The holiday season has finally arrived, and with it comes the need to begin shopping for gifts for your loved ones. So often this process can become a rushed affair just a few days before you need to have all the presents wrapped and ready to go, but the easiest way to change up this stressful flurry is to shop local. This winter, why not buy your gifts in Berks County? Visit some nearby farms, wineries and markets and pick up delightful and delicious items that will make personal and thoughtful gifts for anyone on your list, while supporting your favorite small businesses as well. Keep reading for some local gift suggestions!
For the Homebody
Sweeten up anyone’s day with a gift of local honey from Griesemer Beekeeping LLC. Baked goods, salad dressings, cups of tea, and more can all benefit from delicious honey adding a touch of flavor and sweetness. Additionally, there are some indications that consuming local honey can be beneficial to seasonal allergies, so you might find them asking you for another jar come the springtime! Pair a jar of local honey with a box of tea and new mug for the perfect gift for that homebody on your list. Every time they cozy up on the couch, they will think of you and your thoughtfulness.
For the Party Host
Just about everybody loves a gourmet charcuterie board filled with their favorite meats and cheeses, so this year, consider treating the friend that always hosts parties to a selection of local meats and artisanal cheeses from the year-round farmers market at Weaver’s Orchard in Morgantown. You can even bundle this present with a jar of jam or salsa to add on the board. Tie a bow around it all and you’ve got a wonderful gift– just don’t be tempted to sneak a bite for yourself!
For the Wine Enthusiast
What could be better than sharing a bottle of wine with someone you love? Pay a visit to Ridgewood Winery in Birdsboro or Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery in Robesonia and grab your friend or loved one their favorite kind of wine from their award winning selections. If you don’t know what wine they enjoy, pick your favorite to make a great conversation piece! They can put on a holiday movie and enjoy a simple night in on the couch sharing a bottle of the delicious wine. Sometimes an excuse to spend some time with each other is just the right gift to give.
For the Sweet Tooth
We all have that person in our lives who will gladly trade a savory dish for something sweet instead. This holiday season, gift them some delicious treats from Oley Valley Organics in Oley, PA. Fresh baked cupcakes, muffins, cookies, pies, and more will be welcome additions to their table, whether for a small family meal or a large party.
For the Kid at Heart
If there’s one thing you can count on during any holiday, it’s that children – or children at heart – want candy! R.M. Palmer Company has been crafting specialty candies and chocolates in West Reading, PA since 1948, and today they’re one of America’s largest and most innovative candy makers. Their line of clever and festive holiday treats will light up the face of any kid, big or small, and make a welcome addition to every stocking.
For the Person Who Has Everything
Do you have someone on your list who is difficult to shop for because they seem to have everything or give that answer when asking for gift ideas? Perhaps the most traditional gift to bring to a friend, especially one hosting a holiday party, is a bottle of wine or something similar. However, if you’re in the mood to shake up your standard gift-giving and maybe introduce your friend group to a different drink, pay a visit to Stonekeep Meadery in Fleetwood to pick up a bottle of mead. This honey wine might raise some eyebrows and inspire a few Viking jokes, but your friends will be thanking you once they take a taste.
Out of the many fun and festive activities that the winter holidays inspire, giving gifts to people you love and giving back to your community are perhaps the most important. Shopping local for your holiday gifts this year is the perfect way to accomplish both of these goals at once! Your friends and family will love receiving these unique local gifts, and your business is what keeps your favorite farms, wineries, and more going strong all year round. Browse our Holiday Gift Guide for more inspiration.