By JACINDA HOWARD, The Mirror
As shoppers scurry to purchase holiday gifts, King County hopes some will invest in experiences rather than material objects.
The county is promoting the Waste Free Holidays program. Through this, King County businesses provide discounts on services as a way to encourage residents to think about purchasing experiences as holiday gifts. By doing this, residents can help decrease the amount of trash created during the festive season.
Waste Free Holidays was created as a waste prevention program 12 years ago, said Tom Watson, King County Solid Waste Division project manager. Program partners offer at least 15 percent off services or experiences that could be purchased as holiday gifts.
“The idea there is to reward the public for buying an experience gift,” Watson said.
In the United States, 25 percent more waste is created between the time of Thanksgiving and New Year’s, Watson said. This amounts to an additional 5 million tons of waste per year, he said.
But Waste Free Holidays offers a solution to avoiding some of that waste.
With more than 130 King County businesses participating in Waste Free Holidays, consumers have options in what they purchase. Giving experiences as gifts are sometimes more meaningful than physical objects because they can be shared with loved ones, Watson said.
Though most of the participating organizations are based north of Federal Way, options for giving a good time exist locally.
Food and beverage
A dining experience or tasty beverages make great gifts.
Most restaurants offer gift cards in various amounts. Family-oriented establishments, such as the Olive Garden, 35030 Enchanted Parkway S., and Red Robin, 2233 S. 320th St., can be found in Federal Way. For adults, the Wine Basket, 2118 S. 314th St., offers “wine of the month” club memberships. Prices range from $35 to $100. Consumers can buy the gift of wine tasting and 10 percent off the store’s wine selections for those they care about, owner Sherry Hartley said. Club members receive one to six bottles of wine per month, depending on the club joined, as well as free wine tasting, she said. This is a great way to explore and learn more about the beverage, Hartley said.
Crafting and new skills
Crafting classes or lessons are gift ideas. Michaels Arts and Crafts, 32061 Pacific Highway S., and Joann Fabric and Craft Stores, 31523 Pacific Highway S., offer these. Oil and watercolor painting are popular classes, which range in price from $16 to $40 per session, one Michaels manager said. Jewelry making, quilting and sewing are popular classes at Joann stores, one manager said.
New skills and tricks are not just for humans. PetSmart, 31705 Pacific Highway S., provides dog and puppy training. Basic classes teach canines not to chew, dig or jump, trainer Karen Brown said. The pets also learn potty training, socialization and tricks, she said. Owners learn how to groom and care for their dogs, Brown said. Classes are generally eight weeks long for an hour per week and cost $99.
Fitness
Consumers buying for loved ones who like to stay active have a few local choices. Bally Total Fitness, 31701 20th Ave. S. and 32828 1st Ave. S., is offering its lowest prices of the year, said Chris Covello, Northwest field marketing manager. A three-day basic membership, to be used only at the center at which a person is a member, can now be obtained for $18 a month, Covello said. A membership is a way to get a jump start on a New Year’s resolution, he said.
“December really kicks off our membership drive,” Covello said.
The Federal Way Community Center, 876 S. 333rd St., also offers discounts on memberships. Six- and 12-month memberships, originally $118 to $675 depending on age and duration of pass, are now 5 percent off, said Mary Faber, Recreation and Cultural Services superintendent. Gift certificates are also available.
Youngsters may enjoy wheeling around on inline skates at Pattison’s West Skating Center, 34222 Pacific Highway S. The skating rink offers afternoon, evening and weekend skate sessions. Admission and rentals total less than $10 per session. Pattison’s offers Skate Bucks, similar to gift cards, manager Ramon Johnson said. They can be used in the concession area as well, he said.
Entertainment
A little relaxation or a night on the town can go a long way as a gift. The Federal Way Symphony will hold a New Year’s Eve Symphonic Pop Concert on Dec. 31 at The Commons at Federal Way, 1928 S. Commons. Tickets are available to adults only and cost $75, said Mary Gates, executive director.
A swing band concert will perform on Feb. 2 and 3. These tickets cost $25 for adults and are free for those under age 18. Swing music is something both grandparents and young adults can enjoy, Gates said.
“It is dance music and it’s fun,” she said.
Symphony tickets make good last-minute gifts or presents for those who seem to have everything, Gates said. The Federal Way Symphony will even mail out tickets that were bought as gifts, she said.
“We have been known to mail them in a Christmas card,” Gates said.
From food to music, it may take a little creative thinking, but an abundance of experiences that would make good gifts are located in Federal Way. The city offers something for almost anyone.
Contact Jacinda Howard: jhoward@fedwaymirror.com or (253) 925-5565.
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A complete list of Waste Free Holidays partners and offers can be found online at the county’s Web site, www.kingcounty.gov/.
Other gift ideas:
• a vacation
• body art
• cooking class
• theatre or dance performance
• sports game tickets
• day spa admission
• hair, nail or tanning salon certificate
• massage therapy session
