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Power-Packed Present to Give
Had enough with stuff?
This list is for you
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Traditions Worth Passing Down
Parents reflect on the meaningful rituals that help define their family’s identity
Gift Guide
Gift the Books Kids Want to Read
A good book is the gift that keeps on giving — especially for young readers. The stories we read in childhood can build early literacy skills, shape social and emotional development, and foster a lifelong love of reading. To help you pick the perfect read, we compiled a list of the most popular kids’ books at Sno-Isle Libraries in 2024.
Gift books for kids and tweens that flew off our shelves this year!
FICTION
FOR AGES
4-8
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh!
Written & Illustrated by Mo Willems
The pigeon really, really wants to drive Santa’s sleigh. Then he learns how the sleigh flies — and starts to reconsider. Will the pigeon be left out in the cold, or make his holiday dreams come true?
The Big Cheese
Written by Jory John & Illustrated by Pete Oswald
When the annual Cheese-cathlon comes around, the Big Cheese is prepared to win, as always. But what happens when the quiet new kid, Wedge Wedgeman, comes out on top? Can a slice of humility show the Big Cheese that winning isn’t everything?
Pete the Cat Saves Up
Written & Illustrated by Kimberly and James Dean
Pete the Cat desperately wants a Sharkbot toy, but he doesn't have enough money in his piggy bank. He takes on odd jobs, from shoveling snow to selling lemonade, and saves every penny. Will Pete earn enough money to reach his goal?
The Scarlet Shedder
Written & Illustrated by Dav Pilkey
FICTION FOR AGES 8-12
Beloved superhero Dog Man got sprayed by a skunk! Tomato juice solves the stink, but turns Dog Man red, forcing him into exile. When a never-before-seen villain unleashes an army of A.I. robots, who will step up to protect the city?
No Brainer
Written & Illustrated by Jeff Kinney
When the town threatens to close his crumbling middle school, Greg Heffley isn’t too broken up about it — until he learns he’ll be separated from his best friend. Can Greg and his classmates save their school before it's shuttered for good?
Claudia and the Bad Joke
Written & Illustrated by Arley Nopra
Based on the book by Ann M. Martin
Claudia’s new baby-sitting charge, Betsy, is a big practical joker. It’s all fun and games — until Claudia breaks her leg because of Betsy’s joke. Now Claudia’s threatening to quit the Baby-sitters Club, and Kristy wants to teach Betsy a lesson. The joke war is on!
Connect with library staff for customized book and movie suggestions. Unwrap adventure at your library all year long!
13 Unique Gifts From Northwest Makers
From little artists to stylish tastemakers, this list has everyone on your list covered
By Kristin Leong, M.Ed.
Welcome to ParentMap’s all-local holiday gift guide, curated by ParentMap’s senior editor, an enthusiastic gift giver who is on a mission against plastic. As a bonus, many of these finds come from indie makers and sellers of color, and everything on this list cost less than $100.
Whether you’re shopping for a spouse, a little reader or treating yourself, this guide will help you celebrate the season with unique flair while supporting our vibrant Puget Sound–area small-business community.
1/ Ceramic animal cup, $28
For the whimsical animal lover in your life, artist Cary Lane’s ceramic animal cups from Seattle Art Museum’s gift shop are sure to bring some sweetness to every sip. Handcrafted in Bellingham, these charming porcelain cups feature delightful creatures and wishes of luck, and are perfect for hot coffee or green juice. Dishwasher- and microwave-safe.
2/ Shiro plum preserves, $16
Every jar of Ayako & Family’s shiro plum preserves is bursting with heritage and
flavor. Made from Yakima-grown plums and hand-preserved in Seattle, this jam blends the soft, honey-like sweetness of shiro plums with a hint of candied lemon, perfect with scones or baked chicken. Ayako & Family is a local, multigenerational Japanese American family business. Pro tip: Pair this spread with a pair of Eighth Generation’s Wild Plums crew socks for a very sweet gift.
3/ Warrior Belt hoop earrings, $40
I’m a ’90s-raised gold-hoopsforever kind of lady, so it’s with serious enthusiasm that I share these Warrior Belt hoop earrings, designed by Diné/Navajo and African American artist Ahsaki LaFrance Chachere. These gold-plated hoops feature a striking diamond design inspired by West African mud cloth symbolizing strength, bravery and protection, while the inset turquoise enamel honors Diné traditions. Eighth Generation is a Seattle-based art and lifestyle brand owned by the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe.
