It’s a special treat to give your friends and family presents from the Mountain State. Knowing that every gift you purchase supports a West Virginia artist, maker, or small business adds a whole nother layer of goodwill.
But social distancing and Christmas shopping don’t work together, so we’ve curated 39 unique gifts that are available to purchase online. All are made by West Virginians or stocked by West Virginia small businesses.
This year, make your holiday gift-giving not only special but easy and safe, too.
For Outdoorsy Folks
1.Hiking & Biking the New River Gorge: A Trail User’s Guide by Bryan Simon
The best way to experience West Virginia’s beauty is on its trails, and the best guide to hiking and biking in the New River Gorge is written by a native son, Bryan Simon.
2.Botanical Jewelry by The Pretty Pickle
Megan Brown of Fairmont, WV gathers young leaves and blooms in the early spring, presses them to preserve their beauty, and encases them in lovely pendants and earrings.
3.Illustrated Maps by Rosalie Haizlett
2019 New River Gorge Creative-in-Residence, Rosalie Haizlett beautifully commemorates her travels through the great state of West Virginia by illustrating maps. See her online shop for frame-worthy prints of Dolly Sods, Blackwater Falls, Helvetia, and the New River Gorge.
Bohemians
1.Macrame by Hippie’s Daughter
Elizabeth Elswick of Saint Albans, WV makes macrame decor including hanging pods designed to hold crystals.
2.New River Gorge National River Mushroom Print
A beautiful limited-edition print of the New River Gorge National River featuring mushrooms.
3.Soothing Body Products by Stonehouse Lavender
On a picturesque farm near Fairmont, WV sits a stone house built in 1850 that is surrounded by fields of lavender. The owners use the lavender to create heavenly bath and beauty products.
West Virginia Foodies
Chef Chad Winebrenner is roasting some darn good coffee in Vienna, WV. Shop his seasonal selection of ethically-sourced small-batch roasts.
2.The West Virginia Pepperoni Roll by Candance Nelson
West Virginia native Candance Nelson tells the story of this quintessential West Virginian food.
3.Native Foods by Liz Pavlovic Design & Illustration
Liz Pavlovic is a freelance graphic designer and illustrator based in Morgantown, WV. Her native food pins, apparel, and posters are wild and wonderful.
Artist Types
1.Ceramic Paint Palette by MallyMoon
Tonya Browning, the Charleston, WV potter behind MallyMoon, is creating art for artists. Every watercolorist and calligrapher should have one of her handmade paint palettes.
2.Beguiled by the Wild: The Art of Charley Harper
The new edition of Beguiled by the Wild presents all the serigraphs West Virginia-born Charley Harper produced from 1968-2007. They are accompanied by the intriguing, pun-filled captions for which this world-famous artist was known.
3.Band Posters by Logan Schmitt Illustration
From his home in Wheeling, WV, Logan Schmitt has designed posters for Old Crow Medicine Show, Van Morrison, and many other popular bands. Prints of his illustrations are now available for purchase.
Kiddos
1.Charley Harper Animal Sticker Kit
Kids are sure to enjoy piecing together geometrically shaped stickers to create 12 different animals in Charley Haper’s signature style.
Perfect for all the ornery little buggers in your life. This Charleston, WV small business offers sizes 2T-12Y.
3.Piggy Bank by Gauley River Pottery
Husband and wife potters, John and Mary of Mount Lookout, WV have created a traditional coin bank with a cork nose so you don’t have to break the bank.
Adventurers
1.Appropriate Footwear from Robert’s Running Shop
A gift certificate from Robert’s Running Shop of Charleston and Huntington ensures a personalized fit for every adventurer on your list.
These handmade wire climbers scale and rappel the appliances at Lafayette Flats Boutique Vacation Rentals and get scooped up as souvenirs by many of our guests.
3.Wild Blue Adventure Bi-plane Ride with Aerobatics
Loops and rolls in an open-cockpit World War II era bi-plane high above the New River Gorge. Is there a better gift for the adventurous?
