Christmas is just around the corner, which for me means, cue the gift giving anxiety! I never know what to give certain friends and family members who seem to already have everything, so over the last year I’ve been mentally taking note of some downtown Bellingham’s best gift shopping options. So here’s my list—and in no particular order!
BabyGreens
1201 Cornwall #103
Plants are an instant way to breathe life into a dull space. And who doesn’t love a new gorgeous house plant? I actually cannot contain my excitement about BabyGreens, a tiny and magical store that offers a beautiful assortment of lush houseplants and a carefully curated collection of modern pots.
BabyGreens has a lot of adorable succulent plants, gorgeous hanging plants, and some really nice large fiddle head figs. Pretty much every on-trend stylish plant imaginable.
Don’t have a green thumb yourself? Don’t be intimidated. Owner Nick Meza and his staff can help answer questions related to the care preferences and requirements of each plant. There’s also quite a few fool-proof options to choose from — he can hook you up!
Ormolulu
301 W Holly St.
For truly exceptional one-of-a-kind vintage pieces, Ormolulu can’t be beat. Located in the Bay St Village building, Ormolulu is one of the most entertaining and enjoyable places to shop. You can’t go in there necessarily expecting to find a specific thing… it’s way more fun to visit with open mindedness and wonder because you never know what amazing item you’ll find.
Ormolulu is known for their exceptional repurposed/rewired vintage lighting. They also rework vintage and antique furniture. Right now my absolute favorite items in stock are the selection of vintage Christmas decor! So many cute things (but be forewarned: their selection is flying out the door right now.)
Bonus: Ormolulu is open every single day until Christmas!
Old World Deli
1228 N State St
Isn’t this a sandwich spot? It sure is. And an amazing one at that. But this deli is also stocked with an interesting array of gourmet foods, which make it the perfect holiday gift-buying spot for your foodie friends. From truffle polenta mix to gourmet spices and sauces, to interesting cocktail fixings, there’s definitely a delicious array of giftable treats. It’s the type of stuff that you wouldn’t necessarily buy for yourself (maybe you would..but I tend to not buy myself expensive salts and marinades), but you’d love to receive as a gift.
Apse Adorn
1307 Cornwall Ave.
This husband and wife duo design the most gorgeous and simple jewelry! They primarily sold online until the fall of 2017, when they opened up their brick and mortar location on Cornwall. What a delightful addition to downtown Bellingham! This is the perfect place to buy a gift for a person who appreciates stylish, modern accessories.
Every time I go in to this shop, I find a new piece that I love. Some of their pieces are very understated, and others are bold—but it’s never overdone. Their jewelry craft takes place in the back room, making it simple to size pieces for you. You can also browse their selection online.
Through the holidays, Apse is hosting a pop up shop from Makeworth Market, which will be opening a retail location and cafe in downtown Bellingham in early 2019. So currently there’s a nicely curated collection of PNW-worthy goods added to the mix.
Ideal
1227 Cornwall Ave.
Ideal is a reliable go-to spot for unique and modern gifts primarily in the home and lifestyle categories. This is the perfect place to shop for the design enthusiast in your life. You’ll find cool trinkets, vessels and textiles—from well-known brands such as Marimekko and Chilewich to lesser known but equally as cool brands such as KLT Works, a local PNW artist. You can pick up a Stendig wall calendar, or a Tivoli Audio bluetooth radio speaker. They have interesting Scandinavian and Japanese glassware and other items of interest. Lots to choose from!
During my most recent visit, I was really obsessing over these gorgeous handmade bowls from KLT Works.
Hot Tip: Ideal also has a nice selection of baby and children’s gifts! I love their artsy children’s books.
Of course there are other fantastic shops in downtown Bellingham, but these are my 2018 picks for holiday gift giving in a pinch. I think you can find unique, gift-worthy items at each of these stores…and lots of potential items for the tough-to-buy-for people in your life. Have fun and good luck!
