How to Celebrate the Holidays

By Katie Maloney

Now that you’ve dusted off your holiday decorations, untangled your lights and started hunting for the perfect gifts for your loved ones, it’s time to start celebrating the holidays – and Squirrel Hill is the place to do just that. Get into the holiday spirit with these Squirrel Hill shops and businesses!

Where to Shop For the Holidays

Gift giving is one of the most exciting parts of celebrating the holidays and thanks to all of the specialty businesses in Squirrel Hill, you can find the perfect gift for your loved one. Here are just a few ideas to help get you started. For more ideas, check out our gift guide on page X.

Restore Family Memories

Creating memories with the people you love is what the holiday season is all about. Rewind Memories, located on Murray Avenue, helps you do just that by restoring old photos, transferring tape or film to DVD, converting audio to CD or even creating a DVD slideshow of all of your family photos. Depending on the package you choose, they will even pick up your footage and deliver the finished product to your home.

Rewind Memories

2002 Murray Ave.

1-800-504- 4782

Get in Tune with Your Giftee’s Wish List

A new instrument is at the top of almost all musicians’ holiday wish list. Stop into Acoustic Music Works on Murray Avenue and choose the perfect acoustic or electric guitar, banjo, mandolin or ukulele for your musically inclined giftee. But what good is an instrument to a music lover without any musical inspiration? Once you’ve chosen an instrument, stop into Jerry’s Records just down the street on Murray Avenue and check out the seemingly endless selection of vinyl records.

Acoustic Music Works

2142 Murray Ave.

(412) 422-0710

Jerry’s Records

2136 Murray Ave.

(412) 421-4533

Prepare for a Cozy Night In

Sometimes, the best gift is one you can share while cuddled up on the couch with your partner and favorite blanket. If your loved one is looking for a cup of hot cocoa and a movie, a Cozy Night In themed basket may be the perfect gift. Stop into The Exchange on Forbes Avenue to pick up your favorite holiday movies, then visit The Chocolate Moose just down the street for some chocolate and other movie night treats.

The Exchange

5862 Forbes Ave.

(412) 422-2123

The Chocolate Moose

5830 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217

(412) 422-2208

Let Them Choose Dinner and a Movie

A night on the town is the perfect gift for the couples you love. With its classic old Hollywood feel, The Manor Theater on Murray Avenue is the perfect start to a romantic night. Pick up movie gift cards in the theater’s lobby and allow your giftees to choose which movie they want to see. Once you have your movie gift card, visit one of the many Squirrel Hill Restaurants to purchase a dinner gift card.

Manor Theater

1729 Murray Ave.

(412) 422-9851

Where to Eat for the Holidays

Food is an important part of most holiday celebrations – where would we be without festive snowflake cookies? These Squirrel Hill restaurants and bakeries will assure that all your holiday feasting needs are covered.

NU Modern Jewish Bistro

After a long day of holiday shopping, visit NU Modern Jewish Bistro for some potato latkes and what the chefs like to call “Jewish Penicillin,” or soup with either matzo ball, kreplach, or noodle spaetzle.

NU Modern Jewish Bistro

1711 Murray Ave.

(412) 422-0220

Dobrá Tea Cafe

Take a break from hot chocolate this winter and stop into Dobrá Tea Café, located on Murray Avenue. This Bohemian style tea room offers a variety of teas from regions all over the world. The teas are served in traditional vessels from the country of origin or in handmade pottery. Dobrá also offers a variety of vegan, gluten-free and organic snack options.

Dobrá Tea Cafe

1937 Murray Ave.

(412) 449-9833

Pink Box Bakery

If you’re looking to expand upon your usual holiday sweet cravings, visit Pink Box Bakery on Murray Avenue. With sweet buns filled with strawberry, green tea, red beans, coconut or pineapple, and savory buns stuffed with bacon and egg, green onion and pork, your taste buds will be delighted to find new holiday favorites. Pink Box also offers tiramisu, coconut macaroons, almond brittle, red velvet cakes, strawberry cake and more.

Pink Box Bakery

2104 Murray Ave.

(412) 422-213