So much happens in Edmonds, especially during the holidays.
Shopping here is a blast, and serious business, with deals galore and choices — so many unique choices. Even better, shop whenever you want, early or later. Your heart’s desire is already here, stocked and waiting, no shipping, no hassles, no worries.
Edmonds’ big and small businesses celebrate the holidays in style, with a plethora of unique, original, hand-made gifts and gift boxes, the whole kit and caboodle. They’ve literally thought of everything for everyone, from children and teens, to moms, dads, and that picky aunt who deserves the moon.
Edmonds Downtown Alliance (Ed!) publishes its annual, handy and comprehensive holiday gift guide from A to Z around this time, listing all possible gift ideas from a variety boutiques, shops, and galleries, even places you wouldn’t think of. Start there.
The Edmonds Holiday Market kicked off Nov. 6, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and runs every Saturday through Dec. 18 (except Nov. 27), with even more gift ideas — jams, baked goods, toffee, wreaths, candles, and coffee. The annual open market is 60-plus vendors strong.
There’s even a new Ornament Stroll Nov. 26-Dec. 5 to go with your shopping — sponsored by the Edmonds Downtown Alliance (Ed!). hop at participating Downtown Edmonds businesses Nov 26th – Dec 5th and receive a festive and unique ornament with your $40+ purchase. Make a cool game of it, and collect them all, from over 20 participating businesses. Limit one per customer, while supplies last.
Hop on the Holiday Trolley Saturdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Dec. 4, 11, and 18. Meet Emily the Elf, learn all about the town’s interesting history, and enjoy festive treats, as you take in the view from Salish Crossing at the Waterfront through Downtown’s Main Street Commons, checking out stores at your leisure. This season, the Trolley extends its runs for two Sundays, traveling the Uptown area (starting and finishing in the Hwy. 99 Safeway parking lot). Masks required.
Read more about these and other planned holiday events at Edmonds Holidays Kickoff.
The Heart of Edmonds: Downtown – The Waterfront
At Bench and Board, the newest store on the downtown block, you can get “a nice variety of gifts” for the home, from hand-made wooden boards, utensils, and pottery, to seasonal candles, candy, and popcorn — great host/hostess gifts — as well as fresh, evergreen holiday wreaths, according to owner Jill Hall.
The wreaths can be pre-ordered for pick-up at the shop and will also be on sale at the Nov. 27th Tree Lighting Ceremony. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Edmonds Food Bank. Bench and Board, which opened Oct. 6, is also a sponsor of the Edmonds Tree Lighting Ceremony/“Letters to Santa.”
Additionally, the store will have a Veteran’s Day discount “to honor those who have served” (Hall’s husband Shannon is a veteran) and Holiday Open House/Black Friday Specials Nov. 26-28. On December 11, 12 p.m.-3 p.m., Bench and Board will host Guys, Gifts, and Grub.
“We will have food, drinks, and gift boxes at the ready to help guys with their shopping this year. We will also have the Army/Navy game going in the background.”
Dive into crow’s delightful, whimsical, original inventory — perfect stocking stuffers: lip balm holders in a variety of emoji-friendly designs for the teen in your life… signature crows in mosaic form for good luck… locally designed earrings in every manner of shape, size, color, and media… adorable felty wool hats… Every day, there’s something new and different coming in.
“‘Shop local, shop small’ is crow’s motto,” owner Jen Lawson says. “We love bringing together all the amazing works from local artists and small makers. We feature something for everyone: jewelry, candles, self-care items, accessories, and plenty of unique holiday decor.”
Why not send a floral arrangement for Christmas? Morgan & Moss @ FIELD grows unadulterated, environmentally-friendly, gorgeous flowers on their 10-acre family farm in Kingston, a labor of love since Covid hit.
“We had no idea that the hard work and late nights would result in gorgeous fields of blooms. The project we called an ‘experiment’ was actually a viable flower farm, allowing us to bring these stems to our clients in Edmonds. These flowers are grown with care and love and we are thrilled to share them with you. [Liz & KC Morgan, website]”
No floral foam, either. Just pure, natural floral beauty, sourced from their and other local farms.
Morgan & Moss delivers, too.
They’re also known for unexpected, natural, organic gifts…cards, candles, and just a little bit more, with a home-spun touch, like beautiful wool blankets from Scotland, made from 100 percent recycled fibers, popular, hand-woven Medina Market Straw Baskets, finished with leather handles, and available in three sizes, and various Christmas décor, including bottlebrush trees, garlands, and ornaments by Cody Foster.
Bountiful Home and Nursery houses treasures that provide emotional comfort and aesthetic pleasure fit for any home and nursery, and not just for gardening folk. Todd Waddell’s already decked out his 100-year-old home and garden with lots of holiday cheer: peppermint cocoa, cinnamon bears, snail ornaments, angelic figures, bottle brush trees, and hordes of charming and furry jolly old St. Nicks.
