General assumptions about us from the Northwest are that we are hearty, love the environment and we’re kind of snobs about a lot of things. That’s just because we know we live in the greatest place on earth. I mean who wouldn’t be?

Here on the Olympic Peninsula we’re not afraid of getting our hands dirty. You’ll be hard pressed to find many other places where people will plant trees in the mud and rain like at the yearly Plant-A-Thon or run a 5k in 40 degree weather like at the Jumping Mouse Turkey Trot. The only comment? “At least it’s a little warmer than last year.”

We are about as Northwest as Northwest gets, so take pride. Consider some of these local gifts this holiday season that say Pacific Northwest. The adventurer in your life will thank you.

Carhartt everything

Ever since I invested in a pair of Carhartt overalls, I’ve been blending in with people way more skilled than me. One walk through the port or Chimacum in those bad boys and people think I’m one of the gang and ask me what farm or which boat I am working on. To which I say, oh no I work at The Leader and I’ve lost all credibility.

Carhartt anything and everything is a great gift because they are quality clothes you will have forever. Everything from their pants to jackets to hats to flannels and work boots are quality material that work for almost any occasion. Bucking hay? Check. Stripping paint? Check. Going to the Food Co-op? Check.

You can buy an impressive range of Carhartt clothes at many stores in Port Townsend including Quimper Mercantile and Henery Hardware.

Around here it’s Rainier

How do you tell whether someone is from Oregon or Washington? By the cheap beer they drink. Around here it’s Rainier not Pabst Blue Ribbon and I’m not afraid to take a hard stance on which is the superior brew.

Head over to the 1851 Boutique on Water Street downtown Port Townsend and you’ll find a wide collection of Northwest inspired clothing and gifts, including Rainier beer t-shirts.

Co-owner Tarin Watson said they can barely keep anything with the Rainier logo on it in stock, whether it be t-shirts or stickers.

One particularly popular shirt features another PNW staple, Sasquatch with a Rainier trucker hat.

Pick up one of these? You’ll look like a local wherever you go. Better hurry because I’m probably going to get them for myself.

Emergency supplies

I’m a gear junkie through and through. I love little gadgets and do-dads that add weight to my pack and serve very few real functions other than “just in case.” These are your waterproof matches even though you have a full Bic lighter. This is the sun screen you take into the Hoh Rainforest in November.

It could be the Duke Cannon Supply Company Emergency Heat and Light tin. This is exactly what it sounds like: a candle.

Open the lid in case of emergency and you’ve got a lightly scented candle that burns for 75 hours.

Description on the back says it’s “made for emergency and/or tactical situations, such as: electricity blackouts, UFO attacks, hosting the in-laws or seances.”

Pick these up at the Northwest Man downtown Port Townsend on Water Street.

Local handmade pieces

Big Wolf Trading Company in downtown Port Townsend is a treasure trove of unique items that are more often than not handmade. Co-owner Hannah Reese said she loves local handmade art and it’s the perfect Pacific Northwest gift.

She makes intricate and beautiful beaded earrings and dream catchers that are Native American inspired. Her husband and co-owner Gary Buckman is Lakota and he handmakes traditional tribal hand drums.

One item that caught my eye was a pair of hand-carved, bone salmon earrings. Reese said she purchased all the bone carvings individually and made them into earrings herself and they’ve been going fast.

A Discover Pass

This one is basically a no-brainer. Nothing will encourage anyone to head to State Parks more than a year-long Discover Pass.

The $30 pass allows entrance into lands in Washington state managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, State Parks and the Department of Natural Resources. This includes local locations like Fort Worden and Fort Flagler.

Discover passes can be purchased at many local locations like Quimper Mercantile, at pay stations at Fort Worden and Fort Flagler or in person in Fort Worden. They can also be purchased online.

Buying the pass helps fund public lands in Washington.