There are so many good reasons to shop locally for the holidays. Each year we try to make the whole Christmas season shopping experience that much easier for OTM readers with our Local Holiday Gift Guide that features a wide range of diverse, creative and often locally-made gift ideas. Thank you for shopping locally and for supporting the Out There Monthly advertisers who make each issue possible! (DK)
CYCLING
Bike Trainers
Snowy, wet and gravel-filled roads are not reason to stop pedaling. This Bike Life on the South Hill has bike trainers at 20% off leading up to the holidays. Encourage your loved one to start their own secret bike season training on Christmas morning! (DK)
Winter Riding & Commuting Gear
Downtown Spokane’s full-service, non-profit bicycle shop that refurbishes used bicycles and supports homeless youth–Cool Water Bikes on Howard – has bike lights, fenders, clothing and other wintery cycling gifts at 10% off through Christmas. Perfect for bike commuters and winter riders. (DK)
Fuji Kids Bikes
If you happen to be looking for a bike for a little one, Wheel Sport shops in Spokane are letting go of Fuji Dynamite 24″ kids bikes in boys and girls colors for $299.99 in December. These bikes are an excellent, affordable kids’ bike option. (DK)
Snow Biking Boots
Fat biking is one of the fastest growing segments in the cycling world as every major bike manufacturer has jumped on board. If you have someone on your gift list with a fat bike, outfit them with the Wölvhammer Boot from 45NRTH, the premier manufacturer of winter biking footwear. “The 45NRTH product lines are super popular right now, and we are the exclusive dealer in the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene area,” says Shane Myr, Shop Manager at Two Wheeler Dealer in Hayden, Idaho. Retailing for $325, the full grain leather and ballistic nylon shell of the Wölvhammer provides a durable barrier with a waterproof membrane that protects feet from the elements, while insulation in the foot bed blocks cold cleats from chilling toes. Pick them up locally at Two Wheeler Dealer (9551 US-95, Hayden). (BN)
Kid’s Bike Lock
The Sunlite’s Defender four-number combination 6’ cable lock ($19.99) is easy enough for my 5-year-old son to use with minimal parental assistance. It comes in two sizes, 12mm and 8mm, and has a heavy-duty zinc alloy lock body, weatherproof protective coating and integrated heavy-duty resettable lock. Similar locks are made by Kryptonite (Krypto Flex 815, $14.99) and OnGuard ($19.99). Available at Wheel Sport and North Division Bicycle Shop (inventory varies). (ASM)
A New Set of Wheels
Matthew Larsen Wheelbuilding produces hand-built, custom bicycle wheels right here in Spokane. Custom bicycle wheels that are built specifically for your size, riding style and budget are like fine art to a discerning cyclist. The wheels will last years and look good. All sizes and riding styles are served, including 20″, 26”, 650b, 700c, 29er; tandem, single speed, fixed gear; disc, drum or rim brake; tubular, tubeless, and more. Call to discuss the right gift options (775-997-5634). (DK)
HOME & GARDEN
Hand-Crafted, Vintage-Wood Treasures
Dare Designs’ Bart Templeman re-purposes vintage and well-worn wood into beautiful, practical treasures for your home or office. Using rescued walnut, salvaged oak, scavenged elm, as well as alder, maple, cherry, and birch, he designs and crafts tables, doors, cutting and serving boards of every size and shape, wine and cheese-serving sets, bowls and beer trays. More info at Dare-designs.com or 208-660-5479. (SK)
Roast House Coffee Geisha Jar
Geisha is one of the few original coffee varietals still in existence. Grown in its ancestral home near the village of Gesha, Ethiopia, it showcases the classic fruit-dominated notes for which this coveted varietal is known. Though carried by dried cherry and strawberry notes, it makes a delicate cup balanced by floral and apricot aromas and a lingering, sweet and syrupy finish. Pick up a few 12 oz re-usable jars of this delicate, complex coffee for gift giving and holiday parties ($30 each) directly at the Roast House warehouse (423 East Cleveland, Spokane). (DK)
Garden Design Consultation
You know that person who has EVERYTHING or buys whatever they want during the year, making gift-giving difficult? Well, here’s a solution if they like spending time in the yard and garden: a garden design consultation from Beth Mort at Zinnia Designs. Mort brings tremendous energy and knowledge to small or large gardens and can design the perfect landscape, from food to flowers, for any space by incorporating her knowledge of soil, plants, watering systems and native plants. Order a gift certificate at 509-276-0043 or beth.zinnia@gmail.com. (SK)
DOMA Coffee Roasting Company Coffee & Tea Sets
Each DOMA Sample Set box ($30) contains 8 oz of three different coffees, (24 oz total) selected and paired with tasting notes and step-by-step brewing procedures that are rich, educational and well designed. Perfect for the coffee connoisseur.
