Each impressionThe North Press Prints is pulled by hand, and the type is hand-set for letterpress printing. Beautifully printed paper goods start at $12.

Image courtesy of The North Press

This holiday season, bypass supply chain nightmares, shipping woes, and TBA delivery dates.

These gifts support local businesses and keep dollars in the community. Plus, these peaches are dyed-in-the-wool Port Townsend proud. They just don’t come from anywhere else.

POWERING THROUGH

The latest Wooden Boat Festival poster is a first in the 45 year history of the Port Townsend fest. The image, a chalk pastel drawing by local artist Chris Witkowski, depicts a female captain at wheel. It’s also a rarity because it was drawn in preparation for the 2020 festival, which was canceled due to that thing-that-won’t-be named. Revealed in 2021, the art serves as a reminder of the resilient community as a second cancelation put the beloved fest on hold once more. This images is the perfect reminder of resilience, Port Townsend spirit, and is a perfect gift for anyone who loves the sea. Poster is 18 inches by 24 inches, and is $20. Available through the Wooden Boat Foundation. Buy in-person at the Wooden Chandlery at 431 Water Street, or shop online at woodenboat.org/shop.

TURNING A NEW LEAF

Speaking of time passing, local artist Kata Golda has teamed up with watercolorist Joan Wenske to create a lovely way to celebrate each month of the new year. Each individual sheet features a seasonal image, and the whole kit-n-kaboodle comes in a kraft box perfect of wrapping, with a simple binder clip included to hang the sheets from a single nail. $20 at katagolda.com. Contact Golda to arrange local pickup at 360-379-4714. (P.S: Golda also offers a free tutorial on making sewn felt holiday star ornaments on her website, for the DIY crafter looking to make a holiday gift.)

BEST IMPRESSION

The North Press in Port Townsend is a partner duo that makes lovely letterpress printed broadsides and frame-able, highly gift-able, and affordable paper ephemera. Prints range in size from 5 inches by 7 inches and up, and range in price from $12 to $30. Quotes include excerpts from Ted Kooser, Jim Harrison, Ursula LaGuin, and Pablo Neruda. For each color represented on the luxe cotton paper, a separate run is made through a press, hence the more colors, the more handling, the more expensive (and justly so) the item. Lyrics by the Talking Heads and The Rolling Stones also make an appearance. For more, go to thenorthpress.website.

NO NEED TO WRAP

Sewing is having a comeback moment. A gift certificate, digitally delivered to a person of your choice, is a gateway into District Fabric in Downtown Port Townsend, an emporium of wonderment for a special person. Silks, sequins, and linen, as well as knits and cotton provide a textile fir for virtually anyone. And after they’ve picked out a pattern and fabric, no matter their skill level, they can drop in or schedule a custom appointment at Come Sew, a sewing studio just down the street the fabric shop. Everything from machines to advice are provided free of charge. More on District Fabric at districtfabric.com, and more on the sewing studio at comesew.com.

OVER THE HILL

Celebrating 40 years of passing on old-school skills to a new generation is the Northwest School of WoodenBoat Building. (Ok, so they’re in Port Hadlock, but  so many of their graduates work at the Port Townsend Boat Haven that it’s almost the same thing.) A commemorative hoodie, ball cap, or t-shirt is a great choice to proudly display support of a maritime treasure. Priced from $25 to $56. Shop online at the new store at boatschoolstore.com.