December 3

Gifts Galore

Find a special something for a special someone in SLU.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, but that doesn’t mean your hunt for the perfect gift has ended. South Lake Union is home to a number of shops big and small, and there are countless gift options that will delight friends and family.

Consider these five gift ideas this holiday season:

For the outdoor lover

REI’s shelves are stacked with quality camping gear, superb hiking shoes, and other essential outdoor adventure items. But one of the best gifts you can find at REI is a class for an outdoor activity. Beginning climbing or snowshoeing is a great start, but watch for more specialized sessions like winter camping workshops, hiking the Wonderland Trail, and avalanche awareness. rei.com

For the gourmand

Try your hand at making homemade pasta with Chef Stan from Cuoco. Classes are $65 and include a three-course family dinner, wine, and a take-home portion of the pasta. Chef Stan will take students through a variety of pasta styles (orecchiette, Jan 8; noodles, Jan 15; and gnocchi, Jan 22). tomdouglas.com

For the glamourous

Sephora’s new SLU outpost on Westlake is now open. The store features gift sets galore, but also has full-face makeup application services on offer. sephora.com

For the perpetually cold

SLU mainstay Feathered Friends is known for its simple but quality blankets, sleeping bags, and clothing made of ethically sourced down and innovative materials. Check out its down throw—it comes in multiple colors and is large enough to use on a kid’s bunk beds or while lounging on the couch, but is plenty warm to pack up for travels. featheredfriends.com

For the game lover

The Amazon 4-star store has something for just about everyone. If you didn’t know, the store is a physical location where you can browse and buy the very best of Amazon—it features items that are rated four stars or higher, plus new and trending items and top sellers. The new Westlake spot is perfect for an impromptu spending spree and has an excellent selection of board and card games. amazon.com

Story by Ethan Chung and photographs by Ylanite Koppens and REI.


At The Center

SLU is the geographical center of Seattle