Last-minute gift ideas that support Central Oregon businesses

Published 3:00 pm Tuesday, December 17, 2024

The days leading up to Christmas are dwindling along with the likelihood that packages ordered online might arrive in time for the festive season.

Knock off any remaining gifts on the list by buying presents or gift cards from Central Oregon businesses. Or if a loved one already has everything they could need or want, consider donating to a local charity in their name.

For the foodies

The shelves at Asian market Tomi Mart are filled with more than just fun snacks. There are also non-food items such as dishware, stationary and gift bags by Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander makers.

BrownBag Popcorn Co. adds flavors to its popcorn by hand in small batches and offers unusual flavors that rotate based on availability, such as banana cream pie with vanilla wafers, gingersnap cookies and cream and sea salt caramel white chocolate peanut butter.

Whiskey lovers may appreciate a bottle from Oregon Spirit Distillers, which mashes, ferments and distills its whiskey at the Bend distillery.

Kara’s Kitchenware in the Old Mill District offers classes designed for cooks with experience ranging from beginner to expert. Three evening classes are slated for January and include the art of pasta making and cooking techniques like pan searing and deglazing.

More Coverage: Where to eat on Christmas Day, Christmas Eve in Central Oregon

For the creatives

Cinephiles may love a pass to the BendFilm Festival, a four-day celebration of independent cinema. Passes are on sale at early-bird prices for the 2025 festival, to be held Oct. 8 through 12.

There are about 200 games in the curated selection at Modern Games in The Box Factory, where the staff will happily offer recommendations based on past board game experience, preferences and appropriate age ranges.

A book or bookstore gift card will make the bibliophile in your life happy, while also supporting local businesses by purchasing from Dudley’s Bookshop Cafe, Roundabout Books & Cafe, Big Story Bookstore or Pegasus Books.

Music lovers may be partial to the nostalgia sold at Smith Rock Records in the form of vinyl records, CDs, cassette tapes, music collectibles, merch, posters and turntable equipment.

More gift-giving ideas

Cat-themed gifts are in ample supply at Playful Paws Cat Cafe, a lounge in which visitors may book a session to pet, play and cuddle with adoptable cats. Purchases benefit the cafe’s mission of caring for and finding homes for its feline residents.

Somewhere That’s Green plant shop is stocked with gifts for the bonsai-lover and loads of other gift-able plant products or pottery.

Wanderlust Tours makes it easy to give the gift of adventure by purchasing a gift card toward its year-round tours, which include explorations of lakes, caves and volcanoes.

More Coverage: New Bend toy drive takes off, aims to care for community

Give the gift of giving

Epitomize the cliche that giving and better than receiving with a donation to one of Central Oregon’s many nonprofit organizations in the name of a giftee on your list.

MountainStar Family Relief Nursery addresses child neglect and abuse through therapeutic services related to basic needs, mental health therapy and coaching for parents. NeighborImpact meets basic needs with assistance programs for rent and energy bills while providing increased access to education or coaching on finances or home buying. It partners with food banks such as The Giving Plate, which carries out food relief programming.