Serving Queen Anne & Magnolia Since 1919
Threads of Home: How Custom Fabrics Are Reimagining the Holiday Table
Some stories begin with a bold leap, and Lisa Cole’s started the day she boarded a plane for Seattle - a city she had never seen but somehow knew would change her life. Fresh out of Montana State University, she arrived in the Northwest cold, lonely, and utterly certain she was exactly where she needed to be. It was a conviction inherited from her parents, who always encouraged her to explore the world and trust her instincts.
That instinct—to wander with curiosity and create intentionally wherever she landed—has guided Cole through every chapter of her winding, joyfully creative career. While working as a secretary at a law firm, she took a second job at a neighborhood kitchen store. When the owner moved on, Cole was unexpectedly offered the chance to reimagine the business as her own. She launched Culinary Concepts, designing cooking class programs that tapped into the city’s rising
culinary scene. She recruited chefs from iconic Seattle restaurants— including Jerry Traunfeld of The Herbfarm, Tom Douglas, Jonathan Sundstrom, Greg Atkinson, and food writer Hsiao-Ching Chou—to teach curious home cooks.
“The 1990s and early 2000s in Seattle were an amazing time in the culinary world, and I loved it,” Cole said.
Cole later took an early “retirement” when she adopted her children, but life had more creative chapters waiting. A chance encounter with the editor of Vanguard Seattle led to an unexpected invitation: would she consider serving as the magazine’s fashion and style editor? The role fit her naturally—she came from a long line of writers and creatives, had always loved fashion, and found joy in curating beauty and meaning. More importantly, it offered a rare balance: “It was a job where I could do something I loved and still be an involved mother and wife,” she said.
Then the world stood still. During the quiet of Covid, Cole found herself back at the tableliterally. She continued her lifelong love of entertaining by setting the table each night for her family, using the cloth napkins her mother had taught her to sew. What began as a personal ritual slowly rekindled her passion for craft and storytelling. She started sharing photos on Instagram, and the response grew. Friends asked for sets. She created custom gifts. Eventually, her son built her a website, and Set The Table Home officially came to life. The name was a nod to her childhood, when her mother would call out the nightly request: “Set the table.”
Every design reflects Cole’s attention to detail, her fashion sensibility, and her deep sense of place. She travels the world in search of fabrics that tell stories—prints that enchant her, spark a memory, or reflect a moment in time. “All of the fabrics I choose are prints that I would set my own table with,” she said. “Each season I look for fabrics that think outside the box of a conventional tablescape. I use my love of style to
Gifts for Plant-Lovers 2025
The holidays are right around the corner, and for gardeners, there’s nothing quite like unwrapping tools, kits, and experiences that nurture their green thumb. Whether you’re shopping for a longtime gardener or a curious beginner, here’s a roundup of gifts that will delight any plant lover in 2025.
THE CLASSICS
We’ve mentioned some of these in a previous holiday roundup, but some gifts never go out of style.
• Kneeling pad or bench Comfort counts in the garden – more than ever to keep it fun as we age – and a sturdy kneeling pad makes planting and weeding far more enjoyable. Upgrade to one that becomes a seat when flipped over for extra versatility – Fred Meyer carries the inexpensive GoGo Garden
Bench Kneeler for $32.99 and Gardener’s Supply offers a double-thick version for $64.99.
• Flexible Tub
Durable, bendy, and easy to carry, these silicone tubs are perfect for hauling soil, compost, harvests or party beverages. They come in a range of sizes and colors, stack easily, and can be held in one hand if need be. When a handle finally broke on one of mine, I converted it into a planter. TubTrug and Gorilla Tubs are two brands to try.
create napkins that show personal flair and interest.”
Her collections range from whimsical to sophisticated, from globally inspired motifs to deeply local patterns. She scours textile shops while traveling and often commissions
• Hori Hori knife
My number one garden tool that’s a trowel and knife in one. Originally made for bonsai hunters in Japan, it’s a must-have for digging, cutting, and weeding, this multipurpose blade is a gardener’s pocket-sized workhorse.
• Garden classes gift certificate
Local workshops or online courses give gardeners new skills, from pruning techniques to seasonal planting strategies. Some to check out: UW Botanic Gardens, Tilth Alliance, and Plant Amnesty (requires membership). Online: Garden Masterclass, Create Academy, and Learning with Experts.