Lovers of West Virginia Landscapes
Capturing West Virginia at her most dramatic, Anne Johnson’s photography is mesmerizing. Shop her images on magnets, mugs, canvas and more.
2.The Photography of Randall Sanger
Matted prints and galley wraps of Randall Sanger’s stunning West Virginia landscapes are available to order in many sizes. We also highly recommend his beautiful waterfall books.
This mountain mama gets incredible shots that have been featured in publications throughout the region. Shop her huge gallery of West Virginia mountains and valleys and everything in between.
Jokesters
Bear Wood Company is known for it’s rustic, reclaimed wall decor in the shape of all 50 states, but did you know they also have a wicked sense of humor?
This Huntington, WV based company handcrafts bold, beautiful ceramics and they’ve also curated one heck of a curiosities shop.
3.Funny Pages from West Virginia Book Company
Humor is just one of the many categories of West Virginia books available through this online shop owned and operated by long-time Charleston resident, Bill Clements.
Leading Ladies
1.Heart in West Virginia Necklace
Calvin Broyles offers this necklace in a variety of metals and stones, and they donate a portion of the proceeds from each sale to a West Virginia college scholarship program. Isn’t that lovable?
2.Custom Box of Holl’s Chocolate
We don’t know which is more fun – creating a CUSTOM box of Holl’s chocolate online or eating it. Actually, it’s eating it. Order yourself one too.
3.Her Favorite Flowers in a Blenko Glass Vase
The flowers will fade, but she’ll keep the vase forever.
Good Blokes
1.Wild Wonderful Lifestyle Co. WV Bottle Opener
Made from 14-gauge recycled steel, this West Virginia bottle opener gets that job done. It comes highly recommended from the Wild Wonderful Lifestyle Co. folks in Grafton, WV.
These high-quality beard and personal care products were created for burly men by burly West Virginia men.
The Lost Appalachia Hiking club isn’t exclusive. Everyone’s invited! Just buy the hoodie to join.
The Happy Couple
For the outdoorsy couple, Water Stone Outdoors in Fayetteville, WV sells a hammock made for cuddling.
2.Lafayette Flats Gift Certificate
Give the gift of a wonderful experience – a luxurious stay at Lafayette Flats Boutique Vacation Rentals in the coolest small town of Fayetteville, West Virginia.
West Virginia’s famous Fiestaware offers platters, vases, and pitchers in a variety of vibrant colors perfect for entertaining and everyday use.
Animal Lovers
1.Donation to the Local Humane Society
A donation to your local humane society is the perfect gift for animal lovers. Donations provide food, shelter and medical care to animals in need.
Vibrant wall stickers based on Charley Harper’s artwork let birders bring avian arrangements indoors.
3.Hand-Lettered Dog & Cat Ornaments by MarisaMade
Marisa Jackson of Saint Albans, WV is an excellent calligrapher and she’s happy to personalize a wide variety of cat and dog ornaments with a special pet’s name.
Builders of a Brighter Future
1.Donation to the West Virginia Land Trust
West Virginia Land Trust’s mission is to protect land with significant conservation values throughout the state.
2.Donation to Coalfield Development Corporation
Coalfield Development Corporation is a non-profit that’s helping to strengthen our local economies from the ground up.
3.Donation to Generation West Virginia
Generation West Virginia is the statewide organization dedicated to attracting, retaining, and advancing young talent in the Mountain State.
Prefer to use your purchasing power in person? Come visit charming, small-town Fayetteville, West Virginia and enjoy shopping all the unique boutiques we have to offer.
Make a weekend of it! You can stay at the gorgeous Lafayette Flats Boutique Vacation Rentals, explore the New River Gorge, and enjoy some great food.
We’ve compiled all the restaurants’ info into one helpful flier: location, contact info and hours, special diet offerings, alcohol availability, and special insider information. Get our Fayetteville Food Guide to help decide which restaurant is the perfect pick for your palate.
Hope to see you around the Ville soon!
Amy & Shawn
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