Following a cybersecurity breach at the University of Pennsylvania last month, an anonymous hacker claimed that they had compromised data for some 1.2 million students, donors, and alumni — a figure that the school now says is inaccurate.
The university said that a forensic investigation into the breach remains ongoing and that a “precise number” for the amount of records that were improperly accessed was not yet available.
A timeline of when that investigation would be concluded was not provided, with the school noting that analysis of the breach would “take time to complete.”
“While our investigation is ongoing, we do not currently have evidence to indicate that information involved in this incident has been used for the purposes of fraud,” the university said.
The incident was reported Oct. 31, when students and alumni received what the school called a “fraudulent” email crudely criticizing Penn’s hiring practices. The message, which also called on recipients to stop donating money to the university, appeared to come from Penn’s Graduate School of Education.
“We have terrible security practices and are completely unmeritocratic,” the email said.
The breach, the university said, came as a result of “sophisticated identity impersonation commonly known as social engineering,” which is a hacking technique in which “bad actors deceive individuals into giving up confidential information.”
Systems accessed included “Penn’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system (Salesforce), file repositories (SharePoint and Box), a reporting application (Qlikview), as well as Marketing Cloud,” the school added.
Electronic medical records from Penn Medicine do not appear to have been accessed in the breach. In its update Friday, the university said that it would notify individuals whose information had been accessed once its analysis of the incident was complete.
The data, according to the Daily Pennsylvanian, Penn’s student newspaper, included memos about donors and their families, receipts of bank transactions, and personal information. The DP said that it reviewed documents released by the alleged hacker on LeakForum and that the perpetrator claimed to have accessed data on 1.2 million Penn students, alumni, and donors.
The Verge, a technology publication, reported that among the items obtained was personal information about former President Joe Biden, whose granddaughter had been a student at Penn. The hacker claiming responsibility for the breach told the outlet that they planned to sell some of the data before releasing it publicly.
Beyond disputing the 1.2 million figure, Penn has not commented on what information was accessed.
Following news of the breach, more than a dozen proposed class-action lawsuits were filed against the university in federal and state courts alleging that Penn failed to secure the personal information of those affected.
The litigation is still in its early stages, and Penn hasn’t yet responded to the allegations in court filings. On Monday, attorneys who filed 10 of the 14 federal lawsuits in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania asked the court to consolidate the cases.
On its information page about the incident, Penn warned school community members to “be wary of suspicious calls or emails that could be phishing attempts,” as well as “any embedded links in emails that you are not familiar with.”
It also advised concerned individuals to take steps such as reviewing their credit reports and activating fraud alerts with major credit bureaus.
“We recognize the severity of this incident and are working diligently to address it,” the university said.
Staff writers Abraham Gutman and Susan Snyder contributed to this article.
Angelica Javier was sitting at home on a Saturday evening last month when her son’s uncle called in a panic.
Xzavier, her 16-year-old, had been shot, he said — one of the teen’s friends had called and told him, but he knew nothing else.
Javier, 32, frantically checked a news website and saw a brief story mentioning that a man was shot and killed in Northeast Philadelphia.
That could not be her son, she told herself. Xzavier was only a boy, she said — tall but lanky, with the splotchy beginnings of a mustache just appearing on his upper lip.
She called around to hospitals without success. Xzavier’s father, Cesar Gregory, drove to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, desperate for information.
Then, just before 10 p.m., she said, a homicide detective called to say their eldest child, their only son, had been shot and killed that afternoon near Teesdale and Frontenac Streets.
Angelica Javier (left) and her 16-year-old son, Xzavier Gregory, getting tacos after watching the Eagles beat the Los Angeles Rams earlier this year.
The shooting, police said, stemmed from a dispute among teens at the Jardel Recreation Center, just blocks away, earlier in the week. Xzavier’s parents said the detective told them that one of their son’s friends may have slapped a young woman that day.
On Oct. 11, they said, police told them that Xzavier and his friends stopped by the young woman’s house shortly before 4 p.m. to talk with her, apologize, and resolve the conflict. They shook hands, the parents said, and started to walk away.
Then, police said, the girl’s 17-year-old boyfriend, Sahhir Mouzon, suddenly came out of the house with a gun and started shooting down the block at them. Someone shot back, police said, but it was not Xzavier. In total, 45 bullets were fired.
An 18-year-old woman walking by the teens was wounded in the leg.
Xzavier was struck in the chest and died within minutes.
Mouzon has been charged with murder and related crimes.
Javier and Gregory have been left to navigate life without their “Zay” and to reckon with a loss that comes even as gun violence in the city reaches new lows — but which still persists among young people and brings pain to each family it touches.
They don’t understand how a 17-year-old had a gun, they said, or why a seemingly minor — and potentially resolved — conflict had to escalate.
But mostly, they said, they want Philadelphia to know and remember their child: a goofy junior at Northeast High. An avid Eagles fan. A lover of Marvel movies and spicy foods.
Xzavier Gregory was born in Philadelphia. His parents loved his chubby cheeks.Xzavier Gregory was born Sept. 20, 2009, to Angelica Javier and Cesar Gregory.
Xzavier Giovanni Gregory was born Sept. 20, 2009, at Temple University Hospital in North Philadelphia. His parents, just teens at the time, were immediately taken by his chubby cheeks, which he kept until his teenaged years.
He lived in Kensington until he was about 10 years old, his mother said, when they moved to the Northeast. He attended Louis H. Farrell School, then spent his freshman year at Father Judge High before moving to Northeast High.
He loved traveling, and often visited family in Florida and the Dominican Republic, attended football camps in Georgia and Maryland, and tagged along on weekends to New York with his mother as part of her job managing federal after-school programs.
He played football for the Rhawnhurst Raiders, typically as an offensive or defensive lineman, and had a natural skill for boxing, his parents said.
Philadelphia sports were in his blood — particularly the Eagles. DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, his father said, were his favorite players. (Before his death, he agreed that Brown should be included in more plays this year, Gregory said.)
Some of Gregory’s favorite memories with his son revolve around the Eagles. Sitting front row at the Linc on his 13th birthday. Erupting in cheers as the team won its first Super Bowl in 2018. Embracing in tears when they won a second this year.
Cesar Gregory (left) and son Xzavier at the Eagles Super Bowl parade near the Art Museum in February. It is a day with his son that the father said he will never forget.
Xzavier was the oldest of three children. His sisters are still too young too fully understand what happened, the parents said.
“He went to heaven,” Javier told 7-year-old Kennedy.
The number of kids shot peaked in 2021 and 2022, when violence citywide reached record highs and guns became the leading cause of death among American children. So far this year, 105 kids under 18 have been shot — a sharp drop from three years ago, but still higher than pre-pandemic levels, according to city data.
Xzavier is one of at least 11 children killed by gunfire this year.
Xzavier Gregory (center) was a goofy teen who attended Northeast High School, his parents said.
Javier and Gregory said some relatives are considering leaving Philadelphia, shaken by Xzavier’s killing and a feeling that teens don’t fear consequences.
But the parents said they will stay. They want to be near Magnolia Cemetery, where Xzavier is buried, and to feel closer to the memories that briefly unite them with him.
On harder days, they said, they go into his bedroom, which is just as he left it, a relic of a teenage boy.
His PlayStation controller sits in the middle of his bed, and a photo of him and his mother hangs on the wall above it. His Nike sneakers are scattered. His black backpack rests on the floor, and a Spider-Man mask sits on the corner of his bedframe.
On Thursday, his parents stood in the room they used to complain was too messy, that smelled like dirty laundry.
“Now, I come in just to smell it,” Javier said.
She took a deep breath.
Staff writer Dylan Purcell contributed to this article.
The undergraduateclass at the University of Pennsylvania vigorously discussed the use of affirmative action in college admissions, half the room charged with arguing one side and half the other.
Their task, informed by the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision that ended the use of race-conscious college admissions, was to brief and advise a popular governor of a swing state who had not yet taken a position on the issue.
“Guess who is the governor?” said their professor, Amy Gutmann. “I am the governor.”
And for 90 minutes, the entirety of the class period, Gutmann guided a lively discussion in which students talked as much as she did.
While never a governor, Gutmann has quite the leadership portfolio. She was president of Penn for a record 18 years, leaving in 2022 to become U.S. ambassador to Germany under former President Joe Biden, a post she held until 2024. She is also a Harvard-educated political scientist who cowrote the book The Spirit of Compromise and in 2018 was called one of the world’s 50 greatest leaders by Fortune magazine.
Now, for the first time in about 25 years — since she was a politics professor at Princeton — Gutmann is back in the classroom teaching a full course this semester in the Annenberg School for Communication. Sarah Banet-Weiser, dean of Annenberg, who initially came up with the idea for the course, is her co-teacher.
For students, the professorial star power was hard to pass up. There was a waiting list for the class.
“It’s kind of a power duo,” said Evan Humphrey, 21, a senior communications major from Seattle. “Got to take that class.”
Senior Evan Humphrey said she was drawn to enroll in the class because of the two professors and their distinguished careers.
Focusing on teaching — the heart of a university — has been especially meaningful to Gutmann, and to Banet-Weiser, too, at a time when higher education has had its federal funding threatened and its approaches attacked.
“It literally gives me life every week,” Banet-Weiser said.
Gutmann, 75,who said she aspired to be a teacher since she was 5, said it has made her feel productive “in a way that goes to the heart of what a university is about.”
“We should never lose sight of that heart of the university and how valuable it is,” she said.
The goal of the class, called “The Art and Ethics of Communication in Times of Crisis,” is “to learn how and why to communicate with greater insight and understanding across differences,” while creating space “for free and open dialogue about controversial issues.”
Seniors Luiza Louback (left) and Sarah Usandivaras (right) participate in the class discussion.
It could be a primer for the politically divided nation.
“My pitch is that you can’t really know what you believe if you don’t know what people who disagree with you believe and what their reasons are,” Gutmann said in an interview. “I always say I don’t care what your position is. I care that you can give reasons for it and understand the strongest arguments on the other side.
“That’s the method to search for truth, and it’s the way we serve a democracy.”
Bringing experience to the classroom
During class, Gutmann frequently drew on her experiences as a first-generation college student, a young professor at Princeton, a college president, and an ambassador.
