By Stacy Larsen

The recession has slowed a little, and we don't need to think about giving only soap or portable generators this season. But something's happened over the last year--people have become less focused on stuff, and more on making do with less, spending time with family, and staying calm in the face of economic meltdown. In that spirit, this year's gift guide highlights services and experiences—mostly local—that will reduce stress and enrich your life rather than bog it down. For those who must unwrap a thing, don't panic, there's some good stuff too.

For Cool Kids

Move Over, Miley
Say goodbye to bubble-gum pop with a Rock Block at Girls Rock Institute. One hour of instruction on guitar, vocals, drums, bass or keys, and one hour of jamming once a week for one term. $250.00 per term. Sessions for grown-up girls, too.
503.445.4991
www.girlsrockcamp.org

Shred the Bowl
Give your little ripper a Department of Skateboarding membership. The staffed indoor skate park is open 7 days a week, year-round. Lessons and under-14 sessions available. Special sessions and lots of support for girls, too! Membership buys a discounted rate for one year. $45
15 NE Hancock
503.493.9480
www.departmentofskateboarding.com/

En Garde!
With choices like fencing, piano, or babysitting skills (and belly dancing or mountaineering for adults), how can you go wrong? Give the gift of fun with Portland Parks and Recreation gift certificates. Purchase at a Parks and Recreation community center or order by phone.
503.823.2525
www.portlandonline.com/parks/

For Busy People

Organic Produce Delivery
Organics to You is locally owned and delivers fresh, local, farm-direct produce directly to home or office. Fruit bins, veggie bins, juicer bins, kid bins. Singles, couples, small and large families. $27-$60 per week. Also organic eggs, dairy, coffee, artisan bread.
503.236.6496
www.organicstoyou.org

Soup Kitchen
Imagine having dinner covered once a week, delivered by environmentally friendly cyclists. SoupCycle will deliver meat, vegan, or veggie soup to your door every Tuesday or Wednesday. Made with locally grown veggies and $9-$10 per quart, which serves two generously. They'll add bread and salad for a complete meal! Pay by the week and opt in or out each week via email.
503.320.9610
www.soupcycle.com/

I'm Not the Maid
But Sparkling Palaces is. Better than a blender, more romantic than a garter belt, what she really wants is someone else to scrub the toilet. This locally owned business uses environmentally friendly products.
www.sparklingpalaces.com/

Get it Together
Brandie Kajino, home office organizer, will help transform your space from a nightmare to an asset, from the home of the unused treadmill to somewhere you truly love to be. Consider the Jump Start Consultation: a redesign plan, action steps, and 2-4 hours of on-site assistance, including fast results and personal shopping. $399. Other packages available.
971.533.7735
www.thehomeofficeorganizer.com

Homegrown Food and Drink

When I Find Myself in Times of Trouble, Alma Chocolate Comes to Me
We’re not talking Heath bars, here. Pistachio, Oregon hazelnut, and ginger almond. We’ve been known to secretly pilfer some for breakfast and then lie about it. Also gorgeous gilded chocolate icons. Mary, Buddha, Charming Devil. Toffee, $7. Icons, $12-$40
140 NE 28th Ave.
503.517.0262
www.almachocolate.com/

Lovejoy Hazelnut Vodka
Tasty local vodka, made by Integrity Spirits, and flavored with real fresh-roasted Oregon hazelnuts. Sip on the rocks or in your own signature cocktail. Also try the 12 Bridges Gin or Trillium Absinthe. Local liquor stores. www.integrityspirits.com

Got a Jones?
Holiday gatherings and hostess gifts are a piece of cake with a few little goodies from Cupcake Jones in hand. Current addiction—Velvet Painting: red velvet cake filled with vanilla bean pastry cream topped with cream cheese icing, and a hand candied rose petal. Local ingredients, environmentally friendly. What’s not to love?
307 NW 10th Ave.
503.222.4404
www.cupcakejones.net

For Family Fun

Octopus’s Garden
A quirky new“social collectible” that promotes face-to-face interaction with dice games and treasure hidden inside the head and body of a plush octopus. There are a total of three to start off the series: Dip, Grippa and Pearl, all featuring different games. 2 to 4 players, ages eight and up. Produced by FunHub in Bellingham and available exclusively at Barnes and Noble. $19.95
www.funhubcreative.com

Up Close and Personal
The EyeClops is a handheld bionic microscope that magnifies up 400x and projects the image onto your television screen. Delve into the recesses of Mommy’s wrinkles! Transform table salt into giant jagged boulders! Explore the unknown mysteries of your brother’s scalp! At Target, Toys “R” Us, Amazon. $29.99
www.eyeclops.com

