As this holiday season approaches, there’s no better time to support the heart of our community.
This curated 2025 Shop Local Gift Guide features small businesses across Montgomery and Philadelphia counties that offer one-of-a-kind gifts to add meaning to the season.
From handmade ceramics to eco-friendly skincare, each business brings its own story and style. Whether you’re shopping for the foodie, the creative soul or the furry friend in your life, this guide features gifts that truly give back — to both your loved ones and our local economy.
Thoughtful gifts for the creative at heart
Located in Fishtown, Freehand Art Supply is a community-focused, independently owned shop offering a thoughtfully curated selection of art materials for drawing, painting, and printmaking. You’ll also find creative gifts for all ages—from unique craft kits and handmade coloring books to fun activities for every skill level.
For the Coffee Lover Who Values Taste and Impact
Win Win Coffee is a small-batch roaster rooted in Philadelphia, dedicated to celebrating the stories and flavors of coffee producers from the African diaspora, women and Indigenous communities. Each cup connects drinkers to a transparent, ethical supply chain that reinvests in the farmers behind the beans. With bold flavors, thoughtful sourcing and a mission-driven approach, Win Win Coffee makes every sip meaningful. Perfect for the coffee lover who values both taste and impact.
Heat things up this winter
These locally made hot sauces are the ultimate stocking stuffer for the spice lovers in your life. Goodlands Food Co. offers colorful, seasonally inspired hot sauces for people who love flavor. Select from a variety of flavors including fan favorite Maple Chili Garlic and Serrano Cilantro Lime, to unique combinations like Preserved Lemon and Jalapeno Dill Pickle. Pick up a full-size bottle or a themed set for the hot sauce lover in your life.
Product spotlight: The Magic Sandwich Spice Flight features four hero flavors to instantly transform whatever’s in your lunchbox. From mild, flavorful Spiced Cranberry, to the ever-popular Maple Chili Garlic, to their spiciest Lemon Love, and a funky favorite, Jalapeno Dill Pickle, every flavor is a winner.
Photo by Jack Lundquist
Clean and simple skincare
The skincare enthusiast in your life will love the clean and simple products from Illumia. Products are formulated with meticulously researched ingredients your skin will love.
Product Spotlight: Step into a world of pure indulgence with Illumia’s Oat Enriched Cleansing Bar. This meticulously crafted bar combines oat amino acids and colloidal oatmeal to gently cleanse, nourish, and soothe your most delicate skin without disrupting its natural balance. With over 17% olive oil, this luxurious formula hydrates and enriches, leaving your skin feeling supple and radiant. Experience the perfect harmony of nature and science.
Creative gifts for children
Twibbles is a gender-neutral early childhood apparel and lifestyle brand designed to spark imagination, creativity and play. Each piece blends comfort with storytelling, and playful patterns and color stories that kids can bring to life in their own adventures. Rooted in Waldorf principles, Twibbles creates clothes and products that encourage screen-free exploration, independence and joy. Designed by a Colombian illustrator mom and produced in small batches, Twibbles is where creativity meets comfort.
Product Spotlight: The Twibbles Welcome Box is the perfect gift for new parents. A thoughtful bundle of soft, eco-friendly essentials designed to celebrate a baby’s arrival or milestone. Each piece sparks imagination and comfort, making it a heartwarming present that families will treasure.
A musical passport for children
Give the gift of music, curiosity, and creativity with engaging global music for children. All Around This World is a Philadelphia-based global music and world cultures program for young children (0-9 years old) that encourages children everywhere to explore the wealth of world cultures through singing, dancing and fun. Music educator Jay Sand founded All Around This World in 2009 with the goal of using music and movement to enable young children to become exuberant citizens of the world. The program has since expanded to provide a comprehensive curriculum to schools and families that consists of over 300 songs and interactive cultural experiences that inspire kids to become global citizens.
Brew some joy this season
Give the gift of bold flavor and hometown pride. Greenstreet Coffee roasts specialty coffee in Southwest Philadelphia from light, medium to dark roasts.
Product Spotlight: Cozy up and share the warmth of the season with your loved ones with the Ultimate Gift Box. Featuring three craft roasted specialty coffees chosen by the team, the set also includes an enamelware mug from your neighborhood coffee roaster.
Sweet traditions for every occasion
Founded in 2014, Aunt Verlea’s Pound Cake Experience, lovingly referred to as Aunt Verlea’s, is a mobile dessert company that has been delighting the Philadelphia area with signature pound cakes and an array of mouthwatering cakes, cheesecakes, cobblers and puddings. These delectable treats will dazzle your holiday guests and your tastebuds!
Art that tells your story
At the heart of every piece created by Lisa Domenic Art lies a story waiting to be told. With a passion for blending traditional techniques with contemporary styles, Lisa Domenic Art aims to bring a fresh perspective to the art world. Each artwork is meticulously crafted, reflecting a deep understanding of color, form, and emotion. Perfect for thoughtful holiday gifting.
Whimsical prints and ceramics
Looking for a thoughtful, handmade gift? Discover whimsical prints and small batch ceramics designed by Madeleine Conover at Mad Dog Studio, a risograph printing and publishing studio based in Philadelphia. Mad Dog Studio can also be found on Etsy.
Locally Made, Artfully Curated Wine
Enjoy locally made wine from Philadelphia’s first urban winery this winter. Mural City Cellars is committed to crafting approachable, unmanipulated wines made from grapes within a 300-mile radius of the city. Located in a former autobody garage on Frankford Avenue, the winery also features a casual bar and bottle shop. Mural City not only celebrates the bounty of local grapes, but also the richness of the Philadelphia art scene by featuring local artists on the wine labels.
