The holiday shopping season is here-so as you're making your list (and checking it twice), we wanted to share the many ways you can give the gift of Oregon this holiday season.
Our vast region is stitched together with small towns and quaint Main Streets that offer cozy boutiques, artisan vendors, and diverse culinary flavors. Find local boutiques, bookstores and more to support in the Willamette Valley this holiday season.
Even if you can't make it into your favorite store, consider ordering online (where available) or purchasing a gift card for future use; many outlets also offer contactless or curbside pick-up for an easier shopping experience.
So as you make your list, here's where to go-and what to grab-around the Willamette Valley this holiday season.
Surrounded by vineyards in seemingly every direction, the communities of Carlton, McMinnville, Dundee, and Newberg offer plenty of small-town charm in a region where creativity isn't solely the domain of winemakers. The community's 12 Tastes of Christmas campaign, happening all season long, spotlights the inventive culinary and beverage options in and around town.
If you're struggling with ideas for that hard-to-shop-for cousin, stop by NW Food & Gifts in downtown McMinnville; since 2008, NW Food & Gifts has specialized in locally made goods (like T-shirts and soaps from more than 90 artists and crafters), gourmet food (like chocolates, mustards, and jams from area purveyors), and a curated selection of the Willamette Valley's finest wines. And in Newberg, Chapters Books and Coffee sells new and used books spanning a variety of genres alongside coffee from several local roasters.
This year, shoppers in downtown McMinnville can even win great prizes while shopping as part of the 'Twere the Weeks Before Christmas promotion. To participate, shoppers must only spend $25 or more at participating retailers-all of which are listed on the promotion's website; when doing so, they'll be given a scratch-off card and can win a variety of great prizes-including discounts and free items.
Sure, Oregon's Mount Hood Territory largely comprises, well, Mount Hood and the surrounding territory. But it also fans out beyond the mountain's southern slopes and into the Willamette Valley below-comprising communities like Canby, Molalla, Aurora, and Wilsonville in the Greater Portland area.
Who doesn't love the gift of flowers? Wilsonville's Petal Patch Flowers & Gifts specializes in colorful bouquets, enchanting centerpieces, holiday wreaths, and other floral offerings. Cooking class gift certificates from The Kitchen at Middleground Farms are a great gift to receive. Take a class with your loved one and learn how to make a special dish. Frog Pond Farm has a wonderful gift shop full of local products. Visit them to get your Christmas trees, wreaths and visit with the farm animals!
From sweets to chic, Canby has some fun shopping options that are perfect for that holiday list you need to finish or any other special occasion. Make a visit to Puddin' River Chocolates for a dazzling selection of chocolates, truffles and other decadent treats. The wine truffles are simply works of edible art, crafted in-house with local wines. And make sure to visit Baker's Prairie Bakery for an amazing selection of giftable plants. (We know that sounds weird but hear us out: In addition to the shop's amazing baked goods, Baker's Prairie is also the public-facing annex for Lemieux Goods uncommon plant shop.)
And in Molalla, The Rustic Shed sells classic farmhouse-style decor-some handmade, some straight from actual farms-and offers DIY workshops for crafting your own signs, art pieces, and more.
The region around Salem, the capital of Oregon, is home to many small towns and Main Streets that provide unique shopping experiences.
Salem's walkable downtown, with easy (and free) parking, has become a bustling hub of retail activity. For more than 40 years, The Bike Peddler has kept cyclists on the roads in and around Salem with repairs, parts, rentals, and sales. Nearby, One Fair World prides itself on being a fair-trade, not-for-profit retailer that sells hand-crafted home decor, accessories, jewelry, musical instruments, and a wide variety of food products (including coffee, chocolate, cocoa, and tea). And for the chef on your list, consider stopping by Willamette Valley Kitchen Co.-which carries a hand-picked selection of useful and unique kitchen tools, including high-quality gear from local makers.
Nearby, downtown Woodburn is a hub of Latino culture in the Willamette Valley, with North Front Street boasting several shops and food stores-including La Azteca, which specializes in spices, produce, and meats common to Mexican cooking.
In Silverton, a charming community known for its murals and walkable downtown core, Somewhere in Time specializes in vintage furniture, jewelry, movies, books, clothing, antiques, and more.
And the historic community of Independence, nestled along the banks of the Willamette River, teems with fun and curious shops. Melting Pot Candy specializes in satisfying your sweet tooth, while bookworms love Second Chance Books for its large selection of used titles.
Downtown Albany is home to many shops and small businesses. (Photo by Joey Hamilton Photography)
Albany is home to three historic home districts to drive through before heading downtown for shopping at local retailers-whether for Small Business Saturday or last-minute purchases.
The Natty Dresser is Albany's only full-service menswear shop, with a constantly changing selection of hats, shoes, neckties, socks, belts, gifts, and more. Nearby, the Oak Creek Collection is filled with products from local vendors and creators-like home decor, signs, posters, jewelry, clothing, books, gifts, and more. And Brick Circuit enchants kids of all ages with new and used LEGO sets, collectible and build-your-own minifigs, and individual LEGO bricks and pieces.
Corvallis is home to a riverfront downtown brimming with a variety of fun shops that appeal to everyone in the family.
Nowhere is that truer than at Animal Crackers Pet Supply, a locally owned pet store that strives to provide only the best foods for your furry companion; the store's selection of kibble, canned food, and frozen food is free of corn, wheat, soy, and other byproducts. And since 1972, The Toy Factory has sold toys, books, games, and puzzles to kids of all ages in the heart of downtown.
You'll also find plenty of clothing stores and creative outposts around downtown. ReStyle, for instance, boasts a curated selection of decor items, clothing and accessories, gifts, plants, and more for the chic home. Seoul Sisters Boutique, meanwhile, is a vintage-inspired boutique featuring fun women's apparel, accessories, and (as the name implies) Korean fashion, cosmetics, and beauty products.
Away from Corvallis proper, Christmas Junction brings holiday cheer to the community of Monroe all year long with ornaments, decorations, figurines, toys, and other seasonal items-as well as free hot cocoa.
Eugene, the urban hub of the South Willamette Valley, has a walkable downtown filled with bookstores, clothing boutiques, and shops specializing in sustainable products.
Caddis Fly Angling Shop is popular with anglers on the nearby McKenzie River-and has been selling tackle, specialty flies, tying materials, and tools for more than 40 years. Down to Earth Home and Garden, meanwhile, is a celebrated home and garden supply store-carrying organic gardening products, kitchen wares, glass, plants, and more. And J. Michaels Books-a Eugene fixture since 1975-has earned acclaim for its curated selection of new, used, and rare titles. (No wonder Huffington Post named it one of the 50 best indie bookstores in the United States.) And away from downtown, Euphoria Chocolate Company sells its hand-dipped truffles, artisan chocolates, and other sweets-all small batch, and all sourced from local ingredients whenever possible.
For a true small-town experience, enjoy the Main Street vibes of Springfield, Cottage Grove, and Creswell. The Bookmine, in downtown Cottage Grove, specializes in used, rare, and out-of-print titles-but also supports area artisans and crafters by selling locally made soaps, candles, and plants. And for a bit of fashionable flair, the woman-owned Celeste Watch Company crafts a variety of colorful and captivating watches and timepieces.
