2024 Pittsburgh Holiday Gift & Shopping Guide | Shop Local

If you have that friend who’s always put together, has a display of fresh flowers or a subscription to Arch Digest, you can’t go wrong with The Farmer’s Daughter. This meticulously curated shop on the North Side is a dream. Not only do they have gorgeous housewares and accessories, they also offer stunning floral arrangements and fresh flowers.

A visit to PGH Candle to see their cute hilltop shop and smell their array of candles is always a good call. Grab one scented with the wildflowers of Pennsylvania or one of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods.

Ceremonial Shop is perfect for the more esoteric person in your life. Not only can you grab some healing crystals or a book on recreational witchcraft, but you can also gift a tarot reading with the owner, Leslie.

And Wildcard is a great stop to get some Pittsburgh-inspired trinkets, locally made cards or some unique gift wrapping supplies.

If you know someone who swoons over a lovely handmade gift, the gorgeous stone-encrusted vessels from TB Fragrances are perfect. Customize them by birthstone or find a candle with a custom fragrance. However you use them, they're sure to liven up any space.

Not only can you shop the luxurious candles at Mix Candle Co., but you can also make your own candle. At their bar you can create a custom scent and pick from their array of colorful vessels for a candle that’s uniquely your own.

House of Handsome offers a custom fragrance experience that’s perfect for the perfume/cologne lover in your life. Tucked in the back of their ornate barbershop in Dormont is a Galimard fragrance studio. Over the span of about two hours, you smell 127 different notes and choose your favorites to create a custom fragrance. It’s truly a unique experience as the only Galimard studio in the U.S.

Another class perfect for the cosmetic lover you know is the Lipstyck Lab. Each session is an hour and a half and you get to leave with a custom lipstick or gloss.

Make a fused charcuterie plate, ornament, suncatcher or so many other items with a class at the Pittsburgh Glass Center. (They also have locally made glasswares on sale at the center, if you want to skip the class, but support local artisans.)

Try your hand at 3D printing, laser and vinyl cutting and more with a trip to Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center’s Fab Lab. They have classes for adults and kids. Or check out The Union Project in Highland Park for pottery classes. Learning the ins and outs of throwing, glazing and firing or go for an open studio session.

Millie’s is a beloved ice cream brand in Pittsburgh and thankfully they have two holiday specials to choose from. You can grab the Classic Ice Creams holiday pack, which has the flavors Gingerbread, Maple Waffle Sundae, Cookies ‘n’ Cream and Coffee Break; or the Dairy-Free Gelatos holiday pack, which includes Mint Chip, Brownie Batter, Pina Colada and Very Mango. Grab them at one of their shops or order online – they ship within the continental U.S.!

Chantal’s Cheese Shop in Lawrenceville not only has a vast selection of delicious dairy offerings, but you can also book a tasting class. Hang out with one of their grazing tables or learn the basics with Pairings 101.

Introduce the coffee lover in your life to a new brew with one of Atelier De Fer’s coffee sampler packs, or a 3- or 6-month coffee subscription! This locally roasted coffee is made with care and they have a great selection of fanciful cocktail mixtures.

If you know someone who loves meal deliveries and local groceries, a subscription to Harvie might be right up their alley. Get produce, dairy products, meats, prepared foods and more from local and regional farms and businesses delivered to your house.

And what foodie doesn’t love delicious – and instagrammable – French macarons? Get them regularly with a 3-, 6-, or 12-month subscription from Pittsburgh pastry shop Gaby et Jules.

We love how unique Steel City Salt Co. is. Share a little bit of Pittsburgh with loved ones who aren’t from the Steel City with their pierogi salt or add a little spice with ghost pepper sea salt.

From a “Somebody in Pittsburgh Loves Yinz” shirt to a “Pittsburgh vs All Yinz” hoodie, Commonwealth Press is perfect for someone who wants to wear their Pittsburgh love across their chest.

Love, Pittsburgh is a perfect spot for curated Pittsburgh gifts from more than 100 local artists and makers, including everything from wooden bridge ornaments to nebby notebooks. Order online and pick up at one of their three locations around ‘tahn.

We love how Alternate Histories mixes vintage and iconic Pittsburgh imagery with sci-fi monsters to create unique prints. Grab your nerdy yinzer loved one a print of “View of Pittsburgh circa 1902” complete with “Minnie the Monongahela Monster” wreaking havoc on the three rivers.

And the Heinz History Center gift shop has a huge collection of Pittsburgh wares. Grab a Mister Rogers ornament, Heinz dog collar, Iron City onesie or just a history center sweatshirt to show your pride for Pittsburgh’s Smithsonian museum.

