20 Gifts Every Pittsburgher Will Love
Stop procrastinating and start preparing for upcoming occasions with our list of 20 awesome presents.
Pittsburgh pillow on Etsy
Summertime brings many occasions that require gift-buying, such as graduation parties and Father’s Day, along with countless birthdays, anniversaries and other festivities. We want you to be prepared, so we’ve compiled a list of 20 gift ideas to help you find some inspiration.
Photo by Chuck Beard
Experiences
With the recent opening of Go Ape’s zip-line and obstacle course in North Park, it would be silly to overlook this gem. Give the gift of a treetop adventure by getting your thrill-seeking loved one a certificate (available in $5 through $200).
Kayaking season started in May, but you can still get season passes from Kayak Pittsburgh. Kayakers of all ages and stripes can benefit from gold ($300) and silver ($225) passes, but the new bronze ($90) pass is a special only available for college students.
Does someone need a brief getaway? Plan a weekend of camping in Moraine State Park, complete with fishing, biking, sailing and kayaking — plus day trips at the nearby McConnells Mill State Park for hiking, rappelling and more sight-seeing.
History buffs will love the relaxing yet intriguing Wilderness Voyageurs’ Historical Float Trip down the Youghiogheny River with narrating guides dressed in 1750s garb. You must have a minimum of six people in your group to book a tour.
Treats
Get your favorite smartypants some tea — the jagoff ($8) from Tupelo Honey Teas. Part of Tupelo’s Yinzer line, the tea’s flavors will entertain your taste buds in true Pittsburgh fashion by starting smoky and finishing with flavors of spicy peppers.
Laurel Highlands Meadery offers a variety of meads — including hopped, triple berry, maple and chocolate — that are made with Pennsylvania honey. At $15 per bottle, how can you resist the opportunity to share such a sweet gift?
For those who like to bake (or wish they could), Crate Kitchenware and Cooking School is offering a two-part Baking Boot Camp ($120) on July 13 and 20 with Chrissy Corrado from ChrissyCakes. Give someone the opportunity to impress friends with some new skills and a homemade chocolate truffle or birthday cake.
Chances are that you know someone who’s crazy about bacon. Get them Crested Duck Charcuterie’s four-month bacon club membership ($70) so that they may receive a monthly ration of flavored goodness from Crested Duck Charcuterie. June through September flavors include summer hops and honey, Kentucky BBQ, Thai curry and lemongrass, and Chinese five-spice.
Goods
For proud Pittsburghers, these custom map cufflinks ($185) add a perfectly subtle yet classic touch of nostalgia to any wardrobe. Get the detailed outline of your beloved’s favorite neighborhood etched on the links so they can sport their love for the ’Burgh on their sleeve.
Perfect for making someone feel bee-autiful, this Bee-Soothed Bundle ($57.99) from Bumbleberry Farms in Somerset, Pa., features four locally handcrafted products: a 3-ounce sweet feet lotion bar, a 4-ounce jar of naked shea, an 8.45-ounce jar of peace bath salts and a half-ounce container of sweet honey lip balm.
Golfers will love these monogrammed golf club links ($49.95) for a pro-style round. Add a name and initials, plus a phone number, just in case a club goes missing. The set of 14 club links, plus a ball-marker, comes in a few options: black with silver print, silver with black print or gold with black print.
Sentiment abounds in this custom round memory vase ($265). Standing 12 inches tall, you can display 24 memorable images all in one place for a centerpiece that doubles as a conversation-starter. Don’t forget to inscribe the bottom of your vase with a personal note.
Everyone loves a good fortune. Send your loved ones out into the world with one on their arm every day with this fortune-keeper bracelet ($49) to savor their favorite messages even after they’ve devoured the cookie. Plus choose from three meaningful designs to heighten thought-provoking inspiration: the Buddhist transformation wheel, the Indian door of opportunity and the cherry blossom.
For whiskey drinkers who like their spirits chilled but dislike melted ice, there’s a solution: Get them real rocks — well, soapstone cubes, to be exact. This set for whiskey lovers ($59.95) comes with six soft cubes to keep drinks chilled. Bonus: The package also includes two glasses.
’Burghy homemakers will love this organic cotton decorative Pittsburgh map throw pillow cover ($55.42) by My Bearded Pigeon. The bright shades of yellow, pink and green will brighten up any room and create a vivid focal piece.
Post-workout, you’re probably really sweaty and really dirty. Then you have to get into your car. What do you do? Slip your Sweatware seat cover ($49.99) over your seat, silly. These convenient covers are made with the same material as a surfer’s wetsuit to guarantee easy cleanup, making them perfect for athletes and outdoorsy types.
The outdoor-cooking enthusiast will love this handcrafted terra-cotta oven ($1,900) for an authentic wood-fire experience. The oven comes with a pizza paddle, brush, cover, oven rack and stand.
Pittsburgh Steeler fans like to do more than sport team gear. They also like to show their pride in their home, too. Be sure to grab this Pittsburgh Steelers Alphabet photo ($30) by AlphabetphotosbyMP for every diehard, including the guy in your life with the killer man cave; you know he has the perfect spot on one of the walls for a locally crafted piece like this.
Music lovers know that the Steel City has a rich jazz history. Snag Pittsburgh Jazz by John M. Brewer, part of the Images of America Series, for your musician (or musician at heart) to give them an inside look at the musical notes that lined our inner-city streets.
This mini herb garden-in-a-pail ($27.99), which is completely organic and American-made, adds a green touch to your living room or kitchen. Plus it lets you grow your own herbs year-round (basil, garlic chives and parsley seeds included). You can’t get much more locavore than that.
