Intentionalist Holiday Gift Guide
#SpendLikeItMatters This Holiday Season
Holiday festivities are in full swing! For many, that includes gift-giving, which has strong roots in the Pacific Northwest when indigenous communities hosted gift-giving feasts "called potlaches" named for the Nuu-chah-nulth word “p’alshit” meaning “to give.” Nowadays, giving has expanded from providing food and provisions at an event to taking the form of charitable donations for loved ones, dining experiences with your significant other, to identifying the inevitable, 'best toy of the year' for your children.
This year the Intentionalist, an online directory highlighting small businesses in Seattle, is offering a way for us to support diverse local communities with ideas from their Holiday Gift Guide. Here is a round-up of just a few of our favorites:
Ada’s Technical Books & Cafe
(Family-Owned, Woman-Owned) - One could easily spend a full day at Danielle and David Hulton’s café/bookstore, home to an endlessly entertaining collection of STEM-related books for adults and children alike. Grab a fascinating read and enjoy Ada’s wide variety of vegetarian offerings for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Cone & Steiner
(Woman-Owned, LGBTQ-Owned) - At Cone & Steiner, Dani Cone puts a modern twist on her great-grandfather’s general store from 1915. Her neighborhood general stores are one-stop shops for local and specialty goods, as well as spaces for communities to gather and connect. Three Seattle locations reside on Capitol Hill, Pioneer Square, and on 1st Avenue.
Farestart
(Social Enterprise) - FareStart is dedicated to helping people transform their lives through food. Program participants prepare meals for the FareStart restaurant’s lunch and dinner service, including collaboration with distinguished local guest chefs every Thursday evening. The organization also provides catering for any occasion. Two more locations by Farestart include Rise on Fairview Ave. and Maslow on Boren.
Flora and Henri Book Larder
(Woman-Owned) - In 1998, Jane Hedreen’s boutique began with a focus on thoughtfully curated children’s clothing. Two decades later, Flora and Henri has become a full concept/lifestyle shop offering beautiful, ethically sourced products in a retail setting that welcomes personal engagement with every customer.
Sugarpill
(Woman-Owned, LGBTQ-Owned) - Sugarpill is herbalist and homeopath Karyn Schwartz’s modern apothecary. Her passion for natural medicine is evidenced by her large selection of medicinal house blends and herbs, which she dispenses with warmth and expertise. Sugarpill also carries artisanal foods, rare chocolates, and an impressive collection of gourmet salts.
The Station
(Minority-Owned, Woman-Owned, Family-Owned) - The Station is both coffee shop and vital community hub. Owners Luis Rodriguez and Leona Moore-Rodriguez have created a space that is safe and welcoming for all, and that celebrates the diverse voices and faces of the community.
About Intentionalist
Small businesses are important to the social and economic fabric of our communities. From bookstores and restaurants to stores that have sustained families for generations, local businesses are part of the heart and soul of the places where we live and work—they’re places where we come together, whether to make new connections or celebrate longtime friendships.
Visit intentionalist.com to view more ways to connect with local businesses near you.