A customer tries on a tree at Hunter Tree Farm.

The Wedgwood neighborhood in northeast Seattle abounds with delights of the holiday season in December 2019.  Wedgwood’s walkable business district has coffee shops offering holiday goodies, great gift ideas from local shops, and opportunities for charitable giving.

Check out the gift ideas at Wedgwood’s newest locally-owned shops near the corner of NE 85th Street:  AR Workshop offering crafts and classes: Blue Poppy Floral with gifts and flower arrangements; and Luu’s Cafe for beverages, snacks and lunches.

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.  Hours of operation are 9 AM to 9 PM daily.

Enjoy the ambiance of the season at two special events on Saturday, December 7, 2019.

The Luminaria Walk will be from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Meadowbrook Pond, 10518 35th Ave NE, entrance on the east side of 35th Ave NE across from the Meadowbrook Community Center & Pool.

The Meadowbrook Pond is technically not a park — it is a detention pond for the waters of Thornton Creek, but it also functions as a nature preserve.   Bring a flashlight to help you find your way, enjoy the music, hot cocoa and friendly volunteers who have created this annual festival of lights.

Seattle Audubon Nature Shop, where the profits are for the birds!

Another special event on Saturday, December 7, 2019, is the Holiday Open House at the Nature Shop, Seattle Audubon office at 8050 35th Ave NE (corner of NE 82nd Street).  The Holiday Open House from 10 AM to 5 PM will have plenty of cheer with cookies, cider and free gift wrapping.

The Nature Shop has great gifts for children, including books, games and toys, and a great variety of other gift items for everyone.  You can purchase good-quality items while also knowing that you are supporting the environmental work of Seattle Audubon through your patronage of the Nature Shop.

The annual Candy Cane Lane display of holiday lights will open at 4 PM on Saturday, December 7, and will be open through Wednesday, January 1, 2020.

Candy Cane Lane is reached by traveling westward on NE 55th Street from the intersection of 25th Ave NE.   Keep to the right along the edge of Ravenna Park, to the intersection of 21st Ave NE which is the entrance to Candy Cane Lane.

Click on the Facebook page info of Candy Cane Lane for a map and more detailed info about hours and events.  There will be two pedestrian-only nights when cars will not be allowed to drive through.  See also the info about charitable donations of non-perishable food and donations of new hats, gloves and socks.

Celebrating the Reason for the Season

“I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people…  a Savior has been born to you — He is Christ the Lord.”  (Luke 2:10-11)

We can celebrate the gift of Jesus Christ our Savior and enhance our understanding by participating in a Christmas Eve service (Tuesday, December 24, 2019) at one of Wedgwood’s churches:

Messiah Lutheran Church, 7050 35th Ave NE, Christmas Eve services at 6 and 7 PM.

OneLife Community Church, 3524 NE 95th Street, Christmas Eve at 4 and 7 PM.

Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 8900 35th Ave NE, Christmas Eve 5 and 10 PM.

Wedgwood Community Church, 8201 30th Ave NE, Christmas Eve 6:30 PM.

Wedgwood Presbyterian Church, 8008 35th Ave NE, Christmas Eve 7:30 PM.