Category Archives: Holiday

Pittsburgh Pedal for Pantry

Thanksgiving Events for a Good Cause – Cycling, Yoga & More

With Thanksgiving just one week away, one of the questions that pops up around this time of year is “where can I volunteer to help serve a holiday meal?” In addition to volunteering, here are some Thanksgiving events around Pittsburgh that support great local causes.  Know of other events that should be on the list? Please share in the comments below.

Pittsburgh Pedal for Pantry

Pedal for the Pantry 2018 – Food drive bike ride/race

Sat. 11/17 – for those who like to bike in the cold

This one caught my eye on Facebook because of the image posted on the Facebook event. Pedal around Pittsburgh picking up items for a Thanksgiving dinner and drop those items off at the Wilkinsburg Food Pantry, earn points and win awesome prizes. Check out the Facebook page for some of the very nice prizes including swag from BikePgh and a bike that was donated by Golden Triangle Bike Rental.

  • Saturday, November 17, 2018
  • The race starts at 2 pm, afterparty at 5 pm
  • Register online here. More details here.

Pittsburgh Thanksgiving Volunteers

44th Annual Thanksgiving Eve Community Meal – Volunteers & Donations Needed

Wed. 11/21: for anyone who can lend a hand or donate a few dollars

This one is near and dear to my heart. A friend who grew up helping with these dinners asked me to help out a few years ago. I showed up late, which ended up being helpful because they needed someone to take over on the dishwashing.  (Life lesson – it is never too late to show up to volunteer). This meal started as an Eagle Scout project – offer up a free, home-cooked Thanksgiving meal.   Last year over 100 volunteers showed up and helped to cook and serve dinner for 200 people. It is a beautiful thing when neighbors come together to share a meal.  Every little bit helps if you want to volunteer for an hour that is great. If you can donate $10 that is helpful too. Last year 64 people made a donation to the GoFundMe page, I’m hoping we can beat that number this year.

  • Wednesday, November 21, 2018
  • Volunteer – anytime after 10 am
  • Dinner 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
  • Location: First United Methodist Church Social Hall, the entrance is on Centre Ave above the Toy Lending Library, across from Panera.
  • Volunteer Sign Up here – http://bit.ly/2OHsFHv
  • Donations can be made on the GoFundMe page here – http://bit.ly/2OHszQ9

Pittsburgh Turkey Trot

YMCA Turkey Trot

Thur. 11/22: for runners/walkers who want to burn a few calories and support the YMCA

  • Thursday, November 22, 2018
  • 8:00 am – 1-mile walk
  • 8:30 am – 5k and 5-mile race
  • The races start at PNC Park

Pittsburgh-live-music-yoga

Giving Thanks – Thanksgiving Day Yoga + Live Music to Benefit 412 Food Rescue

Thur 11/22: for anyone who needs some gentle yoga before a big meal

100% of the proceeds from this class will be donated to 412 Food Rescue.  This gentle yoga class will be accompanied by live guitar music.

  • Thursday, November 22, 2018
  • 9:00 am
  • BYS Yoga Collective, 1113 E Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
  • See the Facebook event for details
Wesołych Świąt Ornament

Merry Christmas! Wesołych Świąt!

Wesołych Świąt Ornament

A very Merry Christmas to all who are celebrating today! Many Pittsburghers are celebrating the traditional feast of the Epiphany or Three Kings Day on January 6 and January 7 is Orthodox Christmas Day, also known as Russian Christmas or Serbian Christmas.

Celebrating Orthodox Christmas in Pittsburgh

Due to the cold and the fact I have a cold, I didn’t make it out to a Christmas Eve service this year. The Trib’s Christina Sheleheda writes about her experience celebrating Orthodox Christmas.  I wrote a guide to Pittsburgh Orthodox Christmas services in 2016, I have not updated the post for 2018, but the list includes links to most of the Orthodox churches in the Pittsburgh area.

If you are celebrating today, what are your Pittsburgh Orthodox traditions?

Wesołych Świąt Ornament

I believe that Wesołych Świąt is Polish for Merry Christmas. Although there is a blog post over on the DuoLingo blog that says this term can be used for Easter and Christmas. If I am wrong, please leave a comment with the correct translation.

The ornament pictured above has been hanging on the Christmas tree at both my mom’s and my aunt’s house for as long as I can remember. No one can remember where these ornaments came from. Does anyone else have this ornament hanging on their tree?

The Best Pittsburgh Halloween Costume (Inspired by the best Pittsburgh holiday commercial)

Every year I spend the days leading up to the weekend before Halloween adding more costume ideas to my Pinterest account. A few years ago, I made an award winning mail order bride costume, I spent a few hours constructing a dress out of Priority Mail envelopes. I have learned that I love the process of making the Halloween costume more than I even like wearing the costume.

