The gift giving season is almost here! Between hostess gifts, white elephant exchanges, the winter holidays and New Year’s, there are almost too many gifts to give (and don’t even get us started on what to get the kids!). Don’t panic! Master the art of gifting when you bring that perfect present to your loved ones with these unique finds from Seattle businesses (psst…lots are parent-owned). Ready, set, shop!
Gifts for the Home
Artful Pottery
Seattleite Shannon Kelly was recently featured in the Series 001 art show in South Lake Union, and art describes her pottery perfectly. She throws delicate treasures in her Seward Park backyard kiln, Orphan Ten, dedicated to her grandmother Lilian. Everything she makes is totally unique or, as she puts it "few of a kind." She releases her designs four times a year, so be sure to sign up for the mailing list to find out when her coveted winter creations will debut.
Online: orphanten.com
Spice Things Up
Sukie’s Candle Co. focuses on exotically scented aromas, in a non-toxic, vegan and eco-friendly package. Her Holiday Collection of Blue Spruce, Peppermint + Eucalyptus and Vanilla brings sweet scents into any room. Seattle native and mother of two daughters, Sukie incorporates her global travels into her candle-making. She crafts the candles with love and purpose, hoping to create a place of stillness and deep relaxation whenever lit.
Online: sukiescandleco.com
Keep It Clean
Now that your kiddos have all the latest and greatest LEGOs, how can you keep them out from under foot? Baubles need bags. Just “swoop it up!” Sarah Kirk, owner and mother of two boys, knows what it’s like to clean up messy toys. Swoop Bags are a sleek, colorful, made-in-Seattle, modern version of the original toy bag her grandmother made. With quality a top priority, these bags are meant to be passed down through generations for future LEGO-world builders.
Online: swoopbags.com
Redecorating Wish List
Ask Santa for some unique finds at Jacob Willard Home. This perfectly-curated family-owned furniture store in Rainier Valley has been a community staple and hangout for over a decade. Specializing in mid-century modern furniture and accent pieces they are also known for their record player and vintage vinyl collection. Ask about their newest addition, a baby boy. Not for sale, of course.
Online: jwillardhome.com
Baskets of Goodies
Wonders of Washington
Unwrapping a basket filled with holiday goodies always delivers that wow factor. We highly recommend Made in Washington gift boxes for the sheer variety of locally featured artisans, food makers and gifts. Design your own or let the staff assist and curate. The boxes arrive with a Happy Holidays sign that pops up with your choice of gifts for kids, little and big. Smart choices for kids include Lantern Press puzzles or STEM-based Educational Science Kits such as GeoKidz Geology Adventure Kits. Moms or aunties will love the OrcaSong Farm Lavender Self-Care Kit and National Parks Café Mount Rainier chocolate cocoa, while Dad and cousins can raise their BBQ game with the Woodinville Sauce Co Tri Pack.
Online: madeinwashington.com
Take a Bite
The female trio that started Bite Society brought their love of bringing people together and sharing a “perfect bite.” Every item in the baskets are yummy snacks meant for nibbling while toasting with family and friends. Get that dad in your life the Snacks for Manly Men basket, or for the sugar-addicted, send them the pop the cork and sweet treats Champagne and Cookies basket. Give that something extra—throw in their tattoo-inspired merch, like their baby onesie for li'l devils in the family.
Online: hellobitesociety.com
Fabulous Food & Drink
Deliver the World
Foodie and dinner party hosts will say grazie after receiving a gourmet gift box from Ciao Food & Wine, located in Coupeville on Whidbey Island. Be transported to Italy at their new online marketplace, where everything is hand selected and imported from Europe. Choose from small batch artisan sauces and spreads, imported cheese, fresh pastas and more, for a culinary gift that makes the taste buds sing. For a lasting present give the wine lover in your life their monthly wine club membership with carefully curated wines. That’s amore!
Online: ciao.store
It's in the Can
Local dad, Josh Watson, and partner, Jenn Shernoff, have put the taste of Washington wines into bring-to-any-party cans with Sound Goods Wine. Their slogan "Yes, We Can!" embodies their take-wine-anywhere attitude, and the retro cool design will look festive no matter how you wrap it. Their new red blend or their Sound Goods Wine and Chocolate gift box will elevate any holiday party.
Online: drinksoundgoods.com
Cue the Confetti
Joyus wine collection is all about popping the cork and turning up the fun. These are sexy, non-alcoholic wines made by West Seattle’s Jess Selander, someone who knows about what it’s like to love wine but not love the alcohol. These bubbles have all the party flavor people expect in a champagne flute. Grab the Joyus Sparkling Dual Pack to satisfy white and rose lovers at the office party, or wrap up individual bottles for all your friends. Psst! This is a perfect gift for expecting moms and couples.
Online: drinkjoyus.com
Holiday Health, Wellness & Beauty
Overnight Pampering
With wrapping paper strewn everywhere and New Year’s Eve looming, a little pampering might be in order. Give your favorite Santa’s helper a gift certificate to the coveted Posthotel, the Alpine spa hotel in Leavenworth. Built to emulate the European-style escapes where guests walk around in plush robes and never leave (sounds amazing, right?), Posthotel is a tranquil respite that will rejuvenate even the most exhausted parents. Hot tubs, saunas, wet rooms, cold plunges, an indoor pool that flows into the mountain air, plus jaw-dropping views—it’s sublimely designed for lounging all day. The two-night minimum doesn’t seem like enough time. Throw in the healthy delicious breakfast and you’ll want to move in permanently.
