We get it: The holidays are sneaking up on all of us and our to-do lists are growing by the hour. To help kick off Small Business Saturday — and help you make a dent in that daunting shopping list, we went in search of ideas that will add cheer and warmth to any holiday gift-giving gathering.You’ll find distinctive gifts made by some of our city’s many innovative artisans, makers and creative entrepreneurs, as well as one-of-kind goods you can find at local independent businesses and neighborhood markets, plus a few surprises.Photo courtesy of WorkshopPGH.Silver Spider Food Hats at WorkshopPGHFrom pickles to ketchup, Pittsburgh is known for crafting foods loved around the planet. Give these gastronomic gifts to the foodie on your list who will wear their flavors not on their sleeve, but on their head — while also staying warm and looking super stylish. Beyond Burgh-centric foods, these culinary caps also declare allegiance to comfort foods like bagels and croissants. Or are you more of a tinned fish fanatic or nuggets nosher? The sassy Soup Mode hat in forest green will keep everyone cozy this winter. Made in the U.S., the knit beanies and baseball caps are adorned with stitched lettering styles. We have our eye (and stomach) on the Sourdough and Big Salad caps. Available online and at WorkshopPGH in Garfield and Wilkinsburg. ($32)Photo courtesy of East End Brewing Co.Advent Beer Calendar Case from East End BrewingCraft brew enthusiasts (including yourself!) can count down the days until Christmas while also toasting to 2025. As the holiday stress mounts and the gray skies descend upon the Burgh, East End’s hot-off-the-presses Advent Calendar Beer Case brings a dose of extra cheer every day in December. Forget The Twelve Days of Christmas, this package delivers 24 brew offerings in 12-ounce and 16-ounce cans to carry you through 24 days of holiday merrymaking. Featuring a sturdy construction and pull-open slot tops, you’ll never know what comes next until you open that teeny-tiny stocking square. We’ve been told you can expect to find the seasonal favorite, Snow Melt, for sure. As Cousin Eddie famously said: “It’s the gift that keeps on giving!” Available starting on Nov. 29 at East End’s Larimer Brewpub and Mount Lebanon Taproom. ($95)Ornament by artist Toby Fraley, who says: “I fondly remember going there with my family every Christmas. I’d always visit the model store in that odd little nook tucked under the staircases with the cobblestone floor.” Photo courtesy of Toby Fraley. Century III Mall Ornament by Toby FraleyA fascination with “dead malls” has spawned countless pop culture YouTube channels, Instagram accounts and suburban pilgrimages. Here in the Burgh, there is no other site that epitomizes the vibe of the dead mall more than Century III in West Mifflin. If you’re of a certain age, you will forever be singing the Century III Chevrolet commercial (“Minutes from the mall!”). All eyes have been on this year’s demolition of what was a childhood destination for so many. Built on the site of a former slag heap — my mom tells stories of people going there to watch the sparks fly — Century III was the world’s third-largest mall when it opened in 1979. It’s a good thing we have Pittsburgh artist Toby Fraley to feed our nostalgia. Every year, Fraley, creator of the award-winning Robot Repair Shop installation at Pittsburgh International Airport, designs a highly anticipated ornament commemorating a pivotal Pittsburgh event or place. Made by hand in Fraley’s studio, the ornament features the mall’s retro sign along with a menacing bulldozer. His process involves making a 3D printed model, silicone molds and resin casts. Each ornament is individually painted and sealed with a matte UV coating. ($32)— Sponsored Content — Sip, Shop & Save at The Frick Pittsburgh’s Member Event! Become a Frick Member to join us for a special Holiday Sip & Shop event on Saturday, December 7. Members receive an exclusive double discount on all purchases made throughout the day! From 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., enjoy festive live music and indulge in delicious brunch refreshments while browsing gifts at the Museum Store. Plus, treat yourself to permanent jewelry from a local vendor and discover handmade candles perfect for gift-giving. From cheerful trees to specialty teas, the Frick has a thoughtfully curated selection of unique gifts for all those on your list! The Frick Museum Store is open during regular business hours, Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. SHOP NOWPhoto courtesy of Stone + Sparrow.Chunky Cursive Candlestick from Stone + SparrowCursive is not just for handwriting and fonts anymore. This distinctive tube candle holder made by Pittsburgh ceramic studio Stone + Sparrow is the perfect addition to any table setting. Blending decorative beauty, minimalist design and everyday functionality, it will be a conversation starter during holiday gatherings and shared meals. Founded by Kate Marchand, Stone + Sparrow specializes in small-batch pottery, fine art fixtures and sculptural objects