If you’re looking for out of the ordinary handmade gifts, plan to spend at least a couple of hours wandering the Art vs. Craft Show ($3 entry fee – kids under 13 admitted free) held at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center (790 Van Buren) this Saturday, December 8 between 10 am and 7 pm. Founded by Faythe Levine, co-owner of Bay View’s Paper Boat Boutique & Gallery, the juried show features 75 local and out of state artists selling both traditional and modern crafts priced between $1 and $300. Quickly becoming a pretty cool holiday tradition they’ve also tagged on options for food, drink and gift-wrapping as well as free Swag Bags for the first 200 shoppers of the day. Pssst, rather than credit cards, the preferred method of payment for most of the independent vendors is cash. www.artvscraft.com
Count on Brady Street for crowd pleasing fun events. Like Festivus on December 7 and 8, a holiday tradition celebrating ‘everything Christmas isn’t’ which was introduced on the Seinfeld show and inspired Milwaukee’s own Wagner Company to become the official makers of the Festivus Pole. New converts can shop the ‘lot’ at the corner of Brady and Arlington for plenty of “unadorned, lackluster aluminum” tabletop and 6 ft Festivus poles as well as t-shirts or books. Plus take advantage of lots shopping specials. Both Miss Groove and Miss Groove Intimate for example, will be open till 9pm tucking special merchandise discounts into ‘Secret Santa’ envelopes along with serving wine and cheese on Friday night and cookies and cider all day Saturday (1225 East Brady, 414-298-9185, 1224 East Brady Street, 414-298-1694). FM102.1 adds interest with live broadcast remotes from Brady Street bars Wednesday through Saturday 9 – 11 pm, highlighting Feats of Strength and Airing of Grievances competitions, with prizes awarded in both men’s and women’s categories, they’ll be a special viewing of the Seinfeld “Festivus” episode at the Hi Hat Garage at 7:30 pm on Friday and kids benefit too since Brady Street businesses will be collecting unwrapped $10 toys to benefit the La Causa Crisis Nursery through December 14. For more info visit www.festivuspoles.com, www.bradyst.com/events
Attention Savvy Shoppers, mention this web page Saturday December 8th at Three Graces 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and receive 50 percent off just about everything in the store (with the exception of Spanx, NuBra, consignment items and bridal). Mention it between it 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. and while you won’t get the early bird special, you’ll still save a whopping 40 percent off simply terrifically stylish stuff. (207 E. Buffalo, 414-273-3350, threegracesonline.com)
Every Thursday Ess Elle hosts a 4 to 7 pm Happy Hour granting shoppers a straight 10 percent discount off all purchases along with the chance to win up to 50 percent with a lucky roll of the dice. Can’t make it? Take advantage of their 20 percent off all regular priced merchandise sale running throughout the month of. Hoping to add some fun to your shopping experience? How about pursuing winter fashions and fun at the boutique’s Friday Fling, held each first Friday of the month. Stop in between 7 and 9 pm on December 7 for a winning combo of refreshments, desserts, $5 tarot card readings and style and beauty treats, including complimentary massages, professional eyebrow waxing. (1919 E. Kenilworth Place, 414-271-ESSL, www.esselleonline.com)
Stylish shopping for wee ones is as easy as making a quick stop at freckle face where a new arrival of Daily Tea fashions in stripes, prints, solids have recently arrived along with fun stuff from Splendid Little. Need to stuff some tiny stockings? Check out the Safe Sippy, a modern, and environmentally friendly stainless steel children’s cup available in three colors. ($14.95) (407 E Buffalo St, (414) 298-1488.www.frecklefaceboutique.com
Let’s face it, when it comes to shopping for their babes, most men could do with a bit of advice and at Faye’s 1 and Fayes@play they get it – big time. All a guy’s got to do is stop in between 6 and 8 pm at the Mequon store on Thursday December 6 or the Brookfield store on December 13 to be treated to a Men’s Holiday Shopping Night. Not only will the stores’ knowledgeable staff help them shop (made even easier if you ladies fill out a discrete ‘wish list’ ahead of time), the whole process is made even less stressful with complimentary wine, beer and manly hors d’ouevres. Oh and did I mention he’ll also receive a $25 gift certificate good on any purchase he ‘chooses’ to put under the tree? (18900 W. Bluemound Rd., 262-432-0070 and 1505 W. Mequon Rd., 262-241-8386 www.fayes123.com)
