The holidays are hectic enough without driving from one side of town to the other in search of the perfect gift for every recipient on your list. For your convenience, we have identified six Seattle neighborhoods where you'll find everything you need for entertaining, gift-giving, celebrating, even putting dinner on the table during this joyous, but admittedly busy, time of year. Just a few stores in each neighborhood are listed here; for more, peruse our guides to neighborhood shopping [1].
BALLARD
Ballard is practically a city in its own right, enjoying numerous restaurants, bars, boutiques and grocery stores. Start your outing at Tableau [2] on thriving Market Street in the heart of the neighborhood. Gorgeous Italian pottery and funky fish glasses are just a few of the great gift options you'll find there. Dart across the street to Cookies [3], where you'll find cookie-cutters in the shape of dachshunds, elves and crowns for the baker in your life. For the hipster girl on your list, head to Velouria [4], just a few doors down, for funky knits and accessories.
Next, detour to Ballard Avenue, the neighborhood's trendy shopping street that branches southeast off Market Street. You'll find gifts for the little ones on your list, as well as sweet holiday outfits, at Clover [5]. If there's a holiday party on your agenda, stop by Duque Salon + Spa + Boutique [6] for a little pampering, and check a few gifts off your list at the same time with the shop's impressive selection of accessories and smell-good lotions. One perfect little black dress from Olivine [7] will get you through the holiday party circuit, but before you rush home to get dressed, dash into Portalis Wine Shop & Bar [8] for a bottle of nice Chianti for the hostess, then stop by Dish D'lish [9] for a lovely takeout meal so there'll be no need to cook before you head to the party.
Parking Tip: Street parking is usually easier to find on Shilshole Avenue than on the busier thoroughfares of Ballard Avenue and Market Street.
Bus Routes: 15 [10], 17 [11], 18 [12], 28 [13], 44 [14], 46 [15], 75 [16], 81 [17], 994 [18]
FREMONT
The best place to start an afternoon of shopping in Fremont is the corner of North 35th Street and Fremont Avenue North. Pop into politically inclined Fremont Place Book Co. [19] for a volume or two for the intellectual bookworm on your list. French apothecary Essenza [20] has pricey potions and jewelry for the hard-to-please women in your life, plus high-quality children's wear for their offspring. If there's a diva on your list, be sure to peruse precious and princess-worthy gifts -- think sequined monograms and paper crowns -- at Burnt Sugar [21], where you can also select his-and-hers hipster footwear at Frankie [22], which is located within the store.
Over on North 36th Street, Bitters Co. [23] stocks handmade housewares from Africa and the Americas. With your gift shopping well under way, it's time to think about a little something for yourself. A delicate gold necklace from Kimberly Baker Jewelry [24], also on 36th, will be the perfect complement to your holiday dress. And if you still haven't found that dress, take a peek inside Les Amis [25], where you just might stumble upon it.
On Fremont Avenue North, you can fulfill the wishes of the music lovers on your list at Sonic Boom Records [26], then swing over to North 34th Street and Portage Bay Goods [27] for a laugh at their wacky inventory of clever cards, T-shirts and other distinctive gifts. For truly local T-shirts, head to Evanston Avenue North and Desteenation Shirt Company [28], where you'll find logo T-shirts from some of your favorite local bars.
Fremont isn't really Seattle's quirkiest neighborhood anymore, but the operating hours at its stores can still be rather odd. Some shops are closed on Monday, and many close early during the week. Be sure to call ahead for holiday hours.
Parking Tip: On any day but Sunday, when the Fremont Sunday Market takes over, street parking is usually available on North 34th Street, just a few blocks from the intersection of North 35th Street and Fremont Avenue North.
Bus Routes: 5 [29], 26 [30], 28 [31], 31 [32], 46 [33], 74 [34], 82 [35]
MADISON VALLEY
Madison Valley is known for its string of quaint French bistros and charming clothing, home décor and stationery shops. Its main artery is Madison Avenue East, which passes through Madison Valley before continuing east toward Lake Washington and Madison Park.
On the south side of the street, cross names off your gift list with handmade soaps and aromatherapy sea salts from Sweet Petula [36], then snatch up toasty cashmere yarns for the knitters in your life at Tricoter [37] -- or give lessons to someone looking for a new hobby. Visit City People's Garden Store [38] for your Christmas tree or wreath; neighbors can borrow pull wagons to cart their evergreen home. When your energy begins to lag, revive with a delectable cup of chocolate chaud at Oh! Chocolate [39], and select from their dazzling array of truffles for hostess gifts.
Cross to the north side of the street and Veritables Object [40] to find gifts for your boss or your dad, like embossed Dransfield and Ross desk or coaster sets. Veritables is happy to wrap your gifts so you don't have to, or you can buy your own wrap (and cards, to boot) at Real Card Company [41]. To reward yourself for a successful day of shopping, treat yourself to a surprisingly affordable pedicure at Hoa Spa [42].
