Gift Guide Archive

Rent a Potted Christmas Tree and Plant It after the Holidays

Gift Guide

Purchasing a cut-down Christmas tree can be a sad ritual for the sustainability-minded celebrator, or for those who find their post-holiday disappointment embodied by the malnourished or petroleum-derived tree in the living room.  However, Willamette Valley residents have the option of doing something a little different — renting a potted, living tree from Portland-based The Original Potted Christmas Tree Company (TOPCTC) to be picked up later and planted by conservation groups in local parks and watersheds. Continue reading →

Beat the Crowds, Shop Local Online

Gift Guide
Amy Clancy with her handcrafted creations.

I hate the holidays. No, that’s not quite it. I hate the shopping that comes along with the holidays. I hate circling the asphalt for parking spots. I hate bundling up against the cold, wind and rain, fighting crowds, waiting in line and feeling like I have to spend money I can’t afford to spend. Sometimes I even hate having to remember my reusable shopping bags.  One thing I love is supporting local artisans. Luckily there’s a way to avoid the holiday horrors and still shop locally, and it’s Etsy.  Continue reading →

Trash to Treasure, the Saturday Market Holiday Market makes old new again

Gift Guide
Dress fashioned out of T-shirt material by Kendra Brock

Artisans at the Saturday Market’s Holiday Market use anything from spider webs to pressed flowers when crafting their creations. Some are known especially for reusing materials to make something new. Recycling, upcycling, reusing — people have different names for it, but whatever you call it, the resulting products bear little resemblance to the “old” materials from which they came.  Continue reading →

Give Once, Get Repeatedly

Some gifts keep on giving all year long

Gift Guide

Giving something that will end up stuck in a junk drawer or regifted is no fun for the giver or the giftee. And for the people who seem to have it all, it can be hard to pick something they might actually want. To avoid these hassles, try giving a gift of experiences that return your sentiment all year long. Many local establishments offer clubs and memberships that provide ongoing benefits for a one-time purchase.  Continue reading →

Pottery Abounds at Holiday Market

Give something festive, useful and beautiful

Gift Guide
Ceramics by Denise Davis

Saturday Market’s annual Holiday Market has long been the place for arts and crafts aficionados, and among the eclectic mixture of creative gift ideas is an array of potters with their own spin on ceramics. David Parry, Denise Davis and Ziggy Blum all have a singular journey into the world of clay in addition to unique styles, adding to the zest of the festive, welcoming atmosphere.  Continue reading →

Locals Only

Unique Eugene shops are more than just a motto

Gift Guide
Goldworks owner Erin Murphy and Sarah Ball. Kim Still (right).

You’ve probably noticed the logo, displayed proudly across the advertisements and storefronts of 22 local retailers. Maybe it looked like an affirmation of the area we live in, a sort of twist on “Keep Eugene Weird.” But “Unique Eugene” is more than just a motto. It’s a network and a movement with the intention of sharing their “collective goodwill in the community,” as their member application puts it.  Continue reading →