4/ Flame of the Forest fragrance, $93 Made by hand in small batches on Bainbridge Island, Anjali’s Flame of the Forest perfume is a captivating fragrance inspired by the lush memories of the perfumer’s childhood in India. With top notes of bay leaf
Cary Lane’s ceramic animal cups
and pink pepper, and heart notes of champaca flowers and saffron, this one-ofa-kind fragrance captures the essence of forest trees on fire with blooms.
5/ “The Universe in 100 Colors,” $25
For the visual learner on your list, “The Universe in 100 Colors” by Tyler Thrasher and Terry Mudge is sure to be a fascinating eye-opener. This stunning new coffee table book from Seattle-based publisher Sasquatch Books explores colors you’ve
likely never seen, through vivid images and fun facts that blend art, science and design. Whether it’s cosmic latte or dragon’s blood, the entries in this colorful collection are perfect for anyone interested in understanding the world in a new light.
6/ Flower press, $35
A beautiful addition to a child’s desk or a seasoned crafter’s workspace, this classic flower press is a lovely way to reconnect with nature and preserve blooms kept from special events or gathered in everyday backyard foraging. Measuring 6 by 6 inches square, this easy-to-assemble flower press is crafted from laser-cut plywood. It includes five sheets of corrugated card and eight sheets of sugar paper, providing plenty of materials to press floral finds for cards and crafts. As a bonus,
for every flower press sold, the company plants a tree.
7/ Wooden sound system, $78
This sleek and sustainable sound system speaker by Bitti Gitti Design Workshop just might convince the teenager in your home to dislodge their earbuds for a few songs. Handmade of birchwood, this cellphone speaker amplifier boosts sound by 400
continued from page 5 percent — no electricity needed — while delivering warmer tones and richer bass. There are seven colors to choose from, and a coordinating cloth bag comes with every speaker.
8/ Japanese folding utility knife, $46
Kobo Seattle’s Japanese folding utility knife is a beautiful blend of craftsmanship and tradition. Featuring a warikomi steel blade and brass handle, this handmade knife uses friction to stay open, presenting a simple yet elegant design. Perfect for the collector or outdoor enthusiast who appreciates finely made tools with a touch of history. Made in Japan.
9/ “A Flash of Color and Light,” $19
Introduce budding makers to the fascinating life of world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly with “A Flash of Color and Light” by author Sharon Mentyka and illustrator Shelley Couvillion. This gorgeously illustrated picture book biography by Little Bigfoot, the children’s imprint of Sasquatch Books, teaches children about the history of glassmaking through the remarkable story of Chihuly’s life journey of resilience and teamwork as he overcame personal challenges while finding his creative vision in the process. Best for ages 5–9.
Wild Plums socks, $18
Bring some sweet style to your wardrobe with Eighth Generation’s Wild Plums crew socks, designed by Anishinaabe/Ojibwe artist Sarah Agaton Howes. These socks combine traditional Ojibwe beadwork patterns with a modern color palette inspired by the plum trees that flourish around the Pacific Northwest. Eighth Generation is a Seattle-based art and lifestyle brand owned by the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe.
11/ Mushrooms and Moths baby set, $58 Sorry, grown-ups, but this Pacific Northwest–inspired set only comes in sizes for newborns through 18-montholds. The cozy Mushrooms and Moths top and bloomers set by Baby Nesh Organics is made from organic cotton and is ethically crafted in Oregon.
12/ “Emerald Street: A History of Hip Hop in Seattle,” $25
For the music lovers and history buffs on your list, “Emerald Street: A History of Hip Hop in Seattle,” by our city’s coolest professor (and my coolest friend), Daudi Abe, is the perfect gift for sharing four decades of cultural innovation in the Pacific Northwest. With an introduction by the one and only Sir Mix-A-Lot, this fascinating book from the University of Washington Press takes readers from Central District rap battles to the many ways Seattle hip-hop has impacted politics, fashion and the meaning of community all over the world.
13/ Honey-sweetened limoncello, $48
For the cocktail enthusiast who appreciates a little brightness in their glass, Letterpress Distilling’s limoncello offers a delightful twist on a classic. Crafted in Seattle with real lemons and sweetened with Pacific Northwest honey, this limoncello balances sweet and sour for a smooth, citrusy finish. Whether enjoyed neat or in a festive cocktail, it’s a refreshing, all-natural taste of Italy with a local touch. ■
Editor’s note: Prices were current at the time of publication, but can change.
