Pepper’s Personal Assistants’ Seattle Local Holiday Gift Guide 2020

December 9, 2020  |  
a person holding a gift

The holidays are just around the corner, and although this year looks a little different, some may say that it’s more important than ever to let your friends and family know that you’re thinking of them. One way to do this while at the same time supporting your community, is to shop local. 

From houseplants to virtual movie tickets, here are some gift ideas from our favorite local businesses.

Flowers and Plants

Did you know that having fresh flowers and plants in your home can decrease stress, improve your focus, and spark creativity? It doesn’t hurt that they also immediately update a room, making any interior decor look a little more put together. This December, give the gift of flowers and plants from these local businesses.

The Plant Store

 

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The Plant Store is located in South Seattle’s White Center neighborhood, and sells a variety of plants, ceramic pots, pins, stickers, and other accessories to add to any plant-lover’s collection. They also have gift cards available just in case you can’t make up your mind.

Bloom Away

If you’re looking to gift something a bit more unique, like a one-of-a-kind holiday wreath or a beautiful dried flower crown, Bloom Away is your best pick. Although they don’t have a brick-and-mortar location, Bloom Away delivers to Seattle, Shoreline, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, and Woodinville — and ships nationwide.

Black Origin Plants

You can find affordable, beautiful houseplants from Black Origin Plants on Instagram, as well as in-store at Lillith Tattoo in Fremont (be sure to email ahead or let them know you’re there for the plants, since they aren’t taking tattoo walk-ins at this time). Support Black-owned local businesses this holiday season and follow them for news about pop-up plant markets and artist collaborations!

[Related: How Hiring a Personal Assistant Can Support Your Family While Remote Learning and Working From Home]

Soap and Skincare

Nothing says self-care like skincare. Taking time out of your day to treat your skin with fragrant lotions, oils, and soaps can seem like a radical act of decadence — which is why it’s a perfect gift to give someone who needs to relax this winter.

Herbivore Botanicals

Herbivore Botanicals is a Seattle-based skincare company that creates products made up of all active, non-toxic, organic ingredients. From soaking salts and jade rollers, to face masks and CBD skincare, Herbivore has it all. Find them in several different boutique locations in Seattle as well as online.

Seattle Sundries

Perfect for relatives or friends from out of town, Seattle Sundries sells soaps, lotions, and lip balms that are all-natural and locally made. Gift a bar of Jet City Soap, in a package that comes with a little Seattle history lesson, or a solid lotion bar in the seasonally appropriate orange spice scent.

Beer and Wine

After a year like 2020, a lot of us could probably use a drink. Instead of grabbing a bottle of wine off the grocery store shelf to send off as a gift, consider some of these local Seattle wine and beer shops.

Bottlehouse Wine Bar

This wine bar located in the Madrona neighborhood offers a rotating collection of Pacific Northwest wines as well as global favorites. They are currently offering holiday wine sets with free Seattle metro-area delivery, as well as memberships to their wine club. 2021’s wine club theme is “Rivers & Roads.”

Molly’s Bottle Shop

Molly’s Bottle Shop is a natural wine shop in Ballard offering delicious, hand-picked wines for local delivery or in-store pickup. Molly also offers gift cards, bottle club memberships, as well as memberships to Book Cru, which sends monthly book and wine pairings — and would make a perfect gift for the wine and literature-lover in your life.

Stoup Brewing

Here’s to the beer-person in your life. This Ballard favorite boasts a wide variety of award-winning beers. Check out Stoup Brewing’s website to online order local brews in four-packs and 32 oz crowlers for you and your friends, and while you’re there check out some of their unique merch.

[Related: How to Successfully Prepare for the Holidays]

Soda

Do you like the idea of sending tasty beverages to friends and family, but know that alcohol isn’t their thing? Seattle is home to some delectable alternatives.

Rachel’s Ginger Beer

 

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If you have yet to try Rachel’s Ginger Beer, whether it’s their delicious original recipe or some of their mouth-watering combos (caramelized pineapple, pink guava, passion fruit and vanilla, just to name a few), now is the time to change that. Grab a bottle for yourself and send a variety pack to your friends or family. Rachel’s Ginger Beer delivers via Postmates, is available to pick up at one of their four Seattle locations, and also ships nationwide.

Dry Soda

Dry Soda Company makes delicious non-alcoholic carbonated beverages, in flavors such as Fuji Apple, Blood Orange, Rainier Cherry, and many more. They also sells a special mixology gift set that comes with their guide to “zero-proof cocktails” as well as everything your loved one needs for an at-home mocktail party. Place your order online, they ship nationally.

Movies

Seattle is a big film-loving city. Did you know Seattle International Film Festival is the largest film festival in the United States and Scarecrow Video in the University District has the biggest accessible collection of movies in the entire world? Support these local film institutions and share Seattle’s love of motion pictures with a friend or family member this December.