When she got her first teaching job, a male colleague congratulated her, but later she learned he told someone she got the job because she was a woman.
“Did I take that as a compliment? Mm-mm,” Gutmann told the class.
Humphrey said she especially likes hearing about Gutmann’s vast experiences.
“She’s like, ‘Well, when I was the president here, this is something I dealt with,’” Humphrey said. “It’s really interesting knowing the experience she has and her background and the perspective she brings.”
Amy Gutmann (center), president emerita of the University of Pennsylvania and former U.S. ambassador to Germany, is presented with the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History’s Only in America® Award during a gala at the museum this month. The award recognizes “Jewish Americans who have made enormous contributions to our world … often despite facing antisemitism and prejudice.” Among those posing with her are Ramanan Raghavendran (far right), chair of Penn’s board of trustees, veteran journalist Andrea Mitchell (next to Raghavendran), Penn President J. Larry Jameson, (to the immediate left of Gutmann), and David Cohen, former Penn board chair, (next to Jameson.)
Gutmann’s life outside class continues to be full, too. After class Wednesday, Gutmann, whose father fled Nazi Germany, flew to Berlin to receive the Prize for Understanding and Tolerance from the Jewish Museum Berlin.
Having returned to Philadelphia to live after leaving Germany, Gutmann said it wasn’t hard to find her stride again in the classroom. She had given one-off lectures as Penn’s president.
“I have a lot of muscle memory on teaching,” she said.
Her style has changed from her early days at Princeton, where she worked from 1976 to 2004. She said readinga student’s notebook left behind and open after one of her ethics and public policy lectures was a major turning point.
“‘That’s not what I said,’” Gutmann thought. “And I realized it’s not what you teach them, it’s what they learn. At that point, I realized I needed feedback.
“So I changed from doing the 45-minute [lecture] thing to doing five or 10 minutes, max, and then asking them questions. Then I got them to argue with one another, and once I found that, I found what I really discovered worked for learning.”
Amy Gutmann talks with sophomore Brian Barth (right) at the end of class she co-teaches at Penn’s Annenberg School for Communication.
Gutmann said she spends Fridays and weekends preparing for the class, which meets twice a week.
“It’s a ton of work,” she said. “I’m really delighted to be doing it.”
The class comes against the backdrop of fraught times for colleges. Penn earlier this year scrubbed its website of diversity initiatives after President Donald Trump’s administration threatened funding to schools employing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. In the summer, the school struck an agreement with the administration over the past participation of former transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, and Penn was one of nine schools originally asked to sign a compact that would have given the school preferential consideration for federal funding in exchange for complying with certain mandates affecting admissions, hiring, and other university operations. Penn declined.
‘One-of-a-kind’ discussions
Gutmann and Banet-Weiser do not allow laptops, phones, or any electronic devices in class so that students completely focus on the conversation. To prepare for the affirmative action discussion, students were assigned related readings and review of the court cases.
The two professors interacted with each other and prompted discussion among students with deep questions: Is treating people equal the same as treating them equally? Is it right to use affirmative action for only one racial group? What about other forms of affirmative action or preference, including for athletes, low-income students, and legacies whose parents attended the university?
The approach resonated with students.
“I wanted to take a class where I would really be encouraged to step out of my comfort zone and be able to learn not only how to understand my own beliefs and values but understand the beliefs and values of others,” said Sarah Usandivaras, 21, a senior communications and political science major who was born in New York and grew up in Paraguay.
She found it in Gutmann and Banet-Weiser’s classroom.
“It’s a one-of-a-kind,” she said.
Ariana Zetlin, a doctoral student in Penn’s Graduate School of Education, is auditing the class to observe its approach.
“The discussion and the debates are so much deeper and stronger than what I’m seeing in classrooms that don’t necessarily have these structures,” said Zetlin, 30, who is from New York.
During class, those on both sides found common ground.
Senior Angele Diamacoune said she was learning from the day’s lesson.
“So I’m hearing agreement that diversity is a good thing but disagreement on how you get it,” Gutmann said.
She asked students how many believed that having low-income and racially diverse students in class contributed to their learning. Every hand went up.
“That to me is really striking,” Gutmann said. “There aren’t that many things that we can get unanimity on.”
She asked students how they would advise colleges to teach the issue.
“It would be good to teach with activities like this,” said Angele Diamacoune, 21, a senior communications major from Allentown.
On Oct. 16, Rian Andrianzah walked into a Philadelphia office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for what he thought was a routine biometrics appointment. He expected to be fingerprinted and photographed and sent on his way.
Instead, while his wife waited in an outer room, he was arrested by ICE ― and now faces deportation in a case that has angered the city’s Indonesian community.
Andrianzah, 46, is among a growing number of immigrants whose families say they showed up for in-person appointments or check-ins, only to be suddenly handcuffed and spirited into detention.
Green-card applicants, asylum-seekers, and others who have ongoing legal or visa cases have been unexpectedly taken, part of a Trump administration strategy, lawyers and advocates say, to boost the number of immigration arrests and to deport anyone who can possibly be deported.
“ICE was waiting for him,” said Philadelphia immigration attorney Christopher Casazza, who represents Andrianzah and his family. “In 15 years, I have never once seen somebody arrested at their biometrics appointment ― except in the past few months.”
Andrianzah legally entered the United States on a visitor’s visa in February 2000, but did not return to Indonesia. He was placed in removal proceedings in 2003, and a judge issued a final order of deportation in November 2006. His appeal was denied two years later.
The removal order was never enforced, as had been common for what the government thensaw as low-priority immigration violators. Some people with final orders have lived in the U.S. for decades.
In the ensuing years, Andrianzah worked factory and warehouse jobs ― and married Siti Rahayu, 44, also of Indonesia. They made a home in South Philadelphia, parents to two U.S.-citizen children, a son, age 8, and a daughter, 15.
Andrianzah and his wife went to USCIS that day as part of her application for a T visa, available to people who have been victims of human trafficking. In an interview with The Inquirer,Rahayu said she was sent to the U.S. in 2001 by relatives who saw her as a means to pay off a debt, delivering her to an underground organization that puts people in low-paying jobs, then keeps them working indefinitely.
Siti Rahayu of Philadelphia, here on Thursday, November 6, 2025. Her husband Rian Andrianzah walked into United States Citizenship and Immigration Services office for a routine visit but he was sent to Moshannon detention center to await deportation.
Casazza, of the Philadelphia firm Palladino, Isbell & Casazza LLC, said Rahayu has a strong case for a T visa, which offers permission to live in the U.S. and a path to permanent residency and citizenship.
As her husband, Andrianzah would receive those same benefits under her visa.
That’s why, Casazza said, it makes no sense for ICE to confine and deport him. Once his wife’s visa was approved, Andrianzah would be able to legally live in the United States, the attorney said.
Asked about Andrianzah’s arrest and the couple’s situation, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson in Philadelphia said in a statement: “Due to privacy issues, we are not authorized to discuss this case.”
Andrianzah is being held at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, an ICE detention facility in Clearfield County, Pa.
As President Donald Trump presses his deportation agenda, what were routine meetings with federal authorities have now become risky for immigrants. Advocates say many of those arrested were following the rules and doing what the government asked:
On May 27, the wife of a Marine Corps veteran was detained in Louisiana after meeting with USCIS about her green-card application, CBS News reported. Paola Clouatre, 25, said she came to the U.S. as a child with her mother, but was abandoned as a teenager and unaware that the government had ordered them deported. She spent about eight weeks in custody before being fitted with an ankle monitor and released.
On June 3, federal agents in New York City arrested at least 16 immigrants who showed up for check-ins, after a private contractor working with ICE summoned them to urgent appointments, The City, a news organization, reported.
On Oct. 22, a 21-year-old California college student was arrested by ICE at an appointment at a USCIS office in San Francisco, Newsweek reported. Government officials said Esteban Danilo Quiroga-Chaparro, a Colombian national and green-card applicant, had missed mandatory meetings, though his husband said that was untrue.
On Oct. 23, a Venezuelan couple pursuing asylum were arrested during a check-in at the ICE office in downtown Milwaukee, Urban Milwaukee reported. Diego Ugarte-Arenas and Dailin Pacheco-Acosta sought protection after fleeing their homeland in 2021. An ICE spokesperson told the news agency that “all aliens who remain in the U.S. without a lawful immigration status may be subject to arrest and removal.”
“There’s a lot of risks right now,” said Ana Ferreira, who serves on the executive board of the Philadelphia chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Some clients went intoimmigrationappointments knowing there was a possibility they could be detained, she said. Others were shocked to be taken.
“None of this would have happened years ago,” Ferreira said. “It’s a completely different landscape.”
Siti Rahayu of Philadelphia holds a photograph of her husband, Rian Andrianzah. He walked into a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services office for what he thought would be a routine visit but was sent to the Moshannon detention center to await deportation. Photograph taken on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
Rahayu said that on Oct. 16, she completed her own biometrics appointment, then grew concerned when her husband did not appear. She asked the staff what was happening.
“They [said they] don’t know anything, and they say this is new for them,” Rahayu said.
Finally someone told her: He’s gone. Rahayu fears for her husband’s health in custody because he suffers from diabetes, which impairs his vision.
The local Indonesian American community reacted immediately, supported by Asian Americans United, the advocacy group. An estimated 2,000 Indonesians live in Philadelphia, the 10th-largest community in the nation.
Andrianzah said through his wife that he wished to thank everyone who has tried to help him and his family, that he is grateful for their care and concern. Supporters have raised about $13,000.
Each year thousands of people physically report to ICE or related immigration agencies for mandatory check-ins.
Some immigrants are required to appear every couple of weeks, some once a month, others once a year. The appointments help immigration officials keep track of people who in the past have been low priorities for deportation, allowed to live freely as they pursue legal efforts to stay in the United States.
Biometrics appointments are usually brief sessions, perhaps half an hour, at which the government captures fingerprints, a passport-style photo, and a signature. The immigrant may also be asked to provide information like height and weight.
Despite the fresh risk of being arrested on the spot, immigrants have little option except to show up. Many types of immigration applications require in-person appearances. And failure to appear for a required ICE appointment can by itself result in an order for removal.
“They’re trying to grab everybody, wherever they can,” and that included Andrianzah, Casazza said. “ICE is going to do their best to deport him.”
