If you’re new to Tacoma, welcome! If you’ve been here a long old time, we hope you’ll still find something in this list worth your while.
This list of ways to give in Tacoma is organized into Buy Local and Local Love sections, but in most cases they’re one and the same. Local businesses are supported by your purchase while offering opportunities to give right at the same time.
A play given by a cast of kids creates magic at a local theater. A gift card drive supports women at the YWCA, volunteer doctors and nursed give free care and you can help, and $1 donated transforms into 2 meals for a food insecure household. There’s even a Christmas movie marathon at Washington’s oldest continuously operating theater where you can bring a new toy for a family who needs a boost with celebrating this year.
Mural Credit: Ricky Loves Painting. You’ll find it on 6th Ave.
We’ve gathered a host of holiday markets and some of our favorite small business, but this list isn’t about shopping sprees; it’s about being out in the community face-to-face with the people working hard in their small, local, and family-owned businesses. And it’s about giving that is beyond shopping and carefully wrapped packages, giving that cares for our neighbors. We all need someone else—people known and unknown—watching out for us, someone to share a coat or a meal, a community to rally around us and keep us warm. So take a look at the list; see if you can find a way to give that supports our local community, local economy, and local relationships.
If you’re not shopping this season, or don’t celebrate with gift-giving in December, tuck some of these ideas away for a time when you’re seeking to celebrate someone in your life, or need an outlet for showing your love to community.
Image from Tacoma Winter Market
Image from Tacoma Sunday Market
1. Buy Local - Visit Holiday Markets
If you’re interested in buying vintage, snapping a photo with Santa, meeting artists, finding locally made arts and crafts, and tasting small-batch local treats get out to a holiday market this December! Follow these links to learn more:
Sunday, December 1st
Tacoma Winter Market at the Sons of Norway Normanna Hall in Hilltop
Sunday, December 1st
Tacoma Sunday Market Holiday Edition at the Tacoma Armory
Sunday, December 1st
Winterfest at Peninsula High School
December 3rd-14th
9th Annual Downtown Holiday Haul Crawl - this isn’t a traditional market, but a special way to support small downtown businesses, with fun photo booths, special offers, giveaways, and festive activities
Friday-Sunday, December 6th-8th
Holiday Artisans Market at Urban Grace in Downtown Tacoma
Saturday, December 7th
Hilltop Artists Winter Glass Sale at Hilltop Heritage Middle School
Saturday, December 7th
Artisan Pop Up at La Paloma Tacoma
Saturday, December 7th
Holiday Christmas Market at the Pavilion in Downtown Puyallup
Saturday-Sunday, December 7th & 8th
Tidefest at Gig Harbor High School
Thursday, December 19th
Brewery District Makers Market at 7 Seas Brewing
Saturday, December 21st
Holidays Black Night Market - A Very Merry Market at the Tacoma Armory downtown
Saturday & Sunday, December 21st & 22nd
Tacoma Night Market & Sunday Drag Brunch at 5402 South Tacoma Way
Sunday, December 22nd
Winter Holiday Market at Field Bar
Image from YWCA Pierce County
2. Local Love - YWCA Holly Jolly Gift Card Drive - Empower Families to Shop for The Holidays
The YWCA Pierce County is reaching out for Holiday Giving support for their clients. The best way to give to the people seeking safety and next steps at the YWCA this season is by giving a gift card from these shops by December 6th:
Visa gift card
Walmart
Amazon
Target
Fred Meyer
Safeway
As the YWCA says, “For survivors of domestic violence, one of the most empowering feelings often comes from being able to make decisions on their own.” With these gift cards, people can have the fun and fulfillment of shopping for their loved ones this season. Send (or drop-off) physical gift cards to the YWCA by Friday, December 6th and they’ll distribute to clients. Find the details for the Holiday Gift Program here.
Image from the Blue Mouse Theatre
3 & 4. Buy Local & Local Love! - Support Toys for Tots & Join Festive, Nostalgic Festivities at the Blue Mouse Theatre
Give the gift of a few hours enjoying silly, classic, and goofy Christmas movies (okay, and one scary one too). It’s a Christmas Movie Marathon at the Blue Mouse Theatre! Support Washington’s oldest continuously operating cinema by buying tickets, and ask them about their fundraiser for comfy new seats too.
