Last minute gift ideas from artwork to apparel, candy to gift cards
There’s something for everyone on your list on the Alleghenies Marketplace. Check out these unique ideas.
Apparel
From Huntingdon
Malibu & Co. Gray plaid sherpa-lined hooded shacket
This shacket from Malibu & Company is a super cute take on the popular shacket trend. It’s super soft and the sherpa lining and attached hood make it nice and warm. But you don’t have to compromise fashion for function because it’s still stylish.
This is perfect for pretty much any woman on your list. It’s great if you’re exchanging gifts with your best girlfriend or as a gift for a niece or daughter-in-law. It’s available in S-2X, so a wide range of sizes.
Malibu & Co. has a big selection of women’s apparel, jewelry, and accessories for every season on the Alleghenies Marketplace.
Handcrafted
From Somerset
814 Point Blank Studio Clear gem bullet stud earrings
These earrings are really unique—they are created with a round stainless-steel backing and post and topped with a 9mm bullet slice from a once-fired bullet and a clear genuine Swarovski crystal. You are not going to find these anywhere else.
While they would be a great gift for an outdoor or hunting enthusiast, they are so unique and beautiful, that they make a great gift for anyone—moms, daughters, friends, or anyone with pierced ears who likes a little understated sparkle.
814 Point Blank Studio also sells these in birthstone colors, which you can check out on the Alleghenies Marketplace.
Stocking stuffers
From Rockwood, Somerset County
Sweet Tooth Memories vintage hardtack candy
Sweet Tooth Memories uses grandma’s recipe to create this nostalgic treat with a modern twist. Several fun flavors, like Fireball Cinnamon and Crown Royal Peach are made with real liquor (but are safe for consumers of any age). There are many more traditional and fun flavors as well, like Root Beer, Teaberry, Wintergreen and Honey. All flavors are available in multiple sizes.
Sweet Tooth Memories hardtack candy is a great addition to your kids’ Christmas stocking, but also makes a unique gift for anyone on your list.
From Altoona, Blair County
Allegheny Hearth handmade winter soap set
This set of 6 snowflake soaps is hand cast in the artisan studio of Allegheny Hearth in the Allegheny mountains. The soaps are colored with cosmetic grade blue, pearl and silver mica that shimmers just like the winter mornings we are gearing up for in the Alleghenies. They make beautiful décor in a guest powder room and are also nourishing for your skin. The set includes two of each shape and color (two blue, two white, two clear), presented in a white window box that only needs a ribbon or bow for gifting.
This set is a lovely gift for Hanukkah as well as Christmas, for teachers, friends, neighbors or co-workers.
Long-time soapsmith Bonnie Bartley’s Allegheny Hearth has a large variety of soaps and soap sets on the Alleghenies Marketplace. They are beautifully designed, just like these snowflakes, and made with high-quality ingredients.
Beauty and Wellness
From Downtown Bedford
Aesthetics By Kell’s Jumbo Minty Lip Balm
This is one of Aesthetics By Kell’s best-selling signature products, especially during the winter season. The balm is super moisturizing and long-lasting so you don’t have to re-apply often. It lasts forever and comes in eco-friendly packaging–just remove the label when it’s empty and throw it in your compost pile or take it back to Aesthetics by Kell to compost!
The Minty Lip Balm is a thoughtful and useful gift for moms, wives and teens, and of course, for friends. It makes a great addition to a gift box or a Secret Santa gift.
Aesthetics by Kell in Downtown Bedford offers clean skincare and beauty products developed by Kelly, the owner, who is an aesthetic nurse practitioner who created her clean, toxin-free skincare line. You can find more of those products on the Alleghenies Marketplace.
Local Love
From Johnstown, Cambria County
Prints of original illustrations of Johnstown landmarks
These watercolor and ink illustrations on 4×6 postcards are made by Tara Root Designs and feature iconic landmarks around Johnstown, including the Incline Plane, the Stone Bridge, Coney Island, George’s Song Shop, Stackhouse Park, Shaffer Covered Bridge, Central Park, Luzerne Street and the Millhouse Café. They are perfect for framing a few together in a series or to use the old-fashioned way as postcards. They are sold individually so you can create your own unique set.