First they were roommates, and then they were friends. But after Jessica Yang and Nicole DeNardo couldn’t agree on who should keep Gary — the exotic shorthair that Yang bought and DeNardo had been taking care of — it took a Common Pleas Court judge to decide.
The two former roommates say they disagreed over whether Yang had given Gary to DeNardo or whether it was a temporary arrangement. In December 2024, Yang sued DeNardo to make her return the cat.
“She said I was unfit to be a pet parent,” Yang said. “She said I was childish and selfish for even wanting Gary back. She kept asking me to consider the feelings and preferences of Gary.”
Two lawyers contacted for this story say that situations like this one are on the rise, though the money spent on such a case — Yang spent $20,000, DeNardo, $5,000 — is a bit remarkable.
“People love their animals, and people are willing to spend a lot of money in legal fees to reclaim their animals,” said Rebecca Glenn-Dinwoodie, a Doylestown-based family and animal lawyer not involved in the case.
But for the two women, the fight over the small, cuddly cat with blue eyes became a catastrophe that dragged on for a year.
“She just didn’t want me to have him,” DeNardo said. “It was personal. It was about beating me.”
Nicole DeNardo at her home in Center City.
How it started
Yang, 33, purchased Gary for $1,000 when she was living in Pittsburgh in 2018. She named him after the SpongeBob SquarePants TV show character Gary the Snail.
In the spring of 2022, Yang moved from New Mexico to Philadelphia. She said that with a new contract as a nurse anesthetist, she expected to travel for work every two weeks, making a roommate situation ideal.
She and DeNardo, 31, met on a Facebook group for people seeking roommates and soon moved into an apartment together in Graduate Hospital. DeNardo, who works in finance, often worked from home, spending a lot of time with Gary.
Yang and DeNardo each said they became friends and travel buddies. They took snowboarding trips to Vermont and Colorado and hiked at Lake Havasu, Ariz.
They even got matching alien tattoos together. Yang said hers was a nod to her time living near Roswell, the UFO tourist town in New Mexico. DeNardo said the alien paired well with her tattoo of Saturn, a planet linked to her zodiac sign of Capricorn.
Yang said as the apartment’s lease was coming to an end around March 2024, she was going through a difficult time. She and her long-term boyfriend had just broken up. She had just changed jobs. And, she had just bought a house in Passyunk Square that needed extensive renovations.
That was when, as she remembers it, DeNardo offered to take the cat. “I was like, how convenient for Gary,” Yang said. “And I thought it would be good for her, too.”
That summer, Yang commissioned a portrait of Gary, surrounded by snowboards, trekking poles, and other symbols of the two women’s friendship. There were two prints, both framed, one for each of them.
A detail shot of a piece of art Jessica Yang commissioned featuring her cat, Gary, and mementos from her friendship with Nicole DeNardo. She gave a second copy of the art to DeNardo.
Going to court
Things began to go south when Yang said she learned that DeNardo had changed Gary’s last name at the vet — from Yang to DeNardo — and added her name to the cat’s microchip. DeNardo, Yang said, considered the cat hers.
It’s one of several details DeNardo remembers differently. DeNardo said the vet’s office changed the cat’s last name, not her. As for the microchip, which would help people identify Gary’s owner if he were to get lost, she said she added her name for practical reasons — she was the one who was around.
DeNardo said she was often the one who took care of Gary. She fed him, she said, and took him to the vet. She even “cleaned his eyeballs” every day — something shorthair cats often need.
“He was always in my life, always on the windowsill next to me,” DeNardo said.
She provided a timeline showing she’d spent more time with Gary than Yang. She offered lists of friends who would attest Gary was her cat — a fact many people in her lifefound mildly amusing, since her father and her brother are also both named Gary.
Jessica Yang holds her cat, Gary, at her home Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025.
DeNardo said she believes that somehow, the issue became personal after a 2023 incident where she told Yang they needed to take the cat to the vet.
“I think she viewed that more as a personal attack,” DeNardo said. “For me, this was always only about Gary’s well-being.”
After a yearlong process that involved a hearing and a bench trial, the court ruled in Yang’s favor. Yang proved she had purchased the cat, and DeNardo had to give him up.
DeNardo blames the Pennsylvania legal system, which views animals as property. “You can spend years scooping litter, cleaning his eyeballs, and the court tells you none of that matters, because pets are property,” she said.
The law
A few other states, such as New York, do define pets the way DeNardo had hoped the court would view Gary, said Daniel Howard, an associate family law attorney at Petrelli Previtera in Center City.
“Some states have pet custody statutes that look similar to what we see in child custody, looking at the welfare of the animal,” Howard said.
Howard pointed out that in September the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill that would change how pets are recognized in divorce proceedings. (The bill would have to pass the state Senate and get the governor’s approval for enactment).
However, even if this bill were to pass, it would not apply to cases where the two people aren’t married, Howard said.
Gary, an exotic shorthair, relaxes on the couch Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025.
Still, he said, attitudes are changing around the ways animals should be viewed by the courts. Laws that worked well for farm animals don’t fit as neatly for cats or dogs.
“For a lot of people, their pets really are their children,” Howard said. “And I think there needs to be some kind of an update to look at that.”
Glenn-Dinwoodie said the situation also speaks to the need for people — even if they’re just roommates, or friends — to put things in writing when they enter a living arrangement.
“Just have clear conversations, clear expectations, but also [take] that extra step so that, if ownership is ever disputed … you have enough proof. Because the court needs proof,” she said.
For Yang, the whole episode felt like a misuse of time and resources. It left her wanting to raise money for animals, “because $25,000 could save a lot of cats.”
DeNardo said the dispute showed her that doing what you think is right doesn’t always lead to the outcome you want. At her apartment, she gestured toward the window, where she said Gary spent countless hours watching the birds that would perch outside.
“He’s just a really playful, sweet, cat,” DeNardo said. ”He was my buddy… I just hope he’s OK and has all the things he needs, and is living a good life. If he’s happy, I’m happy.”
Clarification: This article has been updated to reflect DeNardo’s assertion that she took care of Gary even when Yang was home.
Philly now has the second-highest package-theft rate in the country, reported the Citizen. According to a USPS Inspector General report, we lost $450 million in deliveries last year, which is a staggering amount of missing moisturizer, dog treats, and whatever-impulse-purchase-you-didn’t-need-anyway.
The stories are peak Philly: Thieves in fake Amazon vests dragging trash cans down Northern Liberties like a pack of Grinches, neighbors negotiating with porch pirates over stolen head-and-neck massagers, and whole blocks swapping Ring footage like they’re running a CSI unit. And still, hardly anyone reports it — because calling 911 over a missing package feels unhinged, and most people assume nothing will happen.
Police say they can’t crack down because no one files reports. Prosecutors won’t release data. Delivery companies quietly eat the losses to keep customers from rioting. And the state’s shiny new anti-porch piracy law can’t do much when the entire system for tracking thefts amounts to a collective shrug.
For now, the only real accountability is getting roasted on someone’s community Facebook group.
Herr’s previous campaign had customers voting on these three chip options.
Solid choices, sure. But if you asked Philly what those ideas actually taste like in 2025, it definitely wouldn’t be “cheesy crab dip.” It’d be stuff like:
Freedom: Tastes like finding a parking spot on the first try, crossing the Walt Whitman without traffic, or walking out of Wawa and realizing your hoagie was marked as a Shorti but they accidentally made you a Classic.
Liberty: Tastes like SEPTA showing up early and empty, getting a roofer to text you back the same day, or a neighbor finally taking the parking cone inside because the snow melted… three weeks ago.
Unity: Tastes like a whole block yelling “Go Birds!” at the same stranger, the collective rage of everyone on I-76 when a phantom jam clears, or 20 people on your street stepping outside at once because they all heard the same weird bang.
Voting runs through Dec. 10, and whatever wins hits shelves in June for the city’s 250th birthday party. Silly? Extremely. But honestly, if Philly wants to turn civic values into snack-seasoning discourse, that feels about right.
McCormick recruiting New Yorkers — C
Sen. Dave McCormick put out the world’s most Pennsylvania campaign commercial this week, inviting New Yorkers terrified of their new mayor — and “tired of losing football teams” — to pack up and head west on I-80. And look, we get the appeal. New York is expensive, the Giants and Jets are tragic, and Pennsylvania can brag about producing at least one functioning football franchise at any given time.
But if he’s talking about Philly? Dave… babe… have you seen this place lately? We’re full. Try finding a parking spot in Fishtown after 6 p.m. Or a house in the suburbs that doesn’t get 12 offers in 24 hours. Even our potholes are standing shoulder-to-shoulder. Also, telling New Yorkers to “come on down” because Pennsylvania has mountains and freedom is a bold pitch when most of them can’t even merge onto the Schuylkill without bursting into tears.
So if folks really want to take him up on this offer, maybe start by checking out Pittsburgh. Lovely city. Plenty of room. Great bridges.
Exterior entrance to Netflix House, King of Prussia Mall, Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
Netflix House — B-
Netflix House finally opened in King of Prussia — because nothing says “immersive fantasy world” like the mall you swore you’d never drive to again. And look, the place is legitimately impressive: Squid Game VR that feels a little too real, a Wednesday carnival, a One Piece escape-room adventure, and photo ops for days.
But here’s the plot twist: the price. Doing all four experiences at the cheapest rate runs $118 a person before taxes. That’s nearly $500 for a family of four. For that kind of money, the golden piggy bank in Squid Game better not be just a prop.
Credit where it’s due: the VR slaps, the staff is Disney-level committed, and superfans will eat it up. But between the Schuylkill, the prices, and the mall chaos, Netflix House might be best for people who already love the shows.
The Sixers released their city edition jerseys.
Sixers City Edition jerseys — C-
The Sixers’ new City Edition jerseys dropped, and the reaction across Philly has been one collective shrug. Navy blue, gold stripe down the side shaped like the Liberty Bell crack, “Philadelphia” in script — all perfectly fine if your goal is to make something no one could possibly argue about. Which, ironically, is the most un-Philadelphia idea imaginable.
Let’s be honest: This jersey didn’t stand a chance. Not in the year of the AI throwbacks — those black 2001 uniforms walked into the room and immediately made everything else look like background décor. The City Edition is basically the jersey equivalent of a supportive friend holding everyone’s coat.