• Membership to a botanical garden or plant society
A gift that keeps on giving with inspiration, community, and access to rare plants, garden tours and events. Local botanical
gardens near Seattle include: the UW Botanic Gardens, Bellevue Botanical Garden, Kubota Garden, and The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden. Societies to consider include the Northwest Horticultural Society, Pacific Horticulture, the Northwest Perennial Alliance, and Plant Amnesty.
• Nursery gift certificates
A great way to support your local nursery –your best source of plants and advice.
• Seeds for the stocking Flowers, veggies, or cover crops – always exciting to receive the promise of life. Note: For wildflower or lawn mixes seek out local ones that avoid potential invasives; Northwest Meadowscapes, Territorial Seed and the Xerces society offer Pacific Northwest blends online.
A LITTLE DIFFERENT
If you’ve covered the basics or want to surprise the gardener who seems to have it all, consider these unexpected gifts.
• Bee cups
Invite pollinators into the garden with colorful ceramic cups designed to provide habitat for solitary bees. Available at bee-cups.com; may be called Bee Watering Stations.
• Custom garden signs, stakes or markers Copper, slate, or wood, you can find a host of custom options on Etsy.com.
• Tabletop light station for indoor plants – Perfect for gardeners craving greenery indoors, these grow stations keep plants healthy during darker months.
• Indoor plant décor
Does your pothos need a snail or sloth friend? Perhaps some ceramic mushrooms or crystal balls to dress up your pots? Sometimes called plant pals.
• Root Slayer
At first glance, this toothed shovel looks a bit medieval and intimidating, but they will be thanking you for years to come when digging recalcitrant roots or edging lawns; it makes both so much easier. Offered in full length or hand-held sizes.
• Microgreens kit
Quick-growing, easy for all beginners, edible greens bring a burst of freshness to kitchens and extend the joy of growing all year. Because they are harvested young, they don’t need a special light or even drainage. Taking the space of a cookie sheet, they deliver nutrition-packed flavorful diversity to your salads, soups and sandwiches in about 10 days.
• Folding planting station tarp
A table-sized tarp with standup corners makes messy sowing and transplanting easy, portable, and cleanup-friendly. Available on Amazon or Etsy in various materials.
• Bouquet Bag
Whether you’re harvesting from your own garden or the farmer’s market, you want to keep those precious blooms safe. UncommonGoods.com offers a fun Fresh Cut Flowers Tote with a drawstring to secure those stems. Or, if you’re handy with a needle, you can upcycle one of the many tote bags in your stash.
• Cyanotype kit
For garden creatives, these photographic printing kits turn leaves, flowers, and ferns into striking blue-and-white prints. For an extra twist, try it on fabric to add accents to bandanas or overalls.
Whether you stick with a trusted classic or try something unexpected, the best garden gifts inspire more time outdoors, spark curiosity, and grow joy throughout the year.
Erica Browne Grivas Get Growing
custom fabrics - including original artwork by her brother, artist Kevin Astle. Her pieces have included illustrations pulled from children’s books, personalized gift sets, CUSTOM FABRICS, 3
PRIMROSE AND MAY
Join Teacher Amanda at Primrose and May’s Holiday Craft Workshop November 29, 30th or December 6th to make a special handmade keepsake gift.
Laura Marie Rivera
Twelfth Church of Christ, Scientist
In Person and Online Church Services
All are welcome & warmly invited to join these healing services
For best audio results, please join by clicking on the link from your computer or smartphone and choose “Call Over Internet”
All Zoom Services Meeting ID: 418 806 2637 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/418 806 2637
Sunday Services 11:00am – 12noon Pacific
Wednesday Testimonies 7:30pm – 8:30pm Pacific
Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lessons
Our weekly Bible Lesson Sermon may be found here: https://quarterly.christianscience.com/
Additional Healing Resources: ChristianScience.com CSWashington.com ChristianScienceTwelfthSeattle.com
For additional assistance, please contact us at seattle12cs@gmail.com or 206.283.230 ChristianScienceTwelfthSeattle.com
Winterfest Movie Nights Offer Holiday Magic at Seattle Center
Four free holiday film screenings at the Armory, Nov. 28–Dec. 26
Winterfest is returning to Seattle Center, and with it comes one of the most popular family friendly traditions on the grounds. The season brings festive décor, live entertainment, indoor activities, and a steady calendar of programming that draws visitors from across the region. At the heart of these offerings is Symetra Movie Nights, a series of free Friday evening film screenings held inside the Armory Food and Event Hall. These showings begin at 6:30 p.m. on select dates and give families a warm and welcoming place to gather during the holiday season.
