Before you click that Amazon “add to cart button,” think about the fact that you can probably find that exact item, or something similar, at a locally owned business here in Thurston County! No matter who is on your list, shopping locally helps our economy and our neighbors. Plus, you can get great gifts you can’t find online or at big box stores, like tickets to an event. Need inspiration on how to shop local Thurston County? Check out this list of fun gift ideas, all from locally-owned and operated businesses and organizations!
Gifts of Experiences
Many of us already have too much stuff. I have quite a few people on my list that say, “I don’t need anything!” But I still want to give them something – enter gift certificates and cards to local experiences!
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts has gift certificates that the receiver can use to go to any show they want!
Local hair or nail salons are great places to get gift certificates for stocking stuffers or as a main gift as well.
Have an adventurer in your life? Book an Olympia Kayak Tour! Their tours are well-known by locals and tourists alike, especially their bioluminescent tours at sunset.
Have a gamer on your list? Load up an Insert Coin Olympia card for them! It’s a perfect gift that doesn’t take up a lot of space and gives them something to do outside the house!
Gifts of Cheer
Some of us like gifts we can drink…or eat! Give a gift card from a Locally-owned restaurant, great your own gift basket from their products or even just take someone out for meal!
For those who like a morning pick-me-up, coffee stand gift cards make great stocking stuffers! Both Avenue Espresso and Northwest Grind also have revolving gift items including hats, sweatshirts, tumblers etc.. Bubble tea lovers near Yelm will love a Northwest Grind card as well!
Or, why not give the hostess of your holiday party some local wine or beer? Three Magnets Brewing Co (they also offer gift cards!), Top Rung Brewing Co, Endless Sound Cellars, Stottle Winery and Honeysuckle Meadery are just a few places to go for gifts.
Gifts for the Kid, or the Young-At-Heart
Of course, it’s not the holiday season without a shopping spree at Captain Little for all the little ones on your list! They have all the popular lines you are looking for, including Calico Critters, Magna-tiles, Squishables, Schliech, Tokidoki, Kawaii Slime Company, Rainbow Loom, Ravensburger games, and more. They also carry locally-made and owned toy lines for gifts that are truly unique.
Funtime Toys and Gifts in Yelm has all kinds of things that are perfect for gifts or stocking stuffers for kids of all ages, and those young-at-heart. Find popular Pokémon collectible card game sets, Star Wars model kits, stuffed animals, games and more.
If you have an adult on your list who’s into collectibles, check out The Toy Box Collectables in Lacey. And Gabi’s Card & Comics is perfect for kids and adults who are into comics, manga, role playing games, collectables and more. (if you need a game that fits in a stocking, check out Fluxx, Gabi’s has many versions and all are fun!) PLAYlive Nation in the Capital Mall is another great place for games for adults and kids. Both also carry Pokémon the collectible card game!
And of course The Brickhouse in Olympia is full of all the LEGO you could want.
Gifts for the Hobbyist
Then there are the hobbyists! They can be hard to buy for, as they often buy themselves what they want when they see it…I have several of these in my family! So, that means finding something unique from a local store makes it more likely they won’t already have it!
If you have a baker in the family, head to The Rolling Pin or Buck’s Spices for unique gift items.
Shipwrecked Beads, The Shiplap Quilt Shop, Briar Cottage Quilting Fabrics and Notions, and Stitches Quilt and Craft, are all great choices for the sewer, maker or crafter in your life. Find beads, natural horns, crystals, cotton quilting fabrics, quilting and sewing supplies and more at these locally-owned businesses. A stop at Our Local Yarn Shop is perfect for those knitters and crocheters in your life! They have yarn, classes you can purchase as gifts and other supplies.
Gifts for Everyone
Take a stroll down any downtown in Thurston County and you will find fun and unique stores with gifts anyone on your list will like. From chocolates (Bittersweet Chocolates – it’s there last year with their brick-and-mortar location, so be sure to visit them, Encore Chocolates and Teas) to clothing (Bellaza Ropa, Poppy Market, Lennea’s Unique Boutique and more) and fragrances (Archibald Sisters, Arabia Essence) to beauty and skincare products (Kindred Moon, Terra Firma Cosmetics, Bee & Co) – you can find practically anything while shopping local this holiday season.
