We can help you find a unique and local gift.

This last Sunday, I had the type of shopping list any parent would recognize. I needed a new laundry hamper, puppy food, two presents for birthdays, a set of winter pajamas for me, and new shoes for both myself and my kiddos. I also had two hyper children who I had zero control over. Needless to say, this needed to be a relatively quick shopping trip with as few stops as possible, ideally far away from traffic and in stores without breakable objects. With that list in mind, we hit up a few big box stores and called it a day.

I live and breathe shopping locally here at the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation, but even I can’t spend all my money with locally owned businesses. I don’t expect anyone else to, either. However, my challenge is that we begin to think about how we can shift some of our dollars back to our local economy. Convenience and cost will always lead to us turning to online shopping or big box stores, and that’s okay. This holiday season, though, we’re committed to making local shopping as easy and cost-effective as going online.

One of the biggest reasons I shop online or hit up a big box store is because it’s easy. I can browse online, click a few buttons, and move on. To create the same sense of ease with our local shops, especially during a pandemic when many of us are sticking close to home, we are launching the Gift Local Gift Line to help Walla Walla residents find unique local items to give as gifts this season.

Locals who need help finding unique gifts this holiday season are invited to call or text (509) 240-2898 or e-mail.

When you contact the Foundation, you’ll be asked to provide a budget and information on the type of gift you are looking for. Foundation staff will give three suggestions on gifts from Downtown Walla Walla, including website links and other contact information.

With Covid-19 restrictions further limiting local businesses this holiday season, Foundation staff will also be providing free gift wrapping and delivery service for those customers who need it this holiday season.

“Shopping local is always essential, but this year it’s the silver bullet that will help our small merchants survive.”

Shopping local is always essential, but this year it’s the silver bullet that will help our small merchants survive the slow winter season and further Covid-19 impacts. At the same time, I recognize how easy it is to browse lists online of unique gifts and have them shipped to your home. We hope that the Gift Local Gift Line will make it easy and fun to shift some of those dollars back to the local community.

The Gift Line will be open seven days a week through December 24 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Missed calls, texts, and e-mails will be returned as fast as possible. Gift delivery will be guaranteed within one day of purchase.