Some people embrace the winter holidays with such eagerness that their gift-shopping is done before the last trick-or-treater has trundled off their doorstep. This Countdown to the Holidays is for the rest of us, hopefully serving as a guide, a reminder and an inspiration for those who leave holiday shopping until a little bit later.

The gift that goes with everything, and some great things that go with it  
 
Forget the sock monkeys and the finger puppets. You can find more creative gifts for stocking stuffers and holiday bashes if you just raid your local purveyor of quality food. Pair a local cheese with artisan crackers, jam, chocolates or spirits,

Locally made dog biscuits are an always welcome gift for you-know-who
"Being vegan myself, I was used to reading food labels and I thought 'Why aren't I giving the same attention to my pets’ food?'" That’s what led Marlene Doyle to create Lucky Dog Treat Company in 2007. "I felt I could put out a product

Candy Cane Cocoa
Instead of scrambling to bake cookies or make truffles for gifting, make these mixes instead. Layered in a jar like sand art, they’re simple, pretty and very much appreciated once January’s austerity has worn out its welcome.

The Stadler-Kahn Mini Bucket is a one-of-a-kind gift bag based on the company’s “P.POD” (Philadelphia Produces Original Design) pop-up shops. The dark washed denim mini bucket, printed and constructed in Philadelphia, features an assortment of Philadelphia-made items. 

At East Passyunk’s Occasionette, quirky hostess gifts and fun housewares await. Owner Sara Selepouchin opened Occasionette after finding national success with her line of diagram-printed products, Girls Can Tell, and local success with a tiny retail section in front of her production space.

Books make great gifts, and so do CSA shares, but for a truly unique gift, you can give both. The Head and the Hand (THATH), publishers of The Rust Belt Rising Almanac, recently started a Community Supported Publishing (CSP) program. For just $50, members get five books and four chapbooks. “A CSP membership not only

Winter Harvest delivery from Farm to CityYou know that giddy feeling when, long after birthday or holiday celebrations are over, one more package comes in the mail? Or someone gives you a magazine subscription, and you keep getting little bonus presents all year long? That's what it's like to give (or receive) the gift of