Articles Tagged "Holidays"

The season of giving is nearly upon us, so what could be better than giving the gift of knowledge and exciting experiences? Our brokers know that there are so many outstanding museums around Seattle, and gifting a membership is a great way to support local museums while giving a fun, unique gift that someone on your shopping list can enjoy all year long. Find some inspiration for your holiday shopping, with these 6 excellent museum memberships near Seattle that you can gift this holiday season.

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During the holidays last year, shoppers chose to support small businesses more than ever before by skipping online shopping and chain stores to do their holiday shopping locally. So let's do even better this year, and show the Seattle area small businesses some love for the holidays. Our brokers have the details on why and how to support small businesses this holiday season.

Why Small Businesses Deserve Your Support During the Holidays

If you're like most people, then you probably already have some favorite local small businesses where you love shopping. It's nice to go to a place where people know your face, name, and preferences as soon as you walk through the door. Small businesses provide the opportunity for local artists, artisans, farmers, restaurateurs, and business people to share their unique wares with the public.

Small businesses are also integral to local economies in every neighborhood, and Seattle is no exception. Thriving small businesses create jobs, drive local spending, and provide a level of personalized service that you can't find anywhere else. Many small business owners are also very dedicated to raising funds for local charities, supporting community events, and giving back to the communities that help them thrive.

How to Support Small Businesses for the Holidays

There are so many reasons both big and small to support small businesses for the holidays. Your support means so much to these businesses, and doing your holiday shopping locally is also a great way to find one-of-a-kind gifts that you won't find anywhere else. But how do you show your support? Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Show Up and Browse to Find That Special Something
  We all know how easy it is to browse a big, online retailer to find generic gifts, but it's hard to find that spark of inspiration for a truly special gift when you shop online. Whether you already have a gift idea in mind or you want to find a unique gift for someone who's hard to shop for, visiting small businesses to browse and make a purchase is a great way to get inspired for your holiday shopping.
  
  
• Start Your Shopping Early and Be Patient
  Starting your holiday shopping early provides a variety of benefits for small businesses, and can make your life easier too. It provides revenue for small businesses when they need it most, and allows them to prepare your order before the busiest holiday shopping times. So get out there to start shopping before Black Friday, and be patient while small businesses get your order ready in time for the holidays.
  
  
• Support Small Businesses by Showing Your Love Online
  After you're done shopping at your favorite small businesses, why not show them some love online? Leaving positive reviews on Yelp and Google is a great place to start because those reviews really help small businesses gain exposure online. You can also shout out and link to your favorite small businesses on social media, to help all of your connections find the best local places to shop for the holidays.
  
  
• Try Dining Out or Ordering a Meal Kit for a Holiday Meal
  Eliminate the stress of cooking for the holidays and support a small business in the process by visiting a restaurant for a holiday meal. You can dine out at a restaurant that's open for in-person dining, or order a meal kit from a local restaurant that makes it easy to whip up a world-class meal at home with minimal effort.
  
  
• Be a Friendly Customer and a Generous Tipper
  When you visit a small business to do some shopping or eating, make sure to treat the staff well. And if you can afford it, a generous tip can make a big difference.

Are you searching for a home located close to all of your favorite Seattle small businesses? Our local real estate team is here to help you find the perfect match among the many Seattle homes for sale. Contact us to buy and sell homes in the Seattle, WA area.

Mark your calendars. Mother's Day is Sunday, May 9th! After a challenging 2020, one of the things our brokers are most excited about is the re-opening of some of our favorite Seattle restaurants this spring. If you're looking for a great place to take your mom for brunch on Mother's Day, we definitely recommend these great Seattle eateries:

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There's nothing like a good page-turner to help get you through the cold winter months. Luckily, here in Portland, we're blessed to have some of America's best bookstores nearby. 

When you're looking for a new and exciting book to lose yourself in, be sure to check out some of our real estate agents' favorite Portland bookstores!

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Nothing warms you up quite like a crackling fireplace on a brisk winter day. But if you're like most homeowners, your fireplace probably hasn't been touched since last spring. That could be a problem. 

Our brokers want to help ensure your cozy fireplace is safe year-round. Here's what you need to know about enjoying your fireplace safely this winter. 

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'Tis the season that the Pacific Northwest turns into a winter wonderland, and our brokers love every minute of it! One of our favorite activities throughout December is to throw on our favorite holiday sweater, grab a thermos of hot cocoa, and take a stroll through a Christmas tree farm. Whether you're searching for the perfect tree for your home or if you love surrounding yourself in Washington's wonderful outdoors, we suggest you stop by these Christmas tree farms near Seattle this winter.

