Abbi was born and raised in New Jersey, where most of her family still resides. Holiday traditions have been established in NJ, which puts Abbi on the road two days before Christmas Eve and has her returning back to the PA Wilds on Christmas Day in time for dinner. As much as she loves spending time with family and friends, it can be a little hectic to celebrate the peak of the season while on the road, so it helps to plan ahead and plan for surprises.
Jo Wolfe, a Community Connector at the PA Wilds Conservation Shop at Kinzua Bridge, admits that Christmas shopping for friends and family was a challenge for her. She was seeking to just find a perfect gift instead of finding perfect presents that are also representative of what she values: nature, artistic beauty and her community. The Pennsylvania Wilds Marketplace is now her “go-to” holiday shopping destination.
Freshly baked pie, handmade ornaments, twinkling lights, decorating the tree, wrapping the perfect gift for a loved one, and family- that’s what the holiday season means to me. The holiday season invokes many feelings: excitement for time spent with loved ones, and sadness for those who are no longer with me. As I navigate the season, I try not to sweat the small stuff and truly enjoy special holiday meals, mugs of hot chocolate, and snuggling up under my cozy handmade blanket (an amazing gift from a friend last year).
This holiday season I'm giving my friends and family experiences, snacks, and good reads! I'm excited to not only find great gifts all in one place but love knowing that I'm supporting small businesses and makers that I know in the PA Wilds! Here's what is on my list this year for some of my friends.
The mornings are foggy and the air is crisp. Leaves are changing color and covering the ground. The holiday season is upon us. Soon you’ll hear clattering and jingling along with the sound of hooves… Santa?! No silly, it’s not Christmas time yet. It’s the Headless Horseman, it’s Halloween Season!
Whether you’re searching for gifts for a child’s elementary teacher, high school teacher, band director, art teacher or math tutor, the best gift is one that comes from the heart. A locally made gift for a teacher (including these gifts made in the PA Wilds) is more unique than one that comes from a big box store. Your handcrafted gift will stand out and show how much you care.
We know that having your order shipped to you for free can often sweeten the deal for shoppers who are looking for something special made in the PA Wilds. That's why some of our PA Wilds Marketplace sellers have started to offer some of their products with free shipping throughout the USA!
No matter what you're interested in or what kind of person you're shopping for, we have several gift guides to help you out! The PA Wilds Marketplace is introducing the new PA Wilds Experience Picks! These sets of products are carefully curated around different topics, themes, holidays and personalities. Browsing through these PA Wilds Experience Picks will help you find the perfect artisan product for the occasion. You can choose exactly what you want, and the items will be shipped to you. Customize your order and choose from a range of products, from items as low as $3 to one-of-a-kind luxury products.
Whether Dad lives in the PA Wilds or it’s one of his favorite places to visit, give him a unique gift that shows his appreciation for the Pennsylvania Wilds! Check out these suggestions for fathers of all varieties.