BETHLEHEM, Pa., November 18, 2025 – WDIY 88.1 FM, Lehigh Valley Public Media (PBS39), Rising Tide Community Loan Fund, and –ts Brand Elevation have launched the Lehigh Valley’s first-ever multiplatform holiday gift guide dedicated entirely to supporting local small businesses during the region’s busiest shopping season.

The eight-week series, Home for the Holidays: Tis the Season to Shop Small & Share Big, features weekly gifting themed podcast episodes, on-air conversations, video content, shop spotlights, community storytelling, and a curated gift guide uplifting diverse small businesses across the region.

Since its debut on November 6, the project has already generated significant community engagement. The first podcast episode, “Cozy Home Holiday Décor” featuring local designer Anthony Sierra, known for creating the historic Hotel Bethlehem’s iconic Holiday décor, has surpassed 700+ views on the PBS39 YouTube channel alone, with additional reach on WDIY.org, WDIY YouTube, social media, and podcast platforms. Second in the series, “Readers and Gamers has continued momentum and strong listener interaction.

“We’re pleased to see such meaningful engagement so quickly. Surpassing 700 views in just a few days underscores our community’s commitment to celebrating and supporting local businesses.  This is what public media does best.  We bring people together, elevate diverse voices, and strengthen the economic and cultural fabric of our region,” said Hasanna Birdsong, President of Lehigh Valley Public Media.  “We’re proud to collaborate on an initiative that uplifts every corner of the Lehigh Valley.”

“Home for the Holidays” marks the first collaborative, region-wide, holiday gift guide produced across public radio, public television, streaming platforms, community development organizations, and local business leaders. Designed as both a gift resource and an economic engine, the project provides visibility for dozens of local businesses at a time when independent retailers face the greatest competition from online and big-box stores.

“Tis the season to shop small and share big,” said Tiffany Sondergaard, Founder of –ts Brand Elevation and co-host of the series.  “We’re all guilty of ordering online for convenience, but by showcasing local businesses each week through this first ever multiplatform gift guide, we’re reminding the community each week to support our neighbors.  Especially during this time, or they may not be here next year.”

“Public media exists to serve the community,” added Margaret McConnell, Executive Director of WDIY 88.1 and podcast co-host. “The goal of “Home for the Holidays is to provide visibility, connection, and a bump in sales for our area small businesses. We’re proud to bring stories, makers, and local entrepreneurs to the forefront this holiday season.”

Each week Sondergaard and McConnel feature a rich lineup of Lehigh Valley creators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders featuring guest interviews and regional small businesses aligned with weekly categories including Cozy Home Holiday Décor, Readers and Gamers, Artful Finds and Local Treasures, The Joy of Giving, Fashion Flare, The Experience Seeker, Family & Kids, and Self Care & Wellness.

“Home for the Holidays: Tis the Season to Shop Small and Share Big,” sponsored by Community Bank, N.A. and SouthSide Arts District, drops weekly from November 6 to December 18 with the final episode releasing days before Christmas for last-minute gifters. Episodes are available weekly at wdiy.org, youtube.com/@wdiyfm, youtube.com/@PBS39, and across all major podcast platforms.

Sondergaard and McConnell are available for live, recorded, print and online holiday gift guide segments featuring curated gift ideas for your viewers, listeners and readers.

Information provided to TVL by:
–ts Brand Elevation