5 Perfect Valentine’s Day Gifts from the Farmers Market

It has been over a year of trying to connect with loved ones through social distancing and Zoom calls, and as important as verbal communication is, gifting presents is another excellent way to show affection and love from afar. Valentine’s Day is the time to show your gratitude for your loved ones, and Indy’s Winter Farmers Market offers some perfect gift options that also support your local farmers and businesses. Here is a list of five farmer’s market items that would be great to give.

1. Warm Baked Goods

Gooey cookies, decadent cakes, soft muffins, and crumbly scones are just a few delicious treats that can be found at the farmer’s market. Fresh baked goods in the middle of winter will satisfy any sweet tooth, and it will keep you warm if you heat them up. These baked goodies are wrapped up and ready to be picked up at the market. A few bakers to look out for at the Indy’s Winter Farmers Market are Mother Noble, Leo’s Wellness Bakery, and Native Bread.

2. Naturally Sweet

Honey is a staple ingredient in many households because of its versatility and health benefits. It can be added to almost anything: tea, smoothies, overnight oats, granola, baked goods, and even used as a glaze. There are often various types of honey at the farmer’s market that are not sold at regular grocery stores, like orange blossom honey, blueberry honey, eucalyptus honey, acacia honey, and more. Also, if the honey is in a jar, the jar can be recycled and repurposed. 

For those who are not honey fans, maple syrup can also be found at the farmer’s market and is a great substitute for vegans who like to add some natural sweetness to their foods. Some of our favorite vendors that sell honey or maple at the Indy Winter’s Farmers Market are Wildflower Ridge Honey Company and Maplewood Farms LLC. 

3. Natural Skin and Body Care Products

One way to show someone that you care about them is to give them the gift of self-care. At the farmer’s market, our vendors offer a variety of self-care items, and most skincare products are organically made with little to no chemicals added. Nice smelling scrubs, bath bombs, and lotions are just a few items that would make great self-care gifts. Old Gray Cat Herbal Apothecary, soulcraft, Body Eclectic Skin Care, and Essentially Aqua are a few vendors to look out for at the market.

4. Fresh Coffee Beans and Fragrantful Tea Leaves

Some people cannot function without a cup (or more) of coffee throughout the day. If you know a coffee drinker, or if that person is you, then purchasing fresh coffee at the farmer’s market will make a great treat that can make waking up in the morning a bit easier. For coffee, look out for Bee Coffee Roasters at the Indy Winter Farmers Market. 

There is a saying that tea soothes the soul, so for non-coffee drinkers, tea is a great alternative. Tea and herbs have a long history of being beneficial for the spirit and body, and gifting them to someone shows you care about their well-being. Herbal tea benefits include boosting the immune helping, improving blood pressure, helping digestion, lower inflammation, and much more. One of our favorite tea leaf vendors is The Royal Frenchman Tea Co.

5. Lively Houseplants

Plants are gifts that keeps on giving, as they are long-lasting and offer several health benefits. Studies have shown that having houseplants can reduce stress, boost creativity and several houseplants can also purify the air. Tending to and watching plants grow can also be a rewarding process, on top of them also being aesthetically pleasing to look at. The Botanikal Bar will be hosting a “Valentine’s Edition” pop-up shop and selling houseplants at the Indy Winter Farmers Market on Saturday, February 13th.