Think local, shop local: A Spokane-centric gift guide for the holiday season

By The Spokesman-Review Features staff

During this holiday season, shoppers can add extra-special meaning to their purchases by not only selecting gifts with thought for loved ones, but also by buying items from local businesses and with Spokane in mind.

Here is a list of Spokane-centric holiday gift ideas by The Spokesman-Review’s Features staff. And if you want to add your gift-giving ideas to our list, please keep reading until the end.

Chris Bovey’s 2021 Spokane Parks Calendar: Prolific local artist Chris Bovey has created a 2021 calendar, in partnership with the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department, that celebrates 12 local parks, including Riverfront, Audubon and Manito. His popular vintage Spokane prints, seen everywhere in town, also are great gifts for the holidays and year-round. $19.50 at vintageprint.us (free shipping) and Atticus Coffee & Gifts.

Inland Candle Co.’s Northwest scented soy candles: Hand-poured in Coeur d’Alene, Inland Candle Co.’s all-natural soy candles come in a variety of scents inspired by the Pacific Northwest, including Campfire, High Desert and Northern Pines, among others. Each candle is set in a reusable cocktail glass or ceramic tumbler. $16-$45 at inlandcandle.com (shipping calculated at checkout).

NorthSide Candle Co.: Ethan Heffernan, 13, became bored playing video games during the pandemic, so he started a candle company in July. You can buy his Golden Soy Wax candles ($4-$17) in person at Wonder Saturday Market in the Wonder Building, 835 N. Post St., through Dec. 19 or at northsidecandlecompany.com.

Jess Walter’s “The Cold Millions”: Set during the free speech riots of Spokane in 1909, Jess Walter’s latest novel tells the story of Rye and Gig Dolan, two brothers living by their wits and struggling to find their place in a world that doesn’t want them. $28.99 at Auntie’s Bookstore and Wishing Tree Books.

Staggs and Staggs metal signs: If you can’t visit your family this year, let them know you’re thinking about them by sending them a Washington State Watercolor Sign from Staggs and Staggs. The sign, which features water color trees imposed over the image of Washington, features a red heart over Spokane. For the Zags fan in your life, Staggs and Staggs also sells officially licensed Gonzaga keychains ($18) and signs. $46 at staggsandstaggs.com and From Here.

Planters from Goblin Pottery: For the person who has turned their home into a jungle during quarantine, consider a planter from Goblin Pottery, aka Autumn Bunton. Some are shaped like animals, others have intricate carved details, while others still are perfectly smooth. A variety of colors and sizes are available. Visit From Here or etsy.com/shop/goblinpottery to purchase Bunton’s mugs, dinnerware sets, fermentation crocks and more. $35-$75 at From Here.

Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery’s Annual Cup of Joy sale: Featuring more than 150 cups in various forms from more than 40 ceramic artists across the nation. Online sales available at tracksidestudio.net. For in-person shopping, gallery hours are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, with appointments available after posted hours by calling (509) 863-9904. Face masks, 25% capacity and social distancing measures are in place. Sale ends Jan. 11.

Create’s annual holiday shop virtual catalog: Shop online for artisan works, made by regional artists, such as fabric arts, purses, felted hats, metal art, fused glass, baskets, books, cards, copper wire works, cutting boards, wooden bowls, jewelry, honey, painted bags, wall art, sun catches, succulents in pottery, calendars and more. Visit createarts.org to view the catalog, then contact the artists directly to make a purchase. Sale ends Dec. 31.

Kizuri’s Ganesh Himal Festival of Fair Trade: A pop-up shop with rotating vendors selling products from Nepal, Chile and Guatemala. Featuring felted garlands, potholders, banners and oven mitts, dyer balls, scarves, placemats, handmade journals, candleholders, hats, aprons, shawls, toiletry bags, holiday decor, messenger and duffle bags, backpacks and more. Shop online at shopkizuri.com or in person at the Community Building, 35 W. Main Ave., (509) 464-7677. Sale ends Dec. 19.

From Here: Located in River Park Square, this retail store features items made by Spokane artists and benefits the nonprofit organization Terrain. The store offers jewelry, accessories, books and journals, clothing, home goods, wall art, bath and body supplies, food and drink items, pet goods and items for kids. Online at fromherespokane.com, the brick-and-mortar location is at River Park Square, 808 W. Main Ave., Suite 251, (509) 808-2943.

