During the holidays we love showing our appreciation for loved ones and friends by getting into the gift-giving tradition. We also try to come up with ways to give that helps people in need of a little extra love. So we put together this giving guide to highlight some of our local Portland clients selling amazing products and services and share Wick’s top 5 gifts for homeowners, as well as ideas for giving the gift of experience and ways to give back to the community. Happy Giving!
GIVE A LOCAL GIFT
We promise that whenever you support one of these local businesses, someone does a little happy dance! Check Travel Portland’s event calendar to find all your local maker markets & events: https://calendar.travelportland.com/
Powell’s Books
As big as Powell’s name is being an icon of Portland and the world’s largest independent bookstore, it is a local business that needs our support. A book always makes a great gift – choose Powells instead of Amazon and support your local bookstore! https://www.powells.com/
Communion
Communion is an independently-owned men’s and women’s boutique on the corner of SE Hawthorne Blvd and 35th Place, offering labels from around the world along with plenty of local Portland favorites. Wick loves to shop here and always looks amazing in the clothing he has from the store. Many of my favorite pieces I wear over and over again come from Communion. – https://communionpdx.com/
Pledger Guitars
Custom made-to-order guitars for your favorite musician! Clayton is wonderful soul with an attention and care that is felt in every detail of his instruments. – https://www.pledgerguitars.com/
Moss & Mirror
Local jewelry with vintage whimsy and a touch of modern. Support this lovely local working stay at home mom! Irina is a ball of energy, fun and vibrant, and her creativity is constantly flowing in everything she touches. – https://www.mossandmirror.com/
Shelley Canvanaugh Jewelry
As a Portland, OR based goldsmith/ designer Shelley produces one-of-a kind & limited production jewelry. Shelley’s true passion comes from finding unique gems & turning them into gorgeous wearable treasures. Shelly’s earnestness and faithfulness to quality are second to none. Her passion for each piece and how it speaks to her is present as you touch and appreciate every detail. – https://www.shelleycavanaugh.com/
MadeHere PDX
Give the gift of local artisan products. It’s no secret that the Portland and Seattle markets represent a hotbed of creative culture, and are home to hundreds of industrious artisans who design, roast, stitch, bake, weld, brew and build some of the coolest stuff in the world. Made Here brings all these goods together in one place and is changing the way we shop. Your one-stop shop for holiday gifts, owned by one of our fabulous clients and friends, will ensure your family, friends, and clients get a quality gift where the artisan is part of the story and the gift itself. Revolutionizing the way we shop and buy. – https://madehereonline.com
One of our favorite things Made Here PDX carries – North Drinkware glasses featuring regional mountain ranges! Buy two glasses and small bottle of whiskey for that special person.
WICK’S TOP 5 GIFTS FOR HOMEOWNERS
What’s not to love about a practical gift? Here’s a list of Wick’s top five gifts for the homeowner.
1) Makita Impact Driver – What’s awesome about the impact driver is that there’s a clutch inside so you can’t strip screw heads and it stops automatically. There’s also a light to help shine on dark spots and to figure out where the screw head is. These are great for tightening hinges on doors, putting screws in the decks … anything screw related really. You can pick up a set of larger bits for bigger holes for drilling and you can get a set of smaller bits for smaller holes. And remember, don’t drink and drill!
2) Home Improvement 1-2-3 Book – Sick of always combing through YouTube Videos to figure out how to fix something? How about going “old school” and getting a book? This is our go to resource for home improvement – every homeowner should have a copy.
https://www.powells.com/book/-9780696213274
3) OxGard Telescoping Ladder
This ladder can fit in your car! Easy to use and very well built. I keep mine in my truck:)
4) Husky 15” Tool Tote
Ever wonder how to combine tool storage and sex appeal? Enter the Husky 15” Tool Tote:)
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-15-in-Tool-Tote-82042N12/203418586
5) Ring: Wireless Doorbell
See who’s knocking at your door by checking your phone. You can talk to the plumber while you’re in Barbados!
https://homedepot.com/p/Ring-Wireless-Video-Doorbell-88RG000FC100/206048897
… and this one is on Wick’s personal List!
