The Gift of Giving Season
Gift-giving season is upon us and for many of us, even if we love the holidays, this time of year can be stressful. Whether you are shopping for family, friends, or coworkers, figuring out the right gift can be difficult. Do I get them a surprise and hope they’ll like it? Do I get them the exact thing they asked for and ruin the fun? Or do I get them something from Amazon and send a gift receipt? Last year a customer gave me the best idea ever: give only consumable gifts. With consumable gifts, you have the option to give the recipient something new to try, or some of their favorite luxuries, without adding to our already full lives.
We are fortunate in Bellingham to have a wealth of small businesses that offer the perfect consumable gifts, and they do it sustainably. Great gifts that reduce our impact on this beautiful city we love so much?! It just doesn’t get better than that. From movies to cocktail kits to household goods, you can find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. But if you need a little help getting started, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite locally sourced, consumable holiday gifts.
For the food lover:
If your recipient is a foodie, there are so many great options here in Bellingham. A couple of my favorites include:
Hela Provisions From beautiful bottles of wine to delicious chocolates and salts, Hela Provisions has all the makings for beautiful gifts, and will even create a custom gift basket for you.
Pangea Ferments - naturally fermented local produce. While pickled jalapeños might not scream “holiday gift,” I assure you any foodie would be thrilled to have these. If you have a cocktail lover in your life, consider their spicy pickle brine for the best bloody marys you’ve ever made.
PNWaffles Waffle mix from Waffles in Paradise makes incredibly delicious waffles, both savory and sweet, using locally sourced ingredients.
For the home:
Pumped Bellingham We have all kinds of amazing gifts. We specialize in helping people reduce waste in their home, without sacrificing convenience. So for your college kids or your friends that hate to shop, get them a SOAPscription box with all their household necessities. Or if you want something fun, we have mini campfires and the best shower steamers you can buy. If you want something truly beautiful to gift, pick up a flower arrangement from
Humble Bouquet In addition to making the most beautiful arrangements around, Humble Bouquet also grows their own flowers and sources flowers locally so you can be sure what you are buying is local and in season. If you want flowers that last, she also makes dried floral arrangements that can last for years.
Garden Spot Nursery In recent years, I have taken to giving plants as gifts. My mom has a Christmas Cactus she received as a wedding presents 30+ years ago. A plant, while not a consumable gift, is a gift the recipient can enjoy for years (or at least months if they don't have a green thumb).
Just for fun:
Some of my other favorite consumable gift ideas this season include:
B’ham Buzz (although I suppose I’m biased) A locally sourced cocktail kit created by Marie’s Bees and myself. Each jar includes Marie’s Bees artisan honey along with a blend of spices and flavors to create your perfect cocktail. Just add your favorite liquor, shake, and serve!
Hammerhead Coffee Coffee or a gift card from their new café. And while you’re there, you may as well treat yourself to a coffee slushie and a breakfast sandwich.
Pickford Theater A gift doesn't have to be consumable in the strictest sense. Gifting an experience has the same benefits as consumable gifts: it does not add clutter to the home or the earth and it supports local businesses. I love going to the movies more than everything! Movie tickets or a membership to the Pcikford would make an amazing gift.
Summary
While you are out searching for the perfect gift this season, consider giving a something you would love to receive, and actually use. Look to your neighborhood businesses to help point you in the right direction.
