Supporting local entrepreneurs is what we do all year long, so it’s no surprise that we love to focus on local startups and small businesses when it comes to our holiday gift-giving. The team at Ascender has handpicked unique gifts for everyone on your list from local companies affiliated with our entrepreneurial programming. All the companies featured on this list are fresh, local, and growing bigger than ever with Ascender’s support.
Clark Morelia | $140
Who on your list doesn’t want quality leather goods? We guarantee your someone special will fall in love with Clark Morelia’s Sidecar crossbody bag this year (and for years to come; it ages beautifully)! Made of tumbled black leather from a century-old tannery, the Sidecar will be the new daily staple your loved one didn’t know they couldn’t live without. Each bag is carefully crafted one at a time in Clark Morelia’s home studio. With the versatility to wear this bag on your hip, back, or chest, it has a universal fit and classic style that truly goes with everything.
IMIHI | $40
Check the fashionista off your list with the Lily Lavender Pleated Maxi Skirt and Crop Top – a true embodiment of elegance and confidence. This stunning ensemble features a crop-style top with long front pieces that can be wrapped to create a flattering, ruched look, accentuating your waist. And the best part? It’s got pockets! IMIHI, founded in 2015 to empower body positivity, has evolved into a brand that offers luxury garments designed to make you feel first-class, confident, and captivating. It’s more than just fashion; it’s a statement of empowerment and style that transcends time
Mamalux | $60
For the supermom in your life, gift them comfort with Mamalux’s Nursing & Maternity Draped Bamboo Robe. Designed for multitasking moms, this effortless robe offers style and ease. Crafted from ultra-soft bamboo, it’s gentle on the skin and machine washable, perfect for nursing and all-day wear. This holiday season, give the gift of cozy sophistication!
MINIMO | $75
This holiday season, gift more than just jewelry with Minimo’s Monarch butterfly 18K gold-plated pendant necklace. The Monarch butterfly is not only a symbol of resilience and hope, especially in the immigrant community, but this elegantly simple piece designed by Nancy Alondra Mauroschadt, a former DACA and GRIP Scholarship recipient, makes a socially conscious statement. Each purchase supports the DARE TO DREAM campaign, contributing 60% of the proceeds to the GRIP Scholarship Program. It’s the perfect gift for someone who loves to wear their heart and values on their sleeve—or, in this case, around their neck!
PMA Tattoo | Prices Vary
Add a touch of artistry to your loved one’s life this holiday season with a custom tattoo from PMA Tattoo Studio! Whether it’s a heartfelt symbol, a favorite quote, or a stunning design, their talented artists can turn any idea into inked perfection. It’s a gift that’s not just skin deep; it’s a lifelong expression of personal style and individuality.
Shred Your Fears | $20
Ollie, kickflip, or darkslide your way to snag a SYF (Shred Your Fears) Ringer Tee! This lightweight cotton shirt is not just the ultimate style move; it’s also a statement of support for Shred Your Fears, a local organization carving out a safe and inclusive space for women, trans, and/or non-binary folks to conquer skateboarding. For just $20, you get a supreme gift: a rad tee, a free copy of the “How to Skateboard for Beginners” zine, and some killer SYF stickers to deck out a board.
Social Living | $15
Looking for the perfect eco-friendly gift for that nature lover or conscious shopper on your list? Look no further than the “Whatever Grows Your Garden” Tote Bag from Social Living. With its new and improved digital printing, featuring eco-friendly water-based ink, this tote is stylish and built to last, making it an ideal choice for the environmentally conscious. You can even pick your preferred color and size, and each bag is handcrafted with love in Social Living’s Pittsburgh studio. Made from 100% cotton, this tote is more than just a bag—it’s a conversation starter. So, buy this for that eco-conscious individual in your life and let them carry their values with pride.
East Wheeling Clayworks | $40
The holiday season is also ramen season. East Wheeling Clayworks offers a lovely Ramen Bowl that’s handcrafted and adds a touch of elegance to dining. Whether it’s a cozy bowl of ramen or soup in the winter or a fresh salad in the summer, it’s sure to make any meal more special. This bowl is a wonderful choice for your foodie friends or anyone who appreciates simple, beautiful kitchenware. No more getting lost in Ikea. Enjoy your meals with a touch of rustic charm.
Ecotone Renewables | $24.99
Plant parent on your holiday list? Sprinkle some Soil Sauce magic on their beloved green buddies and watch the garden fireworks explode! This eco-conscious elixir is the key to soil serenity, unlocking natural nutrients and boosting plant happiness with just a little H2O. It’s the ultimate VIP treatment for the soil, keeping moisture locked in and serving up all those vital nutrients so their garden thrives like never before. Give the gift of a flourishing green paradise with Soil Sauce!
