If you're still scrambling to get gifts for your loved ones, we see you — and we know plenty of Seattle shops where you can still find thoughtful gifts with local flair.

Why it matters: Shopping local is not only good for local businesses. It also helps last-minute shoppers get gifts in hand fast — a huge benefit when both Christmas and Hanukkah are less than a week away.

Here are a few of our local favorites.

Whiskey from Westland

Last year, Whisky Advocate magazine named Westland's Garryana Edition 8 the third-most-exciting release worldwide.

• This year, the magazine proclaimed the Seattle distillery's wine-cask-finish American single malt the 20th-most-exciting whiskey.

Zoom in: If those bottles run out at Westland's tasting room in SODO, the Westland Flagship makes a nice gift at a lower price point.

• You can also pick up smaller bottles of the Flagship (or pre-mixed Manhattan cocktails) for about $40 each.

Pottery from Pike Place Market

Orna's Pottery uses real leaves to imprint designs on mugs, vases and more, giving the items a true Northwest feel.

• CMS Ceramics, meanwhile, makes mugs and other ceramics that evoke waves and mountains so well, you feel transported just looking at them.

Eighth Generation blankets

Eighth Generation sells wool blankets designed by Native American artists that make practical and beautiful gifts. You can visit them in person at their downtown Seattle store, where they also sell jewelry and other items.

Clothing made with coffee

Do Not Bleach sells handprinted clothing made with coffee and bleach seven days a week at Pike Place Market.

• You'll find coffee-toned imprints of Jimi Hendrix, Sasquatch, the Seattle skyline, Nirvana album art and more.

Noir Lux Candle Co.

Noir Lux, with a shop in Lower Queen Anne, makes eco-friendly soy candles with cheeky names and enthralling scent combinations.

• Check out the "I Am the Gift" candle, which smells of Negroni, citrus and currant.

Local chocolates

I buy a few boxes of Fran's Chocolates each year as gifts, and they always bring joy.

• You could also try Intrigue Chocolate in Pioneer Square or Indi Chocolate in Pike Place Market.

Two more ideas

More than 22% of Americans live in the Pacific or Mountain time zones, and every year they celebrate new beginnings by watching a rerun.

State of play: There's never been a major New Year's tradition that gives the western time zones a broadcast alternative to watching a replay of the ball drop in Times Square.

• It's a more than 77 million person-strong market opportunity just waiting to be filled.

Melissa's thought bubble: Fireworks at the Space Needle already make Seattle's New Year's celebration awesome. The rest of the West Coast is welcome to join in — though they'd likely miss out on the best view, which is from a boat.

• Watching fireworks sparkle over the water should become a core memory for all West Coast-ers.

Yes, but: We asked our Axios Local friends from other western states to make the case for why their city is the best place to host a marquee New Year's celebration for all of us.

Here's a sampling of what they said:

🏔️ Portland: Mount Hood is already majestic on its own. Add some sparkly fireworks behind her, and we're the clear winner.

🌉 San Francisco: We have the best parties, a vibrant food scene and an iconic bridge that makes a stunning backdrop to a dazzling fireworks display. Plus, the most number of hills and viewpoints to watch from.

More cities' pitches

📈 Seattle's greenhouse gas emissions rose 4.7% from 2020 to 2022, outpacing the city's population growth. But they remained lower than before the pandemic. (Seattle Times)

🪧 The International Brotherhood of Teamsters launched a strike against Amazon yesterday, with workers at seven facilities in New York City, California and Atlanta taking to the picket line. (Axios)

🏈 Former University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will play starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons this weekend, after the team decided to bench veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins.

• It's the first NFL start for Penix, who led the UW to the national championship game last season. (Axios)

Trying to save on travel in the coming year? Consider "detour destinations" — oft-overshadowed places near perennial hotspots worth a closer look for the budget-conscious or crowd-weary.

Why it matters: Travel prices rose 10% from September 2019 to September 2024, per a recent NerdWallet analysis, leaving many searching for cheaper ways to get away.

Driving the news: "Detour destinations" will be a big 2025 travel trend, predicts Expedia's annual year-ahead outlook.

• "63% of consumers say they are likely to visit a detour destination on their next trip."
• Among Expedia's trending "detour destinations:" Reims, France (detour from Paris); Brescia, Italy (detour from Milan); Cozumel, Mexico (detour from Cancun); Santa Barbara, California (detour from Los Angeles) and Waikato, New Zealand (detour from Auckland).
• Booking.com's own list of trending destinations includes Sanya, China; Trieste, Italy; João Pessoa, Brazil; Tromsø, Norway and Willemstad, Curaçao.

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