Gift Guide: Shop Local

Waterfront

Holiday Windows, a Meal with St. Nick, & Free Parking
(Federal Hill, Inner Harbor, Harbor East, Fells Point, Canton)

Harbor East
Window Wonderland
In
conjunction with Maryland Art Place, Harbor East presents Window
Wonderland: A Holiday Arts Exhibit, which features regional artists
partnering with Harbor East stores to create holiday window displays.
The exhibit is on display through January 3, with a “Best in Show”
window announced on December 5.

Fells Point
Olde Tyme Christmas
Celebrating
its 10-year anniversary, Olde Tyme Christmas in Fells Point will take
place December 6-8. You can experience a traditional market on the
streets of Fells, along with breakfast with St. Nick, musical
entertainment, and sleigh rides.

Get
free parking in Harbor East at self-park garages by showing $100
worth of same-day receipts from Harbor East merchants from November
29-December 27.

Baltimore North

Meet Santa & Make Your Own Wreath
(Towson, Hunt Valley, Timonium, Cockeysville)

Hunt Valley
Santa at Greetings & Readings
You
might have already caught Santa’s visit to Hunt Valley Towne Centre’s
annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 29. If you didn’t, the jolly
man in red will make several appearances at Greetings & Readings
throughout the month, from 1 to 5 p.m. on December 7, 14, and 21.
Greetings & Readings, 118-AA Shawan Rd., Hunt Valley, 410-771-3022.

Cockeysville
Wreath-Making Class
On
December 7 at 3 p.m., Valley View Farms is hosting a holiday
wreath-making class that costs $20 and includes tips, greens, and a
wreath frame. Valley View Farms, 11035 York Rd., Cockeysville,
410-527-0700.

Be sure to bring extra bows and ornaments to the class to make your wreath unique.

Jones Falls

Lights, Hot Chocolate & Baby New Year!
(Hampden, Roland Park, Mt. Washington, Lutherville-Timonium)

Hampden
Miracle on 34th Street
Aside
from the many spectacular house lighting displays on 34th Street in
Hampden this holiday season, don’t miss the annual ball drop and running
of Baby New Year on New Year’s Eve, which starts around 11:45 p.m.

Lutherville-Timonium
Celebration at the Station
Celebration
at the Station: A Modern Holiday Soirée will take place on December 14,
from 2 until 5 p.m. at Green Spring Station. Enjoy samples of holiday
food while learning how to create your own ornaments. Children will
surely be entertained, too, with the help of Santa, a hot chocolate bar,
and mini DIY crafts.

Parking in Hampden is first come, first served. Make sure to observe street and permit parking signs.

Beltway East

Donate a Toy & Pose with Your Pet
(White Marsh, Parkville, Essex)

White Marsh
Soft Toy Campaign
From
now to January 4, IKEA is running a Soft Toy Campaign, in which the
store will donate one dollar for every soft toy that is sold to UNICEF
and Save the Children’s educational programs. You’ll also find bins to
donate your own soft toys to Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins
Bayview Medical Center pediatric programs. IKEA, 8352 Honeygo Blvd.,
White Marsh, 410-931-5400.

White Marsh
Pet Photos with Santa
Bring
your cute and cuddly pets (cats and dogs only, please) to the Lower
Level Center Court at White Marsh Mall on December 2, 9, and 16 from 6
p.m. until close to get their photos taken with Santa. Feel free to pose
with your furry friends.

When
you purchase more than $150 in store merchandise at IKEA December 14 or
15, you can eat for free at its restaurant. (No limit on how many
people or the amount of food!)

Howard County

Shop Late, Sing a Song, & See the Lights
(Ellicott City, Columbia, Savage)

Historic Ellicott City
Midnight Madness
On
December 6, visit Historic Ellicott City and enjoy shopping at your
favorite stores until midnight. During the Midnight Madness event, there
will be a tree-lighting ceremony and carolers.

Savage Mills
Lighting of the Bollman Truss Railroad Bridge
Help
Historic Savage Mill celebrate its first-ever lighting of the historic
Bollman Truss Railroad Bridge on December 7, at 5 p.m. Afterward, visit
Baldwin Common for Miracle on Foundry Street, which includes the annual
Christmas tree lighting and holiday décor done by The Becker Group of
Baltimore.

During Ellicott City’s Midnight Madness, shoppers can enjoy shuttle service to ensure stress-free parking.

Anne Arundel County

Local Goods, DIY Ornaments, & Live Music
(Annapolis, Hanover)

Annapolis
Farmers’ Market
Saturdays
during December (except for December 28) from 7 a.m. until 12 p.m.,
visit the Anne Arundel County Farmers’ Market on Harry S. Truman Parkway
and Riva Road. You’ll find local vendors selling items like wreaths,
coffee, candy, seasonal produce, and more.

Hanover
Ornament Decoration Class
The
Simon Kidgits Club (the mall’s kids club) at Arundel Mills mall is
hosting a Kidgits Ornament Decorating class on Saturday, December 7,
from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Stop by the food court, and the little ones will
have an opportunity to make their own ornaments and enjoy other
activities like balloon twisting and face painting. This is a free event
to Kidgits Club members. Non-members can sign up for $5 a child.

Annapolis
Midnight Madness
On
Thursdays from December 5-19, the stores located in downtown Annapolis
along Maryland Avenue and West Street will stay open until midnight.
While shopping is a priority during Midnight Madness evenings, you can
also enjoy food, drinks, and musical performances.

On December 7, the Anne Arundel County Farmers’ Market will celebrate its Holiday Festival.