Online: posthotelleavenworth.com
Soothe & Refresh
If an overnight escape isn’t possible, soothing hands are nearby. A gift certificate to Essential Radiance in West Seattle will put that relaxed look back on anyone’s face. Local mom Beth Branco, owner and esthetician, has an angelic touch. The entire menu includes delightful services, but we love the original Radiance Pampering Facial—80 minutes of pure heaven combining a facial and partial upper body massage. Don’t forget to bring some products home with you.
Online: bethbranco.skincaretherapy.net
Sauna, Sweet Sauna
Here we glow! City Sweats, Seattle’s infrared sauna lounge, is ready to release toxins from your body and replenish your immune system. Give the gift of wellness this season—help that tired mom or dad discover the healthy benefits of sweatin’ it out. Finish with a long shower and lounge time while sipping complimentary tea, enjoying chill tunes and soft sand in the toes (City Sweats has a real sand floor to wriggle your feet in!) Grab some gift certificates, one for a friend and two for you!
Online: citysweats.com
Be-You-tiful
Beautiful inside and out. Give the gift of fitness and girl gang community this season. Studio 45 is a Lagree Method Pilates Studio that provides an all-over sculpting workout along with a nurturing group of supportive teachers and clients. Owner moms, Sara and Beth, have put their dance club vibe into their light-filled studios. Their two locations in Fremont and University Village are also filled with stylish workout gear and most likely your new BFFs.
Online: studio45seattle.com
Stocking Stuffers, Pretty Please!
Beauty Garde has all the small but gorgeous gifts moms and teens want for the winter holidays. The popular Rocket Nail Fuel strengthens nails but their new color collection is a showstopper. Choose from luscious nail polish shades like Wink, Desire, or 5 Star Review. Founder Nonie Creme is a local mom and TV star who understands beauty needs to be fun, yet practical. More than just nail polish, Beauty Garde has an array of great products like charcoal face wash or lash and brow fortifier. We love the variety of false lashes, choose a few to be holiday photo-ready.
Online: beautygarde.com
A Scent-sational Gift
Filigree & Shadow perfumes linger on the body without overwhelming. Local parfumier, James Elliott, produces everything by hand, and has launched a water-based fragrance collection that rivals designer names. Most of the perfumes are named after songs, inspired by James’ synesthesia which enables him to hear music when he smells fragrance and vice versa. Along with rich, layered scents, he also makes candles and body wash. Hot off the presses, Filigree & Shadow’s newest fragrance "Tell Me About The Forest (You Once Called Home)" was made exclusively for the National Nordic Museum and can be purchased in their gift shop.
Online: filigreeandshadow.co
Gifts for Bakers
Pastries with Heart
The warmth of the kitchen brings family and friends together. Consider a pastry kit subscription box as a recurring gift and monthly excuse to make delicious baked goods with your young, budding bakers. Local founders, Emily and Heather, created The Pastry Project, a socially conscious enterprise that provides free baking and pastry training to individuals with barriers to employment. The project is mostly funded by their sweet subscription boxes such as Mini Berry Fruit Pies or Chocolate Raspberry Lava Cakes, but they also give workshops and classes. Bring on the whipped cream!
Online: thepastryproject.co
Makers Gonna Make
DIY kits are memory-makers in a box. The Works is an experience-based learning space and the women who created it nurture their community through craft and art. The space provides classes like Watercolor 101: Poinsettias and Holiday Cheeseboards or Mocktails, as well as distilling their experiences into a collection of DIY kits like Gourmet Garden or Cookie Decorating. Get the whole family or neighborhood together and make wreaths with their new DIY kits that include Wreath Making (with video and hot chocolate for four) or Cookie Decorating with all the ingredients, including colorful royal icing.
Online: theworksseattle.com
Go GF
Is someone in the family gluten-free or GF-curious? If so, Gluten-Free Baking for the Holidays is the cookbook to put under the tree. This cookbook gets rave reviews for good reason. Wallingford mom and author, Jeanne Sauvage, does not compromise taste for gluten-free ingredients. Her books are frequently featured on NPR and PBS, but she still gives that personal touch. She offers baking tips and answers questions through her website and social media.
Online: artofglutenfreebaking.com
Tie It Up with a…
...Bow
What to do with all the great gifts on this list? Wrap them beautifully with the Tokki Bow Card. Seattle-based Tokki launched its namesake product, the Tokki Bow Card, to make gifting memorable, sustainable and easy-peasy. The colorful grosgrain ribbon, made from recycled water bottles, has a QR code in the center. This thoughtful technology allows you to share videos and photos of the fam and then re-scan and repeat for infinite use. A profound way to send memories from far away or nearby, guaranteed to surprise and put smiles on the faces of everyone on your list!
Online: shop.tokki.com
—Natalie Compagno & Jeffrey Totey
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