By Julie Anderson
BDA senior product developer

More than 3,000 brands were on display at last week's winter edition of the Seattle Gift Show at the Washington Trade & Convention Center.

BDA walked the showroom floor on the lookout for emerging trends, up and coming local companies and individual gifting ideas.

Our top finds included:
• Reusable sandwich bags by Bring It: The reusable bag trend started with grocery shopping bags, then extended to trend-forward reusable lunch bags. Now there are fashionable bags that take the place of Ziploc sandwich bags. Eco-friendly and trend-right.

• Kidz Placemats by Modern-Twist: Made from food-grade silicone, these mats are doodle-friendly with the use of washable or dry erase markers. Create a fun scene for kids to color that incorporates a client's graphics. Designed for optimal functionality with an easy-to-clean, non-porous, germ-free surface.

• Salt & pepper grinders by Vic Firth: Originally known as a leading manufacturer of drumsticks, Vic Firth brought its woodturning expertise to the gourmet tools market. Can produce custom shapes and pad print logos and graphics. All wooden grinders are hand crafted in Newport, Maine. Products are guaranteed for life. The eco-friendly company uses its waste wood to heat the factory.

• Edibles by Xcell International: Gourmet gift packs like Xcell's Fondue for Two, Cake 'n Cup and the Old Fashioned Popcorn Set are a snacker's dream. Our favorite—a wine dip mix that you just add to a few ounces your favorite wine and serve with crackers, cheese, fruit, cold cuts or other appetizers.
[http://xcellint.com/]

BDA product developer Kristin Larson contributed to this post.