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Gifted
Category: Event Planning & Services Cards & Stationery Shopping Arts & Crafts Cards & Stationery Shopping Flowers & Gifts Cards & Stationery Cards & Stationery [Edit]
5427 Ballard Ave NW(between N 22nd Ave & Market St)
Seattle, WA 98107
Neighborhood: Ballard
(206) 781-0882
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 7 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 9 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- Yes
Hansen's Florist
Get 42% off your purchase at Hansen's Florist
37 reviews for Gifted
37 reviews in English
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Review from Chanda I.
9/16/2011
i always stop at this place when i'm in ballard. it's just so freakin' cute. and i am a sucker for cute and tiny things (that are not needed)!
they have a bunch of japanese knick knacks that i love which are affordable, like cell phone key chains. they carry a nice selection of greeting cards, jewelry, kid items, and girly items. it's pretty random so just go in there and browse. a great idea to buy something quirky for a gift. -
Review from Riss J.
5/27/2011 1 photo
I post *one* photo taken at this place and Yelp will not stop hounding me to review it.
Emily has already written the best review of this stuff ever.
Unless you are shopping for a toddler, or someone with a toddler's sense of humor, I don't understand the appeal of these types of stores.
Sure, it's funny......once.
If it's super..it's funny....twice.
But, I guarantee almost everything available here is destined to not have the outcome or reaction you wanted (as a gift) or force you to drag bags of stuff out to corner for local charities on a regular basis (if you can find it under all the dust it's collected since you bought it, that is)
I was the recipient once of an entire bag full of various gifts here once. For Christmas no less. (and, if you compare to the following Christmas' big screen tv, household of furniture and eventually a truck, it seems all the more horrible as a gift, doesn't it)
I am endlessly and horribly sentimental, so, of course, I still have all the random crap I was given that first Christmas. For now, at least. Whenever I come across it in the memory box, I still have that same twinge of WTF? I had when I opened it.
I'm still not entirely sure I understand how those particular items reminded the gifter of me.
If you have to have gag gifts or need to support the sense of humor of another person that would enjoy these things, it's good that places like Gifted exist.
I'd enjoy walking through it and laughing with you, quite a bit actually, but if you made a move to purchase, I reserve the right to body-slam you out the door with your wallet intact. -
Review from Katy H.
2/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I dare you!
I dare you to walk into gifted and come out empty handed. Gifts for anyone can be found here. Especially gifts for yourself! Whether it's a quirky book, a funny doll, some special ice cub trays, stickers or even handmade clothes and purses, they have it all!
Almost like a museum you'll be tempted to walk every inch of the store and look at every single item. The cool part though is that you can touch stuff and take it home! Assuming you buy it, of course.
Don't ever walk past this place. Go in. I promise you'll find something you need. -
Review from Kathy A.
3/12/2011
Even just looking at this shop from the outside, you know it is going to be amazing once you go in. They have so many random gag gifts/toys. It'll keep you entertained for hours!
My personal favorite section of the store is in the back where they have a HUGE selection of cards. I'm the type of person that will spend hours reading funny birthday cards searching for the perfect one to get or just to amuse myself. Every single card I picked up made me laugh hysterically. Another great option... the "Wasted and Broke" or "Soup for Sluts" ramen noodles. It's safe to say I did not leave empty handed and I WILL be back. -
Review from Brittany L.
Lynnwood, WA
5/26/2011
Anytime I'm in Ballard, I find myself having to stop at this cute little shop. It quickly became one of my favorite places in the neighborhood when I found their array of little hello kitty keychain/phone charm thingies dressed up as different animals. Naturally, I now collect them!
My friend is a kewpie fanatic, too -- so she usually finds something for herself in here as well.
Yes, you can find a lot of their products in places like Urban Outfitters or Fireworks in the mall, but why not support a local business instead? I'm all for it. -
Review from Tiffany N.
Denver, CO
1/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
In a word this store is adorbs! I stopped in Gifted during a recent trip to Seattle with the very lovely Katy H and managed to pick up some super sweet stocking stuffers including a robot shaped headphone splitter, funny magnets, and a cat-shaped flashlight key chain.
The whole store is full of fun, funky presents so I'm sure you can find something for anyone on your list whether it's Christmas, birthdays, or the 4th of July. Plus the staff here is so friendly that you can't help but want to browse a little extra longer.
And if you're in the neighborhood shopping for me there was this bacon belt that caught my eye...Listed in: Some of my favorite places…, Adventures in Seattle!
