2020 Ship holiday gift guide: Eight alumni-sourced ideas

Forget a generic gift from the big box store. Keep your holiday shopping in the Ship family this season! From a children’s book by a distinguished principal to local soap handmade for sensitive skin, alumni all across the country offer creative and crafty gift options to keep your holiday spending Ship-centric in 2020.

COFFEE FOR THE FRESH BREW FANATIC 
From Tony Diehl ‘07, Matt Ramsay ‘07, and Kristin Ramsay ‘07

Even the finickiest of coffee lovers will enjoy a bag of Denim Coffee. Tony Diego ‘07, one part of the alumni trio who owns and operates Denim Coffee affirmed, “We offer bagged coffee beans which we roast fresh every Tuesday and ship all over.” Denim Coffee even accommodates out-of-state Ship family members. “Fellow alumni can order from anywhere in the US from our website to get our fresh roasted specialty coffees delivered to their home.”

 

POST-PANDEMIC VACATION FOR THE QUARANTINE CRAZED
From Rachel Jarabeck ‘98

The best way to get through dark times? A little light at the end of the tunnel. Vacations booked for next year help loved ones struggling through quarantine look forward to brighter days. Ship alumna and owner of Coconut Custom Travel, Rachel Jarabeck ‘98, knows the toll the pandemic can take. She empathized, “I’m a travel agent, and of course we have taken a beating this year.”  She is excited to be able provide a gift option that inspires hope. “I’d love to help alumni set up vacations for their families – book now and travel next summer/fall!”

 

SOOTHING SOAPS FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
From Julianna Hoch ‘13-‘14M

Is your loved one suffering with irritated, sensitive skin from the constant cleaning during COVID-19? Check out Soul Soothing Soaps located in Shippensburg for a therapeutic, great smelling option.  Alumna owner Julianna Hoch ‘13-‘14M was inspired by her own struggle. “I started to make soap because I have sensitive skin and I didn’t like what the stores had to offer. I wanted something gentle with lots of lather that smelled nice.” Hoch implored fellow Ship family members in central PA,  “I’m just starting out and local support is always appreciated.”

EDUCATIONAL BOOK FOR LITTLE FUTURE RAIDERS
From Matthew Moyer ‘96

If you’ve reached max capacity on Uno rounds this quarantine season, a new book with coordinating educational activities may just be the perfect gift for you and your kids. The children’s story, The Adventures of David and The Fractured Flower Pot, authored by Pennsylvania’s 2020 Distinguished Principal, Matthew Moyer ‘96, will occupy little minds while building social and emotional skills.

He explained, “The story is actually based on real events that happened to my brothers and me.  We did break a flower pot in our Grandpa’s back yard while practicing for the long jump on field day!  Many of the other elements in the story are based on real people and things from my childhood.”

Moyer hopes this will not be the last book that he authors. He indicated, “I wanted to write a book that would be the first in a series of Social Emotional Learning Stories.  I hope they will be a resource for parents and educators, as well as a fun read for children. I tried to craft a few questions that I felt any adult could use that would allow for a dialog between the adult and child, and allow for learning opportunities based on the story.” You can learn more at Moyer’s website here.

 

STAINED GLASS FOR THE VINTAGE INSPIRED
From Bryhanna Masser ‘19

Stained glass is back in style thanks to a wave of interest in vintage decor. Recent graduate Bryhanna Masser ‘19 creates trendy, handmade stained glass artwork for her online shop, Electric Gold Glass. Her crescent moon sun catchers with studded detail are perfect for dorm rooms and homes alike.

 

DOOR/WALL DECOR FOR PROUD PET PARENTS
From Rosie Cloran ‘16

Proud pet parents are a special breed. Custom wall art with their “baby” will make them ecstatic. Alumna Rosie Cloran ‘16, aka R&CraftsShop, creates featured one-of-a-kind works on 18-inch rounds and offers customized wording, photos, and ribbons.

 

COZY ALPACA APPAREL FOR THE CONSTANTLY CHILLED
From ShipMates Scott Johnson ‘68 and Cynthia Johnson ‘68

Starry Night Alpaca Farm, owned by husband and wife team, Scott Johnson ‘68 and Cynthia Johnson ‘68, in Lewisberry, PA, offers apparel and accessories made from cozy alpaca fleece sure to warm up your loved ones. According to the Johnson’s, “Alpaca fleece is exceedingly soft and lightweight, yet durable and warm. Unlike sheep’s wool, alpaca fiber contains no lanolin and is not scratchy.” Their wide range of products include sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves, shawls, ponchos, socks, boot liners and even toys. The ShipMates added, “We also stock skeins of yarn and rovings for hand spinners, knitters and weavers.”

 

NEW NIGHTTIME NURSERY RHYMES FOR FUTURE LITTLE RAIDERS
From Patricia Herber ’75

Shippensburg University elementary education alumna, Patricia Herber ’75, is engaging readers with her modern-day nursery rhyme anthology, Butterflies, Bears, and Other Poems for Children. Drawing on 31 years of experience teaching first-grade in Pine Grove, PA, Herber used rhymes and colorful artwork to teach about holidays, dental health, fire safety, animals, dinosaurs, and more.

 

Check out the Shippensburg University bookstore for even more Ship gift ideas. Don’t forget to ask about discounts on select products, like hardware and software, for students, faculty, and staff.

Still can’t decide on a gift for that friend or family member who “has everything”? Consider making a Ship scholarship donation on behalf of your loved one.