Christmas at Bell Square Mall

Bell Square Mall, located just across lake Washington from Seattle in Bellevue (cross via the 520 or 1-90 water bridge,) is pretty much the premier Christmas shopping experience. This is considered to be Washington's most posh mall, and they really go all out for the busy holiday season (hint- do not go on Black Tuesday, the day after Thanksgiving- you will be lucky if you escape with your life.) It is a nice place, as far as malls are concerned. Everything is really spacious and open, and there are plenty of skylights that made everything feel less cramped when the place is full of shoppers. Your best bet for it being the least crowded is a weekday: however, if you are cool with shopping, it's kind of fun to go on a weekend night right before Christmas. Everything is lit up, they have carolers, and the mall is filled with decorations (and sales.)

Bell Square in Bellevue definitely has some of the most high end shopping available outside of downtown Seattle (and it's all indoors, which can be nice in the winter rain.) You'll find all the big names here: Coach, Escada, Armani, ect. You'll also find the most popular department stores, including Nordstrom and Macy's. (as well as an entirely separate Macy's home store, which has a lot of great stuff.) If you can bring yourself to wait until Christmas is right upon you, you can get some really good deals. The Bell Square Victoria's Secret is one of the largest in the country, and definitely as holiday selection - you can fin some great seasonal body lotion and perfume, as well. Other stores include Express, Ann Taylor & Ann Taylor Loft, The Limited, Lucky, Arden B, JC Penny's, Aldo, Jessica McClintock, Bombay, Sephora, Pottery Barn (and Pottery Barn Kids,) Williams & Sonoma, Crate & Barrel, & Borders Books. You'll also find lots of spa products that are good for stocking stuffers - some good choices are available at Aveda and L'Occitaine. Across the street, you'll find Cost Plus, which has great (and cheap) holiday wine - especially champagne. They also have fun things for appetizers and cocktails, and lots of holiday ornaments. The French Table has amazing linens for the holidays, as does nearby Pier One, a Seattle based company. And you can get delicious food to heat up at home from the Pasta Factory, if you can't bring yourself to do a lot of cooking.

Bell Square is a luxury mall: there are plenty of great restaurants there. There are also some of the super popular ones where everyone can find something that they can eat. (The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak house, Red Robin. Ect.) If you go near Christmas, you always see all the rich Eastside families decked out in their finest in the mall area doing last minute shopping - the little girls are very precious in their fancy holiday dresses; I have to admit that it's very cute. And the Santa Claus display is one of the most elaborate around. There is usually plenty of parking, although the limits are tested during the week of Christmas. One of the nicest things about Bell Square is that there are a lot of really cozy chairs located throughout, and good places to get coffee and sit down- sometimes you just need a rest around the holidays. Even in Bellevue.