Back to Military Life

Holiday shopping in Poulsbo

Scandinavian finds in Nordic-ville

Find high-quality Norwegian sweaters in Poulsbo. Photo credit: Kristin Kendle

Email Article Print Article Share on Facebook Share on Reddit Share on StumbleUpon

Shopping is an intrinsic part of the holiday season - long lines at big box stores, boughs of plastic holly decking out the malls, and - if you're lucky - punching someone out so you get that last 60-inch LCD Samsung big screen. At least, that is if you go shopping at the mall with everyone else.

Don't be a shopping sheeple. Break free. Go rogue this holiday. Leave the malls behind and shop somewhere a little more unique.

Scandinavian things

From its architecture to its delicious bakeries, Poulsbo is true to its Scandinavian roots. If you are shopping for a Viking in your life, go straight to The Nordic Maid. It is all Scandinavian, all the time. While there's no shortage of magnets proclaiming Norwegian (or Finnish, or Swedish, or Icelandic) pride, there's also high-quality imports from the North. Norwegian sweaters, Dala horses (Nordic folk art) and traditional candoliers are all on tap. If you're lucky, there might even be a giant bar of Marabou chocolate in stock. It's expensive since it's imported, but it's some of the best and most unsung chocolate you'll ever find.

The Nordic Maid, 18954 Front St. NE, www.nordicmaid.com

Artwork

There are 10 galleries located along Front Street. Even if you're not normally an artsy shopper, you may find more gifts than you anticipate in Poulsbo's galleries. Many include not only fine art, but also more approachable and functional pieces. Look for chainmail necklaces at Bluewater Artworks alongside hand-blown glass, lathe-carved wooden bowls or any number of other pieces by more than 100 local artists. Another excellent gallery is Verksted Gallery, which has a bit of everything, including bent-wood Norwegian lunch boxes.

Bluewater Artworks, 18961 Front St., www.bluewaterartworks.com

Verksted Gallery, 18937 Front St. NE, www.verkstedgallery.com

Clothing

There's nothing more appreciated in the winter than a scarf. Scarf aficionados will find themselves in scarfy paradise when they cross the threshold of Tickled Pink. Tucked around the store in color-coordinated conglomerations are scarves of every color and texture. Tickled Pink also sells handbags and other accessories, jaunty hats, jewelry, cards, bath and body products and more.

Other clothing shops dotting Front Street include Indigo Plum, which sells boots, shoes and clothing with an outdoorsy slant and Flicka, a women's fashion store with a great selection and even a little play area for the kids.

Tickled Pink, 18833 Front St., www.tickledpinkgift.com

Flicka, 18901 Front St. NE, www.facebook.com/FlickaBoutique

For kids

Shopping with or for children is entirely possible in Poulsbo. Button Bright sells children's books for kids ages 0 to 12, as well as audiobooks, CDs and some toys. The Curious Child sells unique and educational toys.

There's not one, but two places where kids can make gifts hands-on. Kitsap Mosaics is a walk-in studio where all ages can create simple or complex mosaics starting at just $15. There are also times set aside especially for children, including Mommy & Me Mosaic Mornings on the third Thursday of each month and Kids Mosaic Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Instead of mosaics, Dancing Brush features a pottery studio, and here you can make gifts with the kids (or have a holiday party with your friends and bring some alcohol along).

Kitsap Mosaics, 18827 Front St. NE, www.kitsapmosaics.com

Dancing Brush, 18846 Front St. NE, www.dancingbrushstudio.com

Button Bright, 18850 Front St. NE, www.buttonbrightbooks.com

The Curious Child, 18800 Front St. NE, facebook.com/pages/The-Curious-Child/132408013487668

Read next close

Military Life

Holiday shopping in downtown Sumner

comments powered by Disqus