This is part III of a series on Seattle Christmas shopping. Previously I wrote about the major malls in the area and how to get around via the bus system quickly and easily, as well as a little about the Pike Place Market and its usefulness on any shopping journey.
Today I'll be writing about some specific shops within Seattle that are such a unique experience that a gift card to them is to be seriously considered. A gift certificate to any of the following locations would not be in the same class as, say, a gift certificate to JC Penny's or Safeway. They would provide the recipient with an experience that they would never have chosen to pay for - but that they will greatly enjoy.
- Saito's
Saito's is a sushi restaurant - known to be Ichiro's favorite. I suggest this place because a gift certificate to Saito's is not like any other restaurant gift-certificate. If you buy a $100 certificate it will provide a chance for someone to not only enjoy fine sushi that they would never buy for themselves, but also to take a small group of people out and be able to foot the bill. I've known groups of six getting stuffed on the best sushi, sashimi, and tempuri that the west coast has to offer and paying $115. So $15 + $100 gift certificate could give somebody the time of their life. - Dance Undergroundor Century Ballroom
Both of these locations offer fun introductory classes on Swing/Salsa dancing (and others). These are not strictly dance studios where one learns to dance, but also a lively place to bring friends and dance together. They are both open several nights a week (with different dance styles on different nights). These two are a great idea for an affordable gift certificate - each night only costs $5-$10 per person and it includes a half-hour lesson followed by three hours of open dance floor and good music. - Fifth Avenue Dance Studios
This differs from the above two locations in that it doesn't focus on hosting any real dance nights. It's not so much of a 'public swim' mentality but private lessons and a focus on making a dance student feel comfortable with their own growth. This is slightly more expensive but a great match for anyone who's ever talked about learning to dance but hasn't felt capable of just jumping right in. - GameWorks
GameWorks is a huge arcade with not only lots of games, but the highest-quality games. It can be expensive to go on own's own, so a gift card to GameWorks is a great idea for giving a gamer the night of their life.
That's just a start - I hope you have some suggestions for the best places in Seattle to get a gift certificate to. Please leave them in the comments box if you do.