Ark Lodge Cinemas

 

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Ark Lodge Cinemas in South Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood is one of the city’s oldest theaters, located in a beautiful renovated Masonic building from 1921. Usually busy showing first-run movies on their two screens, COVID-19 has caused them to shut down for the better part of the year. Buy one of their cool, local-artist designed t-shirts or gift a friend a virtual cinema ticket today.

Seattle International Film Festival

Why not give someone special a Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) membership? The membership includes virtual benefits, and once SIFF can safely return to its yearly festival, they won’t miss out on the hundreds of unique films screened throughout the city, or any of the special parties and events that come with. You can also purchase them tickets to SIFF’s virtual screenings, or make a donation in their name.

The Beacon Cinema

Do you know someone who is really missing the theater experience? The Beacon Cinema in Columbia City is offering private rentals for parties up to 12 people (following all safety protocol, including wearing masks and distancing from anyone not in the same household) to watch a movie of their choice. If they aren’t sure what they want to watch, they can have the knowledgeable, film-loving staff at The Beacon curate their evening.

Scarecrow Video

Believe it or not, Seattle not only still has a video rental store — but it’s the most exhaustive collection of video rentals in the entire world. You read it right, Scarecrow Video has over 150,000 unique titles available to the public. They also sell used and new VHS, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. Fill out a short questionnaire and send a friend a mystery box full of unique titles based on their interests, or grab a special Scarecrow Video t-shirt.

[Related: Winter Home Maintenance Checklist]

Cookies and Treats

Nothing says “I love you” like baked goods — right? Here are a few of our favorite Seattle treat providers that can help you with anyone on your list that has a sweet-tooth.

Lowrider Cookie Company

Located in the Central District and in Georgetown and named for the owner’s love for dachshunds, Lowrider Cookie Company handcrafts some seriously delicious cookies and cakes. Send a gift card to a friend, or order a box of eight cookies and drop them off at their doorstep. Their December special flavors are stuffed chai chocolate, whiskey old fashioned, pillow mint, and red velvet with chocolate chips.

Sugar + Spoon

Know someone who loves licking the batter off of the spoon when baking? Now they can do it safely — and deliciously — with Sugar + Spoon’s no-egg cookie dough. Send off a bundle of their mouth-watering classic flavors, choose your own combinations, or purchase a digital gift card. 

Savor Seattle

Savor Seattle, a food-tour company based out of Pike Place Market, has created holiday gift sets filled with local snacks perfect for your relatives on the other side of the country. Show them just what makes Seattle so appetizing. Make sure to get your orders in as early as possible. 

If you need assistance during the holidays, whether that means picking up online orders, wrapping presents, ordering cards, or dropping gifts for family and friends off at the post office, Pepper’s Personal Assistants can help. 

Visit our website and read about our different service packages to decide which is the best for you, and schedule a call with us today. We’re happy to help you make this holiday season holly, jolly, and as stress-free as possible. 

 

 

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Pepper’s Personal Assistant Reviews

See what it’s really like to work with a Pepper’s personal assistant!

A True Game-Changer

“Having Mary as my personal assistant has been a game-changer. I don’t have to think about laundry or the cat litter—she handles all those daily tasks I’d rather not do. She’s proactive, assertive in all the right ways, and totally in control of every detail. I’d rate her a 5 out of 5, no question!”

Brian T.

Proactive, Reliable, Caring Support

“Sarah has been such a reliable support—always proactive, spotting things that need to be done before I even ask, and taking care of them. She has such a positive attitude and is constantly looking for ways to add value and make things easier. And I love how much happier and more spoiled my dogs are thanks to her care. I barely have to think about her day-to-day, and I mean that in the best way possible!”

K.W.

Exceptional Home Management

“Bernice is simply amazing—I just can’t say enough good things about her. She excels at physical tasks and knows my habits so well that she can anticipate my needs without me even saying anything. As a house manager, she’s exceptional; she takes care of all those little things that I wouldn’t even think of. Over time, we’ve developed a wonderful rhythm, and it’s such a relief to have someone who just knows what needs to be done and does it effortlessly.”

J.H.

Exceeding Expectations Every Day

“My PA has truly exceeded my expectations. I really enjoy coming home now because everything in my home is something I know and love. She’s helped me with tasks I didn’t even know where to begin, and her ability to do the background work and present options has been invaluable. She has made it possible for me to manage things without feeling overwhelmed, and it’s been a game changer for me!”

W.W.

Bringing Joy and Efficiency

“My PA Tess is proactive and handles everything beautifully, from small tasks that bring joy to big projects like planning trips. She balances recurring tasks with high-priority work, and everything gets done perfectly. I didn’t realize how much joy small things like making the bed could bring until Tess started doing them. She has truly made a difference in our home, bringing both efficiency and a level of organization and joy we didn’t realize we needed.”

K.H.

