There is an art to filling a holiday stocking. Although not typically holding the biggest Christmas gift, it nonetheless holds an element of excitement as you reach into it to find out what wonders lay nestled inside. Each stocking should hold small, inexpensive gifts carefully selected for the recipient and tucked in among delicious candy.  Favors can be eclectic or grouped together with a theme in mind.

The historic Proctor District is a great place to head for unique gifts. The Pacific Northwest Shop is a local favorite.  The family-owned business has been dedicated to selling products made in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) for more than 30 years.  There is an assortment of stone coasters and refrigerator magnets with vintage scenes of the area for less than $5 each. There is also a great selection of Seahawks products for your favorite fan.  A popular, distinctive item is the shop's hand-blown glass ornaments, which are made from Mount St. Helens' volcanic ash.  The store also carries a large selection of PNW specialty foods.

The Pacific Northwest Shop, Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday; and  11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 2702 N. Proctor St., Tacoma, 253.752.2242, pacificnorthwestshop.com

Almond Roca at the Brown and Haley store. Photo credit: Marguerite Cleveland
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Also in the Proctor District is Compass Rose, known by locals as the place to go if you need a gift.  The inventory is varied and stocked with the idea of what makes a good gift.  The store includes something for everyone on your list.  When asked for recommendations, sales clerk Chloe Boulay without hesitation said, "Voluspa Candles. They are our best sellers.  People love them for their long burn time."  She also suggested Compass Rose's good selection of tea, bottle openers, fancy salts, novelty socks and Hammond Candy Canes.

Compass Rose, Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 3815 N. 26th St., Tacoma, 253.759.0077

Not too far from Proctor, near I-705 and outside the Brown & Haley factory, sits a round kiosk.  Formerly a ticket booth for the World's Fair, it now serves as the Brown & Haley store and is also known as the Almond Roca outlet.  Quite a bit is packed into its small space.  The store is staffed by helpful ladies who are knowledgeable about the products and encourage you to sample all the different varieties of Roca, the company's signature candy.  Invented in 1923 and sold in trademarked pink tins, Almond Roca has become beloved around the world. Because it is an outlet store, you never know what you are going to find.  On a recent visit, newly arrived boxes from the factory were being unpacked.  Roca can be purchased individually wrapped or in various sizes, packaging and price points.  The signature pink tin is available as well as a Christmas tin and a 100th anniversary tin with scenes of Seattle.  The store also stocks an Almond Roca brownie mix and 25-pound blocks of milk and dark chocolate for your own baking.  On your way out, check out the photograph hanging on the wall of Elvis visiting the kiosk during the World's Fair.

Brown & Haley (Almond Roca Outlet), Open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, 110 E. 26th St., Tacoma, brown-haley.com