Holiday shopping can be quite a stressful task, but fear not, we're here to help! No more scratching your head, wondering what to get everyone on your list this year. We have compiled a complete list of holiday gift ideas and experiences in Berks County just for you. Give the gift of an experience this holiday season, and you can all look forward to enjoying upcoming events together long after the holidays have passed. No matter what age group you're shopping for, there's something for everyone in Pennsylvania's Americana Region.
The "Gift" Gifts:
Rodale Institute
Soaps, lotions, and body butters always seem to be the go-to gift when you don’t really know what to get. Everyone wants to smell like a tropical island, right? Skip the big-box retailers and support local at Rodale Institute. Not only will it seem more personable, you can have comfort knowing the ingredients used in the product are organic, high-quality, and safe to use. Add to the gift by creating an extra special basket filled with locally sourced honey, books, and even apparel. Rodale offers both in-store and online options for purchasing.
Image courtesy of Rodale Institute
Riverview Gardens
Riverview Tree & Landscaping, Gardens & Gifts has transformed into a winter wonderland! Find ornaments, wreaths, lights, themed trees, toppers, décor, and more. They even have a children’s gift store featuring different toys and stuffed animals perfect for the child in your life.
@riverviewgardensandgifts
FOR THE FOODIES:
Gift Card to Restaurants
Another great gift for the person who claims they have everything they need! Again, abandon the big guys’ gift cards that you can find at the grocery store. Pick a great local restaurant that you know will impress your loved ones and make the extra stop. Encourage a date night out by offering to babysit if they have little ones. This small gesture means a lot more than you may think! For bonus points, give them one of our travel guides or direct them to our website so they can find something fun to do in the area before or after their dinner.
@georgia_dawg_phd
Wine or Beer
Have a wine or beer lover in your life? In need of a gift for a holiday host? Consider making a gift bundle with local bottles of wine or pick up a pack of beer from one of our breweries.
@sauconybeer
A Gift with a Twist
Berks County is known for its delicious pretzels. Our local pretzel bakeries have a variety of great gift bundles perfect for the pretzel lover in your life. Whether they prefer sweet or savory, or maybe a little of both, there's something for all tastebuds. Tom Sturgis Pretzels and Unique Snacks are two of our favorites!
For the Sweet Tooth
Who doesn’t love getting candy, especially during the holiday season? The Peppermint Stick Candy Store in Boyertown, PA, has many candies you won’t find anywhere else! Create the perfect stocking stuffer mix for every sweet tooth in your family. You can also find candies popular during various decades of the 1900s if you’re feeling nostalgic and want to pass on the tastes of your childhood. Another great option for the dessert lover in your life is a gift card to Sweet Ride Ice Cream or The Great American Creamery. Both of these ice cream shops have tons of different flavors and treats.
@sweetrideicecream
For the Sports Lovers and Fitness Phanatics
Spectator Sports
The Fightin Phils are Reading, PA’s official AA baseball team. FirstEnergy Stadium is the Fightins’ home, and the award-winning park offers first-rate baseball, incredible food, and exceptional entertainment for their die-hard fans. We also have the beloved Reading Royals Ice Hockey Team. Both teams offer different membership packages that make a great gift for the sports lovers in your life. Check their websites for deals and other gift ideas like shirts, jerseys, and more. We are so lucky to have two great sports teams right here in Reading, PA.
@fightins
Body Zone
A gift card to Body Zone Sports & Wellness Complex in Reading, PA is a thoughtful and unique experience to gift your friends and family. Whether your loved ones are sports enthusiasts, fitness fanatics, or simply enjoy spending quality time together, this experience provides the perfect opportunity for bonding. With two NHL-size ice rinks, two Sprinturf synthetic grass sports fields, a basketball/volleyball court, advanced wellness and aquatic centers, and a suspended running track, they offer every kind of fitness instruction and equipment you can imagine.
Image courtesy of Body Zone Sports & Wellness Complex
For the Art Lovers
Give the gift of a class at one of our local art studios. Or, support the work of local artists by purchasing handmade items. These pieces make the perfect gift for newlyweds needing some new décor, your friends who just bought a new house, the jewelry lover, craft lover, and pretty much anyone else! Not sure about their taste? Just get them a gift card!
GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Taylor Backes, Art Plus Gallery, and Art & Craft Gallery of Hamburg are just some of the spots in Berks County where you can find beautiful art.
@goggleworks
Give the Gift of Experience:
Reading Public Museum
A membership to the Reading Public Museum will be loved by all ages. Great for the history or art lover, child, or reader in your life. They will love the permanent and rotating exhibits that can be appreciated all year long. With a membership, your loved one can enjoy free admission to the museum and planetarium for one year, access to private events, 10% off at the gift shop, and several other benefits.
Train Rides
A train ride experience is a gift your loved ones will never forget. We have several different train stations offering various experiences throughout the year. For an especially memorable trip, take the family on a holiday-themed ride before the season is over. Colebrookdale Railroad hosts Polar Express and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas rides, and several railroads offer trips with Santa. The train rides are wonderful any time of the year, but there’s definitely some extra magic during this time of year.
Image courtesy of Colebrookdale Railroad
JazzFest
Give the gift of amazing jazz music and live entertainment! The annual Berks Jazz Fest offers 10 days and nights of world-class, hot/cool sound in Pennsylvania’s American Region. For over 30 years, jazz lovers and professionals have come together to enjoy over 130 free and ticketed musical events that span the entire spectrum of jazz, blues, and R&B. Bring your loved ones the gift of live music this holiday season with tickets to the 33rd Annual Fest on April 5 – 14, 2024.
Image courtesy of Berks Jazz Fest
Tickets to Shows and Movies
We can't forget about the fun of going to a theater! Berks County is full of different show experiences that the whole family will love. Whether it's a ticket to see their favorite artist in concert at Santander, a local performance at the Miller Center, a timeless classic at the Hamburg Strand, or a new release at the Reading IMAX or AMC, there's something for everyone.
Image courtesy of AMC-DINE IN Berkshire 8
What are you gifting your friends and family this year? Do you prefer giving an experience or a physical object? Let us know!