Kristin Leong is ParentMap’s senior editor.
Available early to mid-December for purchase in-person and online
Give the Gift of Experience With These Action-Packed Presents
By Allison Holm
’Tis the season for festive lights, holiday cheer and, for many kids, extra-long wish lists. Beyond the typical kid-centered purchases parents make every day, the holidays can often put even more strain on our collective wallets. When all is said and done, what’s left to show for it, besides endless piles of torn wrapping paper, are toys that all too often get overlooked.
In the spirit of creating meaningful memories this holiday, we’ve rounded up more than 25 experiences that will surely inspire, thrill and excite your little ones for this year and, we hope, many years to come.
If your kid loves animals
Seeing lions, tigers and bears has stood the test of time when it comes to classic kid entertainment. Surprise your animal lover with a zoo membership or an aquarium pass. For roughly the cost of a few medium-size Lego sets, you can purchase a customizable annual pass to Woodland Park Zoo for your family and visit as often as your little zoologist desires.
For South Sound families, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s 29 acres are home to captivating zoo animals from around the world, the spectacular Pacific Seas
Aquarium and a playground that’s hard to beat. Combo memberships include admission to its sister zoo, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville. This uniquely Northwest park features an area where animals roam freely, allowing visitors close-up views of elk, bison, moose and other critters as they take the narrated Discovery Tram Tour. Animal keeper chats and the awesome Kids’ Trek playground are other highlights.
Cougar-crazy kids will love a trip to Issaquah’s Cougar Mountain Zoo, where they can see the big cats along with wolves, wallabies and other creatures.
If your kid loves the great outdoors
Take advantage of Washington’s diverse beauty and surprise your family with an outdoor-themed experience. Grab a gift box and fill it with a Washington State Parks Discover Pass, a pair of kid’s hiking
Museum of Illusions
Photo by Kathryn Mueller
Photo courtesy of Woodland Park Zoo
continued from page 9
books and binoculars for your aspiring ranger.
Go the extra mile and reserve a campsite. Orcas Island’s Moran State Park and Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles are summer spots that can’t be beat, or grab your warmest gear and plan an off-season trip. Settle in to watch storms while nestled in a yurt at Cape Disappointment State Park. Also, nearby Warm Beach Camp hosts the amazing Lights of Christmas show.
If your kid loves learning new things
There’s nothing quite like visiting a nearby museum when it comes to edutainment —
that stealthy combination of learning and fun that’s surprisingly engaging for kids of all ages. The holidays are a great time to start (or renew) a yearly family museum membership.
Currently, the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) has an “Almost Live” retrospective that’s just as entertaining for kids as it is for parents. The Museum of Flight’s recently opened “Home Beyond Earth” exhibit is truly out of this world: It allows visitors to explore what it would be like to live in space. Seattle Aquarium’s new Ocean Pavilion made a splash when it opened this summer, and a family membership gives everyone ample opportunity to get to know the new space. Dino-loving kids will
dig a membership to Seattle’s Burke Museum, and Pacific Science Center is always a hit with curious kids.
Museums that center on whimsy and play, such as Museum of Illusions in Seattle, will surely put a smile on your kid’s face when a visit is wrapped up with a bow. And parents can’t go wrong with a local children’s museum membership. It’s always in season.
If your kid loves adventure
For kids who can’t get enough action, thrill them with an adrenaline rush. Catch some air and skydive with the pros at iFly Indoor Skydiving. Try it once or sign up for flight school for one-on-one coaching.
Cape Disappointment
“Home Beyond Earth” Photo courtesy of The Museum of Flight
Photo courtesy of Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
continued from page 10
Teach them the ropes and take your thrill seekers rock climbing. Edgeworks Climbing + Fitness offers climbing classes for mini rockers (kids as young as 5) at its Bellevue, Seattle and Tacoma locations. Vertical World’s classes start kids at an even younger age, with Parent + Me classes for kids as young as 2. Both will keep even the most energetic of kids on their toes.
If the zip lines at the neighborhood park have lost their luster, check out Canopy Tours NW on Camano Island. Family-owned and -operated, it provides family-friendly forest adventures via six zip lines. High Trek Adventures in Everett, with its ropes course and zip lines, is another thrilling option to consider.
