Local Gift Guide in the Pacific Northwest

Nov 17

Nov 17 My Hyper-Local Holiday Gift Guide (with Online Options!)

I’ve never compiled a gift guide, mostly because it takes soooo much time, but because I’ve been working hard to spread the word about some of my favorite local and small shops, I wanted to pull one together this year.

These are mostly west coast small shops and makers I know and love. As I remember more, I’ll add to my list, which is heavily focused on self-care and mommy/baby things. Not sorry about it. If I have a code for $ off link for something, I’ve included it.

For Self-Care:

Saje for oils and diffusers. If you’re just dipping your toe in this world, start with Aroma Fairy, which is made specifically for helping kids sleep better, and works beautifully on the whole family. Bonus: It’s just $14.
Archibald Sisters is a gift/variety shop in Olympia, WA, that I’ve been going to since we moved there when I was four. They make lotions in-house and have three different bases (Jojoba, Vitamin E, and Shea). I’ve tried about a zillion lotions of all price points and Archibald’s is by far my favorite. I get the Peach Vanilla with a Shea base. They have 160 scents to choose from. My mom gets Vanilla Coconut, and people ask her about her smell all the time, which is kinda weird and pretty flattering all at once.
Ombu Salon is the cutest spa in town and they sell my favorite products from Eminence, as well as plants and cozy socks. It’s an introvert’s dream! Get a gift card for the people you love.
Penrose Candles are stunning and feature wood wicks, for which I have a very special affection. There’s just something about a good crackle. I’m a sucker for their Wild Spruce, which has spruce, mistletoe and cranberry, making it Christmas-y, but not too Christmas-y to be burned earlier.
Bizzy CBD has all the gummies you’ll need to get you through the rest of this dumpster fire of a year and beyond, but I honestly believe the unsung hero of their product offering is their Feelin’ Salty Bath Salt. Use BizzyWhitP for 20% off!
Field Moon Handmade Soap is a little mon-run operation in Waterville, WA, where my mom grew up and most of my maternal family still lives. Naturally, they’ve gifted me her products for years and I really love them. The lavender and farm soaps are my favorites, particularly the farm for exfoliation. It just feels nice!

For You/Your Mom Friends:

I Love My Happy Mama. It’s a board book for moms to read to their kiddos that the babies think is just a cute story and helps the moms feel absolutely seen.
Little Bipsy has the cutest mommy and me. They are the best around for hip basics for babies and their parents. If you can go into the store, it’s even more fun, but shopping online is great, too.
Minted Method Shop is run by a local mom who has THE best taste in indie and eco-friendly brands for the whole family. She’s so savvy with her marketing and somehow got me on text alerts, which I can’t say I hate. I also recently got myself this hoodie from her shop and I wear it so much, I’ve started calling it my emotional support hoodie. We all need one of those this year, amirite?
Hoity Toity is THE cutest boutique in Snohomish (pro tip: spend a day in that town and get your fix of antiques and warm and fuzzies). I got the blouse I wore in our family photos there and it made me feel MILFy, but also classy. They have a robust online shop, too.
Fran’s Chocolates is THE go-to chocolatier in Seattle. Their chocolates are EXCEPTIONAL and their presentation in gorgeous. This is decadence and your mommy friends/co-workers/aunt deserve it. My co-workers sent my dad a box of 20 chocolates from Fran’s when he was on hospice and he ate them by the handful. I tried to explain to him that they should be savored before remembering that he was on borrowed time and could do whatever the hell he wanted. He finished the box in a day.
Tubby Todd is the only bath and beyond brand I’d use on my babies (and on myself, especially for bubble bath. I wrote a whole post about why I love them) and they’re hosting a big Black Friday sale soon. Use my link for $$$ off.
It’s Baker Made is based in my hometown (with Archibald’s) of Olympia, WA. Their wood-workings are incredible and every time I walk by Bianca’s door, I’m reminded I need to order a twin sign for Oliver’s. Use code LITTLEONE for 20% off.
Moon Penny is a boutique in Chelan, WA that curates the most beautiful wares (I’m a big fan of the wide-toothed comb I got from them) and also creates their own screen-printed shirts and sweatshirts. They just launched a Princess Diana-inspired collegiate crewneck, which says everything about their cool factor. They’re running a 20% off shop-wide sale for Black Friday.

For Food and Booze:

Gift cards from at least handful of our favorite places in the area, including Red Twig Cafe, Isarn Thai Soul Kitchen, Santa Fe Mexican Grill & Cantina (EXCELLENT SALSA) and Furi Chinese.
Bagel Club membership from the bakery/Jewish deli, Zylberschtein’s, that we used to walk to from our house in North Seattle. They have the best bagels in the whole world and saved me when I was in my first trimester and nauseated all day every day with B.
Wine from Soter in Oregon’s wine country. Every single bottle is perfect. You can’t go wrong.

What would you add?