Got a really serious wine enthusiast to treat? How about a gift certificate for a comprehensive wine course (including wine sampling, critically acclaimed curriculum, text books and study guides) offered by the Milwaukee Wine School at Mequon’s Grapes & Grain and other locations around the city. Enrollment is limited so if you’re interested, be sure to sign up before December 15 to qualify for a ten percent discount on course fees. For details visit wwwmilwaukeewineschool.com
Speaking of wine, Grapes & Grain is offering two holiday themed tastings. On Monday, December 10 at 7:00 pm at the Best Values Sampling ($20 fee) find out what reasonably priced wines will win over your holiday crowd. Then on Wednesday December 12 at 7 pm ($30 fee) come in for the Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles tasting event to learn more about which Champagnes, Prosecco’s and Cava’s from around the world to choose to give the season a festive lift. (11301 N Port Washington Rd, Mequon, (262) 240-0206,www.grapesandgrain.com)
Fittingly on December 12 at 7 pm, Waterford Wine Company marks year-end with a special Top Ten Wines of 2007 tasting event ($30 fee). The surprise list has been culled from over 3,000 wines the wine boutique’s discerning staff has sampled over the last twelve months, so this one’s bound to be a treat. (1327 East Brady Street, 414.289.WINE (9463), www.waterfordwine.com)
Got a super stylish sister, girlfriend or even mom to buy for? Consider a gift certificate from Lela Boutique made even more appealing with a special kickback. For each $100 Gift Certificate you buy, receive a $20 Gift Certificate for yourself – buy a $250 Gift Certificate and receive a $50 Gift Certificate for moi!
Plus getting an idea of what to buy is easy with the boutique’s new weekly Holiday Gift Guide email. Right up until Christmas the store is also treating Thursday and Friday night shoppers to complimentary cocktails between 5 and 7 pm and weekend shoppers to hot chocolate with mini marshmallows all day Saturday and Sunday. Which only makes this weekend’s sale of ten percent off all sweaters, socks, knit caps and scarves that much sweeter! (321 n Broadway,(414) 727-4855,www.lelaboutique.com)
Boutique Vieux et Nouveau marks the Twelve Days of Christmas (Dec 12-23) with a daily giveaway and sale geared to a specific fashion category and then keeping all sales running concurrently through December 23. For example, on December 12 shoppers can sign up for a leather handbag giveaway and purchase leather handbags on sale. On Dec 13 they can vie for a piece of handcrafted jewelry and shop a sale on all hand crafted jewelry but also the ongoing handbag sale and so on and so on…for more info and to sign up a $100 store gift certificate or newsletter visit www.boutiquemilwaukee.com,(1688 N Franklin Pl.
(414) 287-9049)
Well Bred Bargains, the resale shop that donates nearly all its profits to the Elmbrook Humane Society is holding a St. Nick Sale Thursday, December 6 between 5:30 and 8:30 pm. Stop in to shop, sit on Santa’s lap for a photo op and enjoy some cookies with cider, coffee or punch. While you’re there pick up a card to redeem for a 20 percent discount on the evening’s purchases or save it to get 10 percent off on a later purchase made during the month of December. Word up to collectors of Thomas Kinkade Santa ornaments – the shop just got in a boatload of them!(890 Elm Grove Road, Elm Grove, (262) 754-5579).
Artist & Display, which knows a thing or two about creative design, is holding their Winter Christmas New Year Card Contest, awarding prizes of up to $100 for the best cards submitted in any media created on a Strathmore Creative Greeting Card. Two entries will be allowed per person and will be judged by originality and technique. All entries must be submitted before December 14. (9015 W Burleigh St., (414) 442-9100, www.artistanddisplay.com)
Half the pleasure of a gift giving lies in its presentation and Broadway Paper knows it. Register now for one of the store’s two Holiday Gift Giving Made Easy Seminars to be held December 6 and 13. For a $15 class fee, those attending the informative hour and half event will learn some stunning wrapping secrets, enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres, receive 20 percent off any purchase, be entered into a prize raffle, and leave with a goodie bag at evening’s end. Because space is limited, please make a reservation. If you can’t make this rest assured, the store is also offering a free Sunday Gift Wrap Clinic on December 9 at 2 pm. sharing signature wrapping techniques, clever finishing touches and hints on how to handle serious gift-wrapping challenges. No reservation required. 191 N Broadway, 414.277.7699,www.broadwaypaper.com.
Fans of fine graphics and fabulous fabrics adore the creations of Grotta & Co. Luckily the Milwaukee company that supplies luxury hand printed scarves, pillows, throws, table runners, wall pieces in silk, cashmere, velvets and more to high end boutiques all across the nation is having a holiday sale. Since prices begin at $15 – seriously, consider this a steal! (207 E. Buffalo St., 414-273-8066.www.grottaco.com)
