Holiday gifts

We've posted about holiday shopping events here and here. But what if that doesn't cover everyone on your list? Here's a few thoughts:

Biagio Fine Chocolate: I've posted about it a few times before but I'll keep doing it because I'm a little bit obsessed with this place. They have a great selection of interesting bars in all sizes and prices that are great for a stocking or Secret Santa. To take it up a notch go for the chocolates behind the counter, which come in an ever-changing array of classic and offbeat flavors. You can them in any amount and they cost about the same as the Godiva boxes at Barnes and Noble, but the lucky recipient will know they're getting something special.

GoMamago! I couldn't find a website for this place for the longest time because I've been thinking the sign says GoMango! Whatever it's called, this spot on 14th St. is tucked between other goldmines like Pulp and Homerule. It's got a great collection of household goods, gifts, and tchotchkes from around the world in all price ranges.

Grooming Lounge: $50 may sound like a lot for a shave; but if the preponderance of bowties on men under 70 in this city is any indication, there's plenty of young men who are looking to revive elements of old-timey grooming. If your man is one of them, he'll be bragging about this for months.

National Building Museum: Another Gone Out favorite. A solid spot for house stuff, toys, and books.

Not local but still feel-good bonus: OneWorld Gift Guide

Yeaccch

This has nothing to do with free ice cream or cheap happy hours but I had to share it- can you imagine anyone swimming in the Potomac today? And what exactly are the people in front doing?



Shorpy: Who Can't Swim?

Crab Soup Cookoff

I don't know about you, but, I really don't take advantage of the immediate access to Maryland Crabs that I have living in this area.

If you're the same, I would suggest checking out the CRAB SOUP COOKOFF (!!) in Arlington. For ten bucks you can sample a host of crab soups from participting restaurants. Other food, for sale, will be available from vendors as well.

Check out more information about the event here.

Free HOT CHOCOLATE at TangySweet.

Today. Thursday. Noon-11pm. 'nough said.

http://www.tangysweet.com/

Hoopla Closing Sale

I know that it is easy to be swept away by the amazing and unique designs of your corner Anne Taylor, but DC really does have some great boutique shopping. Whenever I walk into a boutique, I think to myself, "YES! Yes, THIS is how I want to dress." Then I look at the price tag of my new favorite find, and I look down at my H&M purse, and I look back at the tag, and I think (shoulders shrugged) "No, this is really not how I am able to dress." Sigh. And after going through this on a monthly (ha, weekly...what...fine...daily?) occasion, I have discovered that boutique sales is one of the greatest things to happen to my young professional wardrobe.

This sale, I'm a bit bittersweet about, because it is a closing sale. Hoopla is closing. This is a eco-friendly store with something for everyone. I could go with my art teacher mom, and my paralegal self, and we could both find something great. They also have jewelry and small house items, which would make great holiday gifts.

(Also, since I'm talking about boutiques, a friendly reminder that today is the Shopping Social on U-street. See previous post below.)

Free coffee at Commissary

In the month of November, Commissary is offering free coffee to customers who bring in a competitor's to-go cup. I believe there's a Starbucks on the same block so if one cup just doesn't satisfy you, it'll be easy enough to claim.

Cyber Monday Free Lunch

Another post about Christmas shopping? According to the stockings and candy canes in the dollar bins at Target, it's right around the corner! I never really understood the hype about "Cyber Monday" since by my understanding the whole point of buying gifts online is that you can do it whenever you want. But Shop.org is trying to get consumers typing away with a free lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe, complete with laptops set up for shopping while you eat and raffles for giftcards. You'll probably have to fight your way through a few visiting packs of school kids, but a free lunch is a free lunch. And if you win anything you may have one less gift to buy, online or otherwise.

We Love DC: Free Lunch on Cyber Monday

Fotoweek DC!!!

If you are an avid lover of photography (like me) than this week of all weeks is definitely a great week to call yourself a resident of DC (or surrounding area). People, people, Fotoweek has arrived. It officially began over the weekend, but that doesn't mean that you have missed out on the gobs and gobs of photography events going on in this city. There are gallery openings, lectures...the works. And many of them are free.

Check out the events here.

Shopper Social - THIS THURSDAY

As mentioned in our calendar (see righthand side column - SUBSCRIBE, SUBSCRIBE!!), this Thursday, being the third Thursday of the month, is U-Street's Shopper Social. This means, that a number of the U-Street boutiques, Nana, Moojoo Ken, Mulah, etc. will offer specials on a number of their products between 5pm and 7pm (or the respective closing time). And if boutique sales aren't enticing enough, sometime you'll get cookies or a glass of champagne out of the deal.

Craft Mutiny Holiday Booty Market

Everyone's got someone for whom they have to be pretty conservative in the gift giving department. I have gotten my dad a book for every gift-giving holiday since Clinton was president, and I'm no hurry to break from the pattern any time soon. But if there's someone on your list who'll appreciate a little more creativity, this event with products from 20 artists in the area could be worth a look. There'll be snacks and gift bags for the first 100 customers.

Craft Mutiny Holiday Trunk Show
Saturday, December 13, 2008 -- 10am-5pm
Design Within Reach - Georgetown
3307 Cady's Alley N.W.
Washington, DC 20007