Emmanuelle Ceramics | $8+
Emmanuelle Ceramics sells a set of plates that they classify as ‘seconds,’ which means that they may exhibit some cracks, flaws, or chips. We love the concept of a ceramicist selling their seconds, both for reasons of sustainability and as a way of acknowledging the artistic process and craftsmanship that goes into making each individual work. The Oribe Butter and Bread Plates are gorgeous in their own right, finished with a beautiful jade green. These are the perfect gift for a new college student or anyone looking to furnish a new home while avoiding big box stores.
Hanna Dausch | $130 (vase) + $12 (bouquet)
Hanna Dausch is a local woodworker who makes gorgeous vases, bowls, and candlesticks sold in fashionable home goods shops throughout the country. Finished with eco-friendly matte oil and ebonized for a beautiful two-toned finish, this vase is a charming addition to any home. Pair with a dried flower bouquet from local favorite, Sol Patch Garden, available for purchase on their website.
Meshwork Press | $30
If you’re giving gifts this holiday season, you’re going to need some cards to go with them. Meshworks Press makes strikingly clean, minimalist holiday cards with abstract shapes and linework that evoke all the different emotions of the holiday season. Our favorite is the Deep Stillness Set, which reads, “Wishing you moments of deep stillness this holiday season.” Your average Hallmark card will never acknowledge the stress and chaos of a season filled with travel, office holiday parties, and time spent with extended family—thank you Meshwork, for being real.
Mims Ceramics | $110
Nola Mims, founder of Mims Ceramics, has a real talent for clay and color. Their beautiful pipes, shot glasses, trays, and boxes all come in a half-dozen colors, from a bright and playful Orange Cream, to the luscious and subtle green of Northern Woods. Our favorite creation of theirs is the Stash Tray. It’s an elegant, multi-purpose lidded container that can function as an incense holder, an ashtray, or jewelry box. Nola is a polymath and also hosts workshops for aspiring potters, as well as The Black Queer Affinity Series, a project that includes social hours, pottery classes, and yoga sessions for Back Queer folks in Pittsburgh to meet and build community.
Spring Street Studios | $65
Dive into the world of creativity and craftsmanship with the Ice Bowl Workshop at Zelienople’s Spring Street Studios! For just $65 per person, you’ll embark on a 1.5-hour journey to learn the art of designing, assembling, and breaking glass to craft your very own ice bowl. The final masterpiece measures 7″ round and undergoes a kiln adventure – twice! First, to flatten and then to take on its mesmerizing bowl shape. Want to share the fun with a group of four or more? Go ahead and make it a private event, and let the glassblowing magic unfold. You can either gift this unique experience or take the class and decide whether to part with the beautiful bowl you create or keep it for yourself. Your call!
Stephanie Oplinger Arts | $30-$60
Who doesn’t love a triptych? It tells a story, and it’s like getting three works of art in one. “Her Body Never Dies” is a beautiful, lightly surrealist series by Stephanie Oplinger that celebrates feminine bodies as strong, living, evolving forms and not inert objects for consumption. Orligner is a multi-disciplinary artist, and if you aren’t into prints, you can find sculptures and clothes on her website as well and even more on her Patreon. Support local artists!
strawberryluna | $26
It’s gonna be a good 2024! Especially if you get this wall calendar for everyone on your shopping list. This year’s edition by Next Leap graduate and Pittsburgh printmaker strawberryluna features all new modern and semi-abstract hand-drawn nature scenes. With a “Good Things To Do” list, you can be sure to note all of the things to look forward to in the new year. strawberryluna will only be doing one printing this year, so be sure to order one for yourself and everyone on your list before they sell out.
Building New Hope | $15.15 / Month
There’s nothing like the smell of fresh coffee to start your day. Building New Hope delivers quality beans from Nicaragua’s lush mountains to your Pittsburgh home. Certified organic, shade-grown, and bird-friendly by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, this fair and direct trade coffee comes from El Porvenir, a worker-owned cooperative in Nicaragua. Since 2002, Building New Hope has facilitated this partnership, supporting Nicaraguan farmers and educational programs for children. Elevate your coffee experience with a monthly subscription, bringing these unique medium and dark-roasted beans to your doorstep.
Panadería Jazmin | $35
Mt. Lebanon’s Panadería Jazmin is one of the best bakeries in the region. You can’t go wrong with any of their pastries, but we think you should go big. Their tres leches cakes are iced and decadent—perfect for all your holiday parties or as a birthday cake for any Scorpios or Sagitarriuses in your life. We would be lying if we said this cake hadn’t found its way into our kitchen a few times over the past month.