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Review from Heather H.
Seattle, WA
5/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ballard has its crowning glory in my glorified list of Seattle shopping, holding some of the best indie shops for everyone.
Gifted takes it's place shock full of random goodies that would service anyone from age 4-60+. There is so much fun little goodies and random stuffers that its pointless to make a list. You just have to go there yourself and check out all the playful stuff. Very similar to the Fireworks store, just more rounded in its theme. Makes for a fun random trip! -
Review from Ponarett X.
Renton, WA
3/24/2011
I love this little shop! Every time I go in, I have to look at everything! If you blink, you might miss something great so keep your eyes open. There is so much going on that I could probably entertain myself for hours.
I always have to stop myself from buying a ton of stuff. I could really do some damage in this store. Do I really need a rainbow colored pencil? Probably not, but I wanted one anyway.
If you're looking for a unique, quirky gift for yourself or someone, this is definitely the place to go. There's something for everyone. -
Review from Lexie S.
Seattle, WA
8/6/2011 10 Check-ins Here
I LOVE this store! It has something for myself, my daughter and my cat! They carry my (now) favorite incense and apparently everyone else too because they always are out or only have a few. I can get stickers for my daughter (12) or myself if I'm feeling fun. They have jewejry, handbags, wallets and cards. Great store for birthdays and any day. I love it and recommend YOU to go there too to support our local shops.
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Review from AJ A.
Seattle, WA
8/27/2011
I LOVE stopping by at Gifted. If I need a gift, I can always find something either for my teenage niece (hair accessories), my 30-something brother-in-law (inflatable moose head), my girl friends (hand bags, cool wallets, unique jewelry), my 4 year old (giant inflatable beach ball) or myself (solar powered dancing potted flower). The prices are affordable and the merchandise is unique!
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Review from Teresita C.
Seattle, WA
5/7/2010
Truth be told, tchotchke can make you nuts.
I like to keep things streamlined and minimal, but in the case of Gifted, TCHOTCHKE RULES.
There is much to see, touch and covet. I could spend a couple of hours looking at all the goodies they sell in this little emporium of fun but I limit myself to whatever gift/card/treat I'm buying and I get out before dizziness sets in.
They have a great selection of Japanese toys and stickers, jewelry and an awesome card section. It sure beats the mall!Listed in: Ballard State of Mind
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Review from Ruth B.
Seattle, WA
1/19/2011
I love this place, it's perfect to get a gift for anyone - even yourself.
They have all kinds of gag gifts but also some nice like jewelry and accessories, interesting decor items, lots of kitschy Japanese toys...I did like half my Christmas shopping here. Next time you have an hour or so to kill in Ballard, you should spend some time just wandering around in here. -
Review from Emily T.
2/23/2009
Your couch cushions, Goodwill and white elephant gift exchanges would like to thank you for shopping at Gifted.
Miniature sushi? It's just begging to get lost under a couch cushion.
Star Wars cookbook? After one failed attempt at making Princess Leah's hot cross buns, the book will be headed for Goodwill, to make room on the bookshelf.
OrgasGUM? Tee hee, giggle giggle. Won't that embarrass Buffy at the company Xmas gift exchange. Chewed and tossed.
Basically, this store is full of the kind of junk you curse yourself for buying each time you're stuck packing boxes for a move. A lot of the store's merchandise might make you chuckle at first, but folks, it doesn't get any more funny when you bring it home. Spare me the clutter. -
Review from Amanda M.
9/9/2010 1 Check-in Here
Fun shop with an incredible variety of funky toys, knick-knacks, baby clothing/accessories, greeting cards, and jewelry. This should be your first stop if you're looking for unique and inexpensive gifts, stocking stuffers, or novelties for your favorite eccentric. There were also some baby gifts and cute cards you're unlikely to find elsewhere.
My friend and I both landed upon $10 goodies we "couldn't live without" but absolutely didn't need... so we just bought them for each other and exchanged random gifts. I guess this place sort of inspires generosity, then, too? :) Definitely enough to bring out your inner child! -
Review from Shari d.
11/8/2010
Such a cute and fun little shop in Ballard. I went there on the advice of a co-worker and was able to find cute knick knacks and cards to give to friends. The store itself is fairly small but they manage to put a lot of neat things in such a small area.
Love these kinds of stores and will be coming back next time I need a unique gift. -
Review from Sonya L.
