Gifts are woven into the fabric of our holiday season. This is to the delight of some and the dismay of others. Personally, I want the finding process to be enjoyable and end with a satisfying result. Shopping in the comfort of my own town and buying from local businesses works well. Our community has inventive, industrious business owners who live and work here and depend on local dollars. Here are a few places to find holiday gifts near Olympia that are #shoplocal and #shopsmall approved.
Here are a few ideas for places you may not have thought of lately – or ever -for your gift-buying needs.
Gifts Etc. at Panorama & The Holiday Nook
1751 Circle Lane, Lacey
The Panorama gift store curates an eclectic collection of items made from the hands of residents, including books from quite a few authors. You’ll find decorations, scarves and household items that are all unique. The newly opened Holiday Nook is right next door inside Panorama Hall and contains selected holiday items that are appropriately seasonal.
Rainy Day Record Company
310 5th Avenue SE, Olympia
Rainy Day Record will be celebrating 51 years in business in Olympia when the new year comes. Long-time residents will recall Rainy Day on Olympia’s westside, but it’s been downtown for many years now. Vinyl is popular these days, along with the needed equipment both new and used. Find music in all formats and you can even rent movies. “My granddaughter loved to browse the stacks and frequent the store,” says a friend of mine. Check out all sorts of merchandise, t-shirts, posters, stickers and quite a bit more.
Gabi’s Olympic Cards & Comics
4230 Pacific Avenue SE, Lacey
360.459.7721
Have a gamer, geek or collector on your gift-giving list? Gabi’s Olympic Cards & Comics has floor-to-ceiling games, puzzles, characters, comics and events. They have something for all ages to enjoy. Gabi’s Olympic Cards & Comics also collect for local families in need during the holiday season.
Mud Bay Pet Store
1001 Cooper Point Road Olympia
704 Trosper Road SW, Tumwater
5500 Corporate Center Lane SE, Lacey
8909 Martin Way E, Lacey
We love our pets, and so do many of your friends. Mud Bay cares about the health and happiness of your dogs and cats. The care they take to offer nutritious food makes buying easy. In addition to food, you’ll find treats, toys, clothing items and other accessories. During the holiday season, Mud Bay has a gift tree in each store where contributions support local shelters.
Live Theater and Other Performances
Harlequin
Olympia Little Theater
Washington Center for the Performing Arts
Olympia Symphony Orchestra
Olympia Family Theater
Give your friend or family tickets or go with a friend. A gift of an experience brings a great memory and no waste. There are holiday options, but you can also offer to take someone to a program later in the season. Seeing live theater is exciting.
Penrose & Associates Physical Therapy
1445 Galaxy Drive NE, Lacey
We can all use excellent quality sleep. You may not require physical therapy now, but you or someone you love could use a pillow that fits. Penrose & Associates will measure your neck length, circumference and shoulder width to find a pillow that fits your unique measurements. The fitting is at no charge, but you do need to buy the pillow. Sweet dreams! There are also other products to give comfort and support to your body.
Ralph’s and Bayview Thriftway Stores
1908 4th Avenue E., Olympia
360.357.8011
516 4th Avenue W, Olympia
360.352.4897
When you are doing your regular shopping or picking something up on the way home, give yourself a few extra minutes to look at the aisle of kitchen gadgets and aids at Ralph’s or Bayview Thriftway stores. The clever or cute accessories are perfect for stocking stuffers and likely something you want but didn’t buy for yourself. For example, the small silicone spatulas are useful every day. Your local Thriftway has wine, beer, spirits, flowers and lottery tickets for more holiday cheer.
Downtown Olympia: An Abundance of Locally-Owned Businesses
A stroll around downtown Olympia offers coffee, chocolate, vintage clothes, jewelry, art and herbal remedies. The Olympia Farmers Market is an evolving venue to find food, gifts, decorations and hand-crafted items while meeting nice people.
Capital Mall is home to many locally-owned businesses. Get out and enjoy the season. While you’re out, enjoy a meal in one of the many locally-owned restaurants.
Iron Works Boutique
224 Sussex Avenue W, Tenino
360.264.5228
You’ll like the free parking on Sussex Avenue, and you’ll love a visit to Iron Works Boutique. New items show up continuously from unique fashions, accessories, and jewelry to home furnishings and outdoor garden décor. Walk the aisles at least a couple of times, as there are treasures high and low. On a stroll along Sussex, you’ll find sipping vinegars from Wild Heart, chocolate from Aunt Kate’s and lots of antiques.
Gordon’s Garden Center
308 E Yelm Avenue Yelm
360.458.2481
Live greenery at the holidays and plants that last the whole year are just a few of the beautiful things you’ll find at Gordon’s. Indoor pottery and triple-milled French soap are a couple of reasons people shop for quality, eclectic gifts. Gordon’s is a neighborhood favorite.
Talking Cedar
19770 Sargent Road SW, Rochester
360.858.7867
It is a restaurant, brewery, distillery and tap house owned by the Chehalis tribe. Close to the Great Wolf Lodge, Talking Cedar is a place to find Kayak, the first botanical gin produced by the tribe. The merchandise area has food centered items for thoughtful host gifts. Go to shop and stay for lunch.
Benefits of Shopping Locally
- Keep more of your dollars within our community.
- Support a business owner who might be your neighbor.
- Be able to touch and inspect what you are buying, instead of by a picture on your screen.
- Incorporate gift buying with your usual shopping errands.
- No shipping charges.
- No waiting for arrivals.
- Some businesses offer gift wrapping.