I spent hours looking for the perfect Pittsburgh costume to craft for this year and came up with nothing. I was debating making a Stanley Cup costume out of duct tape, but after reviewing the tutorials from the duct tape artists who make their prom dresses out of duct tape, I decided it was a project that could take years. I was a little disappointed that the internet didn’t offer up an other Pittsburgh costume ideas.  If you are unable to see the video, click here to view this on Instagram.

Best Pittsburgh Halloween Costume

But then I saw this costume posted on Instagram. Maggie has created what might be the most delightful Pittsburgh Halloween costume based off of the famous, well Pittsburgh famous, Eat N’Park holiday commercial.

A post shared by Iheartpgh (@iheartpgh) on

The Eat N’Park Star Commercial

Anyone who grew up in Pittsburgh in the 80’s will recognize this costume. For those of you who have not yet had the joy of watching this holiday ad, here is the commercial:

If you are interested in learning more about the Eat N’Park star commercial, check out our post from 2007 on the commercial here and there is a history of the star commercial on Eat N’Park blog here.

There is still time to impress your Valentine! Pittsburgh Valentine’s Day Events for friends, families, lovers (and those who love to hate Valentine’s Day)

So according to our trusty blog stats, the popular posts this week are the Valentine’s events posts we have published in years past (here, here and here). Since there are more than a few Pittsburghers who are still trying to figure out how to impress their sweethearts. So we’ve put together this is of Valentine’s Day events, classes and workshops happening around town. From new wineries to places to wear your finery, from running around in your underwear to classes to make things to wear, there is something that should impress even the coldest of hearts.

Know of an event we missed? Share a link in the comments or share your love on Twitter with #ValentinesDayPGH.

Pittsburgh Valentine’s Day Events

  1. Friday, February 10 – SHOP // A Midwinter’s Valentine’s Crawl in Carnegie // FREE. Merchants in downtown Carnegie are staying open late for an evening of shopping local, champagne and chocolates.
  2. Saturday, February 11 – Family Friendly Valentine’s Day Crafting Party @ The Shop in Homewood // Free. This event is pure love, join your Pittsburgh neighbors to make Valentine’s Day cards to welcome refugees to Pittsburgh. Read more about the inspiration for the event here.
  3. Saturday, February 10 – SHOP // I Made It Market @ McCandles Crossing // FREE. Shop 60 local artists who will have sweets for your sweetie just in time for Valentine’s Day! The market is located inside two retail spaces near Panera Bread and Chipotle.
  4. Saturday, February 10 – RUN // Cupids Undie Run // $35. Celebrate Valentine’s Day and raise money for neurofibromatosis by running around the North Shore in your underwear.
  5. Sunday, February 12 – DATE // Breakfast in Bed @ The Mattress Factory // $30.  Bring your Valentine to the Mattress Factory for mimosas, bloody marys, brunch, museum admission and they have upped the cute factor by having Animal Friends bring some adoptable pets to cuddle with. Read more about this event here. Follow: @MattressFactory.
  6. Sunday, February 12 – MAKE // Bow Tie Class @ Spool // $35. Spend an afternoon and make a custom bow-tie for your special someone at Spool Fabric Shop in Allentown. Follow: @SpoolPGH
  7. Sunday, February 11 – Vintage inspired Valentine Making Workshop hosted by The Warhol Museum // FREE.  Warhol Museum is hosting a Valentine making workshop at the Ace Hotel on Sunday. Of course there will be a bar available for all of your Sunday brunch drinking needs. 
  8. Monday, February 13 – Galentine’s Day with Pop Craft @ Allegheny Wine Mixer // $40. The creative forces of Pop Craft have a special ladies craft night planned, head to the Allegheny Wine Mixer with your best gal pals for an evening of crafting stuffect succulents, clay ring dishes and block prints. Pop Craft runs differnt crafty classes at drinking establishments all over town. Check out their calendar for upcoming events.  Follow: @PopCraftArt @AlghnyWineMixer
  9. Monday, February 13 – DRINK // Big Heart Trivia @ Wigle Whiskey // Free. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with an evening of trivia about some of Pittsburgh’s historic buildings and other love-ly facts about the city. A percentage of the evenings sales will be donated to Friends of Albright. Follow @AlbrightPGH.
  10. Monday, February 13 – MAKE // Chocolate, Wine & Cello with Yogis Chocolate @ B52 Cafe // $40. Spend an evening learning to make organic, coconut oil based chocolate with Yogis Chocolate. There will be live chello by David Bennet and you can BYOB your own wine. 
  11. Tuesday, February 14 – MAKE – Beaded Heart Rings @ Hatch Studio // $30. Join jewelry artist Lauren Fraley to make a beaded heart ring from start to finish. Follow: @Hatch_PGH
  12. Tuesday, February 14 – DRINK// The Incline’s Anti-Valentine’s Day Party @ Knob Hall Winery // FREE. Join Pittsburgh’s newest news outlet at Pittsburgh’s newest wine tasting room for a Valentine’s Day party for friends, lovers and future exes. 
  13. Tuesday, February 14 – DANCE // Love of Friends @ Spirit // $25. Proceeds from this Valentine’s dance party will benefit PPWP–Planned Parenthood of Western PA.  A $25 ticket includes two drink tickets, pizza, and dancing. Jams will be provided by DJ QUEEN YAAASSS QUEEN and DJ Diana Boss!
  14. Tuesday, February 14 – DATE // Dinner & Movie Date Night @ Row House Cinema // $100/couple. Enjoy a 3 course dinner at Tender and then head across the street for a screening of one of these classic romantic comedies: When Harry Met Sally or Sabrina. Not up for a 3 course meal, not a problem. Tickets for the movies can be purchased and there is an optional beer and chocolate pairing happening next door at Beirport for $20/person.
  15. Tuesday, February 14 – DATE // Black Tie Formal @ Brew Gentlemen // $80. This is the perfect date night for the beer lover in your life. The Brew Gentlemen are known for their beer skills, but they know how to put together quite the party as well. They are brining together Kevin Sousa and DJ Nate the Barber for a fancy Valentine’s Day soiree. 