Any of these box sets can easily be shipped via Priority Mail: Blend Set (Carmela’s, Urth Organic, Marco’s Organic); Espresso Set (Vito’s, Ruby’s, Primo’s); Organic Single Origin Set (Ethiopia, Colombia, Sumatra). Or for tea drinkers, try the DOMA Tea Set ($23) that includes a Rishi Simple Brew tea brewer paired with 4 oz of bulk tea. The 400 ml tempered glass brewer is easy to use and clean. Visit DOMA in Post Falls or online.
RUNNING
Garmin Vivosmart
Svadhyaya, a Sanskrit term which translates to “self study,” sums up my love of this device. For me, the more information the better. My Vivosmart was a gift purchased from Fleet Feet Spokane, and I was instantly fascinated with it. The sleek design is easy to wear, and it not only keeps track of your steps for the day, it sets a goal based on your past few days, increasing whenever you’ve had a particularly active week, and decreasing when you spend more time behind a desk or on the couch. The other cool feature is that it vibrates on your wrist when you’ve been sedentary for an hour, then it goes off every 15 minutes after that, reminding you to get up and get moving. The other feature (it has many, including telling time, tracking distance and activity times, and calculating calories burned) is that you can set it to vibrate when you get a text or call. Which I found nice because I often leave my phone in random places. (SK)
Boomers Running/Walking Shirts
These hand-made active wear shirts are sewn locally out of polyester/spandex fabric to serve as a light-weight alternative to a bulky backpack. With three Velcro front pockets and one large back pocket, you can stuff these little buggers with all of those things you always want to carry with you on a run, walk, bike ride or backyard gardening session but never have the pocket space for: cell phones, keys, pepper spray, wallet, small water bottle, snacks, meds, etc. $45 each plus shipping (call 509-688-9441 to order). (DK)
LIFESTYLE/FASHION
Belts, Bags and Other Cool Stuff Made Out of Used Bike Tubes
Based in Coeur d’Alene, StradaSoul makes hand-made wallets, belts, messenger bags, bike accessories and other cool items out of used bicycle tire tubes, like the Suds Bucket, a handlebar/rack mounted carrier for a 64 ounce glass, plastic or metal growler made from, you guessed it, used bike inner tubes. Check out all of their unique, well-made products at the StradaSoul’s Etsy store: www.etsy.com. (DK)
Bike Jewelry
Most bike jewelry is heavy and clunky and seems like it should be worn by the other type of biker. (Not the pedal kind.) Green Cyclery’s jewelry, though, is light and beautiful. Made out of bike parts rescued from the recycle bin or trash at Spokane area bike shops, owner Laura Kristine transforms other peoples’ junk into fun and funky jewelry that anyone can wear. Some necklaces and bracelets are held together with fine strips of leather, but most are on chains, some are even adorned with crystals or beads. Each piece is unique, making it hard to choose. Green Cyclery also makes coasters, Christmas ornaments and keychains. Shop online at www.etsy.com/shop/GreenCyclery. (SK)
WINTER SPORTS
Burton Throwback Snowboard
In the earliest days of snowboarding, Burton blazed a whole new trail with an original board design that would change everything we thought was possible on snow. For 2015/16, Burton is bringing back the legend. “This is a throwback to the original Burton Back Hill – no bindings, just a rope and handle tied off to the nose of the board, a P-Tex base so you can wax it, and a flexible build so it’s easy to turn,” says Rhen Lyden, Shop Manager at the Ski Shack in Hayden, Idaho. At $130, the Throwback is an affordable option for a kid who wants to hike for some turns at the neighborhood park or a seasoned rider who wants to make some nostalgic, surfy turns on an epic powder day in the backcountry (some resorts do not allow binding-less boards on the lifts, so check before you go). Available at Ski Shack in Hayden, Idaho. (BN)
Mountain Sports Club Skiing/Snowboarding Deals
The Mountain Sports Club slogan is the largest membership-based, online discount service of its kind for skiers, snowboarders and other adventure travelers in North America. Members can print coupons for local and regional lift ticket, lodging and ski shop deals as many times as they want all season long, including 2 for 1 lift ticket and other discount deals from many local and regional resorts. Visit MountainSportsClub.com to check out the full list of deals and purchase a membership (only $25 with promo code “otm25”). (DK)
Kōm Backcountry Ski