The Armory’s central location and variety of food
vendors make it a natural hub for Winterfest attendees, especially as temperatures drop and daylight shortens. The large indoor space provides shelter from the weather, while the 20 foot movie screen creates a theater style experience without the cost of a traditional cinema outing. Families often arrive early to find comfortable seating and to explore the Armory’s dining options. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, which adds to the appeal for parents with young children or groups meeting up for an easy evening out.
Symetra is partnering with Ceres Roasting Company and Seattle Fudge to provide warm beverages and snacks for attendees, adding to the seasonal feel of the event. The
series is designed to be accessible, enjoyable, and suitable for all ages, and it complements the broader Winterfest goal of creating community centered holiday activities at no cost to visitors.
THE FILM LINEUP
The 2025 schedule features a mix of animated favorites and holiday classics that appeal to a wide range of ages:
• Friday, November 28, 6:30 p.m.:
The Polar Express (Rated G). A young boy embarks on a magical train ride to the North Pole and discovers the meaning of belief.
• Friday, December 5, 6:30 p.m.:
The Muppet Christmas Carol (Rated G). Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the Muppets present a lively retelling of the Dickens classic.
• Friday, December 12, 6:30 p.m.:
A Christmas Story (Rated PG). Ralphie dreams of receiving a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas while navigating the ups and downs of family life.
• Friday, December 26, 6:30 p.m.: Frozen (Rated PG). Anna sets out to save her sister Elsa and the kingdom from an endless winter. All screenings are free and open to the public. Families and film lovers are encouraged to come early, especially for popular titles that traditionally draw large crowds. For more information about Winterfest events, visit seattlecenter.com/winterfest.
CUSTOM FABRICS
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and large-scale commissions for nonprofit organizations.
One of her most memorable projects came when the Woodland Park Zoo asked her to design the VIP table settings for The Jungle Party, their signature fundraising gala. Cole created an array of wildlife-themed napkins that brought the event to life—and guests were invited to take them home at the end of the night. “It was a moment of real joy and gratitude to see my work fill the space,” she said. Her designs have also supported important causes: fundrais-
“ Her designs have also supported important causes ”
ing for Red Cross California Fire Relief, breast cancer awareness in honor of a friend, collaborations with a Ukrainian artist to raise money for World Central Kitchen, and donations to Seattle Art Museum Supporters, among many others.
Today, Cole’s work is more than decor - it is a celebration of craft, memory, and place. Each napkin carries a story: where the fabric was found, who inspired it, what moment it might help mark. And each table set with her designs becomes an invitation to slow
down, look closely, and gather with intention.
What started as a quiet act of care in a time of uncertainty has grown into a joyful business rooted in heritage, artistry, and the belief that the table—whether in Seattle, Paris, or anywhere else—can be a place where stories live.
Set The Table Home will be popping up at several festive events this season. You can find them on Thursday, December 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Overlake Country Club Jingle & Mingle. On Friday, December 5, they’ll be part of Queen Anne Holiday Magic from 5–8 p.m. at QA Gift and Frame. Then on Saturday, December 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Set The Table Home will be at the Alliance Française of Seattle’s Joyeux Bazaar at Washington Hall, 153 14th Avenue in Seattle. Or to order napkins, just go to the website https://setthetable.online/ or email setthetablehome@ gmail.com for custom requests.
Savvy Senior: What Are the Early Signs of Parkinson’s Disease?
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior, What are the early signs of Parkinson’s disease? My husband was recently diagnosed after noticing a slight thumb tremor but we’re wondering if we missed any other early warning signs.
—Curious Wife
Dear Curious,
Recognizing the early signs of Parkinson’s disease is challenging because the symptoms are often subtle and/or similar to those in other health conditions, which means they can easily be overlooked, dismissed or misdiagnosed.
Parkinson’s disease, which afflicts around 1 million Americans, is a degenerative disorder that occurs when the brain’s dopamine-producing neurons die or become impaired. This happens in the part of the brain that controls movement, which can cause tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination.
The symptoms usually begin gradually and get worse over time, and the progression of symptoms is often different from one person to another. Some people with Parkinson’s become severely disabled, while others may experience only minor motor disruptions. While the cause of Parkinson’s
disease is unknown, scientists believe genetics and environmental factors (exposure to certain toxins) play a key role. Most people with Parkinson’s first develop the disease around age 60 or older, and men are more likely to develop it than are women.