Unique Getaways

We All Live on a Non-Nuclear Submarine
At least for a few hours. Treat your family or other group to a night on the USS Blueback, the submarine moored in the river outside of OMSI. Learn about sonar, navigation, buoyancy, and propulsion systems; peer through the periscope; explore the torpedo room; and sleep in the crew's quarters. Includes snack and continental breakfast, planetarium show, and museum admission the following day. $55 per person. Grades 3-12. Based on available dates and minimum occupancy.
503.797.4661
www.omsi.edu/camp-ins

For Blissing Out

Go Way Down Deep
The only one of its kind in Portland, the isolation/floatation tank at Common Ground Everett House combines 800 lbs of Epsom salts in 200 gallons of water, completely and effortlessly supporting your body. The tank eliminates light, sound, gravity, and temperature—total freedom to let go. Forget William Hurt in Altered States and drift away! Includes optional sauna and steam. $42 for one hour float with one-hour steam and sauna.
2927 NE Everett St.
503.232.6161
www.commongroundpdx.com

Lala Land
Elegant and tranquil, Loyly sauna and steam will send anyone out of this world. Give the Rejuvenator package, a three-hour retreat including steam, sauna, an hour massage, aromatherapy herbal foot soak, Dr. Hauschka rejuvenating mask and salt scrub, sparkling water, and cleansing tea. $99
2713 SE 21st Ave.
503.236.6850
www.loyly.net

If You Want Something Done Right … Do It Yourself

Make Your Own Sushi
Or chocolate, pasta, sausage, or artisan cheese. Choose from a series of classes or one intensive evening. Classes include full meal, recipes and a tasting of wines to complement the food. Courses for kids and teens, too. $75 and up.
In Good Taste Cooking School
231 NW 11th Ave.
503.248.2015
www.ingoodtastestore.com

Back to Basics
Be a conscious consumer. Learn to make your own butter, yogurt, and kefir. Or learn the basics of mustard, mayonnaise, and canning. Monique Dupre leads these and other Sustainable Living on a Budget workshops in Vancouver and SE Portland. $35 per person. www.sustainablebudget.com/

Write that Novel
Or memoir. Or poem. Or travel article. The Attic Writer’s Workshop offers 10-week classes and day-long (or shorter) sessions in a variety of genres. $45-$330
4232 SE Hawthorne Boulevard
503.963.8783
www.atticwritersworkshop.com/

Go Grizzly Adams
Make stone tools, a shelter, and a fire without matches. Butcher a pig and make your own bacon. Trap nutria. Or just build a kayak by hand and make shampoo from native plants. Learn these and other largely lost skills from TrackersNW. Classes year-round. $45 and up.
503.253.5898
www.trackerspdx.com

For Fido, with Love

Doggie Duty
They love their dog, and so do you. But if tire of your kids stepping in ca-ca every time you visit, consider The Poop Scoop. They’ll remove doggie’s … leavings as frequently as every day, though twice-weekly scoops are more common. $45 per month and up.
503.998.2269
www.poopfreeyard.com

Walkies!
From quick potty breaks like “Rapid Relief” to the “Nirvana” of extra-long walks and playtime, Portland Mutt Strut will take care of all doggie and animal needs, including litter-box cleanup, fish-feeding, and overnight care. Rates start at $18 based on multiple visits/week.
503.335.9889
www.portlandmuttstrut.com

Good Deeds, Good Stuff

Pay it Forward
Take care of Grandma’s Internet bill for 6 months. And throw in a Web Basics class while you’re at it. Portland Community College has lots.
www.pcc.edu/community/

Girly and Gorgeous
Fun, flowery, and fabulous! Box Wine Betty makes one-of-a-kind, vintage-inspired earrings, barrettes, necklaces, headpieces, and more.
360.314.8344
www.boxwinebetty.com

Lovely Luna
Karina Potestio makes women’s and children’s clothing, bags, and accessories. Every item is uniquely handcrafted out of her home studio. Her women’s skirts are super-comfy, very flattering, and totally cool. Kid’s stuff is darling and one-of-a-kind. Send Grandma her way at Saturday Market or www.karinapotestio.etsy.com.

And of course … Soap!
Mama’s Herbal Soaps makes small batches of stunningly beautiful soaps and yummy-smelling body care products for the whole family with natural, organic, fair-trade, and local ingredients. They also sell gorgeous stoneware soap dishes with impressions of maple and oak-leaves, made by a stay-at-home dad.
503.329.1230
www.mamasherbalsoaps.com

Stacy Larsen is a Portland writer. She manages holiday stress with coffee, toffee, cupcakes, and massage.

this article originally appeared in the December 2009 issue of Portland Family Magazine.