A set of these postcards, framed or not, is a meaningful gift for any native Johnstowner and especially cool for anyone who has moved away but still has a strong affinity for the area, especially these iconic locations.
Tara Root Illustrations’ Tara Bagley has many other beautiful, original artwork on the Alleghenies Marketplace, which you can purchase in prints, in really cute stickers and even in digital downloads for your mobile phone wallpaper.
From Hollidaysburg, Blair County
Lightning Bug Gift Co. Pennsylvania State Parks T-shirt
If you’re not familiar with Lightning Bug Gift Co., their entire inventory is basically a love letter to the Alleghenies region and Pennsylvania. Everything—from apparel to glassware to bags, you name it—features something unique to the Alleghenies or to PA. This T-shirt lists all 124 State Parks inside the keystone and pine tree design—it is an original Lightning Bug design and is hand-screen printed in their Hollidaysburg studio.
This is of course the perfect gift for someone in your life who loves exploring the local outdoors and loves our fantastic Pennsylvania State Parks. It comes in unisex sizes XS-4XL.
Check out Lightning Bug’s selection on the Alleghenies Marketplace—in addition to these PA pride items you’ll also find products that call out specific cities and towns in the Alleghenies. There are so many great gifts for everyone who loves living in or visiting this area.
Gifts for Foodies
From Johnstown, Cambria County
Spice Sisters Craft Condiments assorted spice mix gift pack with a recipe card
The Spice Sisters have taken Johnstown by storm since arriving with their line of craft sauces and spice blends using fresh, unprocessed ingredients. This item is a gift pack that includes all seven of their signature spices—some hot and some not—and it comes with a recipe card for serving suggestions for each one, which is really handy for helping you get the most out of the flavors. These are freshly roasted & and ground in Johnstown with no salt, sugar, or fillers; this is a delicious assortment of spice blends.
Obviously a great gift for anyone in your life who loves to cook and anyone who enjoys entertaining—not just holiday entertaining, but year-round, from cooking to baking to grilling. These spices will elevate everything from drinks to desserts.
The Spice Sisters also offers their line of sauces on the Alleghenies Marketplace. Again these are made with clean, unprocessed ingredients and are FULL of flavor. The Onion Tapenade is extremely popular, but there are other delicious options, including hummus, salsa and several others.
Fun Experiences
From Johnstown, Cambria County
Steel City Axe Throw one-hour session
Axe throwing has become super popular and we have a location right here in Johnstown, Steel City Axe. If you’ve never done it, it’s a ton of fun, and it’s a unique activity to add to parties, events, and corporate meetings and team-building. Steel City Axe sells gift cards on the Alleghenies Marketplace for a one-person, one-hour session for just $20.
The minimum age for axe throwing is 8, so this is a great, unique “experience” gift for teens. It’s also a great idea for groups of friends—buy everyone a gift card and plan your guys night or girls night out!
From Mount Union, Huntingdon County
Brittany Feather DIY Studio gift card
Brittany Feathers DIY Studio hosts crafting workshops that offer fun for all ages and you can purchase a gift card toward a workshop session on the Alleghenies Marketplace. In a workshop with Brittany, you’ll create your own customized piece of artwork that you can enjoy as home décor.
A gift card for a Brittany Feathers DIY crafting workshop is a great gift for just about anyone—teachers, co-workers, employees, friends. It’s a versatile gift that offers a great and memorable experience.
This is just a sampling of more than 70 merchants on the Alleghenies Marketplace. You can find so many beautiful, handcrafted items—jewelry, home décor, more artwork; other local food items—sauces, snacks, and candies; more locally-made beauty items—lotions, soaps, lip balms. Plus many gift cards, which make great gifts for anyone.
Most importantly, every merchant on the Alleghenies Marketplace is a local small business. We all know that online shopping has become a convenient way to buy, and now you can shop online and still shop local. Visit AllegheniesMarketplace.com for your holiday shopping—there truly is something for everyone on your list.
Startup Alleghenies helps startup and emerging small businesses succeed by providing free coaching to entrepreneurs in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties. To access personal, one-on-one support from a coach in your county, including guidance, resources, tools and networking opportunities, sign up at startupalleghenies.com.
