Do you get overwhelmed by too much clutter? Do you live in fear of what the inside of your kids' bedrooms will look like after another season of holiday gift giving?
If you are filled with trepidation at the thought of another enormous assortment of toys, trinkets and knickknacks stacked underneath your Christmas tree, we have some holiday gift ideas that may serve to ease your mind. Numerous opportunities exist in the Sky Valley area for those who wish to participate in the holiday gift-giving season by offering experiences rather than just the latest gadgets.
Charitable donations can be given, as well. Gifting charitable contributions can be an effective way to exercise "giving backGÇ¥ to communities, both near and far.
Additionally, locally-made, hand-crafted art and jewelry can be a viable alternative when you long to give something unique and tangible.
Sultan resident Elizabeth Emmons, mother of two, is one who is actively encouraging friends and family members to think outside the box this year when it comes to holiday shopping.
"My family has enough "stuff.' My husband and I are shopping for activities and adventures this holiday season and challenge our friends and family to do the same,GÇ¥ said Emmons. "Our favorite suggestion is the gift of health at the YMCA.GÇ¥
The Monroe YMCA offers gift certificates which can be used for swim lessons, personal training sessions, dance classes and much more.
Emmons has had friends and family members treat her children to memorable events such as a show at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle and a production of Disney on Ice.
"A year later, neither can recall a doll or action figure they unwrapped Christmas morning, but both talk about their big adventures like it was yesterday,GÇ¥ said Emmons. "Those are memories they will have for a lifetime.GÇ¥
The following is a small selection of ideas that are available in the Sky Valley area:
A gift certificate for admission to the Reptile Zoo in Monroe
Family-owned and operated since 1996, the Reptile Zoo offers a fun and interesting experience for the entire family.
For an affordable admission price of $8.00 for adults and $6.50 for children, guests can peruse the zoo's expansive collection of snakes, turtles, lizards, alligators, amphibians, arachnids and other critters. The zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 365 days a year, and features live demonstrations for both children and adults to learn about snakes and other critters, and even hold them if they wish.
The knowledgeable staff is available to answer questions, and the zoo's new gift shop includes books, animal replicas, T-shirts and much more.
The Reptile Zoo is located at 22715 U.S. 2 in Monroe. For more information about the Reptile Zoo, visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ReptileZooWa/timeline.
A gift certificate for a course at the Alderleaf Wilderness College in Monroe
Alderleaf Wilderness College offers classes on wilderness survival, edible and medicinal plants, survival shelter building, wildlife tracking, permaculture, sustainable living, outdoor leadership and much more.
Situated on 15 acres in between Sultan and Monroe, the Alderleaf property includes forest, a meadow, trails and a creek. They have tailored their facility, which includes an outdoor classroom, camping areas and a small farm, to be entirely conducive to outdoor learning.
Prices, which are reflective of the intricacy of the course, start at around $85.
Emmons' daughter, Elianna, attended a week-long, youth-oriented wilderness skills course at Alderleaf in July. Elianna learned things like how to build a temporary shelter and how to identify edible plants while exploring Alderleaf's lush woodsy surroundings.
"She learned outdoor survival and animal tracking while gaining a profound love of the outdoors,GÇ¥ said Emmons. "Most summer camp schedules are out now GÇô it's a great time to secure a spot and it makes for an amazing present.GÇ¥
For more information on Alderleaf Wilderness College, please visit their website: http://www.wildernesscollege.com/.
Purchase a trip to Jump, Rattle & Roll, located in Monroe
Located near Valley General Hospital, Jump Rattle & Roll is an indoor family fun center filled with inflatable equipment for both children and adults. Jump Rattle & Roll offers a great way for families to spend time together while getting exercise.
Open play times vary throughout the week with a special session on Tuesdays for children 6 years old and younger.
The facility is also available for private parties and corporate events, as well as fun family excursions.
For more information on Jump Rattle & Roll, please visit the Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/jumprattleroll/timeline.
Make a donation to Christina Nelson's American Flag Project
Those who attended Sultan's Veterans Day Celebration have already experienced the results of Christina Nelson's labor of love, the American Flag Project. Thus far, the project has placed American flags along Main Street in Sultan from the All Veterans Memorial Wall, which is located near 1st Street, down to 5th.
For a donation of $30 or more, donors will have their names engraved on small brass plates which will be affixed to each flag pole. The flags are displayed during holidays and on other special occasions.
For more information on how to donate, please visit: http://www.gofundme.com/AmericanFlagProject.
Morning Star Lutheran Church's Global Gift Fair in Monroe
The Global Gift Fair, which takes place at Park Place Middle School in Monroe from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday Dec., 6, will feature a range of cause-oriented nonprofit organizations.