TLC Libations | $25
What about your friends? Help liven up their holidays with a craft cocktail made with TLC! We are a fan of the Pomme it Up, a red light special combo of tequila, pomegranate, citrus liquor, and cranberry thyme honey syrup. Each unique blend by this mother-daughter duo is made with locally sourced ingredients. There’s nothing unpretty about these bottle labels, which feature artist partners who receive a portion of sales. Talk about a waterfall effect! Not sure which flavor to buy for your next gathering? Run, don’t creep, to their new 7800 Susquehanna Street taproom to try them all!
Tippins Foods | $22.99
Elevate (literally) your outdoor dining experience beyond a sad sandwich with Tippins Foods, Out-Pak’s meal selections, perfect for on-the-go adventures. Imagine savoring Spanish Rice with Chicken and Chorizo or Yellow Curry with Lamb at the mountain’s summit. Make your next outdoor excursion memorable with a delicious meal; treating yourself or your loved ones to gourmet flavors in the great outdoors is just the right thing to do.
Got a future go-getter on your gift list? Pick up the book What Does It Mean to Be an Entrepreneur? from The Young Dreamers’ Bookstore, a mobile bookstore on a mission to provide enriching stories featuring characters from across the African diaspora. This book, cheered by Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Jerry Greenfield, is like a turbo boost for young dreamers, teaching them the courage to take action. Join Rae as she tackles an ice cream-doggie disaster and discovers the magic of entrepreneurship. It’s the perfect gift to inspire the next generation of creative, courageous, and growth-minded entrepreneurs.
Kool Image Dolls | $49.99
Discover the perfect doll for you and your child this December with Kool Image Doll, sculpted by CEO and founder Dominique Scaife. These dolls are designed with little black girls in mind and feature detailed hair-to-toe craftsmanship for hours of play. Each doll is more than a toy; it’s a story with its own YouTube channel and accessories that inspire positivity and uplift young minds. Perfect for nurturing the dreams and creativity of the little ones in your life!
Naptural Beauty Supply | $150
Surprise your favorite niece with a truly lavish gift this holiday season—The Rich Auntie Box from Naptural Beauty Supply! Packed with a luxurious 14.5-ounce candle, body butter, scrub, oil, and bath salt, this set exudes pure indulgence. The tantalizing scent with hints of cocoa butter and sweet musk is like a cashmere hug, making it the ultimate relaxation package. Light the candle, run a bath, and let the rich auntie vibes take over – it’s the pampering they’ve been longing for . . . and maybe deserve!
Noteful | $7.99 / Month
This holiday season, encourage your friends and family to add more music missing from your life. A Pittsburgh-based startup is dedicated to teaching you music reading, ear training, and unlocking the benefits of music. Engaging multiple brain areas, music is widely recognized for enhancing mental health and productivity. As you start your music journey, you will be encouraged by Noteful’s mascot, Ed the Zebra, who will guide you to discover the art of music. Embrace music and elevate your well-being—be noteful every day!
Revitalize Energy | $16.99
Screen fatigue is real and, let’s face it, unavoidable. Revitalize Energy’s high-energy eye drops are here to help with the ultimate energizing eye drops to soothe and refresh tired eyes but also give you a pep that outlasts your morning espresso (and is less intense than a 5-hour energy drink). Perfect for up to four daily pick-me-ups. Gift them to your tech-savvy pals and watch their eyes sparkle with gratitude!
BLK DYMND Rewards | Sign up & earn
Instantly earn cash back when you support Black-owned businesses by downloading the BLK DYMND Rewards app. The local startup developing the mobile application was created to provide financial rewards to conscious consumers who purchase Black products and support Black businesses. From personal grooming to coffee, you can scroll through the product categories on the app to find the perfect gift from Black-owned businesses for everyone on your list.
Grounded | Donate or Volunteer
For more than 15 years, Grounded has been helping communities transform themselves. The local nonprofit beautifies our neighborhoods by building capacity to reclaim vacant and underutilized land while simultaneously improving the social, economic, and environmental health of distressed and transitional communities. Get your hands dirty and give your time or resources to Grounded.
Open Field | Donate or Volunteer
Open Field provides access to organized soccer for hundreds of refugee youth in Allegheny County each year. In addition to a safe space to play and thrive, Open Field’s programming also plays an educational role in the lives of those they serve that lasts long after the referee blows their whistle. There are so many ways to get involved — volunteer time, donate, or gift new and gently used equipment. So go ahead, pitch in!
re:Bloom | Donate or Volunteer
re:Bloom is a nonprofit web agency that connects small business owners with developers, designers, and digital marketers. Together, they create meaningful tech solutions that enable small business owners to build the projects of their dreams (and maintain them long after the program ends)! Support their mission by donating or volunteering today.
Explore last season’s gift guide — Pittsburgh Small Business Gift Guide 2022
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