Support That Makes a Difference

“Having Missa as a PA has taken me from daily treading water to swimming to the shore. I’ve gone from never quite keeping up with things to actually having extra energy to do more. She has been a tremendous help, reducing my stress and allowing me to rest and recover. The support I receive is perfect; Missa is a 5 out of 5 in meeting all my needs. I’ve already recommended Pepper’s to a few friends because having extra help makes all the difference.”

Kathy M.

Back-to-School Unmatched Support

“Having Jay as my personal assistant has been fantastic. She helps me tackle projects that were just looming over my head and has built a great rapport with my teenage son. She’s helped my son pick out his back-to-school wardrobe and coached him through decisions — I couldn’t ask for better support. I sometimes think about when I could handle everything on my own, but now I can’t imagine doing it without Jay’s help.”

R.B.

PA to the Rescue

“I am very satisfied with my personal assistant. The biggest relief is knowing that when things get hectic with work my PA is there to help us from lighting on fire, especially when one of us is traveling.”

Ana V.

Dream PA Experience

“I am very satisfied; My PA has everything dialed in and the schedule works really well and is flexible when needed. Honestly: My PA and I click very well, I love it, it’s a dream!”

Jodi K.

Stress-Free Travel

“One of the massive benefits of having a PA is during travel disruptions. When flights are delayed, the kids are upset, and you’re stuck in customs, coming home to a stocked fridge and a prepared meal eliminates the need for a late-night milk run. You don’t realize the stress these tasks add until you have someone to handle them for you.”

A.S.

11/10!

“My PA is incredible—an 11 out of 10—really thoughtful, thorough, intuitive. She is professional but friendly; she has just been great. A couple of times because of things going on with her calendar, Kandis has been flexible—coming 15 minutes later to drop the dog off at puppy play. She has been really great.”

Libby

Thoughtful and Detail-Oriented

“My PA is a thoughtful and discerning assistant. She pays attention to details in our home and makes great suggestions for how to improve and optimize our lives. We trust her judgment, and she communicates proactively and frequently. She is always on-site on time and patient with my unpredictable schedule. We communicate frequently, but she’s also very efficient in how we communicate. Great work!”

Client

Super Happy!

“[I] really do think Kandis is setting the bar! Having a new person come into your house can go either way. [I’m] very grateful for the time and energy and people that Pepper’s has. It’s a big step; no suggestions around onboarding. [I’m] really happy that we were able to board Kandis quickly; super happy for the West Seattle support.”

Libby

Organizing Superhero

“My PA is really good at organizing; it’s one of her superpowers. Some of the simple reorganizing things that she has done have made a big impact. She organized all the cat stuff in the garage and took the initiative on her own. She’s bright and cheery—no moaning, whining. Very great.”

Emma

One of the Best Decisions I’ve Made

“I just wanted to take a few minutes to tell you how much I have appreciated working with all of the Pepper’s staff. My assistant is so generous and thoughtful — she brings value to every interaction. I can’t remember a time when I’ve hired anyone with such a professional and high standard of customer service. Working with you all has been one of the best decisions I’ve made in a very long time!”

Libby

10/10 for Sure!

“Missa is a 10/10 for sure! She has been wonderful, and we check in regularly. I’m comfortable communicating with her about questions or requests, and she’s always been very responsive and also seems comfortable checking in if she has any questions for me. [The] biggest help remains pet care and household chores support, plus the help with one-off projects that come up. Missa has all kinds of skills she brings, (e.g., she’s currently putting together a ‘cat highway’ for the living room rafters).”

Homeowner

My Quality of Life Has Improved

“I used to spend every weekend and every evening doing chores and running errands. Now, I’m able to spend the time that I need to on my business, and then I get to enjoy my home and my life and the precious unstructured time that I have. The truth is, my quality of life has improved by having a Pepper’s household assistant here.”

Libby

Takes Initiative

“I want to mention what a fantastic personal assistant Billie is to me. We were on vacation last week, and she managed my household and vendors flawlessly. I even had her redecorate my office, and I gave her very little direction other than just to make it nice and functional, and, my goodness, did she ever! She takes initiative in my house in so many other ways but does not overstep or overspend. To strike that balance is really something unique and special. I feel really lucky to have her.”

Anura

I’m Blown Away

“[I’m] blown away by how much better the house looks already :)”

Graham

Kind, Caring, and Proactive

“My PA is a very caring person. I was incredibly ill last year, and my PA connected the dots that the washing machine had a lot of mold and thought the black specs on my clothes were from that. On her own time, my PA sent me an article about the impact of mold/washing machines. It was so kind of her.”

Emma

Goes Above and Beyond

“My PA has gone above and beyond. She’s organized my laundry room while keeping on top of laundry, which made it much easier to stay on top of stuff. She’s always ready to jump in and tackle items. It made this holiday season way less stressful.”

Andrea

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