Back to School Gift Guide
For the teachers, coaches, and sitters who get your kids through the year — and for the household starting the routine over. One Think Local First Gift Card, over 200 local businesses to choose from. Delivered by email.
There are two lists this time of year — the crew who gets your kids through the year, and the household gearing up for a new one. A Think Local First Gift Card covers both.
Teachers, coaches, tutors, bus drivers, sitters, daycare staff — a local card they can spend on themselves.
over 200 local businesses — coffee, lunch, books, supplies, a treat. Their pick, not your guess.
Delivered by email. Dollars go straight to local Whatcom County businesses.
These Whatcom County businesses accept the Think Local First Gift Card — whether you're thanking a teacher or restocking your own school year.
A movie, a show, a night that isn’t about permission slips — Whatcom County after the bell rings.
Arts & Culture
1213 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, Washington, 98225
Arts & Culture
TBD each year, Bellingham, Washington, 98225
Nightlife
1224 Cornwall Avenue, Bellingham, Washington, 98225
Arts & Culture
Vallette St, Bellingham, Washington, 98225
Nightlife
1730 Labounty Dr #11, Ferndale, Washington, 98248
Arts & Culture
301 W Holly St, Suite D3, Bellingham, Washington, 98225
For the week nobody has the energy to cook, and for the coach who stayed late. Whatcom County’s kitchens, their pick.
Food & Dining
1311 Railroad Ave, Bellingham, Washington, 98225
Food & Dining
7 Bellwether Way, Bellingham, Washington, 98225
Food & Dining
25 Bellwether Way, Bellingham, Washington, 98225
Food & Dining
1301 Fraser St #105-106, Bellingham, Washington, 98229
Food & Dining
5701 Third Ave, Ferndale, Washington, 98248
Food & Dining
1319 Railroad Ave, Bellingham, Washington, 98225
Notebooks, a new reading list, shoes that fit this year — from local Whatcom County shops instead of a big-box aisle.
Retail
1204 Harris Ave, Bellingham, Washington, 98225
Retail
1327 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, Washington, 98225
Retail
913 Harris Ave, Bellingham, Washington, 98225
Retail
No Address, Bellingham, Washington, 98225
Retail
No Address, Bellingham, Washington, 98225
Retail
1544 Churchill Dr, Point Roberts, Washington, 98281
A haircut, a massage, an hour that belongs to them — the kind of thank-you a classroom mug has never been.
Services
1059 N State St. , Bellingham, WA, 98225
Services
1801 ROEDER AVENUE, SUITE 144, Bellingham, Washington, 98225
Services
432 W Bakerview Rd, Bellingham, Washington, 98226
Services
1414 Cornwall Ave, Belliingham, Washington, 98225
Services
1221 Potter St, Bellingham, Washington, 98229
Services
1100 Railroad Ave, Bellingham, Washington, 98225
The first week of school books itself solid. Schedule delivery for the date you want — the morning of day one, the end of orientation week, or the Friday the new routine finally sticks.
Pick the delivery date during checkout. Delivered by email on the day you choose.
Pick an amount between $5 and $500.
Thank a teacher by name, or send a kid off with a word of encouragement.
Delivered by email — no shipping, no wrapping.
A Think Local First Gift Card lets the person you’re thanking choose what they actually want from over 200 local Whatcom County businesses — coffee, lunch, books, a spa break. No more mugs or desk trinkets. It also supports local businesses and never expires.
Two lists, one card. The crew who gets kids through the year — teachers, coaches, tutors, bus drivers, sitters, daycare staff — and the household starting a new routine, including a busy-parent friend or a college kid heading back.
The Think Local First Gift Card is accepted at over 200 local businesses in Whatcom County, including coffee shops, restaurants, bookstores, boutiques, salons, and more. They pick where and when.
Visit our purchase page, choose an amount ($5–$500), add a personal message, and send it by email — or print it for hand delivery on the first day. No shipping needed.
Yes. During checkout you can pick the delivery date, whether that is the first day of school or the end of orientation week. Set it up early and skip the last-minute scramble.
No, the Think Local First Gift Card does not expire. They can use it whenever they’re ready — there’s no rush to spend it during the first week.
A Think Local First Gift Card for the teacher, the coach, or the parent holding it together — good at over 200 local Whatcom County businesses. Delivered by email — no wrapping required.
Buy a Think Local First Gift Card