and also offers classes and workshops. Each ceramic candle holder is approximately 3 inches tall and up to 15 inches long and holds a standard candle. ($48)Photo courtesy of Mary Mack Prints.Bear Run Camp Print from the Fallingwater Museum StoreFor the outdoorsy environmentalist on your list, this Bear Run Camp Print created by Pittsburgh artist Mary Tremonte will become a cherished keepsake. With Mary Mack Prints, Tremonte draws upon her research of the seasonal flora at Bear Run Nature Reserve, a 5,080-acre area that includes Fallingwater, a mature hemlock forest, cold water streams and rare native species. The artist’s process incorporates brush and ink drawings, printing techniques and embroidery. The print is part of the Handmade Local collection featuring goods created exclusively for the Fallingwater Museum Store by regional artists working in a wide range of mediums. Pair with one of Tremonte’s retro-inspired merit badges or bandanas. ($24)— Sponsored Content — The Store at Contemporary Craft Add the warmth of craft to your home this holiday, while you find handcrafted gifts for everyone on your list! This giving season, shop local and artist-made at The Store at Contemporary Craft. Selling handcrafted items from some of the best craft artists from around the country, The Store features both functional and decorative artworks, including jewelry, ceramics, glassware, kitchen wares, furniture, accessories, fiber art, and much more. Plus, when you make a purchase at The Store, you are directly supporting the livelihood of a working artist and Contemporary Craft’s free exhibitions and community programming. Located at 5645 Butler Street in Lawrenceville, you can shop in-person or online. SHOP NOW All photos courtesy of Jess Schweitzer.A Yinzer’s Year Pittsburgh Calendar from happylilcanvasesMake every month a yinzer month in 2025 with this imaginative wall calendar designed by the Pittsburgh-based art shop, happylilcanvases. You’ll find months dedicated to random local disasters, famous yinzers and favorite Burgh snacks like Clark bars and cans of I.C. Light. Also repped are “yinzer holidays” like 412 Day. As artist Jess Schweitzer says: “Everything is random and Pittsburgh-oriented!” We love that. She even includes a yinzer appendix with descriptions of each month’s drawing. Perfect for every member of the Pittsburgh diaspora out there who wants a slice of home. The 8.5×11-inch wall calendar is wire bound and printed on 100-pound, UV gloss paper. ($28)Book cover courtesy of the Heinz History Center.“Bettis: Where Pittsburgh Aviation Took Off” by Brian Butko and Sue MorrisSure, a $1.4 billion terminal project is underway at Pittsburgh International Airport, but it’s not the only flight game in town. Take an aerial adventure through the golden age of Pittsburgh aviation with this new book by local authors Brian Butko and Sue Morris. From barnstorming to commercial flights, West Mifflin’s Bettis Airport was once an air travel epicenter. Discover stories about the people who risked their lives to entertain crowds above “airfields carved from cow pastures.” Meet larger-than-life figures like legendary aviator Charles Lindbergh and pioneering pilot Helen Richey, who made Bettis Airport the place to be from the 1920s through the 1940s. Published by the Heinz History Center, the 124-page book reveals fascinating stories, from planes crashing into steel mills and chaos at the National Balloon Races to the novelty of U.S. airmail and how the field became an atomic research laboratory. The bookworm and local history buff on your list can meet the authors during the center’s book launch and signing event on Dec. 14, at 1 p.m. ($19.95)Photo courtesy of Engine House 25 Wines.Engine House 25 Wines commemorating Roberto Clemente, Dock Ellis, Manny Sanguillén or Franco HarrisWhether you have an aspiring vintner on your list or you need a few bottles for this year’s holiday parties, this boutique wine shop — which shares space with The Clemente Museum inside a historic Lawrenceville firehouse — has plenty of options. Blending a passion for local history, baseball, photography and small-batch winemaking, Duane Rieder’s Engine House 25 pays homage to some of Pittsburgh’s greats, both on and off the field. Sure to be a home run is the custom-etched 2018 Cab Franc bottle commemorating the 50th anniversary of Roberto Clemente’s 3000th hit. Fans of Pirates pitcher Dock Ellis can’t miss the special-edition, “No No” Cabernet, created in partnership with his family and namesake foundation. The subject of an acclaimed 2014 documentary, Ellis claimed that he threw a legendary no-hitter in 1970 while under the influence of LSD. The shop also pays tribute to the Panamanian Pirates catcher with its Manny Sanguillén Malbec and honors an iconic Steelers fan group with the Franco’s Italian Army Sangiovese. ($50-$75)— Sponsored Content — Visit the retail shop at Pittsburgh Glass Center Rediscover the newly expanded retail shop at Pittsburgh Glass Center as we enter this holiday season! The Shop at PGC is a unique gift destination that showcases both