Wear What When

Gift Map IV: Last Minute Gifts

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Dec 23, 2010 at 07:00AM 0 Comments

Photo: Archie McPhee

So you waited til the very last minute, eh? It’s best to have a sense of humor about these things — as with this inflatable fruitcake at Archie McPhee.

At this stage of the game, dear shopper, you are not just in need of a map. You are in need of a plan. There’s one in this post, so don’t sweat.

First: Count your pocket change. What are you looking to spend here? When it comes to last minute shopping, it’s either a case of the most elegantly inexpensive thing you can find, or throwing your bank balance to wind to and going all out.

Second: Repeat after me, don’t over-think it.

Third: Access this map of fourteen local shops and figure out where you can get yourself to in the time that is available between now and never.

If you’re looking to save money in these final hours, you might first target the wonderland-of-a-dollar shop, Daiso, if you’ve procrastinated yourself into a state of uber-generosity, smart shoppers all over Seattle know that Souvenir holds some of the most gorgeously special items on the West Coast. I defy you to walk in and leave empty handed.

If those not-yet-crossed-out on your list have a sense of humor, Archie McPhee is prime real estate for not over-thinking things. And for those with a strong sense of holiday spirit, Liave has plenty of uncommon, really seasonal decor pieces for not a lot of cash.

Gifts from Metsker Maps make the giver seem worldly and thoughtful, as if he/she had the whole thing, well, mapped out ahead of time, as do stylish design objects from Peter Miller Books.

But what are we doing talking about all this? You need to get out there and get things done.

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Tags: Gift Maps 2010

Gift Map III: Kids’ Stuff

Because shopping for quality playthings isn’t always fun and games.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Dec 16, 2010 at 06:30AM 0 Comments

Photo: Flora and Henri online shop

Mohair rabbits where adorable is defined, Flora and Henri on Capitol Hill.

If the kids on your shopping list are your own, you have enough to do without plotting out where to find the worthwhile, classic stuff of childhood. If the tiny people on your agenda do not belong to you, you may not be totally familiar with the lay of the fun-and-games landscape. Either way, our kids stuff shopping map makes it easy to navigate an entire city’s worth of educational objects of enjoyment, timeless toys, and apparel and accessories that appeal to both of you.

Some things to think about before you begin: At Izilla, they’re loving a board game called Dixit because it does the impossible: makes fun times for kids and adults. At Tottini, there are two options (at two budget levels) for those considering a modern take on the generations-old winter holiday dream gift, the dollhouse. (I will never forget the year my dad built me one and put it, if not exactly under the tree, at least nearby.) At Planet Happy, they’re into the timeless idea of packable, go-anywhere animal play sets; they’ve got ’em farm- and sea-themed.

That oughtta get you started. Go now among the world of math-is-fun gaming and miniature tea seats and make someone small hugely happy.

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Tags: Seattle Toys, Gift Guide, Gifts, Sustainable Such and Such, Seattle Kids' Style, Gift Maps 2010

Gift Map II: Made in Seattle

Send something locally made to someone woefully far away by accessing our handy map.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Dec 10, 2010 at 08:00AM 0 Comments

The locally made gift of the season: The skipjack scarf, for sale at Far 4. Find other things that were blown, built, sewn, and crafted with our Made in Seattle map.

Time was, if you wanted a Seattle-y gift, you settled yourself with those Space Needle-shaped pastas from the landmark’s gift shop. Hey, I remember.

But these days, the city is a veritable artist’s studio; the best boutiques carry gorgeous goods by local makers, and it’s super easy to send your best friend in New York some stitched, blown, built, or otherwise crafted object that’ll make him/her feel like a real jerk for living so far away from all this awesomeness.

Top on my list of locally produced giftables is the skipjack scarf from a line called Victory Garden Yarn. The woman behind this line happens to have worked at Polite Society before that lovely little place shut down, and I can you for certain that she’s a great gal — which only makes her scarves more special.

I’ve seen the convertible cowl/scarf live on Jenny Klimenkoff a number of times this season, and I watched her field multiple compliments about it on each occasion. Now, watch it all come together here: Klimenkoff sells the skipjack at her store, Far 4, and Far 4 is one of the seventeen stores on this week’s shopping map.

At Fancy, they’re having trunk shows on Sundays for the rest of the month; at Nube Green, whatever isn’t local is at least from the U.S.; and at the new Urban House you have access to goods that weren’t just built here, they were grown here hundreds and hundreds of years ago. And that’s just a rambling random sampled. Check the map for more.

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Tags: Locally Made, Gift Guide, Locally Designed, Sustainable Such and Such, Gift Maps 2010

Gift Map I: Pet Projects

Your guide to shopping for four-legged (and possibly winged and/or finned?) friends.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Dec 02, 2010 at 09:00AM 0 Comments

Pets are people too.

From Wallingford to the Central District; from contrarian cats to face-licking dogs, multilingual birds, squirrely ferrets, and sublime fish, Seattle is full of beloved beasts and boutiques that stock clothes, toys, treats, and more for them.

We know how you are. And we think it’s cute. Every time you buy two or three presents for humans, you pick up a little something for the wildlife in your residence. Kicking off a month of maps is this guide to luxe pet emporiums and essential critter shops.

And stay tuned: Each Thursday for the rest of the month we’ll link you up with a heavily plotted and pin-pointed city grid to help you navigate a new niche of holiday gift searching.

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Tags: Gift Guide, Gifts, Maps, Gift Maps 2010