Make no mistake, whether you’re ready or not, tis the season, and shop till you drop has officially begun. Stores across the city are stepping up to welcome holiday shoppers of all ages and tastes in an effort to end the year with an economic financial bang. So let’s get in the spirit and take a peek at what’s going on around town and beyond, shall we?
Holiday Artisan Market
Presenting a broad selection of interesting jewelry, indulgent soaps and lotions, fashion, accessories, toys, foodstuffs, furniture, folk art, prints, photography, sculpture, fiber art and more, shoppers are bound to find something for everyone on their list. Dec. 4-5 (10 a.m.-4p.m.) Discovery World, 500 N. Harbor Dr., 414-765-9966, discoveryworld.org.
Holiday Shopwalk
Highlights of this annual event include the talents of 20 international, award-winning professional ice carvers, free trolley rides, strolling carolers, complimentary refreshments, a visit from Santa and special sales at Shorewood shops and businesses. Dec. 4 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) along the Oakland Avenue and Capitol Drive business district, for more specifics visit shorewoodwi.com.
Christmas In The Ward
Get into the spirit of the season with an old-fashioned tree lighting in Catalano Square, featuring the Milwaukee Police Band, the Trinity Dancers, Santa and his reindeer, horse-drawn carriage rides, a cookie and hot chocolate sale, an outdoor gingerbread house and fireworks, all while being treated to specials and sales in cool boutiques and restaurants. Dec. 3-4. For details, visit historicthirdward.org.
Holiday Magic
The Village of Wauwatosa kicks off the holiday season with a tree lighting in Root Common Park, a choral performance, evening horse-drawn wagon rides, visits with Santa, hot cocoa, special store hours, money saving e-coupons and a Holiday Passport drawing for great gift baskets. Dec. 3-4. Find out more at villageofwauwatosa.com.
Festive Friday
Downer Avenue gets revved up for the season with extended shopping hours, in-store specials, a strolling musician (5-8 p.m.), free 10-minute massages, a Holiday Artisan Fair featuring gifts, edibles, accessories and luscious bath products at Boswell Books; a visit from Santa and Ashley the Elf, 15 percent off children’s fashions, free refreshments and crafts at Boutique Bebe; fire pit, free hot chocolate and a Downer Top Dog costume contest (7 p.m.) at Café Hollander; food, wine and beverage samplings and more. Dec.3. For more info, visit historicdowneravenue.com.
South Milwaukee Indoor Christmas Market
This first-ever annual event features more than 40 vendors, artists and crafts people offering seasonal gift ideas, food, fun and music throughout the day in the historic Heritage Building, which is also home to the Bucyrus History Museum. Dec. 4 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), 1970 10th Ave., smdowntownmarket.org.
Shorewood Arts & Crafts Fair
More than 100 juried Midwest artists and craftspeople will be on hand selling one-of-a-kind artful fashions, jewelry, accessories, basketry, folk art, textiles, candles, leather goods, mosaics, glass work, fiber art, Christmas crafts, ornaments, photography, fine art and sculpture. Event also includes a silent auction, raffle and bake sale. Dec. 5 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.). Admission $4. Shorewood High School, 1701 E. Capitol Dr.
Alternative Gift Fair
Outpost Natural Foods makes it simple to purchase gifts for family and friends while supporting local community organizations. Dec. 5 (noon-4 p.m.) at the Lakefront Palm Garden. 1872 N. Commerce St. For more information, visit outpost.coop.
A Dickens of a Christmas
Greendale kicks off of the holiday season with more than 100,000 holiday lights, Dickens characters, strolling Christmas carolers, horse-drawn carriages, a visit from Santa, store specials and sales. Dec. 3 (5-9 p.m.). discovergreendale.com.
Christmas in the Country
Featuring the work of 70 nationally known artists and craftspeople, this holiday standby welcomes holiday shoppers to a fine art and craft show featuring artisanal holiday foods, ornaments, holiday home décor, jewelry, wearable art and plenty more. Admission $3. Dec. 3-5. Cedar Creek Winery, N70 W6340 Bridge Rd., Historic Cedarburg. More at mychristmasinthecountry.com.
