PORT TOWNSEND — The streets of Port Townsend swelled with shoppers looking for last-minute gifts for young and old Monday.
Parking was scarce midday but the weather was unseasonably warm and sunny, which made for a pleasant walk around town.
Pam Gray of Port Townsend found the perfect gift for her best friend’s great niece. Titi Dunlap, 3, of Lynnwood will be receiving for Christmas a large stuffed king penguin from Whistle Stop Toys in the Flagship Landing building on Water Street.
Gray, a naturalist, recently went on a cruise to South Georgia in the southern Atlantic Ocean and saw a half million king penguins, she said.
“I was on a photographic cruise on a research vessel with a wildlife group,” said Gray. “I thought this was a perfect gift because we saw these king penguins, which are different than the emperors, and I’ve talked about them. I couldn’t bring a stuffed toy back because of luggage limitations so I was happy to find this one here in town for Titi.”
Whistle Stop’s owner Steve Goldenbogen said the most popular children’s gifts this year for his customers have been Legos, board games and Magic cards.
At Quimper Mercantile, assistant manager Allie Stelzner said local kids have been asking for a variety of toys and games.
“As for toys, any of the Ty beanies, stuffed toys and plushes are popular,” Stelzner said.
She pointed to a popular product that’s a high-tech version of the 1950s flesh-colored, clay-like product that could be stretched and shaped, and was used to transfer newsprint images.
“Aaron’s Thinking Putty is somewhat similar to Silly Putty, but comes in crazy colors and some glow in the dark.” Stelzner said. “Some are even magnetic, and some change color because of the warmth of your hands.”
Stelzner said gifts that encourage creativity have also been popular, like painting and drawing kits, coloring kits and markers.
Science kits like “Disgusting Biology” and “Slime Lab” have a cult following. For the more mainstream recipient, there are plenty of challenging puzzles — of the world, the solar system and bugs.
One surprisingly popular gift was the yo-yo. Stelzner said that they had ordered four dozen and there were only four left at the bottom of a cardboard box display Monday.
At Abracadabra on Water Street, sales associate Christina Tweed said Monday had been a very busy sales day, especially for small gift items like stickers that can be adhered to water bottles and computers.
As for board games, Stelzner said Gigamons is a memory/imagination game that appeals to those over age 6. Tricky Trunks combines unique elephant toys and marbles cards to encourage motor skills and visual perception for those over age 5.
“The biggest seller has been Fastrack, a board game that challenges hand-eye coordination and motor skills by using one hand to put puck-like discs through a slot.” she said.
Stelzner said that the classics were also selling well.
“We have lots of trivia games, chess and checkers. Even cribbage.”
“We’re making up for last week’s terrible weather,” she said. “It’s nice to have sunshine while you shop for Christmas presents.”
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.
Seahawks-branded products were popular gifts at the Quimper Mercantile this gift-giving season. Milo Queen, 11, of Port Townsend, left, and his brother Emerson Queen, 13, were checking out the stuffed footballs Monday afternoon with their cousin Charles Dirksen, 15, of Seattle. (Jeannie McMacken/Peninsula Daily News)