4/22/2010
Gifted is a great place to find unique and awesome gifts for that one person you have no idea what to buy. For me, that is my aunt. She is awesome and has tons of cool interests, but for whatever reason, I can never figure out what to buy her! I headed to Gifted a of couple days before her birthday and found several things I knew she'd really like.
This place is packed with all sorts of items. Sure, they have a lot of useless knick-knacks - keychains, erasers, etc - but they do have some great, unique items that make awesome presents. They also have a pretty large greeting card selection in the back, which is awesome.
The woman at the counter was really nice and gave her input on some of the lip balm I was purchasing, saying she really liked it herself.
Overall I like Gifted. There isn't a lot there that I would buy myself (too many things I don't really need), but it's always fun to browse and it's perfect for finding fun and interesting gifts for others.Listed in: Bodacious Ballard
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Review from Christina B.
Seattle, WA
12/17/2010
This place is great! I stopped in last week to pick up a white elephant gift for a Christmas party. I didn't want to drag myself over to Archie McPhee's, and was pleasantly surprised.
I mean how do you choose between a samurai sword hot dog roaster and a pull my finger farting pen? *sigh*
I'll be back for more wonderful stocking stuffers. Sorry mom. -
Review from Marika B.
Seattle, WA
10/1/2008
If you're looking for TERRIFIED PICKLES, then look no further.
My son begged for a Terrified Pickle ($1) and played with that eraser-sized thing for hours. I like to think that before the pickle became terrified, it was a euphoric cucumber, but there's no way of verifying that. My son would retrieve it from his pocket, dance the toy around, laugh hysterically, and then put it away. The Terrified Pickle is like a modern-day babysitter; if you have children, I suggest you buy them in bulk.
We are toy collectors, and so I love this place. We tend to buy from the glass case up front, but there are really fun toys in the back, most notably the Food Chain Friends: "They're friends, they eat each other, it's complicated" is their stuffed animal advertising slogan.
I also love the cards they have in stock (I try to resist, but it's futile), and the Canadian monsters they got in this summer from the Monster Factory. I know you can get some of this stuff at Archie McPhee's, and maybe some at Fireworks--but at Archie's, EVERYTHING is cheap and cheaply-made (although invariably fun), and at Fireworks, everything is overpriced and shiny like the Eastside. If you're going to give your money to someone, give it to the small business who has a little bit of both.
The owner is also very nice, and has a great sense of humor.Listed in: Reviews That Kick Ass, Ballard: My 2nd Home
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Review from Elaine K.
6/4/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This is one of those stores that you can't resist going into if you walk by, even if you have nothing or nobody to shop for! Irresistibly fun and quirky filled with one of a kind items. It's a perfect gift for stocking stuffers, gifts to make someone laugh, and gifts to make someone ask, "where on earth did you find this?"
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Review from Kathleen M.
Seattle, WA
12/14/2008
This place is sooooo much fun. I have been in here a few times and I stopped in again last night during the Ballard Art Walk. I bought two "stuffed animals" that are GIANT MICROBES. I love scoring weird things for my friends' kids to play with and I scored big time in Gifted last night. Yup, two little munchkins in Wisconsin will each be receiving a stuffed GIANT MICROBE (about the size of a bean bag) this Christmas: Blue-green Algae and Scabies Mange. How awesome is that? Totally awesome!
Gifted truly has something fun for everyone. Jewelery, accessories, hats, gloves, stickers, cards, books, magnets, and toys galore. The best part about this place is that everyone is having a good time while they are shopping. How do I know this? B/c all you hear in that store is groups of people giggling and laughing as they cruise the place.
The owner always has her front window decked out for each holiday. I could spend 10 minutes just gawking at her fun and entertaining window displays. I will definitely be swinging into Gifted every time I am walking along Old Ballard, which is often.Listed in: Ballard, My Love, Born to Shop
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Review from Erik M.
12/23/2009 1 Check-in Here
Gifted is a refreshingly offbeat addition to Ballard Ave's crop of chichi, expensive boutique shops. It doesn't look like much from the street, but once you get inside and navigate to the large back room, you'll appreciate having stepped inside.
While the merchandise runs on the younger/immature side (not necessarily in a bad way, mind you), there is plenty to entertain and delight kids of all ages, whether you need a grow your own zombie, novelty ice cube tray, funky reusable shopping bag, off-color stationery, or semi-precious stone earrings, they can hook you up. I recently found some good stocking stuffers for a variety of people, as well as some potential gift ideas for future birthdays or special events.
