Whether or not you need that new fuzzy sweater, techno gadget or hot toy, holiday shopping is an enduring tradition — and an excellent chance to support Oregon’s small, local retailers and artisans. Southern Oregon dazzles during the holidays, with its quirky, independent shops a welcome reprieve to crowded parking lots and big-box stores of larger cities. Here are some great places to shop — and gift ideas for all — in Southern Oregon this season.
Tasty artisan goods
Handmade crafts and artisan food and drink are bountiful here — the only question is where to start. If you’re road-tripping along the Umpqua Valley, you can find bottles of mead at Oran Mor Artisan Mead and olive oil at River Ranch Oregon Olive Oil to start. (Set out on the Great Umpqua Food Trail, but be sure to call each spot before visiting for any seasonal closures.)
Know a home chef, or an aspiring one? Pop into an independent bookseller, such as Bloomsbury Books in Ashland (home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival) or Village Books in Medford (specializing in rare, out-of-print books) and pick out one of Oregon’s top taste-making cookbooks or a camping cookbook by Bend-based author Linda Ly.
Find decadent cheeses at Rogue Creamery in Central Point and handmade links to go (plus dinner and live music on Fridays) at Taylor’s Country Store in Cave Junction. In Medford, head to the flagship Harry & David Country Village store, with its addictive gourmet snacks (using fruit from Southern Oregon farms).
When in doubt, pick up a gift card to any of the region’s spectacular local restaurants, such as Larks Home Kitchen Cuisine in Ashland and Medford, The Parrott House in Roseburg or The Twisted Cork in Grants Pass to inspire a future road trip.
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Cool boutiques and sweet antiques
You can easily spend all day perusing the boutiques in downtown Ashland — Paddington Station and its sister stores are full of Oregon-made apparel, home decor and other excellent finds. Half an hour north, downtown Jacksonville is also a hot spot for strollable boutiques, from birdhouses, air plants and work gloves at Blue Door Garden Store to fair-trade jewelry, crafts and clothing at Pico’s Worldwide. Heirloom lovers can rejoice at the antique store next to the under-construction Butte Creek Mill in the tiny town of Eagle Point. Run by the town’s mayor, the shop includes items from his private collection of signs, jukeboxes, posters and memorabilia over past decades. Everybody’s Vintage and Simpler Times Antiques are part of an antique/boutique cluster in downtown Klamath Falls. For the artistic friend, head to Lakeview Reclaimed Lumber, featuring one-of-kind wooden furniture and art.
And don’t forget — most of the downtown shopping districts are covered in festive lights for the holidays. The Grants Pass Historic District goes one step further with its Magic Christmas Parade. While you’re downtown, don’t miss Evergreen’s Bear Hotel, where you can visit giant wooden bear sculptures (the town’s mascot) on permanent display.
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A piece of the outdoors
Nature lovers will find plenty of gift inspiration in Southern Oregon — it just helps to think outside the box. Crater Lake National Park is home to three gift shops for all of the cuddly plush toys, sweatshirts, scarves and fleece blankets you’ll need this season. Give the gift of adventure and book a birding and wildlife tour this winter in the Klamath Basin, which hosts at least 360 species known to use the Pacific Northwest Flyway. Send your sweetie on a boys’ or girls’ trip winter angling in Southern Oregon, or pick up a sweet bike jersey for your cycle nerd at BikeKraft in Grants Pass. Local art galleries are another way to bring the outside in — see the latest exhibits at Rogue Gallery & Art Center or Art du Jour Gallery in Medford, which hosts the works of 20 local artists. Or plan on winter family fun instead of a tangible gift and surprise the kids with their first ski trip (or sledding, tubing or snowshoeing romp) in the pristine Siskiyou Range at Mt. Ashland Ski Area or one of the region’s top snow parks.
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Shops mentioned in this story:
Ashland: Bloomsbury Books, Paddington Station
Central Point: Rogue Creamery
Cave Junction: Taylor’s Country Store
Eagle Point: Butte Creek Mill Antique Store
Grants Pass: BikeKraft
Jacksonville: Blue Door Garden Store, Pico’s Worldwide
Klamath Falls: Everybody’s Vintage, Simpler Times Antiques
Lakeview: Lakeview Reclaimed Lumber
Medford: Village Books, Harry & David, Rogue Gallery & Art Center, Art du Jour Gallery
Roseburg: Oran Mor Artisan Mead, River Ranch Oregon Olive Oil
If You Go:
Be sure to check road and weather conditions before heading out and carry snow chains or traction tires when advised.
Whenever you’re adventuring in the winter, wear waterproof layers, appropriate snow boots and don’t forget your sunglasses. Learn how to come prepared by brushing up on tips at How to Winter Like an Oregonian. Always follow Leave No Trace principals, including packing in and out, leaving what you find where it’s at, and respecting wildlife and other visitors.
