Looking for a holiday gift? Shop local!

Shopping locally for the holidays offers numerous fantastic options. You can explore charming local boutiques for unique gifts, visit farmers’ markets for fresh produce and handmade goods, and support small businesses by purchasing from their online stores. Additionally, attending local craft fairs and holiday events can provide a festive atmosphere while discovering one-of-a-kind items. Embracing local shopping not only enhances your holiday experience but also strengthens the community.

Wine & Coffee

People are drawn to wine and coffee for their rich flavors and the experiences they offer. Wine often brings a sense of sophistication and relaxation, while coffee provides a comforting boost of energy and warmth, making them beloved choices for many. 

RGB Coffee in Waynesburg, our reader’s favorite local coffee shop, offers a delectable variety of coffee, specialty drinks, and baked goods, as well as other locally produced gift ideas. Kiln to Table offers a one stop shop for coffee lovers, delicious food, and one of a kind pottery items and local goods. 

Other local coffee shops (most offering more than just coffee!) you can support are Morning Rush, LK Café, Press On Bakes & Brews (specializing in gluten free), Rices Landing Coffee Company, Rising Creek Bakery, and Butcher Shop Coffee at Fredericktown Butcher Shop. 

For wine connoisseurs, Greene County offers two wineries creating their own custom wines. Thistlethwaite Vineyards in Jefferson offers red and white wines, created right on the farm from vine to wine. Not sure what wine to pick? They offer complimentary wine tasting daily. If you’re looking for something a little different, Shields’ Demesne Winery offers different melomels, each made with honey and grapes. 

Cuisine & Sweet Treats

Food is an excellent holiday gift because it brings joy and warmth to celebrations. Sharing delicious treats creates memorable experiences and fosters connections among friends and family. Plus, with so many options available, from gourmet chocolates to homemade goodies, Greene County has something to please every palate. 

The Hungarian Smokehouse is your one-stop shop for quality meats and local goods. Specialty products like bacon, kielbasa, sausage and thick cut jerky are made right in the facility. They also offer an extensive take-out menu of smokehouse specialties, burgers, subs, sides and more. 

In addition to being the home of a selection of gourmet chocolates and candies, 5 Kidz Kandy also sells drinks, breakfast and lunch, and ice cream. They often feature holiday specific gift baskets and items. 

Looking for another sweet choice? Consider the gift of locally made honey from Barnum Bee’s Apiary & Farm in Greensboro. “[Honey] makes a perfect gift for the holidays; it is a simple little gift made with love. You can use it with tea or for all your baking needs. Barnum Bees honey is a local and small business that uses honey for many things. What better way to make the holiday a little sweeter than with our honey,” says Staci Barnum.  

A gift card for a meal from a local restaurant such as the Ice Plant, Hartley Inn, DJ’s Diner, Italian Boys Pizza, Willow Tree Bakery, Don Patron, and other local restaurants is also the perfect way to support local restaurants while sharing delicious food with friends and loved ones. 

Clothes & 

Accessories

Clothing makes a wonderful Christmas gift because it combines practicality with personal style. It allows you to show thoughtfulness by selecting items that reflect the recipient’s taste and needs. Plus, everyone appreciates cozy, stylish apparel during the holiday season, making it a gift that is both useful and enjoyable.

The Fashion Shoppe is a women’s clothing and jewelry boutique. You’re sure to find something perfect for a loved one in their selection of clothing, accessories, handbags, shoes, and more – they even carry a wide variety of Vera Bradley. 

While it may say it’s a men’s store, Mickey’s Men’s Store carries both women’s and men’s clothing. Mickey’s specializes in clothing for the blue collar worker. They carry clothes and shoes in Ariat, Carhartt, Levi, Carolina, Timberland, and more brands.  

Supporting Hobbies & 

Custom Creations

Supporting hobbies makes for thoughtful gifts because they show you care about the recipient’s interests and passions. By encouraging someone to pursue what they love, you foster their creativity and happiness. Gifts that align with personal interests can lead to memorable experiences and strengthen relationships, making them truly special.

Gloria’s Ceramics & Greene Gifts is the place to go to gift a loved one the chance to create their own special creation. You can also create your own personalized creation, pick up a custom ceramic, of find other locally made gift ideas. 

Lippencott Alpacas farm store is another great place to find a locally made gift or support a loved one’s hobby. The farm store offers an amazing assortment of alpaca yarns from PA and Peru with a variety of colors, blends and weights for creators. They also carry a variety of knit hats, scarves, sweaters, socks, gloves, and more – all made from alpaca fiber. For kids, they have alpaca bears in four sizes ready for a good home.