SAVVY STUFF TO DO
HELP A CRITTER THIS CHRISTMAS: As the money spent benefits animals in need, the local Animal Antics shop at the Wisconsin Humane Society seems a pretty perfect place for pet lovers to pick up presents for furry friends. There’s an even broader selection of gifts available through the society’s national online store Humane Domain at hsb.petfulfillment.com. Or go global in your gift giving at humanegifts.org to help animals in need all over the world. Here, for instance, a gift of $25 will buy rabies vaccinations for 10 dogs in India.
OPEN SOMEONE ELSE’S EYES: Metro Eye paves the way for shoppers to contribute to the eye health of the less fortunate with the boutique’s Gift of Sight Giving Tree. Throughout the month of December, donate $35 and not only can you take your pick of the tree’s handmade ornaments created by Metro Eye doctors, stylists and other caring folks, but you’ll also feel better knowing you’ve helped a person in need get an eye exam and stylish pair of frames with perfectly prescribed lenses. 301 N. Water St., 414-727-5888, metroeye.biz.
SHOP A BLOW OUT SALE: Those looking for great bargains will find plenty at the Urban Garage Sale Dec. 4 (10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.). Presented by Heavy Rotation in support of the Shop Local movement, more than 30 independent stores, artists and designers from around the city gather to offer all sorts of discounted fashion, shoes, accessories, gifts, art and crafts all under one roof. Admission $3. Turner Hall Ballroom, 1034 N. Fourth St., urbangaragesale.com.
BUY A PIECE OF CULTURAL HISTORY: On Dec. 3-5 & Dec. 10-12 (noon-8 p.m.), the Oriental Theatre will hold two installments of its annual Movie Poster Sale. For movie buffs and print collectors, it’s a great opportunity to shop more than 1,000 official “one-sheet” movie posters ranging in price from $1-$20. 2230 N. Farwell Ave., 414-276-5140, landmarktheatres.com.
WELCOME NEW SHOPS AT THE CORNERSTONE: Shorewood shoppers will find perfectly styled women’s fashion and accessories for relaxed living, professional careers, special occasions, sports and resort vacations at the newest location of Boutique B’Lou. Right next door, find Thief Wine, featuring 14-foot high walls filled with wine from all over th
e world and the Midwest’s largest Cruvinet wine dispensing system offering a sampling of 35 wines by the glass, taste or flight. Corner of Oakland Avenue and Kensington Boulevard. cornerstoneshorewood.com.
GIVE THE GIFT OF EXPLORATION: Looking for something special to spark inquisitive natures? Check out all the newest microscopes at American Science & Surplus. From Italian made 40X wide-screen battery operated microscope kits designed especially for young curious kids, to sophisticated hand-held digital microscopes that capture still images and videos to be displayed on laptops or computers, they’ve got it all, even the tried-and-true, standard, old-school models. 6901 W. Oklahoma Ave., 414-541-7777, sciplus.com.
SAVVY STORE EVENTS
Although shoppers won’t be able to purchase stylish, modern eyewear frames from Oliver Peoples, Salt, Paul Smith, Mykita, Prada, Ray Ban and KBL during the evening’s Be Spectacled Grand Opening Celebration Dec. 3 (6-10 p.m.), they can still admire them and save 10 percent on all orders to be picked up later. Meanwhile, everyone’s invited to enjoy an evening of free beer, wine and pizza from Pizzeria Piccola, while being entertained by live music from Fat Andy and Katie Mack and the Moan, who will be accompanied now and again by owner/ophthalmologist Dr. Mark Veth on piano and accordion in this awesome retail space fashioned by Flux Design. 7605 Harwood Ave., Wauwatosa, 414-453-1300, bespectacledeyes.com.