aspiring and established glass artists, makers, and designers dedicated to creativity and excellence in handcrafted artistry. The latest additions of American-designed goods and gifts are curated to inspire and enhance your enjoyment of glass. Holiday additions, including handblown glass ornaments and trees, add to the year-long offerings and color the season. Join us now through December to find unique gifts that inspire and delight. SHOP NOWCover of the Penguins & Paws Charity Pet Calendar featuring defenseman Marcus Pettersson (left) and forward Rickard Rakell (right). Photo courtesy of HARP.Penguins & Paws Charity Pet Calendar from Humane Animal Rescue of PittsburghMark your calendar, well, after you get this new one, that is! Paws and pucks converge for a very cuddly cause this season. Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh (HARP) is teaming up with the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation to release its highly anticipated 2025 charity pet calendar. The pages feature team members with their own pets or animals available for adoption, plus a few special appearances by HARP’s famous alums. Hometown hockey players alongside adorable, adoptable animals? Sounds like a win-win gift idea. All proceeds support HARP’s two domestic shelters, adoptions, veterinary services, wildlife rehabilitation center and community programs. The calendars will also be available for purchase at Penguins home games. ($25)— Sponsored Content — Give tickets to the Museum of Illusions Give the gift of edutainment with a visit to Museum of Illusions Pittsburgh! Guests can explore visual and educational exhibits designed to tease the senses and bring out the playfulness in guests of all ages. With more than 80 exhibits featuring holograms, immersive installations and illusion rooms, visitors will learn about vision, perception, and the human brain and experience firsthand the science of how the eyes can trick the mind. Museum of Illusions Pittsburgh is the ultimate indoor destination for families seeking to escape the winter chill and create lasting memories. With a blend of interactive exhibits that entertain and educate, it’s a fun-filled adventure for visitors of all ages. MOI makes for the perfect holiday gift, whether it’s the gift of an experience with tickets or a gift card or unique and surprising stocking stuffers from their Smart Shop. SHOP NOWWays to experience the holidays togetherPhoto courtesy of Carnegie Museum of Art.Friends and Family Photo Studio at Carnegie Museum of ArtSaturdays and Sundays, through Dec. 8 and Thursday, Dec. 5, various timesAlways too busy to sit still for holiday photos? Let Carnegie Museum of Art provide the dramatic backdrop and the professional photographer for your dream photo shoot. Gather friends, family or besties to create a cherished tableaux or self-portrait. Choose from five festive backgrounds within the museum’s beautiful spaces. Scout the locations online in advance, from the majestic Carnegie Trees to the iconic Sculpture Court to the colorful Sol LeWitt murals in the grand stairwell. Using the online event guide, you can get to know the featured photographers, who will provide five high-resolution digital photographs after the session. ($175 per session for eight people)Photo courtesy of The Farmer’s Daughter Flowers.Wreath Workshop with The Farmer’s Daughter Flowers at Cinderlands WarehouseSunday, Dec. 1, 4 p.m., & Sunday, Dec. 8, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.Have a crafty maker on your gift list? Looking to treat a bestie, co-worker or relative to some holiday fun? Who needs Michaels when the pros at The Farmer’s Daughter Flowers will share their tips for making our very own holiday wreaths? This popular hands-on workshop takes place at the Cinderlands Warehouse located at 2601 Smallman St. in the Strip District. Simply show up ready to get those creative juices flowing, and they’ll have wreathes and design kits ready and waiting. Seasonal bites and libations will make the hands-on workshop even more jubilant. The shop also offers private workshops for groups of 15. ($125)Even more gift ideasGift card from Songbird Artistry: Run by the mother-and-daughters team of Debbie Jacknin and her daughters, Jennifer and Jacklyn, Songbird features work by 50-plus Pittsburgh artisans, including locally crafted jewelry, prints, apparel, beauty supplies and vintage goods, in their welcoming shop on Penn Avenue across from the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.Tarot Card Reading with Leslie McAllister, owner of Ceremonial Shop in Point Breeze, which carries ethically sourced crystals, smoke cleansing bundles, tarot and oracle decks, candles, altar tools, incense and more, and also offers a variety of circles, workshops, classes and readings by local practitioners.Husk Brooms: Handcrafted in Pittsburgh by Tia Tumminello, who uses traditional techniques with handles sourced from fallen branches and driftwood.The post 2024 NEXT Holiday Gift Guide: Find something creative for everyone on your list appeared first on NEXTpittsburgh.