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Every year we notice the same thing: The gifts that land best with friends and family are the ones with a bit of Portland personality behind them. The kind you pick up from a neighborhood shop or a maker you’ve followed for years.
So instead of a glossy roundup, we’ve pulled together the gifts we actually buy. The coffee we grab on the way into the office. The bookstore that somehow knows exactly what we want to read next. The skincare line we swear by. A few are clients, many are simply places we love, and all of them reflect the Portland that inspires our work at WPR.
For the love of arts (and experiences!)
- A gift certificate to the Literary Arts bookstore. Think of it as a ticket to get lost in the shelves – poetry, fiction, memoirs and more. It’s an easy win for the book lover in your life, and a way to keep Portland’s literary scene thriving. (WPR client)
- Tickets to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA. The 2025/26 symphonic and chamber music season features a dazzling array of top-tier soloists, including Anne-Marie McDermott, Liz Callaway, Zuill Bailey, Awadagin Pratt, Orli Shaham and rising star Inés Issel Burzyńska. They’ll be playing some of the greatest masterworks of all time, including compositions from award-winning contemporary American composers. (WPR client)
- A membership to Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). Sustaining members help ensure OPB’s programming remains free and accessible to all – especially after Congress voted in July to end funding for public media. Support local journalism and enjoy exclusive access to programs through OPB Passport by giving an OPB gift membership. (WPR client)
- Tickets to Midwinter Revels. Portland Revels celebrates the return of light in the darkest days of the year through song, dance and storytelling. This year’s Midwinter Revels show takes audiences to the Scottish Highlands. The cast and chorus of 60-plus people are aged 7–75, and the show has been attracting audiences for over 30 years. Runs December 12-21 at the Scottish Rite Center in Downtown Portland. (Tickets are $17–$108.)
Treat yourself (or someone you really like!)
- Holiday gift sets from Portland Coffee Roasters. Each artfully packaged box features a snowy Portland cityscape and includes two eight-ounce bags – Winter Roast and Holiday Roast – with $1 from every set supporting Growing Gardens PDX.
- Single-origin bars, bites and baking chips from Chocolat-e. A must for the chocolate lover on your list! Chocolat-e crafts flavors that take you back to the origins of taste – meaning that even dark-chocolate skeptics will be converted. Bonus: 10% of proceeds go to WPR client Ukandu. ($10–$70, online only)
- Healing and self-care from Late Breakfast. Rooted in slow living and joyful daily rituals, Late Breakfast’s thoughtful tools and practices help ease burnout and nurture calm – the perfect treat to gift yourself or someone you love any time of the year!
Cozy, crafty and completely Portland
- Saint Olio’s synthetic-free cleaners and fragrances. Made with love in small batches in Portland, with ingredients exclusively found in the perfection of nature, these products help make cleaning enjoyable and will make your home smell AMAZING. ($24–$65)
- Meet your new favorite throw blanket from Seek & Swoon. Inspired by Portlander Jala Smith-Huys’ family sabbatical through Europe, Seek & Swoon transforms wanderlust into beautifully designed, small-batch knit throws. Made in the USA from recycled yarn, each one is crafted with care by a family-owned knitting mill. ($100 and up)
- Wildwood Candle Co.’s outdoor love. These long-lasting, outdoorsy candles are inspired by the magic of Forest Park’s trails. Even better? Wildwood donates at least 5% of profits each year to the Forest Park Conservancy to help care for the trails we love. We’re also big fans of Glenwood Candles – small-batch, vegan, eco-friendly and hand-poured right here in Oregon. ($15–$75)
- Frankie & Coco’s modern bags. This Portland company blends founder Maya Mori’s love of color, pattern, and her Japanese roots into joyful, modern bags and home goods. Designed and crafted in Portland with thoughtful materials and local artist collaborations – including with her husband, painter/designer Micah Kassell – each piece is beautifully made and built to last.
- Lisa Congdon’s wrapping paper. Portland artist, cyclist, and LGBTQ+ advocate Lisa Congdon’s beautifully designed holiday wrapping paper features her bold, colorful designs and is sure to help your presents pop.
PDX shops we love
- The Yo Store is a women-owned shop in Northwest Portland: We’re obsessed with the Glass Blobs ($58) from Studio Arhoj. These whimsical crystal creatures, handmade in Copenhagen, Denmark, make delightful hostess gifts.
- Lloyd Center’s re-invention as a “punk rock” mall for local businesses is not to be missed. Be sure to visit their December Winter Market, a one-stop shopping experience featuring local businesses.
- Tumbleweed Boutique pairs its locally produced house line, kara-line, with a curated mix of European and U.S. designers. Nestled in the Alberta Arts District, it’s the go-to spot for dresses, denim, sweaters, and more that make everyday dressing feel joyful and easy.
- Grasshopper Store offers carefully curated gifts for the little ones in your life. We love the cute and Christmassy felt ornaments from Wrap – designed by longtime collaborator Holly St Clair and handcrafted in Nepal using 100% fair-trade materials. Find these sweet keepsakes and more – including great books and other kid-friendly treasures – when you visit.
