In December 2018 the Wedgwood neighborhood of northeast Seattle is bright with lights, holiday decorations, charitable giving and local shopping options.  Wedgwood’s walkable business district features great gift ideas and opportunities to share holiday cheer through charitable donations.

The holiday season in Wedgwood’s business district features Hunter Tree Farm where the smell of the fir trees will put you in a festive mood.  Enjoy the lights and decorations while chatting with the members of the Hunter family who return each year to their tree sales site at 7744 35th Ave NE.

Holiday sales kiosk at Hunter Tree Farm in Wedgwood, 7744 35th Ave NE.

One of the best places to shop for holiday-season gifts is the Seattle Audubon Society Nature Shop at 8050 35th Ave NE (southeast corner of NE 82nd Street).  Extended hours of shopping are held during the whole month of December.  Gifts for all ages include books, calendars, cards, games, jewelry, maps, and optics such as binoculars or other bird-related items.

Purchases at the Nature Shop help support the programs of the Seattle Audubon Society and their work to preserve the environment.  Consider joining Seattle Audubon Society, and you will receive a discount on your purchases as well as classes and camps.  While in the shop, chat with the wonderful volunteers at the front desk.

A wonderful selection of books and other gift items are available at the Seattle Audubon Nature Shop at 8050 35th Ave NE in Wedgwood.

Would you like to sit and rest while enjoying some holiday ambiance?  The lobby of Homestreet Bank, in the shopping center at NE 85th Street adjacent to the QFC Grocery and the Wedgwood Broiler Restaurant, is beautifully decorated.  While you are there, thank the Homestreet employees for all that they do to support the Wedgwood community, and consider the charitable donation drives which are featured at Homestreet and several other adjacent businesses.

Homestreet Bank at 8200 35th Ave NE is beautifully decorated for the holidays.

The Wedgwood shopping district offers a great variety of gift ideas, including gift certificates.  What about a starter-account at Homestreet Bank?

Many Wedgwood stores and restaurants have gift certificates or reloadable cards.  These include local coffee shops and even the Northeast Veterinary at 9505 35th Ave NE!  Perhaps you know someone who would really appreciate a gift certificate to be used for goodies at a local shop, the grocery store, gas station, automotive repair or for pet care at the veterinary.  All of these services are offered in the Wedgwood neighborhood and you can support local businesses while giving gifts of real value at the same time.

Don’t forget gifts of food.  La Pasta in the Morningside Market building at 9118 35th Ave NE has wonderful, easy-to-fix pasta, sauces, sausages, and sides.  La Pasta products are sold year-round at some of the local farmer’s markets and they have recently opened a new storefront in the Queen Anne neighborhood, too.

Most of all at the holidays we remember the Reason for the Season.  The prophet Isaiah foretold that “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light… for to us a child is born, to us a Son is given… and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Our holiday lights commemorate the Light who came into the world, our Savior, Jesus Christ and His true reign.  Let the holiday lights give you hope and remind you that God is still in control and He has not forgotten us.