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🎁 Check great gifts off your list
Treat your loved ones to fun, cozy, and personalized picks this holiday gifting season. | Graphic by 6AM City
Looking for holiday shopping inspiration? Our gift guide featuring 90+ picks is here to save the season.
Gifts for students
Local pick: Permanent jewelry from Betsy & Iya | $55+ | Show you’re in on the trends by gifting a cherished accessory that could last for years.
Fidget toy pen | $15.99 | A great stocking stuffer, this chromatic, magnetic pen can be stacked into various shapes when it’s not in use as a writing tool or stylus.
Bullet journal pens + 2026 planner | $12.99 + $24.99 | Pair a 24-pack of rainbow pens with a 2026 Happy Planner for creative, aesthetic organization.
Electric sauté pan | $36.99 | A TikTok trending item, this electric mini hot pot is perfect for whipping up noodles, oatmeal, eggs, and stir fries, dorm room-style.
Gifts for young people
Karaoke microphone | $29.99 | With over 800 five-star reviews, this karaoke mic acts as a Bluetooth speaker, recorder, and voice changer.
Digital camera | $49.99 | Gift them a compact, stylish camera to capture photos on.
Wicked: For Good | Friday, Nov. 21-Thursday, Dec. 18 Let us rejoicify: “Wicked: For Good” is here — catch the highly anticipated sequel on the biggest screen in town at The Empirical Theatre.
OMSI on Ice | Opens Saturday, Nov. 22
Glide through the holidays on OMSI’s indoor ice rink through Wednesday, Dec. 31.
Laser Holiday Magic | Opens Monday, Dec. 1
The annual tradition returns, putting an OMSI spin on holiday lights.
Reel Eats | Wednesday, Dec. 10-Thursday, Dec. 11 Grab tickets for “Wicked: For Good” film admission paired with a tray full of bite-sized, iconic-movie-moments-themed snacks.
3. That’s how many finalists are left in the search for Portland’s first long-term city administrator, a position that will oversee strategic planning and day-to-day operations in the running of Rose City. Michael Jordan, who has been serving as interim city administrator since last year, will retire at the end of 2025. (Portland Mercury)
Cause
DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital was gifted $3.45 million for its Stray and Lost Animal Program, securing funding for veterinary services for sick and injured animals. The donor was motivated by a personal experience at the hospital. (KATU)
Shop
Forget Park Place, we’re going to Powell’s Books. A new Monopoly board game replaces its classic locations with Rose City landmarks like the Oregon Zoo, Darcelle’s, and Hawthorne Bride. Add it to your holiday shopping list.
Stat
Would you sit right next to a stranger at a restaurant?90% of Gen Z diners would. According to a new Resy study, communal dining is in. Consider this your cue to meet a new friend at one of Portland’s buzzy new restaurants. (Business Insider)
When you subscribed to PDXtoday, you may have received an email asking for your favorite local restaurant — and yes, we’ve been reading every response. Here are some favorite spots from new readers: Little River Cafe, Du’s Grill, Pip’s Original, Jacqueline, and Coquine.
Try This
Coffee bar crawl, anyone? Use our guide to Portland’s coffee shops to track down the best seasonal sips in Rose City. If you love using our guides to explore the city, consider supporting us directly — think of it like buying us a coffee.
Worried about hearing clearly at upcoming holiday gatherings? Try this best-selling hearing aid with dual processors for outstanding speech clarity. See if you qualify for the 45-day no-risk trial + experience effortless hearing for the holidays.*
Meet DUER jeans — aka the world’s most comfortable pants. Each pair blends classic denim with 360-degree stretch, moisture-wicking fibers, and antibacterial treatment. DUER jeans are made to move, not constrict, dig in, or pinch. Explore the collection.*
Older Adults
Are you taking advantage of all the savings opportunities for adults ages 50+? This list of tips can support your continued saving and help build additional wealth.*
🍸 Getting in the holiday spirits
The martini glass sign traditionally turns on around Thanksgiving and is turned off in the first week of January. | Photo by @photosbymikewarner
Portland’s iconic, illuminated martini glass — a 30-ft display in the West Hills that, when lit, unofficially signals the start of the holiday season —is soon to shine brightly once again. It’s a familiar sight this time of year — but do you know the story behind it?
Bottoms up, we’re jumping back in time.
1960s: An Italian family named the Martinis were the first to build a martini glass sign in the West Hills — albeit on a smaller scale — which they would light up to signal a party was happening.
1970s: After the family moved away, a high schooler in the neighborhood named Monty Meadows decided to keep the tradition going. He made a larger version of the sign using two-by-fours and some borrowed Christmas lights, and then affixed it to the side of his family’s home.
1980s: Meadows’ family put their home up for sale, but fortunately, by this time the sign was iconic enough that the new buyer insisted it be included in the deal.
It’s go time. Amazon’s Black Friday Week kicks off today as one of the best sales of the year. New deals drop daily, and these are today’s top five you don’t want to miss:
🚪 Boost home security with Blink’s popular video doorbell that’s under $30 for a limited time.
🧦 Replenish your sock drawer with 50% off these 4.5-star rated mini crew socks.
🔌 Achieve better home connectivity with Amazon’s top-rated smart plug for just $12.99.
👖 Upgrade your closet with a pair of Levi’s wide leg jeans for under $45.
🥩 Get dinner on the table faster with 40% off Cuisinart’s rapid defrosting tray.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
The final season of “Stranger Things” begins Thursday, Nov. 26, with the first four episodes released that day. I’m a big fan, so if you’re like me and can’t wait that long — or if you’re just feeling nostalgic — turn back the clock and dive into what Rose City was like in the 1980s.
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