilmington's Arts and Entertainment - here!
5. 2020 Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport
Give the gift of gardens, culture and history with a 2020 Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport! Your ticket to 12 top Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley attractions for one amazing price. Truly the gift that keeps on giving from one season to the next. Each Passport is valid Memorial Day through Labor Day 2020. Available for individuals and families. Need we say more?
Whatever you gift, wherever you go, Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley has something for everyone to enjoy.
Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!
Author
Jessica Horstmann
Digital Marketing Manager at the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau
About Jessica: Moving to Delaware at ten years old gifted me the opportunity to grow under the lights of the city, the serenity of the country, and everything in between. I would have never thought that so many fun and interesting attractions could be packed into such a small state. I love to travel, take pictures, and experience new adventures just like you, reading this now. I can promise you new adventures happen every day in the First State. Follow along with my blogs and see for yourself why Delaware is small, but mighty!