When you plan your movie date, make sure to plan for a new, unwrapped toy for the local Toys for Tots—a service provided by our Marine Corps Reserve. Or donate online to our local, Pierce County Toys for Tots.
Tuesday, December 10th, 7 pm: Jack Frost
Wednesday, December 11th, 7 pm: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Thursday, December 12th, 7 pm It’s A Wonderful Life
Friday, December 20th, 10 pm: Violent Night (for Friday Fright Night)
Don’t forget the Blue Mouse is hosting a Toys for Tots drive too, so share the love and bring a new unwrapped toy when you come for the movie.
A glimpse of the books awaiting discovery at Teaching Toys.
5. Buy Local - Give the Gift of Reading & Support a Local Book Shop
King’s new books table ain the Stadium District, an old Tacoma favorite.
Giving a book is giving an adventure in the mind. If it’s a book you’ve read and loved it can also be a gift of future conversation, or shared experience, an invitation into who you are and what you love. Giving a book from a local book shop supports a small business, helps local employees and shop owners check-off the items on their grocery list and ensures those bookstores will still be there when you’re ready to browse.
Grit City Books on 6th Avenue
Grit City Books, 6th Ave - new books for all ages and online ordering too
King’s Books, Stadium - both new and used books in stock, plus order any book for delivery or pick-up
Teaching Toys & Books, Proctor & Gig Harbor) - for babies, children, and young readers
Curious Bear Toy & Book Shop, Fircrest - for babies, children, and young readers
McCoy Kids - a toy shop with a great selection of books from board books for babies and beautifully illustrated books for young readers
Hi-Voltage Books, 6th Ave - new books for all ages with plenty in stock and more they can order in by special request
The Lakewood Bookstore - New and used books for all ages (used book trade-ins available)
Invitation Bookshop, Gig Harbor - with new books for all ages and gift cards too
If you visit McCoy Kids, Teaching Toys or Curious Bear you’re almost guaranteed to find some other toys, puzzles, games, or art supplies for young ones in your life along with some good reading. We’ll share more local shops for gifts of all ages later in this list.
Images from Neighborhood Clinic
6. Local Love - Give Health, Safety & Care with the Neighborhood Clinic
If I think about what causes stress and what brings security, healthcare is near the top of the list. When we have pain or something just doesn’t feel right any of us—even those with good access to healthcare—can end up feeling scared and worried. But if you don’t feel right, and don’t have the money, status, or insurance to get care, the damage goes beyond worry. If you’re looking for a way to support people in the Tacoma area and across Pierce County who struggle to afford or access health care, we recommend the Neighborhood Clinic.
The clinic provides free care for people who are unable to afford or access medical care and support services. They guarantee privacy, and see the person, not their immigration status.
Neighborhood Clinic's mission "To ensure that everybody has access to health care" is as simple as it is challenging. They go on to state that the clinic "is grounded on the belief that healing occurs where physical and medical care is accompanied by consistent emotional support and a regard for the whole person."
The clinic is located downtown in Tacoma, but patients come from as far as King County, Snohomish, and Olympia to receive care at the clinic run by a small staff and a generous team of volunteer doctors, nurses, social works, and translators.
If you're a doctor, social worker, RN, PA, EMT (the list goes on!), you might like to read more about volunteer opportunities. If you're just a regular person like us who might like to support, read more about donations here.
Beware Coffee on McKinley Hill where the mugs are handmade by a local potter
Manifesto Coffee in Hilltop
7. Buy Local - Give the Gift of a good Brew
Tacoma is home to a growing group of coffee roasters and cafes. A couple of tea shops are excellent choices for tea enthusiasts too. These cafes are scattered all across the city, so go on a treasure hunt fueled by the sampling you’re encouraged to do along the way. Support local roasters and tea shops by buying a bag of beans, some loose leaf tea blends, or a gift card. Maybe your gift to a loved one could be a coffee date or two with you!