French Toast – Mama & Mini: A curated boutique of high-quality items, for children and mothers, such as toys, books, stuffed animals, children and adult’s clothing and accessories, candles, mugs, bath and body goods, stationery and coloring books. Online at frenchtoast.myshopify.com or in person at 1170 W. Summit Parkway, (509) 315-8200.

Fringe & Fray: This locally owned resale boutique offers quality vintage and modern apparel items, locally made jewelry and home goods and decor items. Shop online at fringeandfray.net, or visit them in person at 1325 W. First Ave., Suite #102, (509) 720-7116.

Boo Radley’s: This quirky novelty shop, named after the “To Kill a Mockingbird” character who collected offbeat items, has an array of cool items, from toy dinosaurs to left-of-center books such as “Girl Dies in Fall From Platform Shoes.” This shop is a must visit even if you have nothing in mind to buy. 232 N. Howard St., (509) 456-7479 and facebook.com/boorads/

4000 Holes: There’s nothing like wandering around a record shop, particularly without having any idea of what you might purchase. Bob Gallagher’s store, which has been in business since 1989, has an endless supply of classic and new vinyl. There’s also an array of CDs, DVDs and rock memorabilia. 1610 N. Monroe St., 509-325-1914; facebook.com/bob4000angel/

Spokane Masks: When the novel coronavirus altered lives, a West Central mother, Shallan Knowles, decided to make and market masks with her seamstress mother-in-law, Marylou Dawson. Their handmade cotton face coverings are available in myriad designs. More than 1,000 have been sold. The masks start at $8 at spokanemasks.com.

Smirkle: Spokane Valley brothers Gideon Noble, 16, and Gabe Noble, 13, with the help of their father, Brian Noble, created the family-friendly dice game Smirkle, inspired by Uno and Farkle, and started a small business, NoBull Game Co., a play on their surname. Smirkle can be purchased for $24.99 at nobullgame.com.

2020 “Summer Stories Anthology”: This seventh year of The Spokesman-Review’s Summer Stories featured 17 short-fiction works inspired by the 40th anniversary of the Mount St. Helens eruption. “Mount St. Helens: A Summer Stories Anthology” ($15) is available at Auntie’s Bookstore, Wishing Tree Books, Atticus Coffee & Gifts, Well-Read Moose and spokesman.com/northwest-passages and (509) 459-5485. Sales profits benefit Spark Central.

Jim Kershner’s “The Sound of Spokane”: “The Sound of Spokane: A History of the Spokane Symphony,” by longtime The Spokesman-Review reporter Jim Kershner, was released this year during the symphony’s 75th anniversary. “The Sound of Spokane,” which Kershner describes as “a labor of love,” is available at Auntie’s Bookstore. For more information, go to spokanesymphony.org.

Mark Few collector’s book “Lasting Mark”: Celebrate Gonzaga coach Mark Few’s remarkable career with this collector’s book. From West Coast Conference championships to deep NCAA Tournament runs, top Gonzaga players to coach Few’s impact in our community, the hardcover, 144-page book includes stories, photos and stats. Presented by The Spokesman-Review; $34.95 at pediment.com.

Little Spokane River Artist Studio Tour: The annual Little Spokane River Artist Studio Tour didn’t happen in person this year, but three dozen local painters, jewelry and doll makers, ceramicists and sculptors have joined together to offer their handmade beauties online through the end of the year at littlespokanestudios.com.

Shopping night at the MAC: Visit the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture to shop the Museum Store and MAC Art Source for Northwest-made products, including cards and calendars, candles, jewelry and original artwork, plus ornaments, books, toys and games. Enjoy festive holiday lights and a vintage Crescent Department Store holiday window display. The museum store at 2316 W. First Ave. will be open through Dec. 27. (509) 456-3931.

Saranac Art Projects: The downtown gallery invites virtual guests to shop its annual Small Works sale online this holiday season. New members. New works. Peruse the goods at saranacartprojects.square.site. Purchases can be shipped or picked up at the gallery at 25 W. Main Ave. (509) 230-5718.

Spokane Print & Publishing Center: From miniature book earrings and quarantine journals to irreverent holiday cards and South Hill turkey T-shirts, the printmakers of the Spokane Print & Publishing Center have created some fun stuff and had fun doing it. Shop online at spokaneprint.org, or visit the studio at 1921 Ash St. after checking the website for open hours.