Reddit nailed it. People called them: “Mid.” “It’s just the 2019 one but navy.” “Should’ve said Philly.” “I like them… but I’ll wait until they’re $39.99 in June.” And my personal favorite: “This feels like Nike forgot about us until the last minute.”
Wearing them only three times feels right. This is a jersey designed to quietly exist. Inoffensive. Reasonable. Mildly attractive. Something you nod at and say, “Yeah, that’s nice,” before immediately remembering you’re only here for the throwbacks.
These aren’t bad. They’re just beige-but-navy — the basketball equivalent of choosing a sensible sedan when everyone knows you really wanted the sports car.
The basement goldfish at the Navy Yard have respawned — and Philly has reacted with the kind of unhinged civic joy usually reserved for Gritty sightings. A year after their murky little pond dried up, the fish have returned, proving once again that in this city, nature not only heals… it adapts to runoff water and becomes indestructible.
Reddit went feral: “Philly’s koi pond.” “Koi jawn.” “Nature is healing.” “This needs to be a protected landmark before it’s turned into condos.” And the best lore drop: “Behind that door is a kingdom… nay, a WORLD of basement fish.”
There are paintings now. Fan art. People offering to dump in buckets of water like it’s a community service project. Someone even called them the “unofficial city mascot,” which feels about right — unexpected, slightly alarming, surviving on vibes and stormwater alone. This is the kind of hyperlocal nonsense that unites the city more than any mayor ever has.
How to pronounce “Camac” — B+
Only in Philly could a three-block alley spark a full-blown identity crisis. Someone on Reddit innocently asked how to pronounce Camac — “K’mack? Kay-mick? Kay-mack?” — and within minutes, the city did what it always does: turned a vocabulary question into a referendum on our collective sanity.
The consensus (if you can even call it that) is “kuh-MACK.” But this being Philadelphia, you also get k’MACK, Kuh-MAK, Cum-ACK, and at least one person who decided all the letters are silent, which honestly feels spiritually correct.
Then, naturally, the thread devolved into arguments about other names no one can agree on — Bouvier, Sepviva, Greenwich — because this city will never miss an opportunity to question its own language like it’s a group project we all forgot to do.
It’s extremely on-brand, and reminiscent of The Inquirer’s big Passyunk investigation — the one where lifelong South Philadelphians confidently pronounced it four different ways in the same grocery store aisle. After 400 years, even linguists basically shrugged and said: “Multiple answers are correct, good luck out there.”
So yes, the “right” way to say Camac is probably kuh-MACK. But this is Philly. Pronounce it however you want — someone will correct you, someone else will correct them, and eventually the whole block will be involved.
Inquirer reporter Tom Fitzgerald has become Philly’s most unlikely breakout star — by calmly explaining the absolute chaos of SEPTA and Greyhound. His latest video on the city’s bus terminal and the PPA had people lining up to be “president of the Tom fan club,” begging for “another Tom vid, expeditiously,” and declaring, “Idk what it is about this guy, but I’d trust him with my life.”
And this wasn’t a one-off — the first “what the f— happened to SEPTA” video is where the cult really formed. That comment section was essentially a love letter: “Tom is the GOAT,” “protect this man at all costs,” “cordially inviting this guy to my family Thanksgiving,” and my personal favorite: “I like this guy, would get a French dip with him.” Philly affection comes in many forms, but that might be the purest.
What’s wild is how united everyone is about him. It’s rare for any city to agree on anything — let alone a soft-spoken transit reporter explaining budget failures and bus equity. But Tom did it. He looked into the camera, delivered the grim truth with perfect dad-energy calm, and the entire region collectively said: King.
Think you know your news? There’s only one way to find out. Welcome back to our weekly News Quiz — a quick way to see if your reading habits are sinking in and to put your local news knowledge to the test.
Question 1 of 10
Hip Hop, the Sixers’ retired mascot, made his triumphant return during a game last week and was honored at halftime. What animal/character is the mascot supposed to be?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Bill Roth, who played Sixers former mascot Hip Hop — a rabbit — was honored during halftime of Saturday's game against the Toronto Raptors.
Question 2 of 10
Seaforest Bakery in Graduate Hospital is a new spot for baked goods and coffee that pays homage to this type of cuisine:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The bakery menu features riffs on classic Korean dishes, like gochujang scallion buns and doenjang caramel rolls. Seaforest is the English translation of owner Suerim Lee’s first name.
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There are two competing campaigns to rebuild and restore the Old City bar where the Marines were historically established 250 years ago. What was the bar called?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The Marines, famously, were established at the Tun Tavern in 1775, a brewery and watering hole that once sat, roughly, where the southbound lanes of I-95 are now.
Question 4 of 10
This Hall of Fame quarterback recently said he’s on the Eagles’ side when it comes to the Tush Push:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Peyton Manning made the Tush Push the subject of a Peyton's Places episode on ESPN, defending the controversial play's existence. "I'm on the Eagles’ side," he said.
Question 5 of 10
Sasha Suda, the recently ousted director and CEO of this institution, recently sued her former employer for wrongful termination:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Suda is suing the Philadelphia Art Museum. Her suit says there was no "valid basis" for her dismissal, and seeks two years' worth of compensation and other damages.
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Question 6 of 10
James Vaughen, a 26-year-old Curtis grad, has won the Philadelphia Orchestra’s principal trumpeter spot. How many times had he previously auditioned for the gig without success?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The hunt for a permanent principal trumpeter has been going, off and on, for several years. Vaughen, in fact, had auditioned for the position three times before without success. It was the fourth time that was the charm, said the 2023 Curtis grad.
Question 7 of 10
Bucks County native Sabrina Carpenter is up for six Grammy awards this year, including Song of the Year for this track:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Carpenter is competing for song and record of the year, pop solo performance and best video for “Manchild,” as well as pop vocal album for Man’s Best Friend. Earlier this year, she won Grammys for her breakout album Short n’ Sweet and hit “Espresso.”
Question 8 of 10
The vacant building on East Passyunk Avenue that most recently housed Bing Bing Dim Sum will become the home to this new restaurant:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Tako Taco, an amalgam of Japanese (tako is octopus) and Mexican cuisines, is one of two new projects in the works by chefs Biff Gottehrer and Kenjiro Omori — from Main Line destinations Refectory, the Ripplewood, and Izzy’s.
Question 9 of 10
The Philadelphia-based Freeman’s auction house will auction off this prized item owned by Marquis de Lafayette:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Showered with gifts on both sides of the Atlantic, the hero of Yorktown was awarded a timekeeper for the ages by the people of France. Embossed with images of Greek mythical figures Orpheus and Eurydice, the 18-karat tricolor gold pocket watch was engraved with Lafayette’s full name and image. A hidden image inside depicted Lafayette’s return to France from America. Now it’s up for sale.
Question 10 of 10
A new law going into effect next year will require Philadelphia shoppers to pay this much per paper bag:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Philadelphia shoppers will soon have to pay 10 cents per paper bag after Mayor Cherelle L. Parker on Thursday allowed a bill imposing the fee to become law without her signature. The law is expected to go into effect in January.
Your Results
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Seems like you’ve been skimming more than reading there, buddy. There’s always next week.
You’ve read some articles (or made some educated guesses) but we wouldn’t come to you first for our local news recaps. Better luck next week!
Do you work here? You’re a local news stan with the latest updates on Philly happenings. Your friends definitely ask you for summaries on what’s going on and it shows.
Dorothea Cathell, 77, of Philadelphia, longtime community volunteer, retired hospitality worker, three-time cancer survivor, expert tailor, and mother of four, died Friday, Sept. 26, at Lankenau Medical Center of injuries she sustained as a victim of a hit-and-run at 54th Street and Lancaster Avenue.
Ms. Cathell was walking home from a shopping trip with Halloween decorations on Sept. 26 when she was struck by a speeding car. The driver left the scene in a damaged vehicle, and a suspect was arrested later and charged with homicide by vehicle-DUI and other charges. The case is pending.
“She was an awesome woman and mother,” said her son Ralph. “She was a real big light for the universe.”
Born and reared in South Philadelphia, Ms. Cathell lived in West Philadelphia as an adult and treated her neighbors like family, her son said. She volunteered at local free meal programs and youth activities and “opened her door to the homeless and anyone else in need,” her son said.
“She valued education first and promoted so much positivity in the neighborhood,” he said. “She had an extraordinary personality. Her heart was so huge.”
Ms. Cathell survived two bouts of stomach cancer and a case of colon cancer, and was “as tough as 30 gorillas,” her son said. She championed order and cleanliness in the community, worked in housekeeping for a hotel, and was an expert tailor.
Ms. Cathell was an avid storyteller, her son Ralph said. “She was a poetic person.”
“She made my sixth-grade graduation suit,” her son said. “Jacket, vest, shirt, pants, and tie. My friends said, ‘Wow.’ I said, ‘My mom did it.’”
Dorothea Elizabeth Cathell was born Dec. 25, 1947. She grew up with three brothers and three sisters, her son said, and graduated from South Philadelphia High School.
She married Charles Carter in the early 1980s, and they divorced later. He died earlier.
She had sons Ralph, Dwight, and Erik, and a daughter, Samiyah. Erik died earlier.
Ms. Cathell was an avid storyteller, her son said. “She was a poetic person,” he said. A friend said on Facebook: “She loved the hell out of her children and grandchildren. Amazing woman, heart of gold.”
Philadelphia will host its largest marathon yet this year, as about 15,000 runners take on the 26.2-mile race through the city’s scenic and historic neighborhoods.
The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend runs Nov. 21-23 and includes a half marathon (13.1 miles) and an 8K race. The first marathon was held in 1994 with just 1,500 participants; this year, organizers expect roughly 30,000 athletes across all races.
With that many runners and spectators, expect road closures, parking restrictions, and heavy traffic.
“We want to make sure people give themselves ample time to get there,” said race director Kathleen Titus. “We have new security screenings that will speed things up, but if you’re waiting until 15 minutes before the race, you might be standing in a line for about an hour.”
Runners on Walnut Street in Center City during the 2024 Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.
Titus said the marathon has a new website and updated app. The app allows runners to schedule packet-pickup times at the expo to cut down on lines, track live race results, and receive weather and safety alerts.
