If you’re struggling to come up with the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, this list has some typical and not so typical offerings. Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love in all forms — if you don’t have a significant other, treat yourself. These Baltimore-based objects and experiences reflect the creative folks who live and work here. Celebrate February 14 and support these makers.

Namascents Saffron Soy Candle
Price: $10

Namascents Candle Co.
info@namascentscandleco.com

Support this Black-owned, women-owned, LGBTQ+ brand and set the mood in your home with one of Namascents saffron soy candles. This Saffron scented soy candle has notes of ginger, apple spice, cardamom, and will infuse your evening with warmth and sultriness.

Valentine’s Day Sip and Paint

Price: $30 – $50

Friday, February 10 at 6:30 p.m. 

Impact Hub 

10 East North Avenue

For more information, email: jade.valentine808@gmail.com, and contact Leslie at 410-980-6159 via text to book party packages. Please book table packages in advance and contact hosts if booking after 02/08. 

An instructor will guide you through the process of making a masterpiece you can take home. You can also make the night extra special by booking a Valentine’s Day package ($50) that includes roses, a bottle of champagne or rosé, chocolates, and a gift bag. Complimentary food and drinks included, BYOB. 

Suminagashi: The Art of Meditative Marbling class

Thursday, February 9 at 7:30 p.m. 

Price: $60

B. Willow 

220 West 27th Street

Suminagashi, the Japanese form of paper marbling, translates as “floating ink” or “spilled ink.”In this class, explore the creative, meditative process of suminagashi-style paper marbling. This workshop is facilitated by Kelly Laughlin (she/hers) founder of Odette Press. You’ll be guided through the history of suminagashi, a suminagashi demonstration, along with instruction on how to create a marbling set up at home, and you’ll leave with a collection of swirling, organic, water-painted marbled papers, envelopes, and cards perfect for letter writing and card sending.

Valentine’s Aphrodisiacs Dinner
Price: $90 (Price of class is per person.)
February 10 at 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Schola Cooks
916 North Charles Street
(443) 714-7516
Price: $90 (Price of class is per person.)

It’s been said that certain foods have the ability to enhance the libido and improve intimate encounters. At Schola, you and your date can make an enticing menu of offerings, including roasted oysters, lobster ravioli, beef wellington, and dark chocolate flourless cake.

Love Is Blind Haunted House

Friday, February 10 and February 11

7:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m. 

Price: $20 – $25

Laurel’s House of Horror (Located in back right corner of Laurel’s Shopping Center)

935 Fairlawn Avenue 

Laurel, MD 20707

For those who celebrate spooky season all year round, visit the Love Is Blind Haunted House inside of an abandoned movie theater for the perfect anti-Valentine horror experience. (Field of Screams is also offering a haunted v-day event on 2/11 for $30.)

La Fete Du Rose Rose Cote Du Provence 

Price: $28

Off The Rox Wine & Beer

3232 Eastern Avenue

Impress the one you love with this Black-owned rosé while also supporting a Black-owned wine store. 

Conversations, Bubbles, and Charcuteries
Price: $75 – $125
Thursday, February 9, 2023
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Swill Baltimore
906 Washington Boulevard

This workshop will have a mix and mingle session that allows participants to have conversations about love, their experiences, and charcuterie. The event will also feature a DJ spinning R&B, door prizes, giveaways, and drink options. Price of admission includes all of the supplies necessary to make your own charcuterie as well as complimentary cocktails.

Pretty Pussy Love Butter
Price: $26.00

Sobotanical
48 East Cross Street
410-234-0333

This nourishing butter melts to the touch and works wonders moisturizing, soothing, and even providing a sensual tingle. This butter is great for regular use to provide moisture when needed. SoBotanical is a female-founded and owned business born out of love for self-healing with plant medicine.

Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hershey
Price: $27

Available at Snug Books
4717 Harford Road #1C

This book by Tricia Hershey, founder of Nap Ministry, is a must-have for anyone who struggles with the grind of capitalism and the pressures of keeping everything together. Support Hershey’s work by purchasing from Snug Books, an independent bookstore.

A Table For Two: Valentine’s Day Dinner Series at good neighbor

Price: $225 – $250 

Multiple Dates (2/11-2/14)

9:00pm

good neighbor

3827 Falls Road

Please note: ticket sales for each date end 72 hours before, e.g. ticket sales for 2/11 end on 2/8

Treat someone special to a decadent three-course meal prepared by the Loving Spoon Collective in this intimate and romantic dinner service.

Kush Queen Water-Based CBD Lube

Price: $49.99

Charm City Hemp Premium CBD Store – Hampden

1013 W 36th St

Baltimore, MD 21211, United States

443-438-6666

Why use a CBD lubricant? Cannabis is a vasodilator and can increase blood flow when applied directly to an area, increasing sensation. Perfect for a night of pleasure.

Bramble Baking Co. Valentine’s Day Heart Cake
Price: $40

Bramble Baking Co.
5414 Harford Road
443-438-4468

Bramble Baking Co. has some decadent and festive V-Day treats. Their 2023 Valentine’s Day Heart Cake is flavored with red wine and black currant and frosted with chocolate french buttercream. They also have a chocolate box ($20) which features passionfruit lime basil, ancho chili peanut, and malty smoked vanilla caramel dark chocolates.

Bubby’s Baked Snickerdoodle Bites
Price: $25.00

Dots Dispensary
805 North Howard Street
dotsdispensary.com
667-309-7867

These 50 mg snickerdoodle bites are fresh-baked and infused with a perfect full-spectrum dose of THC for a warming wave of homemade goodness.

Rose Massage Bars
Price: $8.99

Mount Royal Soap Co.
2740 Huntingdon Avenue
mountroyalsoaps.com
(443) 388-8185

Made with shea butter, beeswax, mango butter, and jojoba oil, these massage bars smell and look like fresh-cut roses! Enjoy them alone after a long day or with friends.

Abundance Bracelet
Price: $25

New Vintage By Sam
4020 Carthage Road
Randallstown, MD 21133
443-272-1530

Buy this bracelet for yourself or for your partner. This piece of jewelry is made from an assortment of African glass beads that are created from recycled glass. They’re first pounded into a powder, reshaped into new beads, then painted and put into the fire to harden- a reminder that no matter what, you can always emerge brighter and stronger amidst the fire.

Angels Ate Lemons V-Day Special Love Bouquet by Pomona Floral
Price: $175

Angels Ate Lemons
2223 Maryland Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21218
Phone: (443) 955-4817
Pick up only in Angels Ate Lemons 02/10 – 02/12 and Valentine’s 1-7 pm. For special requests please email pomonafloral@gmail.com

These custom bouquets of orchid, sweet pea, and anthurium seasonal foliage are sure to add color and beauty to your Valentine’s season. When you pick up your bouquet, made by Pomona Floral, you can also pick up a bottle of wine for 15% off.

Teri Henderson is the Arts and Culture Editor of Baltimore Beat. She is the author of the 2021 book Black Collagists. Previously, she was a staff writer for BmoreArt, gallery coordinator for Connect +...