Published 11/30/08

Intriguing Online Shopping Ideas: Oregon Coast Gifts

Yaquina Head Lighthouse: you have the opportunity to put this beauty under the tree with a nifty video about Oregon's lighthouses.

(Oregon Coast) – Cyber Monday hasn't seen it this cool yet.

For those doing their holiday shopping online: why not do a bit of cyber-beachcombing? The Oregon coast offers some deliriously delightful ideas for those on your gift list, making possible some big smiles on Christmas morning by using a distinctly individualistic approach. You can put the coast’s lighthouses under a tree, fill the stocking with fine, imported foods or wine, buy green gifts for a pal, give the person you love some action on the waves (in the form of charter fishing or surfing), and you can buy some gifts that help an impoverished village in Cambodia. You can even obtain some goodies from Portland online – stuff you can’t find anywhere else.

It’s time for something really different and thoughtful in the holiday gift realm.

All these ideas can be sent to you, wherever you live.

Oregon Lighthouses Under the Tree

"Oregon Lights" is a DVD from Oregon Coast Show cameraman and producer Scott Gibson and writer David Anslow, now available online at www.oregonlightsdvd.com. The award-winning show was aired on Oregon Public Broadcasting a few times in the early part of this decade, and made a splash then. Now, you take those lighthouses home with you.

13 chapters of the video take you through all ten of Oregon’s lighthouses, including the private lighthouse owned by famed maritime author Jim Gibbs, as well as some other related subjects.

Those who love to travel the Oregon coast will find this film intoxicating. The DVD is 72 minutes of glorious footage, beautiful scenery, and fascinating background information and history. It takes the viewer on a tour of all the lighthouses up and down the coast, through their history, and touches upon the legends of hauntings as well. It even features interviews with Gibbs, who not only served aboard the crazed Tillamook Rock Lighthouse until it was shut down in 1957, but created his own small lighthouse at his home in Yachats.

The DVD is $10, with free shipping and handling. It can be previewed and ordered at www.OregonLightsDVD.com.

Shop beautiful Manzanita online - or any other coastal town as well as Portland - via RegisterLocally.com.

One Stop Online Shopping for Coastal and Portland Gifts

A few years ago, Manzanita resident Rachel Sip started an idea that’s not only different but needed in the world of gift registries: RegisterLocally.com. Instead of signing up at one particular large store for your registry, why not have the entire coast at your disposal with its unique, handcrafted items? Sip also added another interesting slant by including the element of eco-friendly gift items. She was inspired by noticing that at the bridal and baby showers of friends, the best gifts were the indie ones purchased from smaller shops on the coast. The site is still relatively new, but new places are added all the time. And you can buy with the good conscience of knowing you’ve supported local small business people as well as assisted the environment.

There are all kinds of gift ideas floating around this little gem of a site, not just bridal or baby shower ideas. There’s also a section for Portland gift ideas. This ain’t your parents’ online shopping spree. www.registerlocally.com.

Central and North Coast Wine – and Helping a Village

Nehalem Bay Winery

Fine wine is always welcome at Christmastime, and the Nehalem Bay Winery is certainly the hotspot for this on the north coast, as well as on the central coast at Depoe Bay Winery. For the holidays, they spotlight the slightly spicy "Santa's Elixir," as well as sweatshirts with that little, whimsical logo emblazoned on them. This delightfully unusual place adds a fun, new slant to the whole wine tasting experience.

Their ciders are a huge holiday hit as well. An Apple Jack hard apple cider is a top seller, and the Coastal Cranberry is a seasonal favorite.

At both Depoe Bay Winery and Nehalem Bay Winery, they’re featuring enchanting gift ideas with Cambodian handbags and winebags, made by a group of hard-working villagers. All the proceeds from these purchases go to help this impoverished little burgh. The handbags, backpacks and wine bags, made from a silk-like fabric of bright colors and a hint of iridescence. They run $15 to $25.

