As we jump into the holidays, take a walk with me through the city of Seattle and beyond to find the best local shops for perfect holiday gifts. Whether you’re searching for a family member, friend, or co-worker, there’s no shortage of great gifts in our beautiful city.

Treats

Who doesn’t love sweets? Let’s tackle cookies first. As I walked through Pike Place Market last Saturday morning, I stumbled upon Bite Society and met Lendy Hensley, one of the owners. My boyfriend was eating chicken gizzards and hearts (yuck) and honestly, that doesn’t pair well with cookies, but I couldn’t help myself. I went for the classic chocolate chip, and it most certainly did not disappoint. Hensley shared a story about her journey through the pandemic as I chomped away. The artwork on the canisters is from another local shop, Slave to the Needle Tattoo. Owner Aaron Bell is an amazing artist, and I myself have a tattoo from his Wallingford shop.

Other favorite cookie shops include Treat in Burien, Cookies with Tiffany in Madrona, and Jenny’s Cookies in Lake Stevens. As Dickens wrote, let’s make it a soft-candy Christmas.

While cookies and treats are my favorite treats, who doesn’t love a charcuterie board? Charcute & Co. is located in West Seattle and provides handcrafted charcuterie boards, curated gifts, and event catering. Dive in and eat all the salami flowers you can find.

Stocking Stuffers

Have your heart on something other than food? Station 7 in Capitol Hill is a unique and fun shop for earrings, candles, jewelry, cards, and more. Everything in the store is created by local artists. A fun fact is Station 7 was once an actual fire station. Gifts run between $15 and $40. While I could have spent hundreds, I kept it to an amazing bottle of Lavender + Rosemary soap by handmade. la conner.

Head on over to Queen Anne and stop into Stuhlbergs, where you’ll find an impressive variety of gifts from $10 to $100. Think notebooks, toys, books, home décor, and more.

You can also stop into Malicious Women Co. in Snohomish for candles and home décor items and Vixen Collection for stocking stuffers, clothes, beauty products, and spa services. Yes, spa services. Snag a gift certificate for $150 for a 90-minute massage.

Clothing, Jewelry and More

Yomisma is a great stop for clothing items. As winter nears, now’s the perfect time to elevate your style with a timeless fashion piece, a Signature line of dusters. Right now, Yomisma is offering up to 25% on this staple piece. Prices range from $25 to $400.

Seattle has incredible little shops for the little humans in our lives. You can grab a Pacific Northwest T-shirt from City Mouse Studio in West Seattle or step into the sweetest boutique shop Flora and Henri in Pioneer Square for holiday outfits like this adorable Children’s Bunny Dress Red for $188. You can shop for women, men, children, home and more at Flora and Henri. This Massimo Alba Bellagio Peacoat for $1,375 is a great gift for men. You can pop down to Pioneer Square for in-store pickup or have it shipped.

Pipe & Row has stylish Patrol Boot Leaf Suede to keep warm in colder temperatures. Pipe and Row is located in Fremont and is curated with a selection of local artists and international designers. Don’t forget the accessories to go with your new threads. Rion Jewelry in Kirkland and Storica Studio in Seattle have stunning jewelry. These beautiful Tresor Black Rutile Round Drop Earrings in Gold at Rion are a jaw-dropping gift. Scoop these up for someone special in your life for $375. Stop in Glasswing in Seattle and pick up gifts for men and women. My favorite item is the Engineered Garmets Loiter Jacket for $528.

Beauty products make wonderful stocking stuffers. Check out Vermouth in Seattle for lip crayons. Made with sustainable, nourishing ingredients and packaged in 100% biodegradable materials.

Experiences are for Everyone

Think about giving the gift of experience. The Works in Fremont offers classes for candle making, holiday wreaths, pie art, hand-lettering holiday cards, painting, and more. I‘ll be taking the wreath-making class this December. Classes range from $38 to $175.

Another very cool experience is with Petunias Picnics. You pick the location, and this company will provide you with an incredible outdoor experience. Petunias offers picnic set up for any occasion, and provides the food, drinks, flowers, and décor. A fun gift for couples.

Schedule a cooking class at Whisk in Bellevue for cooking, baking, and drink making. You can also book a private event. Classes average about $135 per person.

And check out some shops for books, music, and games. A classic in West Seattle is Easy Street Records. While you browse records, CDs, and even cassette tapes, you’ll get a delightful smell of breakfast being cooked up in the café.

Bookstores are a favorite stroll for me. Three Trees Books in Burien and Book Larder in Fremont are two of my favorites. I picked up the book Chocolate All Day by Kirsten Tibballs, because who doesn’t love chocolate during the holidays?

Meeples Games has more board games than you can imagine. Perfect for children and adults.

Don’t Stop Shopping Yet

Good wine is a solid staple at holiday dinners and parties. Whether you are a red, white, or rosé fan, Pine Lake Cellars is the place. My favorite is the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon–Dineen Vineyard, but you can’t go wrong here. Upchurch Vineyard has its 2021 LTL Candy Mountain Merlot that will be a showstopper of a gift. Grab a bottle for $48.

Made in Washington showcases local makers, artists, craftspeople, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. A few fan-favorite items are 33 Recipe Infused Almonds and Snoqualmie Valley Candle Co.

Across cultures, religion, and spirituality, our feet are honored in ceremonies and rituals and known to be a source of sacred energy and grounding power. Try some thoughtfully designed Posie Turner socks for as low as $16.

Let’s go back to chocolate, because again, who doesn’t love it? Seattle Chocolate Co. has great gift packs. Get a taste of the Pacific Northwest with flavors inspired by our own backyard, from the San Juan Islands to Pike Place Market. Each gift box includes Seattle Chocolate Truffle Bars; Double Chocolate Trail Mix; San Juan Sea Salt; Pike Place Espresso; Rainier Cherry; Hazelnut Butter Crisp; and one pound of assorted Seattle Chocolate Truffles.

Travel is always a thing during the holidays, and you want a bag that’s durable and stylish. Product of the North in Tacoma, family owned and operated, has great eco-friendly backpacks. These are great for any occasion, such as a trip to the doctor’s office with the kids or even for hiking. With children, you always need snacks and supplies, and these backpacks provide the best support.

While I can’t share all the amazing local shops around Seattle to shop at for the holiday season, please consider these as a starting point. We are a city filled with creativity and style. Make it a great holiday season.