If your kid loves sports
For sports-loving kids, a ticket to watch the pros play is an excellent gift. And with
so many professional teams to choose from in the Greater Seattle area, you can almost always find a team worth watching. Tickets to watch big-name teams such as the Seahawks, Kraken, Storm, Mariners, Reign and Sounders always count as a win.
Families can also get creative with tickets to watch the Seattle Tempest or Seattle Cascades play Ultimate Frisbee, the Everett AquaSox or Tacoma Rainiers play baseball, the Seattle Seawolves play rugby, or the Huskies or Cougars play any sport you can think of.
If your kid loves spending time with you
Since you can’t gift-wrap your undivided attention, set aside time to try new things with your child — it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Inspire your child’s inner chef with a cooking class. Both FrogLegs Cooking School and PCC offer hands-on classes
that kids and parents can take together. Who knows? Maybe they’ll even make you dinner one of these days.
Create art together at spots such as Pratt Fine Arts Center and Squirrelly Workshop. No matter what medium you choose, sitting side by side while you paint, sculpt or fuse glass is guaranteed to create lasting memories. Or just head down to Tinkertopia in Tacoma to play in its Tinkerspace during individual building tinker time; reservations are needed.
Challenge your family to puzzle their way out of a local escape room. Although many are too challenging for the littlest youngsters, older kids, tweens and teens will rise to the challenge — how can they not when they get to show off how smart they are!
If your kid loves shows
Get your Ticketmaster account ready,
because there are some fantastic family- friendly shows coming through Seattle in the next few months, including “Mary Poppins” at the 5th Avenue Theatre (through Dec. 26), “Back to the Future” at The Paramount Theatre (Dec. 10–22) and Seattle Children’s Theater’s production of “The Snow Queen” (through Jan. 5, 2025) — and that’s just the tip of the theater iceberg. Sing along with “The Sound of Music” Jan. 11–12, 2025 at the 5th Ave or get down with “Six” May 6–11, 2025 at the Paramount.
When it comes to giving experiences, the sky is the limit — and that includes presentation! There’s no need to limit yourself to sticking a gift card in an envelope and calling it good. Get creative!
Wrap a new baseball glove together with a pair of Mariners tickets, or tuck a cooking- class registration form into a ready-to-fill recipe box. A small toy plane goes well with a Museum of Flight membership, and a Seattle guidebook is the perfect companion for any of these gifts.
When all is said and done, your littles will be delighted to have something to open, and even more excited to create special memories through a meaningful and intentional experience. ■
Allison has enjoyed writing for various publications and companies over the years, and currently lives on Camano Island with her three kids and husband. She loves farmers markets, coffee shops, bookstores crammed with used books and spending as much time as she can in her absolute favorite place: the San Juan Islands.
Give the Gift of FAMILY
FUN!
The newly opened Redmond Senior & Community Center is a state-of-the-art facility that hosts a range of recreation activities and classes for everyone in your household. Our new Family Pass provides countless opportunities for all the ways you play.
Included in the pass: Kids Zone Access Indoor Play
Unlimited Drop-In Activities Fitness Zone Access
Each pass provides access for two adults and all minors under the age of 18 in the household.
Learn more about our programs, activities, and passes at redmond.gov/FamilyPassGift
Cherish the Season
Whether they’re passed down or new, traditions play an important role in creating memories
By Gemma Alexander
When the holidays roll around each year, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the extra items on our to-do lists. No matter how much we remind ourselves that social media is a reel of highlights, those Instagram feeds filled with images of Martha Stewart–caliber festivities can make you feel like you’re not doing enough. But if you take a step back from the doomscrolling, you may be surprised to realize how much your own simple, unphotogenic traditions really mean to your family.
Why traditions matter
Traditions are not as much a part of life as they used to be, and to a certain extent, that’s a good thing. We have a lot more freedom when every aspect of life is not fossilized by prescribed traditions. But when they’re done right, instead of burdensome requirements, traditions are a source of joy and belonging. Most of us cling to some traditions from childhood, even when — and sometimes especially when — our own lives have taken us far from the community and culture of our roots. Traditions serve a multitude of important functions. They can support our mental health, in part by helping to form our identities as members of a group — whether that’s religious, cultural or simply familial — and strengthen our bonds with others in that group. Traditions maintain continuity and offer predictability in a chaotic world. They can even form a sort of tangible memory that preserves personal history.