One fell swoop and you could be tool outfitted for life! Comes with tunes too to help your next beer fueled remodel have more of a party vibe 🙂
GIVE AN EXPERIENCE
Gifts of experience will fill you up and nourish the soul, often leaving lasting memories way past those of traditional “thing” gifts. Here are a few we’ve tried and love.
Portland Center for the Arts Events
Go see a play downtown or spend an evening with “The Moth.” We especially love the arts & lecture series. – https://www.portland5.com/
Live Music Events
Our last birthday present to our daughter Violet was concert tickets for her and her friends – Frankie Cosmos at the Wonder Ballroom. No more trips to goodwill for this fickle girl who will often be tired of something very soon after she gets it. Give the gift of live music experiences! – https://www.wweek.com/calendar/cal?category=109
Dog Sledding Adventure
Oregon Trail of Dreams is owned and operated by Rachael Scdoris, her husband Nick, and her father Jerry Scdoris. Rachael is LEGALLY BLIND and can barely see yet she is a world-renowned athlete and had her first Iditarod finish in 2006 as a teenager. She fought to be included with her impairment. She was also an olympic athlete who competed in tandem cycling. She is AMAZING. This is a great gift for a teen or pre-teen. Start off reading Rachael Scdoris’ book then go on the adventure. – https://www.mtbachelor.com/events-activities/sled-dog-rides/
Rachel met with our book group and took us sledding. If you signed up but didn’t know her story you’d be missing out on knowing a real hero.
Scarlet Chamberlin Styling Company
Whether you’re looking for a gift for your partner (all genders warmly welcomed!), a group outing for your work crew or treat for yourself, Scarlet’s personal styling services are a fun way to refresh your look and your wardrobe. Try her signature Sort, Shop & Style or look into her Style Social for friend groups or professional teams – https://scarletchamberlin.com/
Fresh Faces RX
Fresh Faces Rx Boutique Aesthetic Medicine Practice is the premier medical spa in Portland offering exceptional skin care services. Dr. JoDee team is very supportive and will encourage you to pick what works best for you. – https://www.freshfacesrx.com/
Say Anything Game
This is our family’s current favorite game. Pre teens play it side-by-side with eighty year olds and everyone has a blast – Find it on Amazon
Workshops, Classes & Activities
Cooking- https://www.portlandsculinaryworkshop.com/ ( we’ve done a bunch of these)
Ceramics- https://www.georgies.com/ ( Wick used to be here weekly as a HS ceramics teacher)
Sewing- https://shop.moderndomesticpdx.com/classes/ ( amazing for kids & adults)
Knitting- https://closeknitportland.blogspot.com/p/close-knit-classes.html#2467741034243003522
Golf-Top Golf- https://topgolf.com/us/
PCC Community Classes- https://www.pcc.edu/community/
Print Making- https://www.multnomahartscenter.org/about-mac/classes/teen-adult-classes/printmaking/
Super Nature Adventures – Family Hike with other families –https://www.supernatureadventures.com/events.html
Knife Making classes-https://www.oaksbottomforge.com/pages/where-to-find-us
Music Lessons – https://locations.schoolofrock.com/portland
GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO COULD USE EXTRA LOVE
Act of Kindness Letter
One of the best gifts Wick and I ever gave each other was giving to someone else in each other’s names then writing a letter about it to read on Christmas Day. Practice an act of kindness in the name of someone you love this holiday season, then write a letter to them about the act of giving you did in their honor for them to read on Christmas.
Neighborhood Sock Canvas
A pair of clean, warm socks can make a real difference for someone living on the streets. Grab a friend or family member and take an afternoon to walk around an area with a large homeless population – Chinatown in Portland is a good option – and hand out socks. Bonus if you add personalized messages attached to the socks like “You Are Loved!” Gloves are also in high need.
Volunteer in Your Community
There are so many great organizations in Portland who could use an extra hand. Sign up for a service, roll up your sleeves, and engage in a meaningful way with your community – https://ashleyrealtyworks.com/ashley-realty-works/members/volunteer-opportunities/
Happy Holidays from the Ashley Realty Works Team!
Ho Ho Ho,
Karoline + Wick