Boutique Larrieux teams up with Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin to present a super Holiday Give a Gift, Get a Gift Ladies Night Dec. 10 (5-8 p.m.). Save 15 percent on exciting plus-size boutique fashions, enjoy wine, hors d’oeuvres and complimentary spa treatments, and receive a $25 gift certificate in exchange for any donation of gently used clothing. But wait, there’s more, like a silent auction featuring more than a $1,000 worth of special items and services like the boutique’s Wardrobe Refresh (a $350 value) where all monies raised benefit Goodwill. Free valet parking with any purchase. RSVP suggested info@boutiquelarrieux.com. 717 N. Milwaukee St., 414-520-4651, boutiquelarrieux.com.
CHECK OUT
Now through Dec. 5 at Aala Reed: Kicking off the holiday season, save 50 percent on all clothing in the shop. Seriously guys, it’s time to shop. 1320 E. Brady St., 414-226-2252, aalareed4men.com.
Now through Dec. 6 at Faye’s (both locations): For every $100 spent, receive a $20 gift card. 1505 W. Mequon Rd., 262-241-8386; 18900 W. Bluemound Rd., 262-432-0070, fayes123.com.
Now through Dec. 13 at Design Within Reach: The ever-popular Herman Miller sale offers up a 15 percent savings on fabulously designed pieces such as the Eames Lounger, Nelson Swag Desk, Aeron Chair and more. 167 N. Broadway St., 414-224-5353, dwr.com.
Dec. 2 (10 a.m.-9 p.m.) at The Garden Room: Special one-day Holiday Sale offers shoppers 20 percent off everything in the store, plus a free Holiday Tea Tasting in the Anaba Tea Room featuring Rishi Tea. 2107 E Capitol Dr., 414-963-1657, gardenroomonline.com.
Dec. 2-3 (and every Thursday and Friday till Christmas) in Greendale: Shoppers enjoy Ultimate Holiday Shopping Nights with music, refreshments and in-store specials. discovergreendale.com.
Dec. 3 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.) at Miss Groove: Save 10 percent on orders during a special Cosabella trunk show featuring the fall and holiday 2010 collection along with a preview of the 2011 Cosabella Mare 2011 Swim collection. Friday shoppers can also save 10 percent on all in stock Cosabella merchandise. 1330 E. Brady St., 414-298-9185, missgroove.com.
Dec. 3 (7-10 p.m.) at Luci & White Star: Enjoy cocktails, appetizers, amazing discounts, hair and makeup touch-ups, giveaways and more during the Jaxie Holiday Party featuring the local designer’s popular hats, cuffs, headbands and more. The evening continues with Jaxie-tinis at Club Charlie’s (320 E. Menomonee St.). RSVP recommended. 532 N. Water St., 414-226-0114, luciboutique.com; 524 N. Water St., 414-226-1957, facebook.com/shopwhitestar.
Dec. 3-4 (and every weekend till Christmas 10 a.m.-3 p.m.) at Grotta & Co.: Timed just perfect for gift giving, shoppers will find an incredible selection of hand-printed scarves (super skinny short to long, long, long), wraps, banners, pillows, runners, bow ties and more at great savings, plus fun new crafting kits to fashion your own pillows (or quilts) as well as the studio’s new sumptuous silk textile collection paying homage to beloved Wisconsin artist Schomer Lichtner with charming ballet dancers, wild lace cows, butterflies and more. 207 E. Buffalo St., 414-273-8066, grottaco.com.
Dec
. 3-5 at (shoo): Celebrating its 5th birthday, all the cool stuff in the store (excluding Fiorentini + Baker boots) is a whopping 30 percent off. Can’t make it in? Find the same deal online using discount code BDAY5. 241 N. Broadway, 414-765-2355, shoostore.com.
Dec. 5 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) at Florence Eiseman: Save big on new fall and holiday kids apparel during the one-day Holiday Sale. How big? About 50-65 percent off retail pricing. 342 N. Water St., 800-558-9013, florenceeiseman.com.