Race start times and locations for the Philadelphia Marathon
All races follow the same course layout as in previous years and — except for the Nemours Children’s Run — start at 22nd Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, near the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Nemours Children’s Run begins at Von Colln Memorial Field, 2276 Pennsylvania Ave., adjacent to Eakins Oval.
Each race follows a unique route, with the marathon and half-marathon winding through Center City, Chinatown, Old City, Queen Village, Rittenhouse, and University City, with significant portions covering Fairmount Park, Kelly Drive, and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
The Expo is filled with vendors showcasing apparel, shoes, gear, free product samples, and educational booths on health and fitness. Friday and Saturday bring a speaker series to the Expo and meet-and-greets with some of the country’s top runners. On Friday evening, there will be activities for children.
For spectators of the Philadelphia Marathon
Spectators are welcome to line the race routes to cheer on runners but will be restricted from the starting lines and in secure running areas until after 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday to ensure smooth race starts.
Large umbrellas, coolers, and animals (except ADA service dogs) are not allowed. The marathon also discourages bringing large blankets, backpacks, or cameras.
William Loevner of Pittsburgh is embraced by his wife, Emma Loevner, after finishing first in the mens in the 2024 Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.
Road closures
All-weekend closures
Saturday, Nov. 22, through 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23
Benjamin Franklin Parkway (all lanes) between 22nd Street and Eakins Oval
Kelly Drive (inbound) closed at 25th Street, with local traffic permitted to Anne d’Harnoncourt Drive
Spring Garden Street Bridge and MLK Drive (inbound) traffic detoured onto 24th Street
Spring Garden Street
Saturday, Nov. 22
2 a.m. closures
2000—2400 Benjamin Franklin Parkway (inner and setup areas as posted)
Spring Garden Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Benjamin Franklin Parkway
23rd Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Benjamin Franklin Parkway
22nd Street, from Winter Street to Park Towne Place (local access to Park Towne Place maintained)
21st Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Winter Street
4 a.m. closures
Interstate 676 off-ramp at 22nd Street (westbound)
Interstate 76 off-ramp at Spring Garden Street (eastbound)
6 a.m. closures
17th Street, from Arch Street to Vine Street
18th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
19th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
20th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
21st Street, from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street
22nd Street, from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street
Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 16th Street to 20th Street
Market Street, from Sixth Street to 16th Street
Chestnut Street, from Fifth Street to Eighth Street
Sixth Street, from Market Street to Chestnut Street
Fifth Street, from Chestnut Street to Race Street
South Penn Square
Juniper Street, from Chestnut Street to Market Street
John F. Kennedy Boulevard, from Juniper Street to 17th Street
15th Street, from Race Street to Chestnut Street
16th Street, from Chestnut Street to Race Street
Race Street, from Sixth Street to Columbus Boulevard
Columbus Boulevard (southbound lanes), from Vine Street to Washington Avenue
Interstate 95 southbound off-ramp at Washington Avenue
Washington Avenue, from Columbus Boulevard to Front Street
Front Street, from Washington Avenue to South Street
South Street, from Front Street to Seventh Street
Sixth Street, from Bainbridge Street to Locust Street
Lombard Street, from Fifth Street to Broad Street
13th Street, from Bainbridge Street to Chestnut Street
Walnut Street, from 12th Street to 34th Street
34th Street, from Chestnut Street to Girard Avenue
Spring Garden Street, from 32nd Street to 34th Street
Girard Avenue, from 33rd Street to 38th Street
33rd Street, from Girard Avenue to Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Reservoir Drive, from 33rd Street to Diamond Drive
Mt. Pleasant Drive
Fountain Green Drive
Kelly Drive
Access and reopening
Local access for residents and businesses will be maintained at police-controlled points.
Access to the Philadelphia Museum of Art will be available via Spring Garden Street (Bridge and Tunnel) to Anne d’Harnoncourt Drive.
Police will allow traffic through intersections when possible, depending on runner flow.
All streets (except Eakins Oval and the Parkway) are scheduled to reopen by 2 p.m. Saturday; many Center City roads will reopen earlier as they are cleared and serviced.
Sunday, Nov. 23
As part of enhanced security for the AACR Philadelphia Marathon, “No Parking” regulations will be strictly enforced. Vehicles on the race route will be relocated beginning at 1 a.m. Sunday.
2 a.m. closures
2000—2400 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Spring Garden Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Benjamin Franklin Parkway
23rd Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Benjamin Franklin Parkway
22nd Street, from Winter Street to Park Towne Place (local access maintained)
21st Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Winter Street
4 a.m. closures
Interstate 676 off-ramp at 22nd Street (westbound)
Interstate 76 off-ramp at Spring Garden Street (eastbound)
6 a.m. closures
17th Street, from Arch Street to Vine Street
18th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
19th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
20th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
21st Street, from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street
22nd Street, from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street
Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 16th Street to 20th Street
Arch Street, from Third Street to 16th Street
Fourth Street, from Arch Street to Vine Street
Race Street, from Sixth Street to Columbus Boulevard
Columbus Boulevard (southbound lanes), from Vine Street to Washington Avenue
Interstate 95 southbound off-ramp at Washington Avenue
Washington Avenue, from Columbus Boulevard to Front Street
Front Street, from Washington Avenue to South Street
South Street, from Front Street to Seventh Street
Sixth Street, from Bainbridge Street to Market Street
Chestnut Street, from Sixth Street to 15th Street
15th Street, from Chestnut Street to Walnut Street
Walnut Street, from Broad Street to 34th Street
34th Street, from Chestnut Street to Girard Avenue
Lansdowne Drive, from Girard Avenue to South Concourse Drive
South Concourse Drive, from Lansdowne Drive to West Memorial Hall Drive
East Memorial Hall Drive, from South Concourse Drive to Avenue of the Republic
Avenue of the Republic, from East Memorial Hall Drive to Catholic Fountain
Belmont Avenue, from Montgomery Drive to Parkside Avenue
States Drive, from Lansdowne Drive to Girard Avenue
Girard Avenue Bridge, from Lansdowne Drive to 33rd Street
33rd Street, from Girard Avenue to Reservoir Drive
Reservoir Drive, from 33rd Street to Edgley Drive
Edgley Drive, from Reservoir Drive to Fountain Green Drive
Fountain Green Drive, from Edgley Drive to Kelly Drive
Kelly Drive
Falls Bridge
Ridge Avenue, from Schoolhouse Lane to Manayunk Avenue
Main Street (Manayunk), from Ridge Avenue to Conarroe Street
Access and reopening
Local access for residents and businesses will be maintained at police-controlled points.
Access to the Philadelphia Museum of Art will be available via Spring Garden Street (Bridge and Tunnel) to Anne d’Harnoncourt Drive.
Expect delays at crossings along the course; police will allow traffic through when possible.
All streets (except Eakins Oval and the Parkway) are scheduled to reopen by 3 p.m. Sunday; many Center City roads will reopen earlier as they are cleared and serviced.
Transportation to the races
🚌 Bus
Lines 7, 32, 38, 43, 48, and 49 drop riders within a two-minute walk from the Art Museum. But, due to the race, there will most likely be detours. Check SEPTA’s system status for the latest schedules.
The race’s starting line is within a 10-minute ride from the City Hall area and subway stop and other locations. Check the map of Indego bike share stations to rent bikes and return them at a station near the Art Museum.
16th & Race St. (Sheraton Hotel), Standard Parking, (215) 196-0293
1815 JFK Boulevard, Central Parking System, (215) 568-8030 (Entrance on 1850 Cuthbert St.)
1901 JFK Boulevard, Central Parking System, (215) 557-3821 (Entrance on 19th Street)
1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Windsor Suites, (215) 569-0899
36 S. 19th St., Central Parking System, (215) 561-1187
Where does the money go?
Revenue earned and money raised from the Philadelphia Marathon goes to various charities and nonprofits, including local ones like B Inspired Philadelphia and the Mazzoni Center.
Naomi Peker (left) and Srivki Weisberg (right) jump to celebrate their finish in the 2024 Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. They run with a club in Suffern, N.Y., and this was Peker’s first marathon.
Awards & prize money
Monetary prizes range from $225 to $10,000 depending on the race, with the Philadelphia Marathon’s Elite Division being the most competitive.
The gifts in the 2025 Very Philly Gift Guide represent The Inquirer's picks this holiday season. When you make a purchase through a link in this Guide, The Inquirer may be paid a commission.
You don’t need us to tell you Philly’s got everything — sports legends, world-class food, killer small businesses, weird little workshops, and soft pretzels that double as a love language.
So why settle for some generic gift set when you could give a hoagie room reservation, a Bird Gang varsity jacket, or locally made soaps crafted from coffee grounds and herbs?
We’ve rounded up more than 70 very Philly gifts for everyone on your list: your friend who’s still talking about the Super Bowl parade, your aunt who cries tears of joy every time she walks into the Franklin Institute, your coworker who judges your coffee order, even your dog.
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And because we know holiday shopping can feel like trying to find parking in South Philly on trash day, we turned this whole thing into a quiz.
Just answer a few questions, and we’ll point you to the perfect gift.
What’s their Philly vibe — Broad Street bold or cozy Fairmount calm?
If they could get out of town tomorrow, where are they headed?
When it comes to gifts, what gets the biggest “Oh my God, you nailed it”?
When Friday hits, what’s their move?
What’s the best part of the holidays for them?
What’s their favorite thing about Philly — besides complaining about parking?
If they’re spending a cozy day in, what’s the vibe?
When they’re hanging out, what kind of crowd are they gathering?
Which kind of Philly-themed gift would make them say “This is so me?”
Your Recommendations
Less than $25
$25 – $75
Over $75
For the Sports Fanatic
Less than $25
$25 – $75
Over $75
Tickets to an Eagles, Flyers, or Sixers game
For the friend whose blood type is Gatorade and pretzel salt
There’s no gift more Philly than game-day tickets. Let them scream at refs in person, feel the bass of the fight song in their chest, and high-five strangers like lifelong friends. Whether it’s the Birds under the lights at the Linc, the Flyers grinding it out on the ice, or Joel Embiid dropping 40 at Xfinity Mobile Arena, this gift guarantees goose bumps (and maybe a hoarse voice the next day).
