2025 South Mountain Partnership Holiday Gift Guide
We’re thrilled to bring back our annual South Mountain Partnership Holiday Gift Guide—your go-to resource for finding meaningful, local gifts that celebrate the people and places of the South Mountain landscape.
As always, we encourage you to shop small and shop local. Supporting locally owned businesses, farmers, artisans, and nonprofit partners strengthens our regional economy and helps preserve the character and natural beauty that make South Mountain such a special place. This guide is just the beginning. Let it inspire you to explore new corners of our region this season!
Support Your Local Park or Forest
If you have a friend or family member who loves to hike, fish, camp, bike, or simply wander one of our state parks or forests, consider giving the gift of stewardship.
The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF) and local Friends of groups ensure that these cherished outdoor spaces stay protected and thriving. Memberships, donations, and volunteer opportunities all make excellent gifts that last well beyond the holiday season. Many of these groups also offer some great custom gear to help your loved ones rep their favorite park.
Explore and support your local groups:
- Friends of Michaux State Forest
- Friends of Pine Grove Furnace State Park
- Friends of Caledonia State Park
- Friends of Kings Gap
Give the gift of outdoor adventure year-round.
Sample the Local Spirits
Holiday gatherings call for local cheer! South Mountain’s Fruit Belt continues to grow as a destination for wineries, cideries, breweries, and distilleries. Raise a glass to our agricultural heritage by sharing locally crafted beverages with loved ones.
Start tasting here:
Want to explore even more? Check out:
- Cumberland Valley Beer Trail
- Franklin County Pour Trail
- Adams County Pour Tour
- York Good Libations Trail
And of course… there are many more. Go discover your new favorite local spot!
Celebrate the Season With Local Events
Looking for festive fun, winter outings, or cultural celebrations to enjoy with friends and family? South Mountain buzzes with events all season long—from holiday markets to outdoor adventures to community festivals.
To stay up to date on everything happening across the region, be sure to visit our South Mountain Partnership Events Calendar, where we highlight workshops, hikes, festivals, lectures, volunteer opportunities, and more throughout the year.
Featured Event: Cidernalia MMXXV – December 13, 2025
If you want to experience the flavor and creativity of our region’s cider-makers, don’t miss Cidernalia MMXXV, a one-of-a-kind celebration of Pennsylvania cider culture. Happening on December 13, 2025, Cidernalia brings together local cideries, food vendors, artists, and live entertainment for an immersive evening of tasting and community.
It’s the perfect holiday outing with friends or a memorable gift experience for the cider-lover in your life.
Learn more or grab tickets here: Cidernalia MMXXV.
Shop Small. Shop Downtown!
Our region is full of charming, historic downtowns—perfect for finding locally made gifts, one-of-a-kind art, specialty goods, and cozy cafés to warm up along the way.
Plan a festive shopping day in:
Explore someplace new this year and support the small businesses that give South Mountain its distinctive heart and character.
Farm Fresh Feast
Don’t forget the food! Whether you’re preparing a holiday dinner or filling a stocking with local treats, South Mountain’s farmers’ markets and butchers offer some of the freshest products around.
Shop local at:
- Farmers on the Square (Carlisle)
- Jims Farmers Market (Chambersburg)
- Dillsburg Farmers Market (Dillsburg)
- Adams County Farmers Market (Gettysburg)
And pick up your holiday meats from local favorites like:
- Wenger Meats (Carlisle)
- The Butcher Shoppe (Chambersburg)
- Warrington Farm Meats (Dillsburg)
Fresh, local, delicious, it’s the perfect way to celebrate.
Adventure Together: Gift an Experience
Looking for a gift that creates lasting memories? Try something experiential! Share time together outdoors or treat someone to a new hobby or adventure.
A few ideas to spark inspiration:
- Book a tee time at Penn National Golf Club in Fayetteville
- Hit the slopes at one of our local ski resorts
- Try a virtual reality archery lesson at Kecks Store and Archery (Newville) or Alpha Archery & Trade Store (Arendtsville)
- Pick out a new set of wheels at Merv’s Bike Shop in Shippensburg, then ride the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail together
And of course… there are many, many more adventures waiting across the region.
Support South Mountain Year-Round
When you support local businesses and organizations, you strengthen the fabric of the South Mountain landscape and help preserve our region’s natural and cultural heritage.
If you’re looking for one more meaningful way to give this year, consider supporting the Friends of the South Mountain Partnership.
Your contribution helps fund critical conservation initiatives, such as our Mini-Grants, Flex Grants, and Research Corps Grants, that preserve and enhance the natural beauty, history, and communities of South Mountain.
Ready to join the movement?
– Learn more and donate here: Friends of the South Mountain Partnership
– See the impact of your support: Our Work
