Food & Drink

The Ultimate Seattle Holiday Gift Guide 2019

From the simple and elegant to the unique and unexpected, discover the best local gifts in our annual gift guide

By Andrew Hoge & Daria Kroupoderova with additional research by Lauren Alexander December 10, 2019

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This article originally appeared in the December 2019 issue of Seattle Magazine.

This article appears in print in the December 2019 issue. Click here to subscribe.

ENRICH
These gifts are meant to soothe the soul, whether staying in or going out

1. Local perfumer Maria Christofilis seems to have bottled the essence of a Greek vacation in her Mykonos12 eau de parfum ($150 for 50 milliliters), which carries notes of Florentine iris, jasmine and Mediterranean bergamot. Available at Sarah Alexandra, Madison Valley;
mariachristofilis.com

2. Forget pain pills. Whidbey Island–based Resonant Botanicals’ Neuro-Soothe lotion ($70 for 8-ounce bottle), made with hemp oil extract and other organic ingredients, can alleviate intense nerve pain for hours at a time. Available at Resonant Botanicals, Pike Place Market; resonantbotanicals.com

3. Tukwila-based French Girl’s Jasmin Sea Spray hair texture mist ($18 for 3.4 ounces), made with aloe and pink salt, preserves beachy waves through the winter. Available at French Girl, frenchgirlorganics.com

4. For the friend who has everything, a room fragrance is the perfect way to wrap them in the holiday spirit. Downtown-based Antica Farmacista’s new holiday-inspired concoction Cassis Cuvée ($69 for a 250-milliliter diffuser) blends grapefruit and berry with the sweetness of cassis liqueur and the effervescence of champagne. Available online at anticafarmacista.com

5. SoDo-based Bio-Therapeutic’s Bt-sonic 2.0 ($89.50) cleansing brush leaves skin feeling smooth and radiant. Available at Bio-Therapeutic, SoDo; biotherapeuticspa.com

6. Silversmiths Kristeena and Ron Sabando are giving us a second look at the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a collection of jewelry, like pendants ($175-$275), made with Viaduct concrete and rebar set in sterling silver. Available at Sabando Design, Pike Place Market; sabandodesign.ecwid.com

7. New Pacific Place jewelry store Bezel & Kiln boasts a curated collection of contemporary accessories, such as kinetic rhombus cuff links ($425), which will surely turn heads. Available at Bezel & Kiln, downtown; bezelandkiln.com

DECORATE
From the kitchen to the living room, deck the halls this season with gifts worthy of a double take

1. Speech therapist turned mixed-media artist Laura Van Horne creates pieces that light up any room; her popular geode works ($250 for a 12-by-12-inch piece), made with ink and resin, come in a variety of colors and feel at home in the Pacific Northwest. Available at Gray Sky Gallery, Pioneer Square; lauravanhorneart.com

2. Coffee table companion Almost Lost Arts by Emily Freidenrich (Chronicle Books, $35) explores the work of more than 20 artisans practicing their crafts, such as book mending and bronze casting, using traditional techniques and technologies. Available at Elliott Bay Book Company, Capitol Hill; elliottbaybook.com

3. For friends on the go, the wide-mouth water bottle ($29.95 for 20-ounce bottle) by Fremont-based MiiR is created with medical grade stainless steel and keeps drinks hot and cold for hours. Available at MiiR flagship store, Fremont; miir.com

4. These laser-cut wood and clear acrylic planters, such as the wall hanging planter 08 ($45), will take plant enthusiasts’ succulents and air plants from counter fixtures to wall art. Available through Light Razor Design; lightrazordesign.com

5. The person on your list with a heart of gold—and eclectic interior design taste—will adore this brass anatomical heart ($150) from Arden Home. Available at Arden Home, Capitol Hill; ardenhome.com

6. For the red wine lovers on your list, these Divine Wine cups ($58) by Heidi Kunkel are said to soften and smooth the flavor of bold reds thanks to their translucent, unglazed porcelain. Available at Fremont Sunday Market, Fremont; online at heidikunkel.com

7. These Washington volcano topography coasters ($35 for a set of four), made of laser-cut wood and navy felt, feature the state’s most famous volcanic mountains: Rainier, St. Helens, Baker and Adams, ensuring you’ll remember whose drink is whose. Available at SML by appointment in SoDo; designbysml.com

FEAST
From sweet treats to delicious drinks, look no further to wow your loved ones

1. Handmade &Tonic syrup ($14.95 for 8 ounces) isn’t your grandmother’s tonic—it’s the perfect citrusy gift for any G&T lover. Available at various locations and at andtonic.co

2. Nothing says the holidays like a bottle of brandy, especially this award-winning, limited-quantity Archipelago de Haro apple brandy ($98) from Orcas Island Distillery. Email distiller@orcasislanddistillery.com to place an order; distillery only ships within Washington state.

3. Put a smile on your host’s face with a bottle of warming SeaSpirits Distillery spiced rum ($30), with notes of vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg (great in eggnog or coffee). Available at SeaSpirits Distillery, Woodinville; seaspiritsdistillery.com

4. Seattle Chocolate truffles ($13 for 6 ounces) are the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone with a sweet tooth. Flavors include eggnog, champagne and Hiker’s Trail Mix. Available at various locations and online at seattlechocolate.com

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