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December 4th, 2009
Everything about the holiday season delights us, from the lights and decorations to the shopping and the gifts, and more than anything, the time with our family, friends and loved ones. But our favorite part is finding the perfect gift for each and every person on our list. There are plenty of Scrooges out there, but we don’t take notice. The day after Thanksgiving we turn up the carols, decorate the house, make cookies, and fully cram our schedule with every holiday event under the sunless sky for the next month. It’s glorious! So if you’re bemoaning having to find the right gifts for the right people this season, fret no more. This is Seattle Picks’ Holiday Gift Guide—and we have some excellent ideas for you. Enjoy, and Happy Holidays! A present for you: forward this issue of Seattle Picks to 5 or more of your friends and CC picks@seattlepicks.com—you could win two tickets to see “A Christmas Carol” at ACT Theatre on December 10! |
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Seattle Picks’ Holiday Gift Guide: |
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| 1 | Baby, It’s Cold Outside We like being pampered any time, and when its winter and our skin gets extra dry, we’ve got the perfect excuse to pamper more often. This is where Vida Spa comes in. The Winter Essential Kit includes a $100 gift card and four all-natural moisturizing products from their signature line, all housed in a Lug™ travel bag. So you can get pampered at the spa, and again when you get home. We love winter. Vida Spa |
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| 2 | Perfect Pairing Peanut Butter and Jelly. Angelina and Brad. Diamonds and champagne. Some things just go together perfectly. Our personal favorite is cappuccinos and cupcakes from Cupcake Royale. Pick up their gift pack with two vintage-inspired pink porcelain cups and saucers, and a card for two free cupcakes (p.s. The holiday flavors like Figgy Pudding and Candy Cane are AH-mazing) and enjoy some sweet sipping this holiday season! Cupcake Royale |
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| 3 | The Gift of Beauty and Wellness Gift cards are the easiest and most sure-fire way to guarantee gift-giving success—it’s common knowledge. But when it’s a gift card from Gene Juarez, it just sweetens the deal. This season, get a gift card for $150 or more, and get a gorgeous gift filled with all your favorites like a mini Arcona Skin Care Kit. Put it on your wish list, or make someone else’s holiday! Gene Juarez |
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| 4 | Goodwill Giving Our best friend is not only the most stylish gal we know, she’s also the most eco-aware. So when we found the jewelry from the Andean Collection, we knew we’d found her gift. This fashion-forward line is eco-friendly, fair-trade, and made of natural, sustainable materials from South America. Flaunt your chic, fun style while you help make the planet a better place. Everyone wins with this gift! |
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| 5 | Sugar and Spice What to get for the girl who already has everything? Well, we are that girl, and we know what we want—a membership to Panty by Post. The online subscription service sends you a panty every month by mail—you can choose which ones you want, or be surprised. It’s fun, sassy, and completely original. Plus, you might just get to make the postman blush. |
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| 6 | Put Your Best Foot Forward As die-hard fashionistas, we know that sometimes we have to suffer to look good. But our shoes don’t have to! Shuella, a footwear accessory line, makes these “shoe umbrellas” to protect your favorite Louboutins. Worn over any size heel, with a slip-free sole, they are easy to pull on, stylish (in a rainbow of colors) and even have a convenient pouch to stash them in your bag. Completely brilliant! |
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| 7 | It’s in the Bag Reusable totes are everywhere these days, but don’t be fooled—all reusable bags are not created equal. The best ones are the chic, fashionable ones from Baggu Bags. In more than 50 colors and prints, with three sizes, you can even get coordinated sets (we want to look put-together even at the grocery store). Check out their new recycled canvas tote too —it’s the perfect everyday bag! |
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| 8 | Indulge Me If there is one thing we can’t resist, it’s candy. We never outgrew our childish love of all things sweet and sugary, but our tastes have become a bit more refined. The caramels from Indulge Caramels in Portland are incredibly soft, decadent, and made by hand in flavors like Sea Salt, Cayenne, Cinnamon Toast, Apple, Almond, Coconut—even chocolate-dipped!. These yummy treats were made to be stocking-stuffers! |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | More to Love The expansion of the Frock Shop is complete, and it’s beautiful and open for business. Now is the perfect time to pop in and check it out—while also checking out their selection of dresses for upcoming holiday parties. (We are currently loving the plaid taffeta dress by Hazel.) Don’t forget to pick up shoes, jewelry and more, too! What: Frock Shop’s New Look |
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| 2 | Party in Portland So, not only does the Benson Hotel in Portland have amazing holiday packages, but we just found out they have a New Year’s Eve deal that sounds unbelievable! The Latin Masquerade-themed night comes with a stunning room, delectable multi-course dinner, dancing, masks, Flamenco dancers and more. We know where we’ll be for 2010! What: New Year’s Eve Latin Masquerade |
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| 3 | Stay and Shop If you can get away for the weekend and do your Christmas shopping in tax-free Portland, you should! Book the “Exclusively Yours For the Holidays” package at the Westin in downtown Portland, and get discounts at stores like Powell’s Books and Mario’s, plus a shopping survival kit and complimentary gift wrapping. A fun and functional trip! What: “Exclusively Yours for the Holidays” Package |
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| 5 | Lend a Helping Holiday Hand The holiday season is a great time to help others. Pop into Pink Ginger and mention Seattle Picks, bring in a can of non-perishable food for Northwest Harvest or a new toy for Toys for Tots, and get 15% off your purchase! Don’t forget to check out their open house every weekend in December for extra holiday cheer. What: Open House and Special Deals at Pink Ginger |
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| 6 | Yes, A Christmas Carol It's hardly the holiday season without a visit from the ghosts of Christmases past, present, and future. Join ACT Theatre, Charles Dickens, and of course, Ebenezer Scrooge, for his journey through the holiday seasons in this delightful downtown holiday tradition! Don’t bah-humbug this one, folks—it’s a true delight! What: Dickens’ A Christmas Carol |
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Hope this helps you get started on your holiday shopping! And not to worry, if you need more ideas, stay tuned—many more gift ideas to come next week and the week after that, and the week after that… and if all else fails, gift someone Seattle Picks. Sign them up for free at www.SeattlePicks.com. |
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