EARLY WARNING SIGNS
Parkinson’s disease is difficult to diagnose because there’s no definitive test to confirm it. Doctors, usually neurologists, will do an examination and evaluate a combination of warning signs, but symptoms can vary greatly by patient
which often leads to confusion and misdiagnosis. That said, here are some of the key signs and symptoms everyone should be aware of.
Restless sleeping: Talking in your sleep, sleepwalking and/or acting out your dreams by kicking or jerking. This is a REM sleep behavior disorder and one of the strongest and earliest pre-diagnostic symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Loss of smell: Not being able to smell certain foods very well like bananas, dill pickles or licorice. This early symptom
occurs in around 70 to 90 percent of Parkinson’s patients.
Constipation: Problems with digestion and bowel movements are a big problem for people with Parkinson’s, and an early sign that can occur up to 20 years before this disease is diagnosed.
Changes in handwriting: Writing may become harder to do, and your handwriting may appear much smaller than it has in the past.
Soft voice: According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 89 percent of people with Parkinson’s will have speech and voice disorders, which often shows up first in volume of the voice, meaning that you may speak more softly.
Tremors: Slight shaking or tremor in your finger, thumb, hand or chin. The tremor usually happens at rest, and when you move the extremity, it may disappear. This is the most common and recognizable outward sign of Parkinson’s disease, but by the time tremors start, the brain has already lost more than half of its dopamine-producing cells.
Slowed movement: Over time, Parkinson’s disease can slow movements, making simple tasks difficult and timeconsuming. Your steps may
become shorter when you walk. It may be difficult to get out of a chair. You may drag your feet as you try to walk.
Masked Face: The muscles in the face experience the same gradual stiffening as in the rest of the body, which results in lack of smiling and facial expressions.
Impaired posture and balance: Stooping, leaning or slouching when you stand, and/ or balance problems can all be an early sign of Parkinson’s.
Having these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean that a person has Parkinson’s disease. But if you are experiencing any of them, and you’re over age 60, you should consider talking with your doctor, who may order a DaT scan or Syn-One (Skin Biopsy) Test to help diagnose it. Early detection leads to earlier treatment, which can improve a person’s overall quality of life.
For more information, visit the Parkinson’s Foundation at Parkinson.org.
Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
The Better End of the Deal
It isn’t smooth or easy, outpacing my fear today. But if there is one thing I’ve learned about fear, it’s that we cannot let it stop us or, at a very young age, we will stop. Consequently, there are days when I have to take my fear along for the ride or there would be too many days when I wouldn’t cycle anywhere. And that is not about to happen.
I’ve promised myself, double dared myself, not to catch up on news before bed. But last night I was between books, my phone was right there, and that was the end of that.
You know things are amiss when you find yourself thankful that your own father is no longer with us, but that was my first thought as I watched a clip of ICE agents making, what appeared to be, war right here at home. I felt as if the Earth had shifted on its axis, which is the right response when something feels so wrong, but I wasn’t sure I wanted that to happen because I knew I’d never fall sleep. That clip would have made my dad as afraid as it made me—I am sure of this. I think of his survival story as sort of a miracle. And once he was on his feet in this country, he became the proudest American I know, right down to his flag-bearing coffee mug.
And so, I have to retrain my fear when it lodges in like this, and I do this pretty much the same way one trains a dog. I establish rules
Mary Lou Sanelli Falling Awake
and offer rewards: Look, fear, you can ride with me but do not touch me. If you even lay a paw on me, no treats! I remain calm and confident: I know you are really good at jumping up and down and demanding attention, but I also know that if I pay you no mind, you’ll stop whining. I use strong commands to establish myself as the alpha: No! You are not allowed to speak! You are not even allowed to sneeze!
Today, I (well, we) ride out to my friend Sam’s to give her a copy of my last book, and seeing her all bundled up and working in her winter garden is enough to cheer me.
It’s enough to cheer anyone. More and more I love watching
“she named the largest slug in her beer trap after a certain president”
my friends do what they love to do. What a thing it is, to bring food into this world. And lucky for me, we are trading my book for a bag of it: curly kale, cabbage, squash and onions; even a jar of homemade kombucha.
I definitely got the better end of the deal.