For the friend who still yells “Step over him!” every time they hit a jumper
The Sixers’ iconic blue jersey from the Allen Iverson era is back — the one worn when A.I. led the NBA in points, steals, and minutes per game in the 2001-’02 season. This jersey brings The Answer back to the present day. It’s pure Philly: bold, scrappy, and impossible to forget. For more Philly sports fan gift suggestions, click here.
For the friend who’s basically a walking sports bar
Whether they bleed green, red, orange, or blue, this gift lets them wear their Philly pride on their sleeve — literally. Fanatics has jerseys for every pro team in town: Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, Sixers, and the Union. From Jalen Hurts to Bryce Harper to Joel Embiid, it’s the easiest way to suit up for game day, no matter the season. For more Philly sports fan gift suggestions, click here.
For the friend who believes true royalty bleeds Kelly green
Every Philadelphian knows the jacket — the one Princess Diana wore in the ’90s that somehow made the Birds look even more regal. Now, thanks to Mitchell & Ness, fans can finally own the officially licensed replica. The Vintage Full-Snap Varsity Jacket features heavyweight construction, a chenille throwback helmet patch, tricolor rib-knit detailing, and a big Eagles logo that’s pure nostalgia and attitude. It’s been spotted on Kylie Kelce, framed at Middle Child Clubhouse, and worshiped by anyone who knows fashion and football can share a locker room.
For the friend who still hasn’t stopped watching the parade highlights
If you didn’t snag a paper the morning after the Eagles’ 40–22 Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs, here’s your second chance. The Inquirer “Big Easy” front page — featuring Jalen Hurts holding the Lombardi Trophy and other photo options — is available framed or unframed, in various sizes.
For the friend who can quote every postgame presser
From Week 1 in São Paulo to hoisting the Lombardi in New Orleans, What a Run! captures every play, player, and parade from the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning season. This 128-page commemorative book is packed with stories, stats, and full-color photos of Saquon Barkley’s breakout, Jalen Hurts’ MVP moment, and Vic Fangio’s lock-down defense. It’s the ultimate keepsake for fans who want to relive the season — minus the nail-biting fourth quarters.
For the friend who believes fourth-and-1 is a lifestyle
Celebrate Philly’s most unstoppable play with Rowen’s best-selling Tush Push Sweatpants — cozy, soft, and just cheeky enough. These 50/50 cotton-poly sweats feature a clean front with a drawstring waistband and a bold graphic on the back that proudly honors the Birds’ signature QB sneak.
For the friend who’d rather hear it straight from the GOAT’s mouth
Make their day with a personal video from a Philly legend — because nothing says “I care” like Brian Dawkins yelling “BLESSINGS!”, Shady McCoy shouting you out mid–Tush Push analysis, or Donovan McNabb pretending not to know what down it is. You can even have Bryson Stott say “Atta boy!”, Vince Papale drop a motivational speech straight out of Invincible, or The Philly Captain … well, just be The Philly Captain. Whether they bleed green, red pinstripes, or orange and black, this is the kind of gift that hits harder than a Dawkins tackle and lasts longer than a postgame rant from Jason Kelce.
For the friend who thinks the Phils’ skyline beats any sunset
Bring the magic of Citizens Bank Park home with this artist-designed Phillies stadium print — a stunning tribute to the home of Bryce bombs, rally towels, and “Dancing On My Own.” Available as a fine art print or canvas wrap, it’s the perfect upgrade for any Philly fan cave, office, or living room that could use a little more red pinstripe energy.
For the friend who wants to tailgate in full-on pinstripe swagger
These aren’t your average jeans. These Phillies bib overalls bring major team pride with full pinstripe styling, classic red, and a bold Phillies logo front and center. Whether they’re manning the grill, sprinting to the merch tent, or just rep’ing their fandom in style, these overalls are built for comfort and devotion. For more Philly sports fan gift suggestions, click here.
For the friend who’s got Broad Street pride in their DNA
A backyard essential for any Philly sports fan, this custom cornhole set features the Sixers court — Eagles and other teams also available — printed on a solid wood background. Comes ready to play with a full set of bags.
Alex Eagle x J. Crew feather jersey colorblock T-shirt
For the friend who prefers a little sportiness with her fashion
London-based design trendsetter Alex Eagle has teamed up with J. Crew to create a capsule of classic looks that contain her smart tailoring and sporty touch. This retro-inspired jersey T-shirt has a 100% cotton finish for a supersoft, lightweight feel that happens to look right at home in Philly thanks to its Kelly green colorways.
For the friend whose gameday fit is as fierce as their fandom
Minor Details, the boutique known for its playful Philly flair, has the perfect lineup of locally inspired gifts for trendsetting sports lovers. There’s the Bird Gang Knit Crop Sweater, cozy with varsity stripes and vintage vibes; the Bird Gang Beaded Purse, decked out in Kelly green, footballs, and sparkle for the ultimate tailgate accessory; and the Phillies ice cream helmet hair clip, a cheeky nod to Citizens Bank Park treats that’s pure Philly fun.
This unisex puffer vest from Off Season in collaboration with the NFL features intricate Eagles embroidery, 3D silicone patches, and jacquard detailing. A corduroy lining and padded polyester fill bring serious warmth, while double interior pockets bring convenience.
For the friend who expresses her fandom in cozy style
Naadam’s new line of NFL-branded cashmere sweaters brings soft, plush, roomy feels to a fan’s wardrobe. Knit from 100% premium cashmere, this boyfriend-style pullover features bold chest lettering and an official Eagles team logo at the cuff.
For the friend who wears her Eagles pride in and out of the gym
Just released at the end of October, the new collaboration between the NFL, Lululemon, and Fanatics has apparel from all 32 NFL teams. But let's not kid anyone — you only need one. The oversize half-zip hoodie features an Eagles logo, convenient kangaroo pouch, and thumbholes for cozy comfort.
For the friend who still dreams about their favorite Philly meal
Brooklyn artist John Donohue has made it his mission to capture beloved restaurants through intricate, hand-drawn sketches — and his Philadelphia collection is a love letter to the city’s dining scene. From iconic spots like Zahav and John’s Roast Pork to cozy neighborhood haunts, each print is rendered in Donohue’s signature minimalist style, celebrating the charm and character of Philly’s food institutions. And every Philly print sale benefits the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Donohue also accepts custom commissions, so you can immortalize your favorite date-night spot or corner bar.
For the friend whose spirit animal is a wheel of brie
Help them level up their cheese game with a tasting experience that’s part class, part party. Philly Cheese School offers both public events — think “Cheese Basics: Extra Fancy Edition” — and private classes, where they’ll sip, snack, and soak up all things fromage. Not sure which to choose? Gift cards let them pick the vibe, date, and cheese adventure that suits them best.
For the friend who’s never met a roast they didn’t analyze
Philly’s own Bean2Bean is serving up small-batch blends that are as bold as they are beloved. Whether it’s the chocolatey-berry vibes of their Schuylkill Select, the rich, dark Italian Market Espresso, or the indulgent Franklin Reserve collabs, these beans are the real deal. Locally roasted in Harrowgate by a Puerto Rican-owned roastery, this is the brew behind espresso martinis at your favorite bar and the coffee at Philly-area staples like Schlesinger’s Deli and The Kibbitz Room. Start with the Franklin Reserve and brew on from there.
For the friend who’s running on vibes, caffeine, and zero meal plans
This isn’t your typical cookbook — it’s part pep talk, part survival guide, and 100% judgment-free. You Gotta Eat by Inquirer food editor Margaret Eby is for the person who stares into their fridge like it’s a hostile witness and still ends up eating peanut butter from a spoon. With tips tailored to your current energy level (from “I can open a package” to “I can maybe chop one thing”), it’s full of genius hacks, low-effort recipes, and the reassurance that yes, you can feed yourself — and maybe even enjoy it. For more Philly book recommendations, click here.
For the friend who wishes summer farmers market season never ended
Give them the gift of 21 weeks of just-picked, chemical-free produce from Urban Roots Farm, a 26-acre, first-generation farm in Newtown Square — and the same one that grows the tomatoes used in Middle Child’s iconic BLTs. Members of the farm’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program get weekly boxes packed with seasonal vegetables, strawberries, and flowers, harvested fresh and ready for pickup at the farm from June through November.
For the friend who plans Sunday meals around kickoff time
Bring the stadium to the kitchen with this playbook of tailgate-worthy recipes from Tim Lopez, the longtime Eagles chef who spent 13 years feeding the Birds — including during their Super Bowl LII run. Kickoff Kitchen serves up two recipes for every NFL team (yes, even Dallas), from crab cake bites for Baltimore fans to Philly’s own roast pork sandwich and cheesesteak egg rolls. It’s part cookbook, part culinary field trip across America’s football cities — ideal for anyone who believes game day isn’t complete without great food. For more Philly book recommendations, click here.
For the friend who can taste the difference between Cape May Salts and Wellfleets
Give the gift of a little salt, brine, and Philly flair with Fishtown Seafood’s oyster classes, designed for every level of mollusk lover. In Oysters 101, beginners learn the essentials — from safe shucking technique to oyster anatomy and how to spot the freshest bivalves. Graduates can level up with Oysters 202, which explores regional terroirs, seasonal flavor profiles, and the subtleties that make each oyster unique.
For the friend who thinks cocktail hour should come with a foraging basket
This isn’t your average mixology book — it’s a whole vibe, and a James Beard Award winner, too. In Slow Drinks, South Jersey’s own Danny Childs (aka the ethnobotanist bartender behind Farm & Fisherman and Old City’s Almanac) shows how to turn garden weeds, wild herbs, and backyard finds into fancy drinks that taste like the season itself. From Dandelion Mead to Spruce Beer, this book proves that great cocktails start with curiosity — and maybe a pair of muddy boots. For more Philly book recommendations, click here.
For the friend who considers “just a little snack” a full meal
Philly’s charcuterie royalty has a gift box for every kind of snacker — from the Abbondanza Cheese & Charcuterie Box packed with their best-selling cheeses, meats, and truffle honey, to — our selection — the Philly Tailgate Bundle for the fan who thinks pepperoni and pretzel sticks are a food group. For more Di Bruno Bros. pantry recommendations, click here.
Beautiful Cookware Set by Drew Barrymore in Kelly Green
For the friend whose fandom starts in the kitchen
Bring some Birds pride to the kitchen with Drew Barrymore’s Beautiful 12-piece Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set in Kelly Green — the exact shade that’ll make any Eagles fan shout “Go Birds!” between bites. With sleek strainer lids, easy-clean pots, and serious style, it’s just right for the game-day host who treats tailgating like fine dining.