At the Depoe Bay facility, they have crystal Depoe Bay ornaments with a whale tale - $10. Also, Christmas Cork Stoppers - just a few left - but they are also $10.

Check out www.nehalembaywinery.com or make sure you stop by on your next visit to the area. You can also order cases of wine from them over the phone. Highway 53 - about two miles from Wheeler. 1-888-368-WINE. Or in Depoe Bay, right on Highway 101 (541-765-3311).

Rick's Roadhouse, Rockaway.

Rick's Roadhouse & Grill, Rockaway Beach. Fine food and fun surroundings in a smoke-free environment. Just drop by and purchase in any amount desired. Certificates are redeemable for 1 year. Over 21 only. 184 Highway 101. Rockaway Beach, Oregon. 503-355-2052

Yummy gifts for the foodie in your life at Village Bistro.

Village Bistro and Deli, Newport. In Newport’s ultra charming (and rather chic) Nye Beach, Village Market & Deli is full of beachy surprises with a continental food theme. Santa has already dropped off great gift goodies: all kinds of cheeses from England and California, wine books, cheese books and the their own wine and oil sets, plus their always stunning collection of imported meats, fresh baked bread, and more. Also, their homemade pate is some of the best on the planet. At the beach end of NW 3rd, Newport. (541) 574-9393. www.beachconnection.net/village_bistro_newport

Mélange of Cannon Beach. Many beachy-type gifts, including exclusively selling a new organic bath and body line called Ocean Elements made in Cannon Beach. Currently, the line has nine scents, most of them beach themed like Ocean Rain (the #1 seller) Ocean Breeze, Sun and Sand, Sunset to name a few. The line currently offers a body lotion, body wash, body and linen spray and a reed diffuser (which is a room freshener) all offered in nine scents. 877-421-6367. www.melangecb.com

Tillamook Bay, the home of Garibaldi Charters.

Garibaldi Charter’s. Gift certificates are an even bigger catch here during the holiday season. “We usually sell bottom fishing trips, but the certificates can be used towards any other type of fishing that we offer by paying the difference,” said owner Linda. 503-965-2238. www.garibaldicharters.com.

Oregon Surf Shop, Lincoln City. How about surf lessons? Yes, winter is a hot time for surfing too. There’s also an afternoon on Siletz Bay in a kayak. Plenty of other surfing goodies to stick into the stockings: surfboard, wetsuit, ugg boots for $55, skateboards, a kite for kitesurfing, kiteboards and gift certificates for anything. They also ship anywhere. 4933 SW Hwy 101 Lincoln City, Oregon. 541-996-3957.

Roots 101, Lincoln City. They offer “Living Art:” Bonsai, Orchids, Tropicals and other flora, with the concept of bringing elements from the natural, living world into the indoors. “Often, when people visit the coast, they are inspired by the rocks and shore pines that line the coast,” say the owners. “A bonsai is a perfect replica of this landscape that can be taken home.” Bonsai prices start at $40. They’ll pack and ship rare and exotic orchids, starting at $30 plus shipping. Gift certificates are also available. 5021 SW Hwy 101. Lincoln City, Oregon. 541.996.ROOT. www.roots101.com.

Lovely vacation homes abound at Beach House Vacation Rentals in Seaside.

Newport Bay Candle Co. – in Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport and Florence. Container candles, handmade on the coast. Also, a large selection of nautical, beachy gifts. They ship anywhere. 541-265-6111. www.newportbaycandle.com

Give the Gift of Lodging

So many coastal lodgings on the coast offer the opportunity to put a nice oceanfront hotel room under the tree – well, figuratively speaking, that is. Gift certificates for vacation rentals, hotels or motels are a big thing, and growing in popularity.

For a good list of those lodgings offering gift certificates, see the Oregon Coast Lodging Guide. All will send their gift certificates to you once you order over the phone.

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