The slugs and snails and rabbits have wreaked havoc on her garden, Sam says, and she named the
largest slug in her beer trap after a certain president, and I said that calling the wrecker of her cabbage by an infamous one-syllable wasn’t fair to the slug. “The only thing left to do,” she sighed, “is hope that by some small miracle things get better.” When I asked if she meant in her garden or in general, and she said, “I just don’t get what is going on!” her reply didn’t answer my question, but it did console me. I felt like I was standing in a garden sanctuary, the sort of place you go to ask the universe, “are you feeling fear, too?” as you try to relieve your own by sharing it aloud. And the universe says back—to you alone, it feels like—hell yeah!
And maybe the best part of this little story is that talking to Sam grinds my fear down into dust and—poof—it blows away. And when I ride off, happily traveling solo, the kale stands up in my basket like regal green fans that bring such stature to my bike. They enhance it.
Before reaching home, I stow my bike between two trees and walk to where I like to sit on the beach. By now, I am much more accepting of the fact that I am going to be stunned by so many things happening in the world and that But I can’t help it, I keep doing this to myself: imagining what kind of country we could be if we thought big because we can no longer afford to think small. And by “big” I mean working together not to sharpen but to blur the lines between “us” and “them.”
When I find a place that I love, I try to visit it often. You learn these
kinds of things about yourself early on, the same way you learn what foods you can’t get enough of, and ones you hide under the romaine. You go with what works for you. So even on my worst days, even in the rain, I like to sit where I can see the ocean.
Today’s trade was the best. I’m exactly the right person to share homegrown produce with.
Writing this today has tired me, but in a good way. And did you know that kale is rich in magnesium and calcium that help
regulate sleep hormones? I didn’t know. Until Sam told me. Even so, sleep can be iffy for me when I’m overtired. And I’m overtired.
I’ve always been this way. If I sensed something was amiss in our household, I couldn’t sleep. If my parent’s argued, I couldn’t sleep. If the cat stayed out all night, I couldn’t sleep. Not like my sisters, they slept no matter what. I didn’t get their same DNA strands. I long for them.
Allen Family Philanthropies Announces Nearly $7M in Funding for Arts and Culture Organizations at Seattle Center
Courtesy of Allen Family Philanthropies
Allen Family Philanthropies is providing nearly $7 million in funding for nonprofits leading eight projects at the Seattle Center campus, the city’s treasured destination for arts and culture. Projects will increase exposure to and participation in the arts among young people by growing opportunities for diverse creators, increasing access to arts programming and engagement, and reimagining spaces.
The assortment of grants focuses on empowering the next generation of artists and audiences. Recent research from ArtsFund finds significant correlations between an accessible and well-funded arts and culture landscape and a vibrant community overall.
“By investing in arts organizations that engage young people, we invest in the creators, audiences, and advocates who will contribute to and sustain a vibrant arts and culture sector in Seattle for years to come,” said Anh Nguyen, director of arts, youth and community for Allen Family Philanthropies. “These organizations excel at engaging young artists and young audiences – and know how to ignite curiosity. The
grants will ensure youth arts and culture programming can continue to grow and evolve to meet community needs.”
Projects are led by KEXP, Museum of Pop Culture, National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY, a program of SIFF), Pacific Northwest Ballet, Pacific Science Center, Seattle Repertory Theatre & Seattle Children’s Theatre, TeenTix, and The Vera Project.
All organizations operate on the Seattle Center campus. For over 60 years, Seattle Center has been Seattle’s hub for arts, culture, and entertainment – home to some of the nation’s most prestigious arts and culture institutions.
With over 12 million visitors annually, Seattle Center is the most visited arts and cultural destination in the Pacific Northwest.
“Seattle Center is a place where many young Seattleites engage in the arts and learn about community building,” said Nguyen. “Campus organizations and their programs create varied spaces for young people and families from across the region to engage in arts and culture as a tool to build a community that is rooted in creativity, expression, and collaboration.”
Funding for the suite of grants totals
$6,868,990 over three years. Grantees, and
their respective projects, include:
• KEXP will support emerging artists and cultural workers and enhance audience diversity through extended programs for youth and their families, including the youth DJ programs, all-ages events, expanded youth outreach and programming engagement, and live music events and other activations in the KEXP Gathering Space and courtyard ($879,700 in funding).
• Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) will develop a residency program that will expand free youth access to interactive, culturally relevant learning experiences ($696,176 in funding).