Philly brands Dietz & Watson and Jacquin’s collaborated on the new Dietz Dill vodka, available for the first time on Nov. 14 — National Pickle Day. The 60-proof, pickle-flavored vodka pairs Jacquin’s vodka with real Dietz & Watson pickle brine to give a dilly boost to your Bloody Marys and pickle martinis.
For the friend who believes soft pretzels are a love language
From her small-but-mighty kitchen in Northeast Philly, pastry chef Em Wilson turns out soft pretzels that redefine what “Philly-style” means — deeply golden, perfectly chewy, and kissed with just the right amount of salt (and heart). Known for her buttery croissants and “proper lye-dip” pretzels, Em’s small-batch bakes have become a favorite at local markets and pop-ups.
For the friend who won’t shut up about how “you can’t get a real one anywhere else.”
Forget the impostors, this is the real deal. Goldbelly ships legit Philly cheesesteaks straight from the region’s icons — Pat’s, Jim’s, John’s Roast Pork, Campo’s, Donkey’s Place, and more — to wherever they need to go. These sandwiches come cooked to order, packed on ice, and ready to reheat with the works: thin-sliced steak, soft rolls, and your choice of cheese: Whiz, provolone, or Cooper Sharp. No “Philly-style” nonsense, no soggy knockoffs, just the grease-dripping glory of the real thing. Start with Donkey’s Place — an Anthony Bourdain favorite. For more Philly foods you can ship, click here.
For the friend who’s always cooking — or always complaining their knives are dull
There are few gifts more practical (or more satisfying) than giving someone the sharpest knives in Philly. At Fante’s Kitchen Shop in the Italian Market, the pros will put a perfect edge on your blades while you browse espresso makers and pasta tools. For a higher-end tune-up, head to CM Neff Cook Supply Co. on East Passyunk, where chef and owner Cary Neff sharpens by hand with surgical precision.
For the friend whose bar cart is as Philly as their attitude
Raise a glass to local craftsmanship with Bluecoat Gin, the award-winning spirit made in Fishtown by Philadelphia Distilling. Its bright citrus notes and smooth, juniper-forward finish make it the ultimate upgrade to a gin and tonic — or a martini that actually deserves a toast. It’s clean, classic, and unmistakably Philly.
For the friend with kids who are already heckling the ump from the living room
Get your little Phils fan off the iPad and into the game with this bright, team-spirited 150-piece puzzle. It’s a fun way to keep them busy between innings (or at least until the post-game show starts).
For the friend with kids who keeps asking “why?” (and for the parent who’s run out of answers)
Turn curiosity into a year-round adventure with a Franklin Institute membership — your all-access pass to Philly’s favorite science playground. From the Fels Planetarium to hands-on exhibits that’ll have them building, blasting, and experimenting, this membership is a ticket to endless discovery.
For the friend with kids who love to press every button — just not yours
Give the gift of play — and peace of mind — with a Please Touch Museum membership. Kids can climb, splash, build, and explore their way through Philly’s ultimate hands-on museum. It’s part funhouse, part education, all chaos in the best way possible.
For the friend with kids who loves sparkle (and the friend who loves a statement piece)
Let them play designer for a day at Boxbar’s Charm Bar, where they can build their own one-of-a-kind necklace or bracelet. With trays of glimmering charms — stars, hearts, initials, and even tiny Philly icons — and mix-and-match chains, they’ll leave with something that feels totally them. It’s part jewelry-making, part memory-making. Either way, it’ll shine.
Raise ‘em right, in Philly style. These adorable picks from Minor Details are perfect for the littlest Birds and Phils fans. The Philly Football Baby Sweater comes in a deep Eagles green with “Eagles” stitched across the front, a cozy knit that’s ready for Sunday naps or kickoff cuddles. The Baseball Stitch Onesie features red baseball seam embroidery and the Phillies’ Liberty Bell logo.
Show your Philly pride everywhere you go with this hand-drawn, screen-printed tote from local artist Paul Carpenter. His clever “LOVE” design doubles as a map of the city — from Roxborough to Fishtown, South Philly to the Great Northeast — making it a great everyday bag for groceries, books, or Wawa runs. Created and printed in Philly, it’s a functional little love letter to the city itself.
For the friend who’s always up in New York, down in D.C., or anywhere the rails will go
Sometimes the best gift is a ticket away — at least for a weekend. An Amtrak gift card gives your favorite traveler (or commuter) the freedom to hop a train to anywhere from Boston to D.C. without worrying about gas, tolls, or traffic. It’s perfect for the person who needs a recharge, a romantic getaway, or just an excuse to skip the Turnpike. You can load any amount, making it one of the most flexible (and stress-free) Philly gifts around.
For the friend who travels light — but never without team spirit
Fly like an Eagle with this sleek black hard-shell spinner suitcase featuring the team’s bold eagle-head logo. Built for durability (and swagger), it’s a 21-inch carry-on with smooth 360-degree wheels, interior straps, and pockets that make packing almost fun. Whether they’re heading to an away game or just the airport bar, this suitcase says, “Yes, I’m from Philly.” For more picks for Philly sports fans, click here.
For the friend who needs caffeine before conversation
If they start their day with an eye roll and a latte, this 12-ounce Nomad Sip from Philly’s own Rival Bros. will make their mornings a little smoother. Made for both hot and cold drinks, it’s double-walled and spill-resistant — excellent for commutes, tailgates, or late-night deadlines. Rival Bros., founded by Philly chef Jonathan Adams and barista Damien Pileggi, is known for roasting some of the best beans in the city, so it’s fitting that their travel mugs carry the same quality.
For the friend who can never feel too far from Fishtown's caffeine headquarters
Philly’s coffee pride and joy — La Colombe — nailed it when they canned their signature draft latte. These ready-to-drink cans deliver that same creamy, café-grade texture with a foamy top that somehow survives your morning commute. Available in classic, mocha, triple, and oat milk versions, they’re great for keeping in the fridge or tossing in your bag before work. Give them a taste of home (or a little taste of La Colombe on the go), because no one should have to settle for sad office coffee again.
For the friend who swears they’re “this close” to breaking 90
Give their swing the tune-up it deserves with a one-hour golf lesson at Five Iron Golf, the city’s sleek, high-tech golf hub with locations in Fishtown, Logan Square, and Rittenhouse. Each lesson pairs them with a certified instructor who uses simulator data, video playback, and real-time feedback to help fine-tune their form — or at least stop slicing into the screen. Whether they’re a first-time golfer or a fairway regular, it’s the kind of gift that says, “I believe in your potential … but maybe not your current handicap.”
For the friend who runs, walks, or is just trying to get their steps in
Help them hit the pavement in style with a Philadelphia Runner gift card, good for shoes, gear, and race-day essentials. Whether they’re training for the Broad Street Run, chasing their first 5K, or just need a comfortable pair of sneakers for dog walks, this local shop’s experts make finding the right fit easy. With locations across the city and an unbeatable local reputation, it’s a gift that goes the distance.
Stanley’s viral water bottles finally meet Philly spirit in this Kelly green edition — OK, it’s technically “meadow,” but close enough. The 30-ounce stainless-steel tumbler keeps drinks ice-cold for hours and fits perfectly in a car cup holder (yes, even when navigating Broad Street traffic). It’s durable, dishwasher-safe, and built for long days at work or tailgates.
For the friend who needs a facial more than another candle
If “self-care” in Philly had a headquarters, it would be Rescue Spa. Their gift cards can be used for everything from expert facials and massages to manicures and luxe skin treatments — the kind that make you feel like a brand-new person afterward. Services start at $35 and go up to full-on luxury treatments, so whether you’re gifting a quick glow-up or an all-day spa escape, it’s a loving way to say: “You’ve earned this.”
For the friend who blames Mercury retrograde for everything
Help them align their stars with a personalized astrology reading from Corina Dross, a Philly-based astrologer and artist known for her intuitive, poetic approach. Choose between a birth chart reading that explores life themes, timing, and purpose, or a relationship reading that dives into the cosmic dynamics between partners or friends. Corina’s readings are equal parts spiritual reflection and gentle therapy session — the kind that leave you journaling long after.
For the friend who keeps Philly in their heart (and on their tree)
Bring a little piece of the Parkway home with this porcelain LOVE Statue ornament, inspired by Robert Indiana’s iconic sculpture in JFK Plaza. Lightweight, glossy, and unmistakably Philly, it’s the perfect accent for anyone nostalgic for the city skyline or annual holiday strolls through Dilworth Park. It’s small, affordable, and the kind of thing that becomes a yearly “front and center” favorite on the tree.
For the friend who sees the future — and prefers it with a soft pretzel
This locally illustrated tarot deck reimagines classic cards through the lens of everyday Philly: the Chariot becomes the El, the Sun shines over FDR Park, and the Tower? Of course, the Comcast Center. The art is as gorgeous as it is clever, plus, it doubles as a conversation piece on any coffee table.
For the friend who’s impossible to impress — until now
Hidden behind the main dining room at Pizzeria Beddia in Fishtown sits one of Philly’s most exclusive tables: the Hoagie Room. This two-hour private dining experience is part dinner, part show — and all Philly. You’ll start with cocktails and small plates before watching one of Beddia’s hoagie masters build sandwiches on house-baked bread. Then come the signature pizzas, a magnum or two from Joe Beddia’s wine stash, and a swirl of soft serve to finish. It’s intimate, over-the-top in the best way, and guaranteed to make any food lover lose their mind.
For the friend with a stack of prints still “waiting to be framed.”
Give their walls the attention they deserve with a gift certificate to Frame Fatale, South Philly’s beloved frame shop that’s as much an art space as it is a workshop. The team there can frame just about anything — vintage concert posters, sports memorabilia, even that old Phanatic photo booth strip. Whether they’re moving into a new place or just tired of leaning art against the wall, this gift turns “someday” projects into finished pieces.
For the friend who prefers caffeine with their trash talk
A Philly classic, now in mug form. This ceramic “F*ck Dallas” mug from Old City’s Verde boutique says what every Eagles fan already feels — proudly, loudly, and without apology. Whether it’s for game-day coffee or Monday-morning recovery, it’s an unforgettable kitchen companion. It’s durable, dishwasher safe, and locally made.