Valentine’s Day Cards, Flower & Gifts – Best places to pick up a last minute gift in Pittsburgh

  • White Whale Bookstore – Independent bookstore in Bloomfield is ready for those last minute gift shoppers, they aready have some favorite books wrapped for the occasion.
  • Farmers Market Coop of East Liberty – still one of the best kept secrets in town. Open every Saturday morning, this is one of the best places to pick up local food, baked goods, etc. Need a gift – coffee, fancy cheese or some of the items from Straight Up Mixer.
  • Pack Up N’Go – Take your Valentine on a surprise get away. This Pittsburgh startup does all of the work for you.

Emergency Toy Drive – Late Sunday Update #PGHSavesXmas

I have never loved Pittsburgh more.  Today, and really all weekend – I’ve seen the best of what Pittsburgh has to offer.  And, I didn’t even have time to watch the Steeler game.

Less than 60 hours ago – I put out a call for help on Facebook.  And Pittsburgh – you have stepped up in ways I could have never imagined.  I had no idea what I was getting into.  We aren’t done yet – but I want to tell you what the volunteers accomplished today.

First of all – THANK YOU to everyone who has donated, volunteered and spread the word.  You have made it possible to literally move mountains of toys.

On Saturday at Noon – I spoke with the woman from the East Hills Residents Community Council.  They had basically canceled the holiday party because they had nothing to distribute.  We immediately went to work and moved a truck load of toys from West Virginia into their community center yesterday.  On Saturday night, we put out a call for volunteers – and strangers responded.  I arrived at the East Hills Community Center at noon today – and volunteers – people I have never met, but who had read about the need on Facebook had already begun to sort and inventory.

It took 14 hours, multiple trips to the store, two deliveries of pizza and at least 30 volunteers but I am pleased to report we have completely filled the need in East Hills! Here is what was done today…

  • Prepared toy packages for 275 families – over 575 kids
  • Prepared stocking for all of the kids
  • Prepared gifts for 30 more kids who are part of the Martial Arts Against Street Violence program

The volunteers who showed up at 11 am – stayed until 1am – that is 14 hours of non-stop work.  And these were volunteers from all over the city AND a whole crew of volunteers from the Residents Council who started at 9am.

This was made possible by you – the generous people of Pittsburgh.

There is still more work to be done.  We found out Sunday morning that there are 500 kids on the North Side who need gifts.  I know that we had a whole crew working on this over at Most Wanted Fine Art but we WILL NEED MORE HELP on Monday!!!

Please see the latest posts in the Emergency Toy Drive Facebook Group.   We will definitely need more toy donations.  So keep those coming.

If you are buying toys to donate:

  • craft kits are great
  • games are great because they are good items to share with families – I’m pretty sure we bought every Jenga near East Hills.
  • don’t buy toys that require batteries
  • don’t wrap the toys before you donate them

If you know of someone who would be willing to donate food or pizza for their holiday party on Tuesday – that would be a welcome addition and I can help to coordinate.  Please contact me lindsay@iheartpgh.com.

Here are a few photos from today:

A brief note about East Hills – this is a Pittsburgh neighborhood that is in need – and there is so much help that is needed there.  I hope this is the beginning of a much larger relationship and I ask you to help me tell and share the stories of our fellow neighbors who are often not part of the larger Pittsburgh conversation.  I can tell you right now that there are kids that need beds out there – and I’ve promised to follow up with the East Hills Residence Council about this in January – if you want to help (or if you have a bed you don’t need) – please let me know.

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