“We have a holiday tradition of getting a new ornament for whatever has been most important for her that year,” says Cessalee Stovall-Smith, who moved with her now 5-year-old daughter from Australia to work at Seattle Children’s Theatre a year ago. “Last year she got a hot dog ornament because she’s very into hot dogs now that we’re in America.”
What is a tradition?
By one definition, tradition is the passing down of customs, beliefs
or rituals from one generation to another. Religious traditions are fundamental to many people’s lives, and even in secular families, the holidays can seem like one big, extended ritual. These types of traditions are often deeply meaningful. But traditions can just as easily be things that emerge organically and become meaningful simply through repetition.
Kevin Malgesini, managing director of Seattle Children’s Theatre, and his husband began an annual friend-group camping trip many years before becoming parents. Their 3-year-old son, Harris, is already invested in the tradition. Last summer, his best friends’ families joined the group and months later, when his preschool teacher talked about camping, Harris proudly piped up, “I go camping!”
“It’s been fun to see how much he owns it,” says Malgesini.
While ethnicity and religion are still major factors, our concept of community has expanded, and our found families influence our traditions, too. Patricia Andre-Edgar, communications and marketing director at PEPS, identified two annual traditions that are important to her Asian American family: the Lunar New Year and schultüte, a tradition that Andre-Edgar learned about from her German colleague at PEPS.
“Even though my family has no German roots, I just thought it was so fun and creative, and just a really interesting thing to do that seemed so refreshing. So, I introduced it to my family when they started school five years ago, and now if I didn’t do it, my kids would notice. They look forward to it every year,” she says.
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Follow
When I was in high school, I was invited to join my Swedish friend’s family for Saint Lucia’s Day. I loved it so much that, to this day, my family officially launches the Christmas season by baking and decorating on Dec. 13. When I asked my 15-year-old which of our family traditions they valued most, they answered, “I really like how we always bake cookies when we decorate the tree.”
Thanksgiving turkeys don’t bring joy to vegetarians, and lapsed Catholics aren’t likely to feel uplifted at midnight mass.
Celebrate your traditions
Some families have more traditions than others. The best balance between consistency and novelty depends on your family’s temperament. But even if you’re a family full of innovators, you probably have more traditions than you realize. Innovation itself can be a tradition. Maybe you always visit someplace new for your annual vacation, or try new recipes every Sunday. What things would your kids be upset about if you changed them or gave them up? When it comes to celebrating traditions, the key word is “celebrate.”
“My family has a tiny pumpkin patch, so Pumpkin Hollow is a big family celebration. [For] Harris’ very first Pumpkin Hollow, we carved a pumpkin and put him in it,” says Malgesini. We follow our traditions because they bring us joy.
Hold them lightly
Our values change over time and across generations, so as important as it is to cherish our traditions, we also need to hold them lightly. Thanksgiving turkeys don’t bring joy to vegetarians, and lapsed Catholics aren’t likely to feel uplifted at midnight mass. Traditions can cease to bring joy or have meaning; often they simply become impractical.
When Smith-Stovall left Australia, Christmas had to change for her daughter.
“It was really difficult to explain to her that instead of a hot, 100-degree day and going swimming with her cousins, we were bundling up and going to visit my parents in Indiana.” CHERISH THE SEASON
Traditions can and should evolve as we do.
Seattle mom Jacqui Gilroy grew up making linked chains out of red and green construction paper to count down the days until Christmas. When her son Wyatt was a toddler, she started helping
him do the same. The tradition leveled up like a Pokémon when the artist mother of one of his closest friends started creating Christmas villages, little houses that serve as an Advent calendar, in which you can hide little treats and trinkets. Now 9, Wyatt is obsessed with decorating their new and improved Advent calendar.
“Every year, we deck it out with the fake snow, twinkle lights and little trees, so it has the magical vibe,” says Gilroy.
Celebrating the rituals that have meaning for your family strengthens personal identity and reinforces family values — even if they take forms your grandparents could never have imagined. Both Smith-Stovall and Malgesini say that morning affirmations with Snoop Dogg have become an important daily ritual for their families. ■
Seattle-based freelance writer Gemma Alexander focuses on the intersection of parenting and the arts. When she’s not writing for ParentMap, she blogs at gemmadeealexander.com and tweets @gemmadeetweet.
Christmas Village Advent Calendar. Photo courtesy of pokidots.com