Teri’s Toybox is an Edmonds institution and a shoe-in for Christmas. Children of all ages will adore what’s in store: cute little starter kits for the budding bird watcher, Seahawks fan, and Pokémon collector… Unicorn Snot glitter gel and lip gloss, sequined flip kitty bank, and giant food plushies.
A funky little museum of a place filled with mysterious, intriguing pieces, random history, and novelty items, The Wishing Stone — celebrating 20 years this Nov. — never disappoints. A favorite, gift-giving launchpad of countless families, the nature discovery/crystal shop is loaded with enticing gemstone jewelry, mineral specimens, and curiosities — fossilized, caught in amber, and worth their storied weight in gold — in a broad price range, appealing to all ages. On current display: a black Onyx raven, Rose Quartz rough crystal candle holder, and Lodolite Quartz textured pendant, among many other treasures.
The Wishing Stone is taking 20 percent off on all merchandise when you spend $20+, Nov. 15-30, as thanks for 20 years of business. "Small business retail is a wild ride — a living, growing thing that challenges, teaches, and inspires us endlessly [IG]."
Another unconventional source for gift-giving this holiday season can be found at Cascadia Art Museum’s gift shop in Salish Crossing across from the Edmonds Waterfront. The better-than-your-average-tourist-gift-shop features “an eclectic mix of creative treasures, modern design products, artwork with a Northwest twist…compelling books for adults and children representing Northwest artists and art history. Members receive a 10 percent discount. All purchases support the work of the museum… [website]”
Cline Jewelers’ ever-changing window displays are admittedly drop-dead gorgeous. You will stop in your tracks every time, guaranteed, for the myriad, glittering, beckoning custom attractions. A diamond halo pendant, moonstone ring, or pair of Labradorite earrings, perhaps? Don’t just stand there ogling. Make an appointment to check out what’s inside and pick up a token of your love.
Edmonds puts on its own dazzling designer show in the many clothing boutiques and consignment stores available to both the fashionista and the budget conscious. They include Sound Styles, Rogue, MaJe Gallery, C’est la Vie, Rebekah’s Boutique, and Pear Tree Consignment.
The same can be said of the art galleries and art supply shops in and around the area. Not only can you invest in, support, and share the works of many talented NW artists, but you can also take classes and workshops to cultivate your own artistic inclinations, or gift the priceless experience to a loved one. Some of the best galleries and suppliers in town: Cole Gallery and Art Studio, ARTspot Edmonds, Aria Studio Gallery, Edmonds Frame Design & Atelier, Driftwood Modern, and Gallery North.
Nothing says “I love you” more than treating yourself and your nearest and dearest to a spa day. Edmonds provides one-stop shopping for hair, nails, skin, and self-care. Here are some places worth visiting: Ombú Salon + Spa, Chroma Salon, Mosaic Salon | Spa Studios, MODA, Slate Salon and Spa, The Refinery Salon, The Basement Salon, and Bellissimo Beauty Bar.
For the foodies in the bunch, consider a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant, or one your family and friends have always wanted to try…or hey, take them out for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch — on you! In Edmonds, there are plenty to choose from, from upscale steak and seafood, to classic American, and ethnic eateries. A sampling: Charcoal, Maize & Barley, Leftcraft, Calypso Edmonds, ChurchKey Pub, Vinbero, Chanterelle, Niles Peacock Kitchen & Bar, Epulo Bistro, Bar Dojo, and Kahlo’s Cantina.
Uptown, Westgate, and Beyond
Venture outside downtown Edmonds and the Waterfront for even more gift ideas:
Edmonds Stop & Shop, rescheduled to Nov. 21, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Firdale Village Shopping Plaza, 9600 Firdale Ave. Last one for the year! Crafters and small businesses share their homemade gifts, hosted by The Crafty B’s Artisan Boutique.
Wine from Bucatini in Westgate.
Maybe a fantasy book series at The Neverending Bookshop…a knitting project at All Wound Up Yarn Shop…cut, color, and pampering at Wilder & Co. — all in Perrinville.
Dream big for the ultimate gift: a sports car from a dealer Uptown, along Hwy. 99.
Feature photo: crow. Photo credit: Edmonds Downtown Alliance (Ed!).
Additional photos from crow (exterior, candles, ornaments, crows, knits, "Friends" replica couch), Bench and Board (stocking stuffers, gift guide, storefront, gnomes, holiday napkins), Morgan & Moss @ FIELD (Medina Market Straw Basket and Scottish wool blanket), Cline Jewelers, Teri's Toybox, Cole Gallery, and The Curious Nest.