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With Thanksgiving and its turkey now just a memory, we're firmly in the thick of the holiday season. December's ticking away at a rapid clip, but before you get mired in a tangle of tinsel, gift wrapping or kransekake baking, have some fun first! There's so much going on this time of year it's hard to choose. Here are a few ideas we just couldn't resist.

Portlanders really know how to get into the spirit, or should we say spirits, this time of year? At the  Holiday Ale Festival in downtown Portland, nearly 50 craft brews and ciders will be on tap, along with food, merchandise and more (Dec. 4-8). On the other hand, what could be more fun than 300 tubas gathered together in Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square to play Christmas carols and other seasonal songs at Tuba Christmas (Dec. 14)? You'll see more than three ships go sailing by at this year's Christmas Ships Parade, where for two weeks fleets of festively decorated vessels will cruise the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, much to the delight of the onshore crowds (Dec. 5-22). A trip to the zoo is family fun any time of year, but ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo ups the ante with a display of more than 1.5 million bulbs that turn the animal kingdom into a magical wonderland (through Jan. 5). Seattle has its Candy Cane Lane, but Portlanders head to Peacock Lane, where residents there have been festooning their Tudor-style homes in holiday garb since the 1930s. Drive through or park nearby and stroll at your leisure. Free hot chocolate and cider will be on hand, though a donation is appreciated (Dec. 15-31).

In Bend, there's an interesting onstage sequel to Pride and Prejudice, the Jane Austen classic, in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, presented by the Cascades Theatrical Company. Set two years after the original novel and focusing on middle sister Mary, the play has been called "an unstuffy, highly entertaining and warm-spirited work," by the Chicago Tribune (through Dec. 15). In the Old Mill District, local choirs sing their hearts out and fill the air – and shops and restaurants in the outdoor mall – with holiday spirit (through Dec. 21). The Old Mill District is also the site of the annual menorah lighting in celebration of Hanukkah, with music, food, Hanukkah gelt (chocolate coins) and more (Dec. 22). Pack up the kids and head to Gingerbread Junction at Sunriver Resort, where amazing candy and cookie creations have been dazzling holiday visitors for nearly a quarter century (Dec. 6-Jan. 4).

The Teddy Bear Suite at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle is an annual holiday pleasure for kids and parents alike. But heads up: If you plan to visit the teddy bear wonderland on the weekend, be prepared for a lengthy wait in line (through Dec. 26). In Bellevue, it's a party every day on Snowflake Lane, where a nightly parade of holiday characters, dancers, lighted floats, falling snow – even Santa as the 12^th Man – enliven the sidewalks between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square (through Dec. 24). After the parade, sashay over to the ice rink, strap on your skates and enjoy more than 9,000 square feet of real ice. Can't skate? Don't worry; free skating lessons are available or you can take a two-week class for $40 (through Jan. 20). Area green-thumbers are in for a seasonal treat at the Garden d'Lights, the annual holiday extravaganza of more than half a million twinkling lights shaped like plants, flowers, birds and more on view at the Bellevue Botanical Center (through Dec. 31). See you there!

Whether you've lived in Portland for years or have only visited for a weekend, you already know that the City of Roses is full of fun events throughout the year. The winter season is no different as the city hosts dozens of holiday happenings that will fill your schedule with tidings of great joy. If you want to immerse yourself in holiday cheer, be sure to mark these fun festivities on your calendar throughout December!

1. The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition — The Square 701 SW 6th Ave., Portland, OR 97204 | Dec 13
   Do you love singing holiday songs? Then you've got to head to Portland's Living Room for the sixth edition of the yearly Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition. Once held downtown in the 90s, this free event returned to Portland a few years ago and is reestablishing itself as one of the best family-friendly festivities in town. Come down for a listen or warm up your pipes and enter into the contest with your favorite holiday tune!

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Our Brokers are getting ready to enjoy another spectacular 4th of July around Portland and Seattle. When it comes to Independence Day, our area goes all out: We have some of the most memorable events anywhere in the United States.

No matter whether you've just moved in or you're still looking around, you'll enjoy the warm welcome that these two cities and their surrounding communities can offer. There's something for everyone around the 4th of July. From kids to adults, everyone will be left wide-eyed!

Looking for the best way to enjoy the holiday? We are taking a look at 10 events throughout our Pacific Northwest communities:

1. Seafair Summer Fourth – 2101 North Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103
   Situated at Gas Works Park not far from Seattle homes for sale is the Seafair Summer Fourth celebration. This 4th of July favorite is one of the biggest fireworks displays in the area. You'll thrill to a custom musical score while enjoying brews from the beer garden and some of the city's most beloved food trucks. Live entertainment will be on hand, too!
   
   

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