Where to shop during the holidays

Old holiday traditions in an uncharted city: Oh, where to begin. There are loved ones to shop for in what seems to be time not suitable for simply browsing. When you're ready to tackle the task, here are a few helpful hints on where to get started.

From the HUB, hop on Metro Route 68, which will take you to Northgate, about 100 blocks north of the University. This indoor setting offers familiar clothing stores like American Eagle, Nordstrom, JC Penney and The Gap, but also places like Hollister, a newer store from the Abercrombie & Fitch company with a more California-surfer style.

Across the street from Northgate Mall, there is a complex where Best Buy, Target, G.I. Joe's and the new addition of Ross Dress for Less can be found.

Should you want to stay within the U-District, take a walk down the Burke Gilman or grab Metro Route 65, 68, 75 or 372 from anywhere on Stevens Way (the road running through campus) and ride until U. Village is in sight.

This outdoor shopping center has the appeal of a mall, but don't plan on leaving your jacket in the car. The fresh air between stores acts as a nice rejuvenator.

Stores such as Restoration Hardware, Crate and Barrel, and William's Sonoma are great places to begin for Mom or Dad in light of home and kitchen, while purchases from Smith and Hawken and Ravenna Gardens will please anyone with a green thumb.

Check out Fireworks, located at a walkway crossing in the center of the main structure, for some of the most eccentric gifts around. This store is stocked with artsy gift ideas -- things probably not to be found at a department store or the local Target.

Informative books like Be Happy ($12.95), mighty mints in boxes with famous art on them ($5.50) and a fantastic selection of holiday ornaments fit any style. For the wittier side of your shopping list, see the rack straight and to the right inside the door, where an array of blowfish glitter ornaments decked out with various feminine costumes and very voluptuous lips are going for $10 to $12.50 each. Plan on staying for a while, as there's a lot to see.

Thirdly, for the more adventurous type, flashing your U-PASS on a southbound Metro Route 71, 72 or 73 from Northeast Campus Parkway will take you right to the shopping wonderland of downtown Seattle.

Designer shops like BeBe, BCBG and Tiffany's Jewelry are down Pine Street in the Pacific Place Shopping Center, directly across from the five-story Old Navy.

Amid the holiday bustle, between Third and Seventh streets and Pike and Pine streets, there are many other options to check out, such as Westlake Center, another indoor mall with a Washington souvenir shop on an upper floor.

For a bit of humor for the lucky peers on your list, check out Urban Outfitters at 1507 Fifth Ave. True, the majority of this store comprises trendy wear, but a special holiday gift display may just leave you giggling from the crass selection of potential gifts.

Boxed holiday cards from $10.95 to $14 display a "Santa's Helper" Playboy bunny or, for the more inhibited, dazzling snow scenes with a bit more than the generic "happy holidays" message.

An assortment of books, including a Scholastic-published dandy called Friends Stick Together ($6.95), gives a child's amusing perspective (handwriting, pictures and all) of how girlfriends should treat each other.

Moses action figures ($7), Jesus wrapping paper ($10) and Martini shaker sets ($20) are also recommended for the religious types.

Yet wherever the madness of this shopping season leads you, keep in mind that it is the thought that counts. Being in college and all, we are expected to be thinkers, exploring the crevices of our minds and the surrounding world.

Thus, think a little, and explore these options and more for the best holiday gifts ever in 2003.