Art Salvage: The creative reuse nonprofit is a place where sustainability-conscious shoppers can feel good about buying gifts for art students, teachers and makers of all ages. On the shelves are DIY mask kits, embroidery projects, beads, textiles, paper arts and found objects. Shop by private appointment or virtually, with an online attendant, at artsalvagespokane.com. (509) 598-8983.

Cherry Street Studios: Fine art photographers Bill and Kathy Kostelec have spent decades perfecting their black-and-white film photography on old school cameras. Go to their website at cherryststudios.com and email your interest in any of the moody images that strike your fancy.

Spiceology: The world’s fastest-growing spice company is right here in Spokane shaking up the food industry with innovative blends and rubs. Spiceology’s fresh-ground, hand-packed spices make great gifts for adventurous foodies or weekend grillers. Choose among dozens of blends, from Sriracha six-packs to Naughty Nice Boxes, at spiceology.com.

Karen Mobley’s “Trial by Ordeal”: Local visual artist and arts activist Karen Mobley recently published her debut poetry collection exploring her roles as daughter, sister and lover, as her faith is challenged through heartbreak, loss and calamity. Her artist’s eye brings a singular vision of beauty to the dark stuff of life. Auntie’s Bookstore and Wishing Tree Books.

Emma Noyes’ “Baby Speaks Salish: A Language Manual Inspired by One Family’s Effort to Raise a Salish Speaker”: “Baby Speaks Salish” is a one-of-a-kind manual created by a mother seeking to share more Colville-Okanogan Salish language with her daughter. This book provides simple examples for how to integrate more Salish words into adult-and-child interactions. A portion of proceeds from the book supports the Salish School of Spokane. Auntie’s Bookstore and Wishing Tree Books.

Black Lives Matter mural T-shirt: This summer, 16 Black, Indigenous and of color artists created a gigantic mural declaring Black Lives Matter on the side of a downtown building. You can still view their bold, individual designs at the 14Four + Seven2 headquarters or gift the positive statement for the holidays in T-shirt form. $25 at fromherespokane.com and From Here, 808 W. Main Ave., Suite 251.

Spokandy: The holiday season isn’t as complete (or sweet) without Spokandy. With caramel bites, truffles, chocolate assortments, Huckleberry products, Bigfoot-themed items and its long-standing Murphy, Spokandy and its original recipes have been a timeless taste in the Pacific Northwest and beyond since 1913. Spokandy can be found at Auntie’s Bookstore, Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Simply Northwest, Big Bear Chocolates, Winnie’s Hallmark, spokandy.com and downtown at 1412 W. Third Ave.

“Urban Trails”: Co-written by longtime Spokesman-Review Outdoors Editor Rich Landers, this guide packs a lot of information into a slim volume. The 50 trails are divided by geographic area (Spokane, Spokane County, Coeur d’Alene and Centennial Trail), and range from easy, paved 1-mile loops to longer, more strenuous hikes in the region’s state parks and natural areas. Each hike has a map, plus information about how to get to the trailhead (including transit details when applicable), plus many include information about the history of the area. It’s been selling out at area bookstores, so if you see a copy, snap it up – or place an order.

Gift cards to local businesses, including restaurants: Some say gift cards are impersonal; others say gifts are gifts, period, and that includes gift cards. Also, we all eat, and we all need a break from cooking at home. Consider buying a gift card from your favorite local businesses and restaurants. And check back in Food in The Spokesman-Review on Wednesday for our 2020 local gift guide for foodies.

Local art: You can’t get much more local than buying art created here in the Inland Northwest, whether it’s jewelry, paintings, pottery, textiles or prints. There are several places where you can look at works by several artists at once, including Pottery Place Plus, 203 N. Washington St., (509) 327-6920, potteryplaceplus.com; New Moon Art Gallery, 1326 E. Sprague Ave., (509)413-9101, manicmoonandmore.com; and Avenue West Gallery, 907 W. Boone Ave., (509) 838-4999, avenuewestgallery.org. Also, the Spokane Art School has its annual “Ornament and Small Work Show.” Check it out at 811 W. Garland Ave. or spokaneartschool.net.

Do you have a local gift idea that we missed? Email the idea, with pertinent information, to Features Editor Don Chareunsy at [email protected], and he will add it to the online version of this local holiday gift guide.