The Best Christmas Shopping and Activities in the Manzanita Oregon Area

Lots of visitors love the North Oregon Coast, and especially our area around Manzanita Beach. But did you know in this spot of spectacular beauty, you can also find incredible shopping?

While we've all implemented safe Manzanita Covid-19 protocols during this outbreak, there is still Manzanita shopping and lots of Oregon Coast holiday fun to be had!

Did you know the northern Oregon Coast and the Manzanita area is a terrific place to find the perfect Christmas gift?

And, if you’re like us, besides our love affair with the Oregon coast we love good shopping. Or a very good Santa!

Have you been naughty? Or nice?

We’ll introduce you to some of our favorite Manzanita area shops. You’ll also find local activities, or check out the north Oregon Coast restaurants open for Christmas Eve and Christmas dinners here.

Follow along for the fun. Then read on, and learn about the local events to make your holiday a little bit more merry!

Best Shopping in the Manzanita Area.

Manzanita is becoming the go to destination for those visiting the Oregon coast. Incredible scenery, sandy seven mile pristine beach, terrific state parks to the north and south, all with the scenic Neahkahnie mountain overlooking this gem on the coastline.

But did you know Manzanita is also well known as a creative, unique destination of independent shops?

We’re offering a small taste from among the goodies in some of our favorites Manzanita shops — actually, all the stores in the Manzanita area are our favorites!

In each independent store you’ll find unique, creative merchandise you won’t necessarily find in chain or large box stores. Be sure to check out more about our wonderful shop owners in the Manzanita area here.

FINNESTERRE

According to finnesterre’s website, it is a shop in beautiful manzanita, oregon. here you’ll find a thoughtful selection of goods for your home, for you, for those times you need a little something special.

We second that! There’s always something special to be found at finesterre. To give you an idea of their current selection which might be perfect for someone on your list:

Bright and Sparkely

Bright and Sparkely ~

You’ll find jewelry and trinkets for the most particular family member or friend on your holiday list. From famed Milanese designer Monica Castiglioni sculptural rings to wonderful stocking stuffers, all that glitters and glows is sure to please.

Calm and Textural

Calm and Textural ~

Are you looking for fascinating objects, textures and shapes for your own home or for unique gifts? At finesterre you’ll find lots to choose from, including the concrete balls pictured above with wonderful textures and surfaces. Pair them with a wooden tray filled with sand, and you’ll have a one of a kind gift under the tree.

Clean and Fresh

Clean and Fresh ~

How about tea towels stamped with names, longitudes and latitudes of favorite beach spots? Whether they love Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Gearhart, these charming tea towels will delight fans of the north Oregon coast.

Sweet and Warm

Sweet and Warm ~

Looking for a cherished hostess gift or stocking stuffer? How about “Neighborhood Honey, Pure and Local” made in Manzanita on Blackberry Lane in small batches by the beekeeper himself? Boxed with a charming honey jar and glass bees, and you’ve got a winner.

Or grab a bottle or tin of famous Jacobsen Salt in flavors like Cherrywood Smoked, Pinot Noir, and Vanilla Bean. Locally harvested from Netarts Bay.

CLOUD AND LEAF BOOKSTORE

Books make great holiday gifts, and luckily Manzanita is home to a very wonderful bookstore, Cloud and Leaf. Even better, you’ll find Cloud and Leaf new owner Deborah Reed (she purchased the shop on July 1, 2019 from former owner Jody Swanson) on hand to help you find just the right book for a gift, or even for yourself. She’s tops at making wonderful suggestions for all types of readers.

Owner Operated Cloud and Leaf

Lucky for us, Jody graciously has shared some terrific books for holiday gifts. And if you’re running out of time, don’t forget you can call and either order the book, order the book and have it ready for pickup, or purchase a gift certificate.

Bestsellers

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD BY COLSON WHITEHEAD

A #1 New York Times Bestseller and a National Book Award Winner. The Underground Railroad is a magnificent story chronicling a young slave’s adventures as she makes a desperate bid for freedom in antebellum South.

