Put your money where your heart is this Valentine’s Day
- by Jason Burt
- February 1, 2020
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The PA Wilds Conservation Shop at Kinzua Bridge State Park carries many products for sale that are made in the Pennsylvania Wilds to keep more money in the region’s rural economy, to help the region’s unique businesses thrive, to leave a smaller energy footprint, to strengthen community ties, to support local jobs and entrepreneurs, and to give visitors like you something unique to take home from the PA Wilds.
We care about where our products come from, and nothing will show your paramour that you care more than putting some thought into the gift you give this Valentine’s Day.
If you’re still hung up on gift ideas, the PA Wilds Conservation Shop has everything the heart desires. Many of our unique products come from the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania, a network of producers, artists and craftspeople from the Pennsylvania Wilds region. So if you’re struggling to find the right Valentine’s gift, here are five ideas for regionally-made gifts and something unique your true love will truly love to see made locally in the heart of the PA Wilds.
1. Sweets for your sweetheart!
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Well, whether man or woman, tasty sweets are a perfect gift to say, “I love you!”
Tree stumps or chocolate-covered pretzels from Highland Chocolates based in Wellsboro in the Pine Creek Valley and The PA Grand Canyon landscape are not only a unique and irresistible delight, but these chocolate treats also show you care in other ways than just about the person to whom you’re giving the gift. Highland Chocolates is a non-profit that provides vocational training and employment to adults with disabilities so your purchase would also help to provide jobs to those with disabilities.
2. Flower jewelry!
Flowers and jewelry are two timeless gift ideas that many men give to women on Valentine’s Day. But gold and diamonds are expensive, and flowers only last so long in that vase.
So why not get her Daisy with Bee earrings from Jabebo Earrings in Bellefonte, located in the I-80 Frontier landscape? These earrings will not only not break your bank, but they also show her you care about the environment as well, as the earrings are made from recycled cereal box cartons. And Jabebo has a number of other offerings if she’s just not into daisies or bees.
Or you could get her Petal Hydrangea Earrings made by Amanda Lewis from Clarion, another I-80 Frontier landscape community. These Petals won’t fade over time because each is sculpted by hand from an air dry clay made from household ingredients and hand painted. Lightweight, soft to the touch, and water resistant, the Hydrangea Earrings have hypoallergenic posts and stainless steel attachments. You definitely can’t go wrong with these flower jewelry options.
3. Relaxing aromas!
From cologne, perfume and basic science – pheromones! – there’s a reason the right fragrance can set a romantic atmosphere.
If you want to set that perfect Valentine’s Day mood but are conscious about the chemicals you’re putting into the air, Frosted Glass Candles made by Tara Heckler of Blackberry and Sage Market from Punxsutawney in the I-80 Frontier landscape might be just what you need. Available in a variety of scents ranging from soothing to delicious, these candles made from soy, beeswax and coconut oil will not only be sure that “love is in the air” but show you care about the environment. Even the glitter inside this candle is plant based!
And if you’re looking for something other than a candle, maybe the soaps and lotions of Rich Valley Apiary based in Emporium in the Dark Skies landscape are a small gift with a little more personal touch. Created with honey and beeswax from treatment-free hives and a handful of other all-natural ingredients, each scent made from blends of therapeutic grade essential oils can be, well, therapeutic!
4. “Dinner” and a movie!
When it comes to date nights, the “dinner and a movie” is a classic go-to! But you can make it even more unique with a special dinner at home.
Spend a nice, comfy evening with Tracks Across the Sky, a DVD by non-profit multimedia company Forest Press based in Bradford in the Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds landscape. Learn all about the history of the pride of the Pennsylvania Wilds – the Kinzua Bridge.
And what movie night with your loved one would be complete without popcorn? So maybe pair this DVD with Shirley’s Caramel Corn handmade from an old family recipe by King Krunch located in Brookville on the edge of the Cook Forest and The Ancients and the I-80 Frontier landscapes.
5. Going out(doors)!
Many couples just want to “go out” for Valentine’s Day. But if you’re reading this, your idea of “going out” may be a trip out into nature or to local heritage sites.
If you’re looking for ideas on what you could do in the Pennsylvania Wilds region, you might find inspiration from this PA Wilds Letterpress Map made by Laughing Owl Press based in Kane in the Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds landscape.
And if nature truly is your idea of going out, then perhaps visiting all 121 state parks and/or 20 state forests may be a neat challenge you and your romantic partner can begin this Valentine’s Day, and to help you keep track as well as locate each, Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation has created a State Park Passport for just this type of endeavor.
If none of these options sound like that unique piece to capture the heart of the one you love, there are many other great options at the PA Wilds Conservation Shop:
- online at ShopThePAWilds.com;
- at Kinzua Bridge State Park, 1721 Lindholm Drive, Mt. Jewett, PA 16740;
- and at the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau, 102 W 4th St, Williamsport, PA 17701.
Or go directly to the source and see other options available through the talented members of the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania either through our Buyer’s Guide (produced annually), by visiting our Juried Artisan member directory, or check out different experiences in the region in our Experience Maker member directory.
Valentine’s Day is coming fast so be sure to get your own unique gift made locally with love from the PA Wilds soon!