Their alpaca fiber socks are very popular and four favorite styles include Rain & Shine Socks, Extreme Thermal Socks, Warrior Socks, and Jacquard Socks. 

“Santa wears warm alpaca socks and he got them from Lippencott Alpacas Farm Store!” says Lena Galing, owner. “Socks and other items are special because alpaca fiber wicks the moisture from feet at a higher percentage than other fibers. Alpaca fiber keeps feet drier and therefore warmer, and they don’t hold in odor either. Come and see the marvelous items that we have for sale before Santa takes them all!” 

As self-care or a hobby, creating custom candles is growing in popularity. At the Hideaway Candle Bar, you can create the perfect candle for a loved one, book them a reservation to have their own unique pouring experience. 

 

Gifts for Readers

Books are wonderful gifts because they offer a unique blend of knowledge, entertainment, and personal connection. They can transport the reader to different worlds, spark new ideas, and provide insights into various subjects. Local authors have something for everyone. 

Looking for stories for a younger audience? Dianne Closser Toothman and Susan Williams Aul have a series of children’s books, and Claysville author Angie Candell has recently released The Alphabet According to Chickens and The Chicken’s Guide to Gardening. 

Into the paranormal or spooky stories? Check out Kevin Paul’s Haunted Hills & Hollows series, Brad Braddock’s Memoirs of Murder or House of Ygor, or Michelle Bowser’s horror and comedy writings like The Hags of Black County or Don’t Yell at the Desk Clerk.

Is the recipient more of a sports person? Check out Bret Moore’s A History of Sports in Greene County series. More choices include Lonnie Miller’s coal mine books, various local history books by local authors, and more. 

You can also check out Greene County’s only remaining bookstore, Riverrun Books & Prints. Located in Greensboro, this bookstore is home to 20,000 books – you’ll be sure to find the perfect gift for your reader. 

Self Care

Self-care is essential because it helps maintain our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. By prioritizing self-care, we can reduce stress, enhance our mood, and improve our overall quality of life. Taking time for ourselves allows us to recharge and better cope with daily challenges, ultimately leading to a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.

Treat their soul and left their spirits with a visit to Enchanted Moon Acres in Waynesburg. Enchanted Moon Acres offers spiritual advising, reiki energy healing, chakra cleansing, tarot and psychic reading, somatic healing, detoxification, and other holistic services. Owner/Founder Erin Pierson says, “Enchanted Moon Acres is a natural health boutique dedicated to nurturing your mind, body, and spirit. The greatest gift to receive this holiday season would be the gift of healing.” 

Other ideas for self-care gifts include massage and bodywork, pedicures and manicures, a trip to the hairdresser, and spa treatments. 

Memorial Gifts

Creating a memorial gift at the Greene County Community Foundation is a meaningful way to honor a loved one while supporting a cause that matters. It allows you to celebrate their life and legacy, ensuring that their memory lives on through contributions that can make a difference in the community. You can donate to one of more than 60 funds or establish a new fund in a loved one’s name. Special funds can be created to handle tributes and memorials. Contributions may also be made to existing funds to honor a living person, memorialize deceased persons, or commemorate anniversaries or other special events. Contact the CFGC office at 724-627-2010 or visit cfgcpa.org for more information. 

Shopping local for holiday gifts is important – it supports your community and boosts the local economy. Local shops offer unique, handcrafted, and locally produced items that you won’t find in larger retail chains, making your gifts more meaningful. Shopping local also fosters a sense of community and connection, allowing you to engage with the people behind the products. Additionally, when you choose to buy from nearby businesses, you help create jobs and keep money circulating within your area.

About Danielle Nyland

Current Position: Editor and Social Media Manager of GreeneScene Community Magazine. Danielle Nyland is a local photographer, artist, and writer. She is a Greene County native and currently lives in Nemacolin with her husband, Daytona, two sons, Remington and Kylo, and an English bull terrier, Sparky. Danielle has a background in graphic design, web publishing, social media, management, and photography. She graduated American Public University with an associate degree in web publishing and Bellevue University with a bachelor degree in graphic design. She has also attended the New York Institute of Photography. Before joining the team, she worked in retail and as an instructor at Laurel Business Institute. Outside of her work with the GreeneScene, she enjoys painting and drawing, photography, and loves reading books and watching movies – especially the scary ones! Danielle has been photographing and writing about local history and events since 2010 as part of the SWPA Rural Exploration team. She’s active in local community events and committees. She’s a board member with Flenniken Public Library and is on the committees for the Sheep & Fiber Festival, 50’s Fest & Car Cruise, and Light Up Night.

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