A Portland Gift Guide

For when you're in a pinch.

Dec 11, 2024

One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is to get a cheese plate and a glass of wine at Providore and watch people do their last-minute holiday shopping. Not because I want to gloat (I usually leave mine to the last-minute, too), but because the energy is high, it’s fun to see what fancy candies and condiments people pick out, and I love drinking wine in grocery stores.

Going to Providore and grabbing a few fun treats is a perfectly acceptable gifting plan. But, if you have a tad more time and energy, I’ve compiled a list of things that you can run out and buy when you’re in a pinch.

There are a million gift guides circulating right now, but very few specific to Portland. I decided to make one because I want to encourage supporting local businesses while also giving last-minute shoppers a few realistic ideas for everyone on their list.

The guide is broken down into ten general categories (like stocking stuffers, host gifts, and cooking-related items). But mixing and matching would be a good idea!

When in doubt, make a charitable donation and tape the confirmation email to a box of cereal or candy. Happy shopping and thanks for supporting local.

Fun pantry items. I’m obsessed with Sebastiano’s Marmellata di Arance. You can put it on toast, pair with cheese, or use when baking. I also love Tiny Fish Co.’s chorizo mussels, Rancho Gordo Marcella beans, Akadi’s Spicy Sauce, Nong’s Khao Man Gai sauce, Fly By Jing Chili Crisp, and Smith Tea’s Big Hibiscus. You can find almost all of these items at Providore and Wellspent Market.

An annual membership. Like to the Portland Art Museum, Japanese Garden, or Hollywood Theater. They’re the gifts that keep on giving. Recreation passes like the NW Forest Pass or Oregon State Parks parking pass are also great. And if you’re looking for tickets to a show, Aziz Ansari will be coming to Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in March (pre-sale starts today).

Pre-made cocktails and vermouth. Silver Julep, formerly a mobile cocktail bar, sells bottles of their mixers like the Holiday Punch with spiced cranberry and pomegranate. You can also find great boozy items at Straightaway Cocktails and an exceptional vermouth collection at Kabinett (previously featured on RR here!). Plus, Kachka’s Horseradish vodka is a great gift item and only $20ish bucks.

Stocking stuffers. Here’s a great solution for stirring peanut butter. It’s the only thing on this list that you can’t get in Portland, unfortunately, but I think it would make a great stocking stuffer. This candle is local! My dad gave me one a few years ago, and I loved it. Comes with a little pre-made playlist, too. Leatherman is a Portland-based company and makes great pocket knives. A subscription to Portland Monthly is also fun. I could eat Jacobsen Sea Salt Caramels forever and would not complain if Santa put them in my stocking this year.

Things people wish they would buy for themselves. Like colorful napkins. Or, if you really have a lot of money to spend, how about this not-ugly power strip? Apparently those black plastic utensils you have in your kitchen drawer contain toxic chemicals, so maybe consider replacing with something like these salad tongs. And maybe get this serving bowl to go with the tongs (pro tip: the artist Pigeon Toe sometimes sells “imperfect” pottery pieces, which tend to have imperceptible flaws). Plant stands are a nice touch for someone who has a lot of plants. Oregon-based Rumpl blankets have a solid fan base — I have one and like it. Finally, know someone whose very into matcha or Japanese housewares? Be sure to pop by Storied Objects in SW near Powell’s. I have these Sitka whiskey glasses and use them all the time.

More kitchen stuff. Like this Pigeon Toe spoon rest that I use every day. Or what about a gift card for knife sharpening from Knife House on SE Belmont? Every chef can benefit from regular knife sharpening. Le Creuset mugs from Kitchen Kaboodle are a classic (I put these on my wedding registry and love mine). These cutting boards are trendy and bring a pop of color to any countertop. And this is the pepper mill to end all pepper mills. Linen tablecloths are little luxuries I wish I could afford. A cooking class at Vivienne would be fun, too!

Portland cookbooks. I own all of these and use regularly: Grand Central Bakery Cookbook, Everyone’s Table by Gregory Gourdet, Six Seasons by Joshua McFadden, The Salt and Straw Ice Cream Cookbook, Vintage Cakes, and Portland Cooks (which is a collection of recipes from restaurant’s around town). Plus, Nostrana’s Cathy Whims just announced a new Italian cookbook that has watercolor illustrations and is GORGEOUS. It won’t be released until April 2025 but would still make a great gift.

Weekend trips. There are lots of local places you could go this winter. My personal favorite is McMenamins’ Old St. Francis School in Bend. Or maybe the Inn at Langley up in the Puget Sound (pricey but so worth it). The Society Hotel in Bingen has a nice soaking pool and is conveniently close to Portland. What about this Airbnb on Mt. Hood? The Sunriver Resort is also cozy and nice. Buy this robe, and then give the gift of a relaxing trip away.

Treat yourself (or your boo). Knot Springs sells gift cards to their picture-perfect soaking pool on the Central Eastside. How about a facial or chemical peel from Sitko Skin (email Stacey for recs on what to give!)? You can also buy the Omnilux red light mask from her, which makes you look like a maniac but is popular for good reason. A mani/pedi from Plumeria (or one of the other 1 million nail salons on NE Broadway?) is always a good idea. Or how about these gold hoops from Favor Jewelry? I have them and wear them almost every day. I’m a little late to the trend here, but getting “permanent” gold chain bracelets from Betsy and Iya is the perfect idea for you and your sister, for example. Looking to give someone their new signature scent? Head to Olo Fragrance on NE 28th. Lastly, you can never, ever, ever go wrong getting something from Portland Leather Goods. Their outlet is off of SE Gladstone and almost everything is 50%. I recommend their dop kit or classic Leather Tote.
Host gifts. Flowers from Hilary Horvath. Wine from Great Wine Buys (some quick recs: Belle Pente, J. Christopher, and Sokol Blosser are all great local wineries). Around the corner from Great Wine Buys is Woodblock Chocolate, where you can grab a little box of chocolates and a hot chocolate from their cafe while you’re at it. Here’s a fun geometric dish towel. Can’t go wrong with cute hand soaps from Canoe tied with a bow. Or splurge and be the best guest and get them Madre Linen napkins or dish towels.