For my gift guide this year I wanted to highlight Giving Tuesday with options that really make a difference for our communities, our world, the environment and it’s creatures (in no particular order). Making a donation in someone’s name or purchasing merchandise from charity shops is a great way to show your love for both the charity and the recipient. It’s a win, win: You can support your favorite charities and get a tax deduction, and often you can send the recipient an email notifying them of your gift.

Supporting small businesses is more important than ever, so for this year’s gift guide I’m paying tribute to my beloved city and showcasing local brands and shops. If you don’t live in Seattle, most of these retailers have online shops as well, but I encourage you to shop local wherever you are. Read on to check out my suggestions for some of my favorite local brands and retailers. Happy shopping!

Some of my favorite local shops around the greater Seattle area are great for grabbing last-minute gifts while supporting small businesses. These include several Eastside shops, Gilman Village in Issaquah is always a good bet, and downtown Kirkland is sure to have some great spots too.