December 20, 2006
Merry Gifting From DCist 2.0

Last year, we gave you a gift guide that was local, local, local. We suggested books, art, music and D.C.-specific creations for you to put on your wish list and give to your loved ones for the holiday season. Well, though there are only five days till Christmas this time around, we thought we'd throw it out there again anyway for those of you who, like us, have procrastinated on the gift-giving, but still want to hand out something meaningful. (Do still check out last year's guide; a lot of the suggestions still pertain and are still available.)
>> For the clothing buffs out there, we have to point you again towards unsungdesigners.com, a site that features indie designers from D.C. and all over the country. Bonus: If you choose Express Mail at checkout, your purchaes will reach you by Decemeber 23 — in plenty of time for wrapping.
>> Art Enables helps artistically inclined adults with developmental and/or mental disabilities by matching them up with professional artists for regular instruction. If you are looking for an excellent cause to support with a holiday donation, look no further: go and buy some art. They even have 2007 calendars and holiday cards for sale. [411 New York Ave. NE]
>> Have you ever heard of etsy.com? If not, get thee over there super quick. It's a lovely site, full of homemade and handcrafted art and goodies that folks can sell directly to one another. And as a bonus, you can buy D.C.-specific things there, as well. How about this hott Redskins afghan crochet kit? A vintage D.C. car badge? And until you can buy your fabulous Flickr prints at the DCist Exposed show in March, KelleyTPhotography has got lots of great D.C. photos.
>> I totally want this hot Metrobrella, and you know you do, too.
>> If t-shirts are your thing, the D.C. two bars/three stars popular model can be purchased over here. Or buy this popular Threadless design that shows what Butterstick may look like when he gets all growed up. And, if we may be so humble, why not think about getting a DCist shirt? You can get them in almost any style or color combination over at the Spreadshirt store.
>> Local museum gift shops can be pricey, but some of the items are worth it. Online ordering for most of them isn't really available, though, but stop in at the National Gallery shop or the Hirshhorn — for example, here at DCist we were big fans of the Sugimoto show, and they've got a gorgeous book of his stuff for sale.
>> And if you're concerned more about where you're shopping as opposed to what you're buying, we must again recommend BuyIndie, so you can make sure that you're buying from good, original, independent organizations.
Any other ideas you may have, please share them in the comments. Happy shopping!
Photo by Flickr user Ride 'N Fast&Take 'N Chances

also local is everybody's favorite school for adorable animals: www.argyleacademy.com
shirts, clocks, and even hand-made teacup sets!
We also want to let you procrastinators know that our DC showroom will be open this Saturday from 12 to 6. We are located in Adams Morgan – in the alley – at 2412 18th Street (near New Orleans Café). If you haven’t visited our little speakeasy shop….it’s time you did!
for Marion Barry "Mayor for Life" Ts and Cool Disco Dan T's (and more) go check out: www.cafepress.com/chimprage
unsungdesigners website looks awesome!!!
Thank you for waiting until Hannukah is more than halfway over before posting your gift guide.
If I may make a (slightly biased) suggestion, the self-published, DC-based comedy graphic novella CRAZY PAPERS, which was given a nice review right here on DCist, would make an excellent stocking stuffer.
It can be had for the reasonable sum of $6.50 at local retailers Big Planet Comics (Georgetown, Bethesda, Vienna), Big Monkey Comics (Georgetown), and Fantom Comics (Tenleytown), as well as on the internet through local internet comix vendor Mars Import (at a discount!) and, of course, Amazon.com.
sorry, nice timing - merely an issue of us not having our stuff together soon enough. hopefully we'll be better next year!
And here I though Hannukah was all about reflection and gratefulness, not co-opting bacchanlian and pagan holidays. Silly me...
Is there anywhere I can get the stars and bars at a brick and mortar? cafepress.com won't deliver by christmas anymore and my S.O. desperately ones one!
And here I though Hannukah was all about reflection and gratefulness, not co-opting bacchanlian and pagan holidays. Silly me...
No, Hannukah is a celebration of genocide. You're thinking of Yom Kippur.
Thanks for mentioning our 3 stars/2 bars t-shirts!
"...adults with developmental and/or mental disabilities by matching them up with professional artists for regular instruction"
Thanks for the mention, although the above quote is not quite accurate. Our artists do their own thing and are not "instructed" in the traditional sense. They receive guidance and help as needed, and, beyond that, commissions--for portraits of pets, landmarks, private homes, and rock'n'roll bands. Check out http://art-enables.or for details or shoot us an email at info@art-enables.org
Thanks, the "Art Director".