In its 8th year, the free event will feature 19 different vendors, all representing different countries around the world including the U.S. Local organizations like Monroe's Cold Weather Shelter, Take the Next Step and the Brown Bag Brigade will be on hand, as well.
Global organizations will include Ukush, African Team Ministries, Ten Thousand Villages, Heifer International and others.
While tangible, fair trade gift items will be available for purchase, folks can also choose to donate to a cause in somebody else's name. While shopping at Heifer International, a global nonprofit dedicated to eradicating world hunger and poverty, fairgoers can choose to donate an animal to a needy family somewhere else in the world. Goats, pigs, sheep, ducks, rabbits and even honeybees can be donated.
In addition to a vast selection of alternative gift ideas, the Global Gift Fair will include performances throughout the day including bands, quartets, speakers, musicians and singers. There will be a drum set available for children of all ages to participate with the musicians.
Refreshments will be available at the event including homemade soups and pie. All proceeds from the sale of refreshments will go towards Morning Star Lutheran Church's upcoming mission trip to Detroit.
For more information about the Global Gift Fair, please contact Morning Star Lutheran Church at 360-794-2111. Park Place Middle School is located at 1408 W. Main St. in Monroe.
Monroe's first annual "Shop Here, Buy LocalGÇ¥ Artisan Bazaar
Quaking in your boots at the thought of suffering through Black Friday? This year, the Monroe Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to try something different. The Artisan Bazaar will kick off on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 10 a.m., at 114 N. Lewis St. in downtown Monroe, and will continue on Sunday, Nov. 30.
Located in a building called The Junction at 114 N. Lewis St., the Artisan Bazaar will feature hand-crafted items and art made by local artists and entrepreneurs.
On Saturday, the event will also incorporate an opportunity for wine tasting, giving shoppers the chance to visit several downtown locations to sample different wines. Tickets for the wine-tasting event will be $10 and can be purchased at The Junction. Tasting locations will include The Junction, Adam's Bistro, Players Music Mart, M & M Antiques, Camp 1923 and possibly others.
"People will be able to pick up a map when they buy their tickets so they'll know where they're going, and I'm hopefully going to have some random music playing in different locations,GÇ¥ said Monroe Chamber of Commerce Director Una Wirkebau-Hartt. "I'm working on that now.GÇ¥
There will also be performances by Last Leaf Productions on Saturday, at both 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in The Junction. The production, which is called The Scarecrow, is based on a short story by Washington Irving.
The Artisan Bazaar will continue on Sunday, Nov. 30, as well as on Dec. 6 and 7. For more information on the Shop Here, Buy Local Artisan Bazaar, please contact the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and check their Facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/choosemonroe.
Wirkebau-Hartt is trying to encourage all Monrovians to re-experience the downtown core rather than fight through crowds at the mall.
"Let's think outside of the box and go to an antique store instead, or go to Players Music Mart,GÇ¥ said Wirkebau-Hartt. "We've got this great book store in town and L.A. Fashion just has adorable stuff. Think outside the box and buy something that's a little more personal.GÇ¥
Wirkebau-Hartt is seeking additional vendors for the Artisan Bazaar. Please contact the Monroe Chamber at 360-794-5488 or visit: http://choosemonroe.com/.
Sultan's Winterfest, by the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Volunteers of America
Sultan's Winterfest, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 6 at Sultan High School, will feature over 80 craft, business and fine art booths. Handmade items will include jewelry, paintings, pottery and much more.
The event, which has grown so much over the years that it takes place in both the commons area as well as downstairs in the gym, will also include live musical performances and other entertainment.
"There will be fun free activities for kids, the best holiday shopping in the valley and live entertainment all day,GÇ¥ said Emmons, who volunteers as the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce Events Coordinator. "Winterfest is a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Volunteers of America. Proceeds go towards our many annual community events, including the Easter Egg Hunt, Farm Festival, Return of the Salmon Celebration and more.GÇ¥
Lunch will be available for purchase, with all proceeds going to benefit Sultan High School's Safe and Sober Grad Night.
This year's partnership with the VOA brings an enhanced element of philanthropy with a "Stuff the TruckGÇ¥ challenge. The VOA's food bank truck will be onsite, and Winterfest organizers are challenging the community to fill it full of donated food items as well as new toys for the Dave Wood Giving Tree program which benefits local low-income children.
To further incentivize the shopping experience at Winterfest, raffles and other opportunities to win items will be ongoing throughout the day. Stevens Pass ski passes will be raffled, and the VOA will be auctioning off a pair of Seahawks tickets.
Emmons summed it up tidily when she stated, "Winterfest is a great opportunity to support our local business community while truly giving back and paying it forward... while having a lot of fun!GÇ¥
For more information on Winterfest, please visit the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce webpage: http://www.skyvalleychamber.com/.
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