In 2021, holiday gift buying is evolving. After a pandemic year where many of us transitioned to working and going to school from home, many yearn for less stuff or at the very least, more meaningful stuff. The appeal of online and big box retail shopping is fading and many are returning the side walked street of small towns to locally-source, handmade items for everyone on their lists.

For every $100 you spend a local, small businesses and restaurant, $48 is put back into the local economy. Supporting artists, and makers in Lynchburg keeps our local shelves filled with interesting, delicious, meaningful, one-of-a-kind items that really do make the best gifts. Here are just a few gift ideas that you’ll only find here in Lynchburg.

1| The Taste of Historic Lynchburg Cookbook | In 1978, Ola Cleek put together a collection of recipes gathered from dozens of local ladies. It contained hundreds of casseroles, family dinners, baked goods, and desserts served from Hurdlow to Chestnut Ridge. Cleek privately printed a small number of the cookbooks and after her death, her granddaughter, Rebecca Baxter Matlock, decided to re-release her work. It’s available exclusively at the Lynchburg Hardware & General Store, Miss Mary Bobo’s Restaurant Gift Shop, Velma’s, and Baker’s Antiques. Get it while supplies last.

2 | Barking Pigs Barbecue Sauce | Did you know that Lynchburg boasts its very own competitive barbecue team? Yep. In addition to running the Lynchburg Veterinary Hospital and volunteering hundreds of hour each year to the Lynchburg Friends of Animals, Bryant and Wendy Morton also barbecue professionally as The Barking BBQ. The Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) team recently came up with their very own Signature Squealin’ Sauce. It’s a little bit sweet and a little bit tangy and available exclusively at the Perfect Picker, the Lynchburg Vet Hospital, and Sunchasers Market in Flat Creek.

3 | Lynchburg Friends of Animals Hoodies | Since their launch in 2013, Lynchburg’s animal shelter has facilitated adoptions of over 300 pets. Each rescued animal receives vet care including a microchip. Moore County does not offer animal control as a county service. Without intervention from a caring, local shelter animals like these are destined for heartbreak, trauma, and often death. That’s where Lynchburg Friends of Animals Rescue and Adoption Center comes in. And you can help. LFOA apparel is not only stylish and affordable but each purchase helps a worthy local non-profit. You can buy them exclusively at The Perfect Picker or online.

4 | Piggy Christmas Ornaments at Barrel House BBQ | It’s the home of the Grill Cheese on Crack and one of the Lynchburg Bucket List stops but Barrel House BBQ also offers tons of merch that will make the perfect gift for any barbecue aficionado on your list including signature sauces, shirts, hats and even adorable handmade piggy Christmas ornaments made by the fabulous Beth Nicolay. You can buy them own exclusively at Barrel House BBQ or at their online store.

5 | Lynchburg Bicentennial Posters | A limited number of commemorative Lynchburg 200 / Moore County 150 posters are still available. Only 1,000 total were made, each is numbered, and you can only buy them in Lynchburg. They are currently available at The Perfect Picker, Lynchburg Hardware & General, and Barrel House BBQ. The will also be available at a special booth during Christmas in Lynchburg at the Lynchburg Events Center.

6 | Lynchburg Candles | Each Lynchburg Candle is made in Lynchburg, Tennessee with with 100 percent USA grown soy by the Lynchburg Candle Company. Each is hand-poured into a Mason Jar and wrapped in a burlap linen pouch. They use cotton braided wicks that are lead and zinc free, creating a clean, environmentally friendly burn. With distinctively southern scents like Hydrangea, Lavender Vanilla, Warm Apple Pie, Snickedoodle, Apple Harvest, and Wild Rose, there’s something for everyone. Plus each Apple Harvest candle sold, a portion of the profits will be donated to The Alzheimer’s Foundation. They are available at Thelma & Louis and The Perfect Picker.

7 | Commissioned Lynchburg-themed Christmas ornaments | Several months ago Lynchburg Pottery owner Suzanne Inman commissioned a Gatlinburg artist named Tim Weberding to make Lynchburg and Moore County themed Christmas ornaments. The fourth generation woodworker came up with the most adorable designs including whiskey barrel, vintage truck, Lynchburg Courthouse, and Tims Ford Lake themed designs. They are available exclusively at Lynchburg Pottery.

8| Anything at The Lynchburg Ladies Handiworks Store | Beautiful quilts, handmade pillows, table cloths, wood carvings, art, dolls, stuffed animals, toys, crocheted baby items, bonnets, and blankets … these are just a few of the handmade items you might find at the Lynchburg Ladies Handiworks Store. Most items are one-of-a-kind and all are made with the loving hands of makers living in Lynchburg and Moore County. They are located on the historic Lynchburg Square and operated by an all volunteer staff.

This Saturday will bring plenty of opportunities to shop at all the local, small businesses around the historic Lynchburg Square during Christmas in Lynchburg. To read our complete coverage of that event click here or visit the Christmas in Lynchburg Facebook page. •

{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Lynchburg, Tennessee. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}