Christmas GiftsIn an era when everything is so available, shopping for those special gifts, the ones that say “ I love you” and “I know you appreciate special, unique things” has become difficult.

Take a trip to Pennsylvania’s Americana Region and solve that challenge in the blink of an eye! Start early, way before the Christmas season, to finish your holiday decorating at Murdough’s Christmas Barn, filled with holiday trimmings as far as the eye can see, and open all year. While there, consider their beautiful glass ornaments, German nutcrackers, and smokers, and themed ornaments, for special friends and family members.

You'll delight at the treasures offered by It’s A Gift, where shopping and doing good, go hand-in-hand. The shop is run by the Women’s Exchange, which since 1832, has been at the forefront of selling women's home produced merchandise on consignment. The Exchange is one of 20 such shops remaining in America. Also located on West Reading's main street, stop at neighboring, Baldwin Brass, for beautiful home furnishings, or Holistic Skate Shop, for the most current skate shoes and boards.

Another great place to find handmade, local, one-of-a-kind gifts is the GoggleWorks STORE. Browse the wares of over 200 active consigners. You'll find jewelry, art, textiles, as well as high quality pieces from the GoggleWorks glass, and ceramics studios, all perfect for gift giving.

In Boyertown, visit Dancing Tree Creations and Studio B Fine Art Gallery, to shop their respective collections of local and regional artists. For very special, individually produced pieces, stop in at Taylor Backes, the original glass gallery of internationally known artists, Will Dexter and Karla Trinkley, who create one-of-a-kind glass creations, limited editions, seasonal pieces and hand-crafted jewelry.

For your four-legged friends, head to Godfrey's Welcome to Dogdom for a wonderful array of toys, collars & leashes, treats, beds, and decorative items. Best of all, Fido can accompany you on this stop.