In addition to the selection of just-for-fun goodies, the staff were all really friendly and helpful, discretely circulating among the shoppers offering assistance, and carrying on appropriately personable conversations while ringing people up.
Since Archie McPhee left the neighborhood, Ballard retail has been teetering on taking itself too seriously, but Gifted brings a little fun and a little weird back to the scene. While it doesn't have room for the breadth of merchandise Archie used to offer, it's a very reasonable substitute, and much more conveniently located. Give it a shot next time you're hunting for a unique oddity or fun gift.Listed in: Ballard Shops and Services
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Review from Erin B.
3/1/2009
This store was the perfect place to stop by when we had some time to kill. Beautiful, funky, creative little trinkets are tucked into every corner. They also had an excellent selection of greeting cards that were much more interesting than any Hallmark card. I loved all of their accessories (I am coming back for some of those .75 colorful bracelet's). They also had quite a collection of Día de los Muertos items which puts a smile on my face.
Ballard is lucky to be "gifted" with this store- eh? eh? pretty good right? No? yeah...that's pretty bad.Listed in: A Nice Little Saturday
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Review from Sean M.
Edmonds, WA
3/9/2009
Don't hate the player, hate the game!
And boy is Gifted a player! Filled with stuff no one really needs but everyone wants. Gifted knows how to play the game and in this case the game is getting you to buy stuff you really don't need but really want. If you come here looking for that special something that you can't live without then your coming to the wrong place baby. However if your looking for a little "somet'n-somet'n" to keep you going then this is the place to shop. Gifted isn't about long term commitments, its about impulse.
Don't be a hater!Listed in: My favorite reviews.
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Review from Carrie H.
Seattle, WA
5/21/2007
They have a lot of great stuff, as do most "gifty" stores do. Weird bracelets? Yup! Rubber ducks? Sure! But because they have so many DIFFERENT items in a tiny store, there is not a lot of choices.
If you do find something you like, then your day is made. I purchased myself a wallet a for my birthday a while back, and I loved it till the day it fell apart.
Very cramped store, so only good to go when few people are in. -
Review from ian l.
Renton, WA
6/12/2007
Three stars, just for the fact that I found a place to impulsively buy the shot-glass ice mold we've all read about on some blog dedicated to showcasing random cool stuff. Ok, maybe YOU haven't, but I appreciate clever / witty commercialism on the internet the way an older generation may have appreciated art in museums.
Amusingly, it was found in the "for father's day" section.
Which would be strange, except that out of everything else you'll find in the store, it makes some sense; when you're the clerk in charge of making a father's day section from an eclectic collection of cheap trendy things you've probably seen before on a website somewhere, the shot glass mold is probably the most utilitarian, practical thing in the store that you could try to convince Dad was a sincere gift. As in, sincerely not a gift that you've fancied for yourself but would never waste the money on, but could get some use out of if he owned one.
In any case, the store had exhausted my attention within 10-15 minutes, and I'd recommend shopping there only if you'd happened to have been enjoying the excellent happy hour cocktails next door and realized you'd forgotten to pick up a thoughtless gift for some event later that evening.
Or, of course, if you're in need of a mold to make shot glasses made of ice. -
Review from Christine S.
Seattle, WA
1/7/2008
I love this store. Anytime I'm in downtown Ballard it's a must. It's the go to store when I want something for a fun friend that isn't a total P.O.S. and won't fall apart/lose it's appeal after it's been opened.
Also cute funky bags and wallets, plus actual jewelry (they also have the jokey kind too).
I don't like it better or worse than Archie's, I think they're different for me. I wouldn't shop at one instead of the other, each has it's own niche in my shopping repertoire.Listed in: LOVE
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Review from randi s.
2/11/2008
I LOVE it!!!
I went in here when I was pretty drunk around christmas to find some last minute gifts for some friends and myself. The staff was helpful and nice, even though I think they could tell I shouldnt be shopping at the time.
Here's what I remember seeing -
-blue Q products (yay!!) love their body sprays...
-a little stuffed owl tucked inside of a stuffed tree-trunk (why didn't I buy it?)
-super-cute t shirts with skulls on them
-little bins full of tiny plastic cracker-jack style toys (i bought a mini rubber chicken)
-and at the register i came across a rubber monkey that plays drums when you pump air into it from a pump thats connected to its back....bought it!!
I guess in conclusion this store is awesome but it's even more awesome after you've been bar hopping on ballard ave. -
Review from K. F.