Holiday idea: Enjoy monthly wine classes led by their winemaker! Each class features a different theme and includes four tastings, lively discussion and the opportunity to learn something new about wine!
Photo by Gab Bonghi
Vegan cookies, cakes & more
Founded in 2015, Crust Vegan Bakery is a made-from-scratch vegan bakery, born from a love for baking and a mission to make high-quality vegan pastries accessible to the Philadelphia community and beyond. Many holiday treats are available for preorder and more offerings are available a la carte in store year-round!
Photo by Aly Spengler
The wow factor
At Niki Leist, you can shop either her signature collection of handmade fine jewelry crafted in sterling silver or gold or work with her to create a custom piece of jewelry, including engagement and wedding rings. Appointments are also available for custom fingerprint pendants, a unique way to capture and wear the touch of someone you love.
Future forward fashion & home goods
Sarah Tremain is a sustainable fashion brand based in West Philadelphia, weaving together art, healing and self-expression. Their pieces feature original prints by encaustic artist Tremain Smith, Sarah’s mother, bringing fine art into everyday life. Discover upcycled garments and cozy home goods, all rooted in care and crafted with purpose. Look good and feel even better with these thoughtfully designed pieces.
Product Spotlight: Wrap your holidays in softness and story with the Cozy with Intention Holiday Bundle. This limited edition bundle includes an 8 oz soy candle (Citrus Bergamot or Lavender Sage), three artful greeting cards, a roll of gift wrap and a sherpa-lined blanket, all printed with That Which the Eyes See, an original piece by Tremain Smith.
Purr-fect and paw-some gifts
Queenie’s Pets® exists for Making the Lives of Pets & Their Humans Better®. For nearly 20 years, Queenie’s Pets® offers professional dog walking and pet sitting, while offering a thoughtfully curated retail store filled with products that support every companion animal’s physical, emotional and mental well-being. Headquartered in the Mount Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia, Queenie’s Pets® proudly employs local residents and ships products around the world.
A paw-fect gift for new pet parents
Have a new pet parent in your life? HD Dog Training is a premier, veteran-owned and family-operated dog training company serving Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. HD Dog Training is committed to enhancing the bond between dogs and their owners through effective and compassionate training methods. A comprehensive range of services is available, including private in-home training, online face-to-face training and behavioral issue assessments.
Brownies baked with care
Jillian Bakes LLC is a small, socially and environmentally conscious bakery founded by Jillian Blacken, a financial services professional turned pastry graduate. After training at the Institute of Culinary Education, she set out to create the indulgent vegan brownie she could never find — rich, fudgy and full of flavor! Her brownies are made with all-natural, locally sourced, non-GMO ingredients (some organic) and are completely egg- and dairy-free. Great for gifting – or treating yourself!
The gift of glam
The motto at Sherri Latae’s Salon Couture is “Lavishing Queens In All Things Couture.” This Philadelphia salon specializes in haircare, color and hair extensions.
Jams that Jingle All the Way
Simply DiWine Jellies turns your favorite wines into edible, spreadable jellies to incorporate into your favorite foods. Charcuterie boards, baked bries, savory s’mores and more!
Product spotlight: The Sampler Charcuterie Box contains 5.5oz jars of Merlot, Cabernet, Rose’, Champagne and Moscato for $35. Ideal for foodies and stocking stuffers!
Tiny cakes, bold flavor
Established in 2015, Tiny Cakes is a Philadelphia-based bakery that provides custom cakes, pastries, and treats made with all natural and organic ingredients. Tiny Cakes took traditional family recipes and elevated them with new eclectic flavors. Vegan and diabetic options available. These sweet treats make perfect holiday table centerpieces, or personal indulgences!
Skincare gifts for the soul
My Unique Spirit is a Philadelphia-based wellness brand founded by a healthcare professional and educator specializing in botanical skincare formulation. My Unique Spirit creates inclusive products that support soulful self-care.
A+ gifts for bright futures
CollegeThoughts helps students and families navigate every step of the college admissions process with confidence. From essays to applications, CollegeThoughts provides personalized guidance to help students present their strongest, most authentic self. The College Application Bundle includes three focused sessions for essay review, college list review and application review at a special discounted rate.
Gift a Moment of Calm
AroDough is a portable self-care tool that holds the benefits of aromatherapy, fidget toys and mindfulness combined! It’s a soft, squeezable dough infused with essential oils that helps you relax, renew and re-energize anytime, anywhere. Perfect for easing stress at your desk, winding down after a long day or gifting a moment of calm to someone special, AroDough makes self-care simple, sensory-friendly and fun.
Popcorn Perfection
Nutz About Popcorn is a gourmet and specialty treat company located in Hatboro, PA. Choose from more than 130 flavors of gourmet popcorn, nuts, fudge and candy. Nutz About Popcorn prides itself on delivering high-quality, custom popcorn flavors. This gourmet popcorn is the perfect crunchy, giftable treat to share (or keep all to yourself) this holiday season!
Thoughtfully crafted skin and hair care
LEELO Skin & Hair is on a mission to provide non-toxic skin and hair products with sustainable packaging, biodegradable labels and full transparency, so you always know exactly what you’re putting on your skin. From facial serums tailored to specific skin types, to nourishing hair oils and residue-free hair wax, every product is thoughtfully crafted with sustainability and affordability in mind.
The Temple SBDC is honored to work alongside our clients during every phase of their business journey. If you’re planning to launch or expand your business in the new year, there’s no better time to start. Learn more about what the Temple SBDC can do for you, visit www.fox.temple.edu/sbdc.