The Kōm is a dedicated backcountry ski without many of the usual compromises. It can be skied with a downhill focus, and it rises to lighter XCD touring use with a fun, stable feel. The 162 cm long; 6 lb, 5 oz; slightly rockered tip; nowax; wood-core ski tours as well as it turns, and Altai Skis (makers of the Hok ski/snowshoe hybrid) have incorporated a lot of features into the Kōm that are very specific to skiing in the backcountry. Many of these stray from the norm and make the Kōm a very unique ski ($399.95). Check out the Kōm, Hok and other Altai Skis products at Altaiskis.com or visit the company’s headquarters a few hours north in Curlew, Washington. (DK)
UNIQUE GIFTS
“Norwegian Wood” Book & Retro Spokane Calendar
Can’t find the right gift for someone? Head downtown Spokane to Boo Radley’s and Atticus for more cool gift ideas than you knew existed. Like the Norwegian Wood book, a must-have for all Northwest wood geeks. It’s chock-full of good advice on chopping, stacking and storing wood. It retails for $24.95 and is available at Atticus. The Retro Spokane calendar is filled with fun local prints from screen-print artist Chris Bovey; it retails for $14.95 and is available at both Boo Radley’s and Atticus. (OTM)
“Hot Springs and Pools of the Northwest”
What could be more appealing in the middle of winter than a book on hot springs from British Columbia to Montana? The guide includes photos, directions, maps, and whether or not the accommodations take credit cards. Give to those you love with a nudge and a hint – and a lovely local hot springs adventure could be in your future. Available at Auntie’s Bookstore downtown Spokane. (OTM)
Boozik Sustainable Bamboo iPhone Amplifier
Where can you find a fair trade, sustainable bamboo amplifier for your iPhone locally? Kizuri, a vibrant, community-inspired shop in the Community Building downtown Spokane, that’s where. Kizuri features quality fair trade, earth friendly and local gift options. The Boozik amplifies your music up to four times, is cordless and uses no power of any kind, meaning it’s ready to go anywhere: the beach, office or camping. Stop by the Kizuri for endless, unique and meaningful gift ideas (Kizurispokane.wordpress.com). (DK)
“Portlandness: A Cultural Atlas”
This title by David Banis and Hunter Shobe confirms what you already knew: There’s no denying Portland’s reputation in the Inland Northwest as the capital of cool. Looking for a vegan food map of the city? Need a route through downtown that avoids all surveillance cameras? From hauntings to strip clubs to the DIY subculture – this nifty compilation available at Auntie’s Bookstore in Spokane has it all. (OTM)
ACTIVE LIFESTYLE
Dog Leash & Collar in One
If there’s room on your mantle for Fido’s stocking, make room in that stocking for the “Release N Run Leash” by Rad Dog, a Bellingham-based company that designs and builds products for active pets and their owners. This durable collar contains a retractable, 4-foot leash that is just right for getting your pup from the car to the trail safely. At the trailhead, the super-strong and ultra-thin leash cord disappears into the collar, freeing your hands and Fido’s neck for the duration of your off-road adventure. Unlike a ridiculous dog sweater, the Release N Run is an attractive gift for your pup, coming in five colors and four sizes. Order one for $39.95 at myraddog.com. (JM)
Triathlon Package
Surprise that aspiring triathlete with a full package that includes everything they will need to pull off their first triathlon: bike, wetsuit, race suit, bike trainer, shoes, pedals, water bottle, repair kit, easy laces and body glide. This package is available at Fitness Fanatics on Trent in Spokane Valley for $1,999. (DK)
Give the Gift of Learning to Climb
Introducing kids, friends or other loved ones to climbing at Wild Walls will keep them pumped all winter long. Wild Walls Climbing Gym downtown Spokane has gift certificates available for classes, passes and memberships. Customize a learn-to-climb package gift certificate and consider a beginner climbing kit (harness, shoes, chalk bag, belay device, etc.) from Mountain Gear. Explore the possibilities at WildWalls.com. (DK)
Goal Zero Venture 30 Charger
This portable charger will make you wonder how you ever functioned in the backcountry before. This genius device charges anything that uses USB ports such as phones, iPods and rechargeable LED lights. There are other charging devices on the market, but the weatherproof, shockproof design makes this one of the best. Look for Goal Zero products at Mountain Gear. (JJ) //
Contributing Writers: Amy Silbernagel McCaffree, Aaron Theisen, Brad Naccarato, Derrick Knowles, Janelle McCabe, Jon Jonckers, and Shallan Knowles
