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.
Black Girl Absolute | $75
Jasmine Green is a Black visual artist from and working in Pittsburgh under the name Black Girl Absolute. Her original prints and paintings celebrate and foreground Black femmes against colorful scenes and environments. Among our favorites is Lazy Bones, for its wedding of the surreal and the everyday, but any of her works would make a great gift to any art lover in the family.
Camp Copeland Studio | $48
Display trinkets, eat snacks, or finally designate a standard place to store your keys on one of these handmade, fused glass trays decorated with a colorful Scandinavian-inspired pattern. Pick from four different color combinations or go wild and grab them all.
Lake Erie Woodworks | Prices vary
As COVID-19 continues to change the way we work, it’s more important than ever to have a home office that you actually want to spend time in. Armando Reyes of Lake Erie Woodworks comes from a family of woodworkers and has been practicing carpentry since 2008. His desks are absolutely gorgeous and, since all his work is done custom, he can get you the exact piece you have in mind.
MYND Scent Co. | $15
There’s a lot to be grateful for during this time of year. So here’s one more thing to give thanks for—the Abundance candle from MYND Scent Co. With subtle hints of vanilla, cinnamon spice, and nutmeg, this coconut-wax candle won’t overwhelm your senses and is the perfect scent to have burning during a small holiday gathering.
Nicole Renee Ryan | Prices vary
Nicole Renee Ryan creates dazzling abstract oil paintings that delight with bright colors and organic shapes. Her landscapes are journeys through imagined spaces and misremembered places. Do some local art appreciation and inquire about purchasing a unique piece today.
SubSanctuary | $189
Need a little extra light in your life now that daylight saving time has ended? SubSanctuary is here to shine with its beautiful custom laser-cut light box lamps. Made with birch ply and frosted acrylic, these statement pieces emit the right amount of light to set the mood and come wired for a 5W LED bulb. You can even get it waterproofed so it can live outside.
Triple Moon Alchemy | $12
On a cold night in the deep of winter, what’s a better way for your loved one to practice self-care than to light some candles and settle down for a hot, luxuriating bath? Take that bath to the next level by soaking in organic herbal blends specifically designed for all things from relaxation to connecting with feminine energies.
Flux Bene | $180
These comfy, all-gender jackets are perfect for instantly turning your everyday basics into an elevated-yet-cozy ensemble. Bonus: each one is handmade from reclaimed materials and is one-of-a-kind.
IMIHI Designs | $50
It is time for you and your friends to bring your most unapologetic selves everywhere you go. Feel confident while staying warm and affirm yourselves with the I AM hoodie. Declare exactly who you are every time you wear it! The hoodies are available in sizes S-5XL and come in red, black, or green.
KLoRebel Art | $28
Turn the Victory Lights on for this one! KLoRebel Art’s 14-inch sewn-in-the-USA cotton canvas wine bag is the perfect gift for that Panther in your life. Silk-screened with an original drawing of Pitt’s most iconic building, the tote holds your favorite bottle of wine, Belgian beers, or even a bottle of Champagne.
Mamalux | $78
Do you know a new mom that needs a practical gift for the most beautiful times of their lives? Mamalux’s Leakproof Lounge Dress gives nursing moms the most comfortable night’s sleep ever. Designed by a mom, the dress includes washable removable nursing pads that stay in place without a bra, extra-stretchy chest panels for easy nursing access, and deep pockets for stashing pacifiers, a phone, and other essentials. Plus, it’s made of super-soft bamboo fabric that’s OEKO-TEX® certified – meaning it’s safe for moms and babies
PetalVision Glass | $45
Even if you’re frightened by boas and rattlers, you shouldn’t be afraid to add this one-of-a-kind ring to your wardrobe! Gilded with gold, the real shed snakeskin (don’t worry, no animals were hurt) glistens in the sun and adds the pop of color your outfit needs during the winter months. All rings are stainless steel and adjustable to fit any finger.
Safran Everyday | $60
These necklaces look so good, you almost want to eat them all up. These fun and bold disc-bead necklaces are our take on the candy necklaces we loved to wear—and munch on—when we were little. Add the blueberry-colored necklace to your cart if you have a friend who loves using jewelry to add a bold splash of color to their outfits.
The Woven Kente | $70
Aren’t fanny packs making the perfect comeback? Forget purses or heavy bags and say “hello” to practical fashion. The Blue and Yellow Kente Fanny Pack is the ideal hands-free accessory and the perfect gift. Each bag is lined and comes with two compartments plus an adjustable strap. This bag is great for festivals, exercising, or when you’re on the go!
Building New Hope | $15.11 / month
Wouldn’t it be convenient to get delicious coffee delivered to your doorsteps every month? You’re in luck! Building New Hope coffee is certified organic, shade-grown, certified bird-friendly by Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, and fair & direct trade coffee. The medium and dark roasted beans are single-source and come from El Porvenir in Nicaragua, a worker-owned farming cooperative. Before arriving at your door, the beans are roasted right here in Pittsburgh by 19 Coffee Co. With every purchase, you also directly support El Porvenir and BNH Education Projects.
Mi Empanada | $4 / empanada
Holiday parties and potlucks can be fun, so long as you enjoy the company, but deciding what to bring is always a pain. Stop by Mi Empanada in Lawrenceville and grab a dozen empanadas—they make great finger food, and you’ll be loved by all. We always get chicken and sweet potato for our coworking space, but you can’t go wrong with any of these.
Prohibition Pastries | $30 / dozen
There are a lot of great treats at Prohibition Pastries,—and since they became one of our regular pastry vendors in 2021, we’ve tried nearly all of them personally. Our go-to recommendation are these lavender bitters brownies: rich, chocolatey, and, like all things at Prohibition, spiked with a bit of booze. This is exactly what a brownie should be.
Commonplace Coffee | $15.25 / 12 oz bag
At this point, it’s safe to say that Commonplace Coffee is a local institution. While everyone has their favorite location, all of their cafes are great places to meet with friends, get work done, or just stop by on a Sunday morning. We brew their Morning Blend in the space, which you can buy off their website and have shipped to your door, either as a one-off purchase or as part of a subscription plan. 2022 is the year to be kind to yourself and ditch the Maxwell House.
Grounded Strategies | Donate
For more than a decade, Grounded Strategies (formerly GTECH) has helped transform a multitude of vacant lands into beautiful areas for the greater Pittsburgh community to enjoy. Grounded uses the process of reclaiming vacant and underutilized land as a platform for engagement, education, and building trust among communities.
iGeneration Youth | Subscribe
Do you have any aspiring writers or journalists in the family? iGeneration Youth is a magazine—made by and for kids and teens—that’s distributed globally. They offer affordable memberships that include access to classes, speaker events, virtual coffee shops, and publishing opportunities that serve as a great introduction to the world of media for the reporters of tomorrow.
Open Field | Donate
Open Field is committed to improving the lives and futures of youth through sport. With programs in Pittsburgh and Cameroon, Open Field uses soccer to build bridges between diverse communities and promote health, education, gender equity, and leadership skills.
Smart Futures | Donate
Smart Futures is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit software development organization that provides Pennsylvania’s educators with innovative online career education resources and training. Smart Futures’ career planning and portfolio platform helps students “get real” about who they are, where they are going, and how to get there.
Sign up for curated resources, tips, & deadlines for Pittsburgh entrepreneurs.