• National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) will scale and grow festival programming into year-round, accessible opportunities for film education, mentorship, and professional development for aspiring youth filmmakers at Seattle Center ($480,882 in funding).
• Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) will unify PNB’s emerging artist efforts into a singular choreographic dance program with more technical training and performance opportunities, increasing engagement for young artists aged 10-26, and expanding the Community Stages program ($1,250,000 in funding).
• Pacific Science Center (PacSci) will connect arts and culture with science, reimagining spaces with public artwork and cultural installations commissioned by Pacific Northwest Indigenous artists and culture bearers, through a new artist-in-residence program within the Maker & Innovation Lab ($997,632 in funding).
• Seattle Repertory Theatre & Seattle Children’s Theatre will expand their theatrical partnership model with a multi-year initiative to co-produce one mainstage show each season aimed at teens and their families
($1,320,000 in funding).
• TeenTix will support a new Teen Connectors program in partnership with Seattle Center arts venues to increase access and engagement of teen audiences in arts and culture experiences ($250,000 in funding).
• The Vera Project (Vera) will launch All Ages / All Access, a new slate of all-ages music and arts programming centered on concerts, gallery openings, and creative workforce development opportunities by and for young people ($994,600 in funding).
Allen Family Philanthropies recognizes that arts and culture contribute to a deeper understanding of ourselves and others, helping to foster connection and strengthen communities.
The funding for Seattle Center organizations follows previous arts investments from the foundation locally – including $9 million to eight downtown arts organizations to support nearly 1,200 public events that have drawn an estimated 230,000 attendees in the past year alone – and the Community Accelerator Grant Program administered by ArtsFund, which has awarded $30 million in funding to more than 1,000 arts and culture organizations across Washington state over the last three years.
ABOUT ALLEN FAMILY PHILANTHROPIES:
Founded in 1988 by Jody Allen and the late Paul G. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, Allen Family Philanthropies (formerly known as the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation) invests in communities across the Pacific Northwest and beyond to strengthen arts and culture, empower the next generation of changemakers, and support a global network of partners working to advance biodiversity and human well-being. Learn more at www.allenphilanthropies.org.
ALEX B. CLARK
When “Sustainable Sorting” Isn’t Real: How Misleading Waste Bins Amount to Greenwashing
Staff Report
Shoppers have gotten used to seeing neat rows of waste stations at major retailers, with brightly labeled bins for Trash, Recycle, and Compost. It feels responsible, modern, and eco friendly. Scraps are tossed into “Organics,” cups are dropped in “Recycling,” and the whole process creates a sense that the world is just a little better for it.
“Composting and recycling are not decorative choices.”
But recent consumer reports have revealed a different reality. In some stores, those separate lids and labels all lead to the same place. One collection bag. One disposal stream. No actual sorting. That is greenwashing, the appearance of sustainability without the work or results to support it.
THE ILLUSION OF SUSTAINABILITY
Some forms of greenwashing are subtle, and misleading waste stations are one of the clearest examples. A compost bin may look legitimate, complete with printed instructions and symbols of leaves
or arrows, yet the material inside is not collected separately or processed correctly. The setup signals environmental responsibility even when the system behind it does not exist.
This disconnect misleads customers and gives businesses the benefit of looking sustainable without investing in actual waste management practices. It is sustainability presented as a stage prop, not a functional process.
WHY IT MATTERS
Composting and recycling are not decorative choices. They have real environmental consequences.
• Organics sent to the landfill create methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide.
• Contaminated recycling loads are rejected and end up in the landfill.
• Public trust declines when shoppers learn the system was never real. When a business offers compost and recycling bins but fails to follow through, it undermines both customer confidence and environmental progress.
WHY IT HAPPENS
There are practical reasons these systems break down.
• Composting service is more expensive than standard waste hauling.
• Staff training may be inconsistent, leading to contamination or misuse.
• Organics storage can bring odors or pests if not managed properly.
• High traffic locations generate more material than staff can sort or monitor.
• The appearance of sorting satisfies customers even when the
back of house system does not support it.
At the same time, consumers contribute to the problem through wish sorting. Items that look recyclable or compostable are placed into the wrong bins, and
non recyclable packaging often ends up in recycling out of hope rather than accuracy. Others skip sorting entirely for convenience or lack of clarity. Even well designed programs struggle when bins are used incorrectly.
When either side fails, the entire system collapses.
WHAT CONSUMERS CAN DO Awareness makes a difference.