Parking Tip: Parking is often easier to find on Martin Luther King Jr. Way, between Madison and Thomas streets, than it is to find on East Madison Street.
Bus Route: 11 [43]
PIKE PLACE MARKET
With so many shopping neighborhoods to choose from, it's easy to forget that the city's oldest commercial district is the most convenient to downtown. A trip in and around the historic Pike Place Market [44] offers both a step back in time and some of Seattle's most colorful shops.
Give a gift that is quintessentially Seattle by perusing the Market's covered lane of produce and farmers' stands. Under one roof, you'll find fresh flowers, locally produced jam and honey, organic fruits, vegetables and meats, nuts from Northwest orchards and fresh seafood. Visit the Pike Place Market Web site [45] for a complete directory. The Market is also home to a variety of shops. A few you shouldn't miss are Golden Age Collectibles [46], Left Bank Books [47], Zebraclub [48] and Sur La Table [49].
In the heart of the Market is Post Alley, where you'll find Watson Kennedy Fine Living [50], the perfect stop for cleaning and sprucing up your home, and stocking up on bath and body gifts. On Pike Place, the Market's main thoroughfare, pick up a deluxe selection of gourmet cheese for the foodie on your list at Beecher's Handmade Cheese [51], and stock up on frozen servings of Beecher's delicious mac 'n' cheese, the perfect solution for busy holiday nights when there's no time to cook. DeLaurenti Specialty Food and Wine [52], at the corner of First Avenue and Pike Street, offers additional takeout solutions.
Parking Tip: In or near the Market, your best bet is to park in a pay lot. It'll cost you, but you'll save the time you would have spent searching for nearly nonexistent street parking -- not to mention your patience. Pull into a pay lot on First Avenue.
Bus Routes: Pike Place Market is a short walk from most bus routes that travel through downtown Seattle. Visit Metro Transit's Web site [53] to plan a trip from your specific starting point.
QUEEN ANNE
Upper Queen Anne is home to a charming stretch of shops and restaurants arranged along Queen Anne Avenue North. Begin your shopping excursion at the southern tip of the street with a hearty breakfast or lunch at 5 Spot [54]. Once you've fueled up, cross the street to Adelita [55] for trendy garments for both your best friend and man's best friend. The busy boutique sells apparel for both women and dogs; sometimes, the clothes even match. For the stylish men on your list, pick up luxurious shaving products from Art of Shaving at men's boutique Oslo's [56]. While you're there, grab a stylish sweater or jacket that he can wear to the holiday party.
Children's store Once Upon a Time [57] is brimming with toys, books, puzzles and clothing for the little ones who've been nice this year. For the grown-ups who have been behaving, you'll find the season's most popular board games at Blue Highway Games [58]. For gifts with a personal touch, give a gift of pottery that you paint yourself at Color Me Mine [59].
If you're looking for hostess gifts that are sure to delight, bouquets are better than fruitcakes. Metropolitan Market [60] boasts an impressive stock of pretty petals. The upscale grocery store also offers a delicious array of takeout cuisine, so stock up on pop-in-the-oven entrees, or order a holiday tray for your party. Before you leave the hill, mail your cards and packages from Queen Anne Mail and Dispatch [61].
Parking Tip: Queen Anne Avenue North fills up fast. Instead, look for spots on West Galer Street, between First and Fifth avenues.
Bus Routes: 13 [62] and 45 [63]
WEST SEATTLE
The Junction neighborhood in West Seattle is a hopping business district at the intersection of California Avenue Southwest and Southwest Alaska Street. On Alaska, just east of California, is Swee Swee Paperie [64], purveyor of pretty desk sets from Russell + Hazel that are perfect for the ladylike entrepreneurs on your list.
On California Avenue, the community's main north/south thoroughfare, you can fortify yourself for your shopping trip by scoring a sugar buzz at Cupcake Royale [65], but be sure to wipe the frosting off your fingers before handling the delicate baby things at Georgia Blu [66], where you'll find adorable apparel and accessories for new nieces and nephews.
Grab discs from obscure bands for your emo-rock friends at Easy Street Records [67], then head a few doors down to Next to Nature [68] for toys and treats to fill Fido's stocking. Gift central Capers [69] is a must-stop for plush blankets for mom and grandma, and a homeowner's how-to guide for your brother. A festive frock from Sweetie [70] across the street will be the perfect complement to a homemade pie from Shoofly Pie Company [71] when you show up at the holiday party. Finally, pop into Moxie Papergoods [72] for pretty candles, cards and luxe gift wrap.
Parking Tip: West Seattle is one of the few remaining Seattle neighborhoods to offer free street parking, but if the streets are packed, try the lot at the corner of 44th and Alaska.
Bus Routes: 22 [73], 37 [74], 51 [75], 53 [76], 54 [77], 55 [78], 57 [79], 85 [80], 128 [81] and 560 [82]
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
