If you have no idea what to give the people on your shopping list, you’ve come to the right place. We have 12 unique gift ideas that are sure to please anyone. An added bonus: All our gifts support local businesses or nonprofits.
So check back as the list grows and soon you’ll be ready to kick back and enjoy a glass of eggnog.
Day 12: Pittsburgh Brewery Guide
Is there a beer lover in your life? Give them the gift that keeps on giving! The Pittsburgh Brewery Guide is available for $10 at more than 40 participating suds makers around town. Your drinking buddy will get a stamp each time they stop at a different spot for a pint. An inked-up passport can earn them cool prizes like koozies and glassware. Cheers!
— Kristy Locklin
Day 11: Give a gift of books to Pittsburgh kids with City of Asylum Bookstore
City of Asylum Bookstore on the North Side is the official bookseller for Books for Change, the annual book drive hosted by the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Child Development. The theme for 2021 is “justice from the beginning,” with picture books gently introducing children to a wide range of social justice issues, stories and topics. All books purchased from the list, from “We Sang You Home” to “Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race,” will be donated to local schools and childcare centers.
— Mike Machosky
Day 10: Dam, Girl! T-shirt from Etna Print Circus
The brilliant minds behind the popular Yinz is a Gender Neutral Pronoun T-Shirt are back with a sure hit for the gift giving season that pays tribute to North America’s largest rodent. The Etna-based company’s newest design showcases the Keystone State’s other famous rodent via an eye-popping neon pink and brown ink design on a soft cream Bella + Canvas 3001 shirt. For $25, you can channel the industrious resourcefulness of these powerhouse “ecosystem engineers” and feel good about supporting a small business and the local maker economy. Check out the Etna Print Circus website for lots of other ways to wear some wisdom on your chest.
— Jennifer Baron
Day 9: Wigle Whiskey’s ‘Burgh in a Box
To my way of thinking, almost anything from Wigle Whiskey makes a gift that keeps on giving (responsibly). But new this year is the holiday flask gift set. The ‘Burgh in a Box includes Cinnamon Whiskey, Landlocked Spiced Rum and Pennsylvania Wapsie Bourbon. But it’s even cooler because when you line up the three 200 milliliter bottles, the label artwork forms the Pittsburgh skyline. Every home should have a Pittsburgh skyline and does it get any better than one you can drink? Order online for pickup at the Ross Park Mall shop or the main location at 2401 Smallman St. in the Strip District. $65.
— Brian Hyslop
Day 8: Membership to the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
During the pandemic, spending time with nature has become even more restorative, meaningful and vital — as we all live more of our lives outdoors. Once a toxic landscape damaged from coal mining, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is a model of sustainable land reclamation in Oakdale. With 460 acres, it’s off the beaten path enough to make you feel like you’re escaping into the wilderness. Meandering is key here as you traverse a giant loop exploring the site’s immersive features, including the Garden of the Five Senses, Heritage Homestead, Pollinator Garden, apiary, lotus pond, woodlands (don’t miss the Hermit Hut!) and more. The new $10.5 million Welcome Center is a stunning design housing special exhibitions (on view now is Second Nature in collaboration with Pittsburgh Glass Center) that blends organically into the surroundings with floor-to-ceiling windows. The Canopy Cafe faces the woods and the Forage and Find gift shop is a terrific place to score locally made goods and native plants. Bonus? The PBG is incredibly dog-friendly. On a crisp fall day, I headed out with my Lab Casper for our first visit and we can’t wait to return when the dogwoods are in bloom. Membership: individual ($45), dual ($70), family ($110) and more.
— Jennifer Baron
Day 7: The Government Center record shop
If you have a music fan to shop for, the place to go in Pittsburgh is the oddly-named (it’s from a Modern Lovers song by Jonathan Richman) record store The Government Center. It has an outstanding collection of new and used records, with lots of unusual things that you probably weren’t looking for, but are worth taking a chance on anyway. You can get a gift certificate by visiting the newly-expanded Deutschtown/North Side shop at 715 East St., calling 412-208-3262 or emailing.
— Michael Machosky
Day 6: Sterling Yoga & Wellness
It’s been a long year. Let your loved ones de-stress at Sterling Yoga & Wellness. In addition to offering yoga classes (both in-person and online), massage, reflexology and reiki, the Scott Township business boasts a Crystalline Cave. Chillin’ out in the Himalayan salt room can boost the body’s immune system, which let’s face it, we could all use these days. Spend 45 minutes in the salt room for $30. Classes are as low as $12. Gift cards are available online.
— Kristy Locklin
Day 5: Rebel Bred Clothing
For four years, online retailer Rebel Bred Clothing has been outfitting Pittsburghers in premium streetwear designed to educate, uplift and inspire. Now the company has a brick-and-mortar store located at 608 South Ave. in Wilkinsburg. Stock up on their sweatsuits, tracksuits, dresses, hats and T-shirts as well as their other product lines, including sneakers, vintage gear, cosmetics and art. So shop in-person or online.
— Kristy Locklin
Day 4: Iron City Beer Dog Toy
We know yinz guys enjoy an ice cold Iron City. Now you can buy your dog one, too. OK, so Fido can’t drink a beer, but he’ll love Pittsburgh Brewing Company’s plush version of their flagship offering. The toy is the size of an actual 16-ounce can and has a squeaker inside. A portion of all proceeds will go to Biggies Bullies, a local rescue that re-homes pit bulls. Online, $14.99.
— Kristy Locklin
Day 3: Tal & Bert Holiday Candle
Tal & Bert have long captured Pittsburgh’s attention with their stunning geode-inspired vessels. And although you can shop at the Dormont location at 2892 W. Liberty Ave., the Black-owned business has an exclusive geode soy candle as part of a holiday collaboration with House of Harlow 1960 & Nicole Richie. The scent is a blend of evergreen and sweet orange to create the perfect holiday aroma. The 6-ounce and 9-ounce sizes have a wooden wick, while the 2-ounce version is made with a natural cotton wick. And after you finish burning the candle, you still have an amazing and function piece of art. Online from $48 to $140.
— Brian Hyslop
Day 2: “When You Wonder, You’re Learning”
Pittsburgh has been lucky to have so many influential people leading our region but the most inspiring has been Fred Rogers. Gregg Behr, executive director of The Grable Foundation and founder of Remake Learning, and award-winning writer Ryan Rydzewski build on the lessons Rogers shared in their 2021 book, “When You Wonder, You’re Learning: Mister Rogers’ Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids.” This exploration of Rogers’ “blueprints for learning” is perfect for teachers, parents and anyone invested in the lives of children. Online booksellers, $18.99-$23.49.
— Brian Hyslop
Day 1: Giving Tuesday
Let’s start out the gift guide by giving back to the community. Tuesday, Nov. 30, is the 10th anniversary of Giving Tuesday, which has raised billions of dollars for nonprofits and encouraged countless hours of volunteer work. In our community, Give Big Pittsburgh runs for 24 hours and allows the public to support nonprofits directly via a one-stop online fundraising platform.
— Brian Hyslop