• Look for signs of separate liners or coded bins that indicate proper collection.
• Ask politely whether compost is actually collected separately from trash.
• If you see bins emptied into a single bag, inform store management or local waste authorities.
• Support businesses that demonstrate transparency in their waste practices.
Many cities have clear requirements for organics separation, and misleading waste programs can be reported when they fall out of compliance.
THE BOTTOM LINE If a business provides compost and recycling bins that do not lead to composting or recycling, it is not a harmless oversight. It is a form of greenwashing. And consumers have a right to call it out, not because the illusion is irritating, but because the planet cannot afford pretend sustainability.
A Holiday Season with Less Waste and More Intention
Staff Report
Every year, before the first carol drifts ouwt of a speaker and before a single bow ends up on a gift, Seattle is already swimming in holiday waste. Not the usual paper and boxes, but
“Choosing items packaged in cardboard supports both responsible businesses and a functioning recycling system.”
the sparkly, glitter covered, mixed material clutter that never had a real chance of being recycled. It is a seasonal tradition that quietly fills garbage bins everywhere. The sad truth is that much of the holiday décor on store shelves is designed for the landfill from the moment it is made. It doesn’t have to be this way. A greener holiday season does not require sacrifice. It simply requires attention.
GLITTER MAY LOOK CHEERFUL, BUT IT STAYS ON THE PLANET FOREVER
There is no polite way to describe glitter. It is microplastic in a festive costume. It clings to cards and wrapping paper in a way that delights shoppers and frustrates Seattle Public Utilities. Glittered paper cannot be recycled. Glittered gift bags cannot be recycled. Glittered decorations cannot be recycled. To lower waste this season, the most powerful tool is saying no to products coated in sparklies. Plain paper, cloth wraps and simple gift bags look just as beautiful under a tree. Many look better.
HOLIDAY DÉCOR IS BECOMING MORE DISPOSABLE
Each year more décor arrives in stores wrapped in layered plastics or made from a mix of foam, wire and synthetic greenery. These materials cannot be separated later, which means they cannot be recycled even with effort. They become the kind of lingering garbage no one knows what to do with.
There is something refreshing about choosing decorations that are made from a single clear material. Wood. Paper. Fabric. Real greenery. These items last longer, clean up faster and feel more luxurious.
CONSCIOUS GIVING CAN CHANGE THE ENTIRE WASTE STREAM
Many people in already give with intention, but this season is a good moment to take that idea further. Conscious giving is not a trend. It is the antidote to holiday
clutter. It encourages gifts that do not generate waste or rely on single use plastics. It might be a homemade loaf of bread tied with a saved ribbon and placed in a pretty tea towel. An experience gift like a membership to the museum. A walk together at Kerry Park with hot cocoa and a conversation. A well-made tool that replaces years of flimsy ones. Even a simple donation in someone’s honor is a gift that sits lightly on the environment and heavily on the heart.
The goal is not to reduce joy. It is to reduce the kind of joy that comes wrapped in layers of plastic and ends in the garbage two hours later.
THOUGHTFUL SHOPPING CAN PREVENT THE JANUARY HEADACHE
Anyone who has tried to recycle toy packaging knows it is a losing battle. The clear shells that snap loudly when opened
cannot be recycled in Seattle. Plastic window gift boxes cannot be recycled. Many novelty gadgets stop working before the end of December and quickly land in the garbage.
But shoppers have power. Choosing items packaged in cardboard supports both responsible businesses and a functioning recycling system. Buying from local makers often means reusable or compostable packaging. These small choices keep waste out of transfer stations and reduce stress during holiday cleanup.
REAL GREENERY BEATS SYNTHETIC REPLACEMENTS
A real wreath or tree can be composted as long as it contains no metal or plastic. This is not only more sustainable, it’s also more beautiful. Synthetic trees and wreaths are made from PVC and metal and must be thrown away eventually. Real greenery returns to the earth with far less impact.
A HOLIDAY SEASON THAT REFLECTS THE VALUES OF THIS NEIGHBORHOOD
Queen Anne has always been a place that balances charm, community and care for the environment. A lower waste holiday is an extension of that identity. It means noticing what we bring into our homes before it becomes a problem on the curb. It means remembering that everything we buy stays on the planet long after the season ends.
Most of all, it means choosing joy that does not create harm. The holidays are a time for connection and warmth, not glitter coated trash. If we give with intention and decorate with care, we can create a season that feels lighter in every sense.
