This is certainly a different holiday season than in years past, and we’re searching for ways—big or small—to shed a little light on the scene.

Looking to give as 2020 comes to a close? The options are endless—whether you choose to support Mary’s Place, an organization serving families experiencing homelessness, FareStart, dedicated to hunger relief and job training, or Keep Music Live, a group fighting to save our stages and the musicians and staff who keep them running (check out their merch, or simply make a donation).

F-factor and Ruby Room recently launched their Virtual Giving Tree to provide essential clothes and wellness items to local foster youth and children experiencing homelessness. The organizations, fueled by a mission to empower youth through fashion, have teamed up to provide presents for those who are often left without one to open. In addition, they’ve partnered with The Beyond Project to curate beauty and wellness baskets for these local youth, and the social workers who so selflessly care for them, too.

In addition to this holiday gift guide we created, featuring plenty of local small businesses—and this one that spotlights amazing women entrepreneurs—we have a few more ideas for your list. First check out the Pike Place Market Foundation Charitable Marketplace to support regional vendors and farmers, and let the Intentionalist gift guides show you where and how to “spend like it matters.”

And while we’re grounded with more hours for reflection, there’s never seemed a better time to consider the importance of travel—and specifically mindful movement and connection. The Transformational Travel Journal intends to help readers “harness the power of travel to create personal growth and make a positive impact in the world.”

The unique journal, based on ancient wisdom, mythology and contemporary science, empowers travelers with accessible tools and practices that can help cultivate more meaningful travel. While we embrace adventures found in our own backyard, we can’t think of a more fitting way to prepare for future journeys and a brand-new year on the horizon.

On a final note, if you’re seeking new tunes for the season ahead, indie folk due Vivian Leva and Riley Calcagno have a self-titled album coming in March 2021 from Free Dirt Records. (Listen to them above, performing at 2019’s Pickathon, the magical Portland-area music fest that is hosting a virtual Solstice party on December 19!) Riley’s a native Seattleite, now living in Portland with Vivian, and we ‘d love to show them some local love.