What gifts will help friends moving to Portland, OR?

I don't think I've ever met anyone who has moved to Portland who wouldn't love a http://www.powells.com/powellscard.html. It's the world's greatest English-language bookstore.

A membership at the http://www.portlandchinesegarden.org/ or http://japanesegarden.com/. It's delightful to pop in often to see the seasonal changes.

It's damp and cold there this time of year. Portland has a couple great Russian/Scandinavian-style soak/hydrotherapy/chill places that are quite affordable. My favorite is http://cgwc.org/ but many appreciate the sleek layout of http://www.loyly.net/ as well. I'm sure both have gift certificates.

Oh, I should say: my friends are young (around 30), cool-geeky, foodies, interested in crafts, technology, movies, gaming. So: movie theater membership or gift certificate for the funky restaurant everyone's talking about, yes. Retiree-type activities: no.

Well, to combine cool movie theater and awesome beer (with okay food), you might consider a http://www.shopmcmenamins.com/products/1672-mcmenamins-gift-cards. McMenamins is a local brew-pub chain that likes to buy historic buildings and turn them into pure awesome. In particular, there is the http://www.mcmenamins.com/events/search/Movie?location_id=99, an historic movie-house with a bar and restaurant and the http://www.mcmenamins.com/events/search/Movie?location_id=6 - the Kennedy School is an old elementary school that now has several bars, restaurants, hotel rooms, and a movie theater in the old cafeteria with big comfy couches. Both tend to show second-run movies, so the tickets are just a couple bucks and you can eat and drink while you watch your move. So, for less than the price of a ticket at a regular theater you get a delicious pint of beer and a movie! /loves me some McMenamins Another possibility would be the http://www.hollywoodtheatre.org/engaging/index.html - its another historic theater and it shows mostly small, art-house and foreign films. No beer and food, but excellent movies that you won't likely find elsewhere.

Laurelhurst theater, mcmennamin's, portland city grill, cinema 21, but not an umbrella. Nothing says 'out of towner' like an umbrella. It rains, and people get over it.

I've found that among almost everyone, native or immigrant, knowing or ignorant, observing or flouting the umbrella embargo, far and away, prevailing attitude is to not give a shit. Umbrellas can be useful and stylish. Go for it.

Strongly seconding the McMeniman's card. We have given them and the beauty is that, in almost any neighborhood in Portland, you can use it. I am half surprised that they have not given Matt and Cortex a great offer to take over this site. . . But seriously, the card is a great idea.

A McMenamins gift card with a link to the Science Pub series is a good idea. As is a gift card to Powells. You could do a subscription to Portland Monthly which is our local, somewhat fussy magazine geared towards lifestyle stuff. They always have a numbered feature on their cover - ten best neighborhoods, top five burgers, 30 places to visit in Oregon. For the spa experience, Ive had great massages at both Doscha spas - the one in NW and the one on Hawthorne. I actually like the NW one a bit better. Also, I happen to think a good compact umbrella in a cheerful color that both opens and closes automatically is a great gift for someone moving to Portland. Most rainy days in winter are mere drizzles and mists. The last week, though, torrential! An umbrella is a handy thing. Oh! A few all-zone passes and maps for tri-met, the local public transport, can be ordered online. Learning the system here is great if they're going to live anywhere close to the downtown.