Manifesto Coffee Roasters - Hilltop
Valhalla Coffee - 6th Ave
Bluebeard Coffee Roasters - 6th Ave & South Tacoma Way
Olympia Coffee - Proctor
Lander Coffee - Three Bridges
LUX Coffee - McKinley Hill
Beware Coffee - McKinley Hill
Common Ground Coffee - Downtown
Outer Dark Coffee Co. - Downtown
The Method Skateboards & Coffee - Downtown
Campfire Coffee - Downtown & at Tacoma Public Utilities
Curran Coffee - Old Town
Civic Roasters - online at at pop-up events
Mad Hat Tea - new Dome District shop (no longer on Commerce St)
Jin Jin Matcha - Downtown
Mimi’s Teas - Fircrest
Image from Emergency Food Network
8. Local Love - Give the comfort of food on every table with Emergency Food network
We celebrate with food in this season, and need it every day in every season. It’s true—but isn’t right—that 1 in 4 people in Washington experiences food insecurity and visited a food pantry between the summers of 2023 and 2024. That includes more than 230,000 of our neighbors in Pierce County and a lot of children are in that number. The good news is you can be part of putting food on every table even if what you have to spare is $1.00.
Every dollar donated to Emergency Food Network becomes two meals. $1=2 meals!!! A lot of partnerships, organization, and volunteering goes into making that work. Share a meal today.
If you’re feeling organized and want to include family, friends, and coworkers, you could host a food/fund drive now or in the new year. EFN makes it easy!
Lauda
9. Buy Local - Support Tacoma’s Small Businesses
Tacoma Knife Sharpening & Mercantile
Image from Cocobolo
There are a lot of places to spend money. They’re all over our phones and computers, they fill malls and shopping centers, they’re endless. Nobody needs more ways to spend money! But, if you’re giving gifts now or throughout the year, consider supporting a small business, one run by just a handful of dedicated people, one where you might even be conversing with the shop owner while you choose a gift.
The idea here isn’t to advocate more spending, but rather to recommend a few small, local businesses—some of which are women-owned and BIPOC-owned—in which the experience of shopping can feel like a pleasure, rather than an errand.
There are days in Tacoma when I stop by a local shop for a gift, then into a restaurant for a gift card, and when I enter those businesses I’m likely to be greeted by name. That can change my whole day, and the whole experience of spending time and money to give a gift. It’s not about me feeling important, it’s about belonging, and it’s also a signal that the people in those businesses have a sense of belonging too. I think shopping where we live, from people rather than corporations, helps build community. I invite you to experience that.
La Paloma Tacoma
This is not a comprehensive list by any means, but just a selection of some Tacoma small businesses run by people we know, or feel good supporting.
Vessel Vintage Collection
Fibers, Etc. Tacoma
Tacoma Glassblowing Studio
Artist & Craftsman Supply
Scorpio Rising Vintage
Byrt & Gerty’s Kids Redeux
McCoy Kids
Lauda - Downtown - Every purchase goes a long way in supporting this small and very thoughtfully stocked small business. Go in search of greeting cards, the perfect pen (and delightful pouches for storing those pens), an array of day planners, journals, attractive desktop tools, beautiful paints, even some home goods like woven blankets and cashmere mitts. It’s the spot for your loved ones who write journals, send snail mail, paint pictures (or their nails), and in general love small, special, cozy things.
Tacoma Knife Sharpening & Mercantile - Downtown (next door to McCoy Kids & Lauda) - A knife sharpening expert and ceramic artist run this shop together stocked with kitchen tools, handmade ceramic pieces, fancy pantry items, local coffee beans, and of course knives and knife-sharpening services. It’s a sweet new spot.
Cocobolo - Downtown/St Helens District - Sister-owned, carefully curated apparel, supporting small, environmentally conscious brands and vintage, with their own house line designed and sewn in Tacoma. Along with apparel you’ll find beautifully packaged soaps, perfume, jewelry, and incense.
La Paloma Tacoma - North End/Three Bridges District - This is a beautiful shop. It’s beautiful because it’s run by family, because the family wraps around community and celebrates people, and because they choose such an eclectic mis of items for the shop. Enjoy plants, pottery, small press publications, vintage goods, non-toxic nail polish, watercolor paints, books, candles, stationary, beaded jewelry, and all manner of unexpected selections. Stop in for Lazy Sundays and find fresh baked good, seasonal flowers, friendly faces.
Vessel Vintage Collection - Antique Row/Downtown - A place for the mid-century modern enthusiast, for ones who love a small space lovingly arranged in which each item shines. Find cocktail glasses, tumblers, candle holders, furniture, tableware, and decor for those who treasure treasures. It’s colorful and clean and never a disappointment.