For the friend who’s ready to swap potholes for petals
When winter in Philly starts to feel endless, the Philadelphia Flower Show is pure therapy. Give them a dose of green with tickets to this annual spectacle of blooms, installations, and floral art that transforms the Convention Center into a full-on paradise. Rooted, next year’s theme when the show returns Feb. 28-March 8, will be a place to wander, breathe, and maybe start believing in spring again.
For the friend who’s always making something — or wants to start
Philly is full of creative corners where you can learn just about any craft, from needlepoint to natural dyeing. Rittenhouse Needlepoint hosts hands-on workshops for beginners, while Wild Hand in Mount Airy offers everything from wheel spinning to basket weaving. At Modest Transitions, students can explore the art of botanical fabric-dyeing using plants and natural pigments. Gift a class (or a gift card) and you’re not just giving a new skill — you’re giving a creative outlet, a reason to unplug, and maybe a few new friends.
For the friend who moved away but still talks about Wawa
Send them a care package that tastes (and looks) like home. The City of Brotherly Love Basket from the Pennsylvania General Store is overflowing with Philly classics — from Tastykakes, Uncle Jerry’s Hard Pretzels, and Melrose Diner Butter Cookies to Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews, Mike & Ike’s, and Herr’s chips. There’s even a Philadelphia LOVE mug, a replica Liberty Bell, and a mini U.S. Constitution tucked inside for good measure. It’s the ultimate sampler of city pride — part snack stash, part nostalgia trip.
For the friend whose home always smells (and looks) amazing
Father-and-sons team John, Dane, and Luciano Luttmann of Artifaqt are masters of craft, creating some of the most beautiful (and delightfully weird) home goods in the region. Their hand-poured candles, shaped like hyperrealistic corn cobs, cheese, tomatoes, and other produce, are local favorites at the Rittenhouse Farmers Market. Each one is made with sustainably sourced, Pennsylvania-based materials, and the corn looks so real you’ll want to butter it. Beyond candles, Artifaqt’s hand-carved wood bowls and smallwares are functional sculptures — warm, organic pieces crafted from local woods that make every table setting feel thoughtful and one-of-a-kind.
Give their furry friend the supermodel treatment with a professional pet portrait session by Alexa Nahas, one of Philly’s top pet photographers. Known for capturing genuine personality — from head tilts to mid-zoomies — Alexa turns four-legged chaos into frame-worthy art. She'll come to your home, meet you outdoors around the city, and she works with dogs, cats, and even the occasional rabbit.
For the friend whose pet has love for the Birds, too
Let their dog or cat show team pride with this throwback Eagles jersey, complete with the vintage lettering. Available in multiple sizes for both cats and dogs, it’s the ultimate game-day look — or for getting compliments at the park.
For the friend whose Philly pup or cat who deserves a spa day
Treat your favorite four-legged Philadelphian to a fresh cut and a good scrub at Doggie Style Pets, with grooming services available for both dogs and cats. Their expert groomers handle everything from nail trims and baths to full-on makeovers, all while using gentle, pet-safe products. With locations across the city and a mission that supports local rescues, it’s a gift that pampers and gives back.
This Italian Market bakery is baking up treats fit for royalty — or at least the ruler of the living room. Melmo’s Dog Treats are handmade with natural ingredients and come in shapes ranging from bones to Phillies P’s, plus you can order custom dog cakes for birthdays, gotcha days, or just because they’re a good boy. It’s local, adorable, and guaranteed to get tails wagging.
For the friend who loves a challenge (and the skyline)
Give them a new way to admire the city with this 1,000-piece Philadelphia puzzle featuring an artful illustration of the skyline and iconic landmarks. Made in the U.S. by Lantern Press, the puzzle is printed on high-quality recycled board with crisp, vibrant color that’ll make them feel like they’re piecing together their own little Philly masterpiece.
For the friend who believes in happily ever afters
At Kiss & Tale, Collingswood’s beloved romance-only bookstore, every shelf promises a little escapism — from sweeping fantasy worlds to slow-burn love stories and everything in between. Whether you’re shopping for someone who likes their love stories full of necromancy or nerds, this shop has a swoon for everyone — plus knowledgeable booksellers who’ll hand over their next obsession faster than you can say “one-bedroom trope.”
For the friend who plays holiday music all year long
Hand-poured in Philly, this Old City Candle Co.’s Cranberry Birch candle blends tart cranberry, birchwood, and a hint of citrus for a clean, festive scent that feels like winter in the city — minus the parking struggles. Made with soy wax and a cotton wick, it burns slow and bright, filling any room with that just-right seasonal warmth.
For the friend whose home always smells like a good decision
Mount Airy Candle Co.’s small-batch soy candles have scents inspired by comfort, craft, and a touch of city soul. A standout: Figs & Pink Pepper, a rich, layered blend of caramelized brown sugar, pink peppercorns, and dark musk that feels equal parts sophisticated and cozy — like a dinner party that lingers long after dessert. Each Mount Airy candle burns clean and long, with fragrances that fill a room without overwhelming it.
For the friend who always says they need a new hobby
Loop, a cozy yarn shop on South Street, offers beginner-friendly knitting and crochet workshops where students can learn the basics (or finally master that tricky cable stitch). Each small-group class includes expert guidance, quality materials, and plenty of encouragement from fellow crafters.
For the friend whose kitchen always smells like good food and a good time
Nothing says Philly quite like a perfectly twisted, salt-covered soft pretzel — and this Soft Pretzel Tea Towel from Minor Details captures that spirit in style. The hand-drawn design breaks down every detail of the city’s signature snack — from the coarse salt to the figure-eight twist — all screen-printed in golden yellow ink on 100% organic, lint-free cotton. It’s as functional as it is fun: soft enough for drying dishes, sturdy enough for daily use, and pretty enough to hang on display.
At Cork & Candles, you don’t just buy candles — you make them. Guests sip wine or cocktails while choosing from more than 70 custom scents, blending their own signature fragrance, and pouring it into a jar to take home. With cozy, mood-lit studios in Center City, University City, Ardmore, and King of Prussia, it’s part creative therapy session, part night out.
Philly chef–turned–soap maker Melissa Torre founded Vellum Street Soap Co. on the belief that great skin care shouldn’t come at the planet’s expense. Her small-batch soaps, moisturizers, and candles are made using rescued ingredients from local restaurants and bakeries — think coffee grounds, herbs, and even upcycled animal fats — turning what would’ve been waste into something luxe and sustainable. Her best-selling Fat Marshmallow soap blends biocompatible tallow, vanilla bean, marshmallow root, and honey. Torre’s work proves that skin care can be local, ethical, and a little bit indulgent.
Crafted by Philly-based perfumer Alex Rodriguez, Freedom by RDZ Parfums is a daring unisex fragrance inspired by the Liberty Bell that walks the line between bold and subtle. With top notes that evoke open skies and base notes that rest on warm skin, it’s meant to be a signature, not just a spray. Encased in a sleek 100-mL bottle, it’s a local luxury gift that smells like confidence and leaves a quiet trail of intention.
For the friend who wears their Philly grit on their sleeve — and their shoulder
Handmade by Philly artist and former restaurant worker Katie Henry, Made by Hank bags have become a bona fide local obsession. Crafted from durable duck canvas (sourced from one of only two mills left in the U.S.) and adorned with Henry’s signature triangle patterns, each bag is stitched in her South Philly studio — and spotted everywhere from Palizzi Social Club to Paris. They’re the kind of accessory that tells a story: a little tough, a little soft, and entirely Philly.
For the friend who wears her heart and city in every piece
Lauren Priori’s collection is handcrafted in Rittenhouse and owned by women who know what real style means. Whether it’s earrings, rings, or layered necklaces, each piece brings modern elegance with personal touches — like subtle engravings, gemstones with local stories, or minimalist shapes that carry weight. Give them something that’s more than adornment — it’s identity.
For the friend who is a Swiftie and finds comfort in cashmere
Lingua Franca’s new hand-embroidered sweater is an ode to the love between Berks County’s most famous local — Taylor Swift — and Jason Kelce’s brother. The English teacher x gym teacher crewneck is made from sustainably sourced cashmere and comes in eight color options. The next-best thing to being invited to the wedding, basically.
For the friend who has a great view of the Ben Franklin Bridge
This vibrant, three-panel Philadelphia skyline print turns any wall into a love letter to the city. Each 16×16-inch canvas is stretched over a solid wood frame and ready to hang — no framing fuss required. The bold colors and crisp skyline lines make it a perfect statement piece for a living room, office, or that one blank wall begging for some Philly pride. It’s lightweight, durable, and easy to clean (because life happens).
For the friend who treats skin care like self-care (and science)
Founded by Adeline Koh and based in South Philly’s Bok Building, Sabbatical Beauty blends the effectiveness of Korean skin care with the heart of small-batch, handmade production. Their products — including the favorite Cleansing Oil — are crafted with high concentrations of active ingredients designed to actually work. You can email the team for personalized product recommendations based on your skin type and concerns, making it feel like your own skin care concierge service.
For the friend who wears their story on their skin
This one’s for the ink lovers. The Philadelphia Tattoo Convention brings together hundreds of tattoo artists from around the world — plus live demos, contests, and enough buzzing needles to make your mom nervous. It returns Jan. 23-25 to the Convention Center. Whether they’re adding to their sleeve or just dreaming about their first piece, they’ll find endless inspiration (and maybe their next artist).
Our Philadelphia gift categories are defined by the specific interests, hobbies, and unique lifestyles of the recipients, often incorporating strong elements of local Philadelphia pride and culture. Our list curates recommendations based on the receiver’s likes and tastes, from gifts for kids and gifts for pet lovers to gifts for Philly sports fans and food fanatics. If you’re looking for a gift for your mom, you can find that here, but you’ll have to know what she likes. We asked our staff to recommend their ideal Philly gifts, and from that list, came up with nine different categories: the Foodie, the Sports Fanatic, the Homebody, the Trendsetter, the Traveler, the Fitness Buff, the Pet Lover, the One Who Has It All, and the Kid. We included a mix of items and experiences, but the common theme is that they all integrate local Philadelphia identity, businesses, and specific city experiences into every category.