You can also shop the Carnegie Museum of Art’s gift shop in person or online. While they have Pittsburgh-inspired pieces like a Dippy the Dinosaur trucker hat or Campbell’s tomato soup crayon set, we also love the totes, apparel and tumblers featuring the CMOA’s new branding. They also have some unique gift making workshops in December.

We love Salty Paws’ cute collection of dog treats, from pup-friendly ice cream to doggie cake mix. Grab some cute treats for a furry friend or new collar for your best bud.

If you like to spoil your furry friends by dressing them up, One Haute Dog has a great selection to choose from. Grab a new dog bowtie and a matching winter coat, or grab a whimsical cat collar and toy (Kitty Klaw, anyone?)

A gift card for Black Cat Market in Garfield is a great option for anyone who loves cats. This community hotspot lets you cuddle with adoptable kitties for a wonderful de-stressing experience, and look for special events like paint nights on their website for even more fun!

And for something really special, try one of the National Aviary’s animal encounters. Watch the aviary’s sloth Valentino make a unique painting and take it home, while also getting the chance to feed him, or meet the African penguins up close.

Pittsburgh is home to a variety of locally owned toy stores filled with fun for kids of all ages. S. W. Randall Toyes and Giftes is Pittsburgh’s oldest and largest specialty toy store with locations in downtown, Squirrel Hill and Shadyside.

Stop by Dragonfly Castle Toys in Lawrenceville for a unique variety of European and American-made toys with no batteries or screens.

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind toy shopping experience at Fun Buy The Pound! This toy store carries more than 20 brands of toys and features an online store and home delivery for orders in the Pittsburgh area. Add a visit to Kawaii Gifts for a collection of Japanese kawaii (cute) gifts, stationery, plush and fancy goods.

Insider's Tip: Check out Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop, a locally-owned candy store with a large selection of nostalgic and international candy and eccentric gifts, for the ultimate stocking stuffers.

We’re lucky that Pittsburgh has such a great selection of craft beverage producers, which means you can bring something local and tasty to any holiday gathering this season. Whether you want a host gift or something tasty to drink yourself, there’s something for everyone.

Kingfly Spirits has a great selection of liqueurs perfect for mixing. Grab some coffee liqueur for after-dinner drinks with a kick, or sip on their bright and refreshing limoncello.

Wigle Whiskey is known for its Pennsylvania Ryes, which you can have straight up or enjoy as one of their bottled cocktails. Or grab something fun and uniquely Pittsburgh, like the Eau de Pickle.

Goodlander Cocktail Brewery has crisp, bubbly craft cocktails on tap. Grab a growler of their signature Eastside (made with gin, cucumber, mint & lime) or Gin & Juice – both are sure to be crowd pleasers.

And on the topic of gin, Noire Expedition is a local distiller with American gin and an apple gin called Pomme Noire that’s worth a try. Maggie’s Farm Rum was rated world’s best rum in 2021 and has everything from white rum to spiced to pineapple. Try them in some tiki-themed holiday drinks.

If you’re craving beer, Penn Brewery’s Nut Roll Ale is perfect for the holiday season – try it in a glass rimmed with cinnamon sugar.

Gift a relaxing, pampering gift for your loved ones. The Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing is an award-winning environmentally friendly wellness spa dedicated to the peace and relaxation of clients with gift certificates available.

Treat your friends (and yourself) to the healing and relaxation power of sound as a classical violinist takes you on a blissful journey using singing bowls and others healing instruments at Awareness & Wellness Center.

Complete a spa-themed gift with a service or gift card to a Pittsburgh salon. Located in Downtown Pittsburgh, Cardamone’s Salon is a full-service hair and nail salon with over 35 years of beauty expertise offering an extensive menu of services.

For facials, waxing, hair treatments and more, gift an appointment or certificate to Izzazu Salon, Spa & Blowout Bar. And be sure to check out Mark Anthony Hair Salon, an upscale multicultural salon featuring hair, nail and skincare services, for a gift card and a variety of products.

There are a number of upcoming in-person and virtual holiday markets featuring local vendors and products not to miss. Handmade Arcade, the largest holiday market in the region, is Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, featuring one-of-a-kind products from more than 275 talented makers, artists and craftspeople.

Contemporary Craft is also offering a special pop-up event, CRAFTED: Home for the Holidays, on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, with holiday merchandise, holiday décor and decorative + functional items from some of the best craft artists around the country. Tickets are $15.

I Made It! for the Holidays will set up shop Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 at The Galleria of Mt. Lebanon from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with dozens of artisans, makers and artists joining up with small batch food creators and local distilleries for this unique shopping experience! If you miss it, you can also check out I Made It! Merry & Bright at the SouthSide Works on Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 14-15, 2024.

And, don’t miss out on the award-winning Peoples Gas Holiday Market™ in Market Square! This year’s market opens on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024 and runs throughout the holiday season to Dec. 24.