Get it, then get another copy for someone you know because you are definitely going to want to talk about it once you read that heart-stopping last page. — Oprah Winfrey

Terrific Book Choices

THE HIDDEN LIFE OF TREES: WHAT THEY FEEL, HOW THEY COMMUNICATE—DISCOVERIES FROM A SECRET WORLD BY PETER WOHLLEBEN

In The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben shares his deep love of woods and forests and explains the amazing processes of life, death, and regeneration he has observed in the woodland and the amazing scientific processes behind the wonders of which we are blissfully unaware. Google Books

The matter-of-fact Mr. Wohlleben has delighted readers and talk-show audiences alike with the news — long known to biologists — that trees in the forest are social beings. — Sally McGrane, The New York Times

Cloud and Leaf, Book store Manzanita, Oregon

Books of Peace

Books of Peace and Meaning in a Changing World

We love Jody’s suggestion of the following books of peace and meaning, so vital to dealing with today’s changing world:

Being Mortal by Atul Gwande One of the most important books of the year. Harvard Medical School professor and doctor writes urgently with clarity on end-of-life care.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates This is a very important book by a well respected journalist. Straightforward, brutal, honest, and passionate. Letters to his son about living as an African American man in our culture and society.

The Book of Joy by Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu Two spiritual giants. Five days. One timeless question: How do we find joy in the face of life’s inevitable suffering?

Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton The story of one woman’s journey of self-discovery after the implosion of her marriage.

An incredible, dark, poignant, vulnerable personal account about surviving rock bottom and finding a better life. You will be inspired by [Glennon’s] resilience, strength, and womanhood. ― Real Simple

Tribe by Sebastian Junger This book reaches back into history as well as our current experience to provide evidence of the attraction of tribal communities, the human benefits, and society’s healing.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi A beautiful, passionate, insightful book written as the author, a young neurosurgeon, dies of cancer, and chooses to have a child and live in grace.

T-SPOT

Have you stopped by? At T-Spot you’ll find creative apparel, jewelry, accessories for home, kid’s clothes, and “choicest chocolates and quirky gifts a plenty”!

We found all this and more last time we visited. Some of the highlights were …

Gears ~

Delightfully quirky — definitely fun! Who wouldn’t enjoy light switch covers where turning the gears actually turns the lights on or off. You’ll also love the gear jewelry. Charming with workable gears.

Shopping for Christmas Manzanita, Oregon

Lace ~

Stylish lace cuffs by Urban Lace Jewelry. Who would guess they’re made from repurposed inner tubes? Someone on your list would love to find them in their Christmas stockings!

Bright ~

Who doesn’t love a fun pair of socks under the Christmas tree? Especially these cuties – each sock is slightly different, so your pair will be different yet complimentary.

FOUR PAWS ON THE BEACH

Manzanita is definitely a dog friendly destination. And what better way to celebrate your pet friendly Christmas celebration than something special from Four Paws on the Beach in Manzanita?

Cute ~

We love dog toys (yep, our dog does too!). We love them even more when they’re durable yet fun, and Four Paws on the Beach stocks lots of toys that fit the bill.

Sassy ~

Colorful Tees for the dog lover in all of us!

Yummy ~

Not only are tasty pet treats a hit with your pet, packaged for the holidays they make good hostess and host gifts too!

Or pick up a handy pet shammy or doormat runner to absorb wet Oregon pet runoff.

There’s lots of Christmas shopping to be found around the Manzanita area!

We love our Oregon Coast Christmas! We’re thrilled with the selection found within the independent Manzanita shops. Be sure to check out Toylandia for toys to light up the eyes of young and old, Unfurl and Syzygys for terrific clothing and accessories for women, men and children. Wisteria Chic has terrific home personal accessories.

At Bahama Mamas you’ll find something for the active people on your gift list. Salt & Paper has accessories, art supplies and other wonderful things. Or stop in at Dixie's Vino for the perfect bottle of Oregon Coast wine for your Oregon wine afficianodo. And don’t forget Manzanita Sweets for stocking stuffers, hostess and host gifts, and boxes of luscious chocolates and truffles. The also carry northwest favorite Moonstruck Chocolates.

Spa Manzanita has lots of pampering gifts … and gift certificates too, also found at Longevity Massage, Yoga Roots Studio, and the terrific Manzanita restaurants throughout the area.

Holiday Activities and Events around the Manzanita Oregon area.

Manzanita Christmas starts the holidays off right with Plaid Friday when the downtown Manzanita stores offer visitors terrific one day specials, the Kids Fair, followed by live music at the Pine Grove Community Center.

Have safe Manzanita Christmas fun! While many activities are curtailed during the Coronavirus outbreak, there's still lots of safe fun to be had. Check out the Manzanita Oregon Christmas Parade (map of route, below), taking place the Saturday before Christmas. Starting in Mohler, the small community parade heads through Nehalem, through Bayside Gardens, and then on to Manzanita.