The Sit+Sip Holiday Home-Accessories Swap at the Phinney Neighborhood Center on Saturday lets you find gifts without having to shell out a lot of money. Pay the $10 entrance fee and bring at least three things to swap. Everything swapped is free.

Clean out all your closets and trade in those wedding and birthday gifts plus home and holiday decor items that just aren’t your style. Swap them for some new cool gift or décor items you’ll love. Think serving trays, candleholders, artwork, ornaments, rugs, and pillows.

Drop-off and preview is from 10-10:45 a.m., and swapping begins at 10:45 a.m. Check out the Sit+Sip FAQ page for more information. Twenty-percent of the profits are donated to Children’s Hospital.

One of our favorite specialty food shops, The Shop Agora, now has online ordering. After you’ve ordered your Mediterranean treats, you can order some light reading to go with it from Santoro’s Books.

If you’re in a hurry, try online ordering from Stacia’s Pizza. Any others you know about? Add a link in comments.

NWsource reports that Greenwood boutique Tweed is one of 10 boutiques nationwide chosen for a national program with Woolite and Stacy London of “What Not to Wear” fame. The program will teach women tips to keep their clothes looking newer longer.

The “Find the Look, Keep the Look” campaign includes a contest for a shopping spree and style consultation. On the campaign website, click on the “Find the Look, Keep the Look” tab, then scroll to page 7 to see a photo of Tweed owner Danielle Luartes.

You may remember that Amazon Fresh recently had a voting contest to see which new neighborhood in the city would receive its grocery delivery service. Ravenna won that vote, with the 98117 zip code covering Ballard and parts of Phinney a close second.

Today, Amazon Fresh announced it would begin deliveries to the 98117 and 98107 zip codes beginning next week. You can order online as late as midnight and receive your order as early as 6 a.m. Delivery is free for orders over $75; otherwise there’s a $5 delivery fee.

Terry Heiman, owner of Metropolis, 7321 Greenwood Ave. N, is rolling out a number of special sales - as well as a Dec. 13 visit from Santa - to combat the effects of the economic downturn (or whatever you want to call it).

Heiman recently told us the situation is the worst he’s seen in 27 years. His plea: “All small businesses need your support and we appreciate yours.”

Here’s the lineup:

• Dec. 1-5: 10% off all bath and personal care products by The Thymes and European Soaps.
• Dec. 13-14: Kid’s Weekend. 15% discount for kid’s holiday shopping, and meet Santa on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 1-3p.m. (bring your camera). This is not to give Santa your wish list but to meet and take pictures.
• Dec. 15-19: 20% off all “soft goods,” including towels, napkins, rugs and throws.
• Dec. 27-31: 15% off paper plates, napkins, party goods and helium balloons for New Year’s celebrations.

If you know of any local businesses getting creative to bring in customers, post a mention in comments.

Metropolis, 7321 Greenwood Ave. N., is holding their 27th holiday sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Sunday (Nov. 15-16). Owner Terry Heiman is hoping it’ll provide a boost in these iffy times.

“We’re hoping for a good response because the economy is horrid,” Heiman said. “I’ve never seen anything like this in my 27 years. But we’re stocked and we look fabulous and we are fabulous. You have to stay positive. ”

Thanks, Sarah-Ruth, for cluing us in to this!

One of our readers asked if we could post up something about places in Phinney Ridge and Greenwood to patronize for the holidays.

I read the Ballard blog recently and they mentioned shopping locally for the holiday season. Thought it might be a good idea for the other local blog sites to do the same. Perhaps take it a bit further and mention where to go for specific people, pets, etc. on your list?

 Phinneywood readers, what businesses would you recommend for shopping local and what are some of the special finds they have?

There’s a new shoe store on the Greenwood/Phinney line.

Strut just celebrated its one-month-anniversary, and it’s not your trendy, high-fashion, puttin’ on the ritz kind of boutique. This one focuses on comfort and style. That’s right - comfort and style. Two words that generally don’t go in the same sentence. When we were there, we saw sandals, flats and pumps for women, shoes for men and even kiddo shoes. The owner said that she was slowly building up the men’s selection and should have more in soon.