Louisville, CO
6/13/2009
While waiting for a table at the restaurant up the street, I stopped into this little shop to browse. I literally only made it a few feet into this store and was stuck. I came across some of the cutest things that I have ever seen and had never seen before--little cereal boxes filled with surprises! Inside there were minature sets of random things--foods, dishes, furnishings, etc. They were too cute to pass up! (I am a miniature collector.) Our table was ready and I had to leave so we could get seated so I did not have nearly enough time to look through everything. However, the owner was extremely kind and looked up other places where I could find these magical little boxes.
Next time I am in Seattle I will have to set aside some time to go back to this little shop! -
Review from Mandy C.
Seattle, WA
9/5/2009
This place is so cute. I happened to stumble upon it when I was out walking in Ballard with an out-of-towner. GIfted has lots of cool gifts and whatnots. Jewelry, stationary, cards and cute little kits like how to make your own sock monkey. Man, if I had any talent at all, I would have gotten that kit.. the sad part is it's actually for 7-10 year olds or something. They have to be at least somewhat advanced 7-10 year olds because I can only handle knitting scarves.
anyway, I'm digressing... this place is cute and cool and local and I like it. Check it out when you're wandering down Ballard Ave sometime. -
Review from terrell m.
Seattle, WA
7/30/2006
I went in here on one of those very, very hot days and I could not get the woman behind the counter to say two words to me. I just find it bizarre when people don't speak to you while you're in their store. Maybe it was the heat, I don't know.
It's an extremely small shop filled with lots of cheap-o toys. Remember those beaded necklaces your wore in the 80s where you'd take a bunch of them in different colors and twist them together? They have bins of those. Every thing I saw screamed junk to me. Sure, there were some cute erasers and tiny little Japanese toys, but there was nothing of any quality whatsoever. -
Review from Jen P.
Seattle, WA
12/14/2009
This place has the kinds of products that I buy for no good reason except to crack myself up, or to crack up my family. Bacon band-aids, boxing grannies, doodle-a-placemat, a purple pimp hat, tiny rubber chickens, whatever you don't need but inexplicably want is here.
And somehow they manage to merchandise everything in an elegant way, which makes for a pleasant shopping experience. I've always had nothing but friendly encounters with the staff, and the shoppers tend to giggle their way through the small space. Definitely makes Christmas shopping more pleasant. -
Review from Rozzie M.
Seattle, WA
7/10/2008
I keep coming back to Gifted because I have found witty cards and anti George W stickers. They have a TON of little things to peruse. My personal favorites are the penis soap, which is a soap ring on a rope and the keychain of the pregnant lady which is made out of a clear plastic with a little baby floating around in the belly. They have a lot of the Accruements brand items (Archie McPhees brand). I compared their prices to Fuego (Alderwood and Northgate mall) and I noticed Gifted tends to charge a few dollars more. Cool stuff, lots of cheaply made toys mixed in. I have yet to see a staff member greet me or anyone else. I guess they just figure if you need help you will ask.
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Review from Maria C.
Seattle, WA
11/6/2005
The display of beautiful Asian dishware in the window drew me in, but it was downhill after that. Reminds me of a cheap Japanese toy store, lots of plastic and gags and paper umbrellas. Kids love the place. I'd rather go to Archie McPhee's.
Listed in: Ballard Avenue Shopping, Kitsch
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Review from Amie S.
Seattle, WA
6/19/2008
I love this store! It has great jewelry and it also has the cutest random stuff, like orgasm gun and such. the rings are stunning. There's a huge selection of voodoo dolls that you can get for only $10 each, books, book bags, and even melt -a toys. It's like a ballard version of magic mouse toys. a great place to bring a friend to.
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Review from Chloe H.
Seattle, WA
2/1/2006
This place has a lot of fun cards and Asian imports, but I agree with Maria C. Archie's has weirder stuff at better prices.
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Review from Leni D.
Seattle, WA
9/29/2009
What a fun novelty store!!! Everything is childish as hell, and absolutely useless - in other words, super fun! Tons of stupid/cute miniature figures, all sorts of funky fridge magnets, funny ice cube trays, japanese mini-stickers, jewelry, toys, bags...You can't go in there with a mindset above 12 years old. I was feeling a bit sad that day, but this store lifted my spirits!
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Review from Brian S.
Seattle, WA
12/17/2006
quirky shop, staff can be hit or miss, but I love stopping in here during my holiday shopping excursion in Ballard every year. always something good for a white elephant exchange.