Shop Conmigo - Antique Row/Downtown - Vintage goodness alongside modern goods for your loved one who appreciates pre-loved items with style. Shop for clothes and household gifts. You might find the perfect goblets, candelsticks, cardigan, button-down, or trousers. Give it a go.
Scorpio Rising - 6th Avenue - The place to go for vintage 70s calico, 90s flannels, graphic tees, worn-in denim, woolen car blankets, and patchwork quilts that are faded just right.
Fibers, Etc. - Downtown - Where the knitters go for inspiration, necessary supplies, replacement needles, and the widest array of yarn anywhere near here. Where those who love knitters can go to give the most beautiful lace weight alpaca that was ever spun, a sturdy hand-dyed worsted just right for mittens, a tweedy wool straight from Donegal for the perfect winter cap. Exploration is encouraged and help is on hand.
Tacoma Glassblowing Studio - Downtown - Family owned and operated since 2006 TGS is both a storefront with an array of blown glass ornaments, jewelry, and trinkets more colorful than a candy shop and a studio for learning and practicing the art of blowing glass. TGS participates in the extremely beloved and highly anticipated tradition of Monkeyshines each year as part of celebrating the Lunar New Year. You can pre-order next year’s commemorative Year of the Dragon candle cup, a purchase that supports the making of free-to-the-finder glass art hidden all over Tacoma during the lunar new year festivities.
Adorned Abode - Freighthouse Square - Cozy, thoughtful gifts for the home and beyond, stocking stuffers, and lots of edible treats like caramels, tea, smoked salmon, and popcorn, with online, curbside, or in-person-by-appointment shopping with a special Gift Box Concierge Service (ask Benita!).
Paper Luxe - Fircrest - A wide array of stationary, greeting cards, and writing implements give this shop its name, but it’s much more than paper. Stocked with jewelry, travel mugs, candles, journals, home goods, holiday decor, ornaments, and party supplies, think of this as a “general store” full of appealing gifts.
Shopping for kids?
We’d like to direct you to some of the shops we mentioned in our Gift of Reading section along with some others:
The Curious Bear Toy & Book Shop - Fircrest - If you’ve been at Paper Luxe Head next door to their sister shop The Curious Bear Toy & Book Shop for games, books, stuffed animals, art supplies, coloring books, baby gear, and lots of toys.
McCoy Kids - Downtown - Been shopping at Lauda or Tacoma Knife Sharpening & Mercantile? Don’t miss McCoy Kids, a small, but mighty treasure trove of delights with a focus on sustainable goods sandwiched right between those shops. Find books, puzzles, stuffed animals, puzzles, games, and beautiful handmade wooden figures from Europe.
Teaching Toys & Books - Proctor & Gig Harbor - This shop makes it pretty clear what they’re about. We’ve found countless books, puppets, puzzles, and decorative mobiles here over the years.
Artist & Craftsman Supply - Downtown - It isn’t specifically for kids, but my goodness, its colorful interior brings out the kid in me and the shelves are stocked with tools and materials that will invite anyone to get lost in hours of creative play.
Byrt & Gerty’s Kids Redeux - Lincoln District - Byrt & Gerty’s in the Lincoln International District is a 2nd hand spot for kids’ items! Look for books, toys, supplies, and clothes to give as gifts, and think of them when you’re sorting through your own stash for items to donate. They offer e-gift cards and give shop credit for seasonally appropriate trade-in items too.
Image from Camp TMP
10. Local Love - Celebrate Live Arts for All Ages at Tacoma Musical Playhouse
December 19th-24th
Camp TMP (the non profit education department of Tacoma Musical Playhouse) creates theater camps for kids ages 6 and up. Camps culminate in the magic of live theater with a stage full of kids. This year they’re presenting Frozen Jr, a musical you may be familiar with if you’ve know a child within the last 10 years. Actually, if you’ve known a child well in the last 10 years there’s a good chance you can sing along with most of this play. Go ahead, let it go.
We just had the pleasure of seeing Frozen Jr at Stadium High, and now a little one we know is playing a role in this Camp TMP production. It’s Frozen season! Choose a festive outfit, pick a friend, bring a kid—we think you’ll have fun.
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