Are you experiencing Metro-esque delays in purchasing a gift for your favorite Washingtonian? Well, there are plenty of thoughtful, last-minute things you can grab to save the holiday season. In addition to our favorite D.C.-centric items, here are a few more last-minute ideas suitable for District residents whether they like the best of D.C. on their backs or on a plate.—Christina Sturdivant
You can buy 9:30 Club clothing and other souvenirs online.
D.C GEAR: Sure, you can wear a shirt that clearly says “Washington D.C.” on it, but sometimes it’s more fun to sport gear from a local business. This way, when out-of-towners question your merch, you get the chance to them what they’re missing if they don’t see a 9:30 Club show on their next trip to D.C., spend the evening making good choices at Nellie’s, swing by Ben’s Chili Bowl for a hangover half-smoke, and visit Florida Avenue Grill the next morning for Miss Bertha’s breakfast special.
Photo by Matthew Straubmuller
THEATER SUBSCRIPTIONS: This spring, the Kennedy Center announced that the Broadway juggernaut Hamilton will be part of its 2017-2018 season, and the best way to guarantee tickets is to purchase a subscription. The excellent Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, which showed a play this year by a genius-award winning D.C. native, has subscription options—as do places like The National Theatre, Studio Theatre, and Folger Theatre. Many of them offer package deals with an array of cool perks.
National Building Museum members enjoy things like invitations to exhibition previews and curator-led tours. (Photo by Tom)
MUSEUM MEMBERSHIP: For friends who prefer to get their culture in museums, gift a membership to one of D.C.’s many historic institutions. Among other offerings, a Smithsonian membership gives pass holders 11 issues of Smithsonian Magazine, discounts at selected eateries, and personalized cards. National Geographic Museum and National Building Museum members enjoy things like invitations to exhibition previews, receptions, and curator-led tours. And if they prefer off-the-beaten-track museums, places like The Textile Museum offer discounted rates on lectures, workshops, and other educational programs.
Porkbelly Crepinette with Baked Carolina Gold Rice at Blue Duck Tavern. (Photo via Facebook)
MEAL AT AN ACCLAIMED RESTAURANT: As the District’s food scene gains recognition, there isn’t a better time to send a friend to one of the city’s most acclaimed restaurants. While all limited holiday reservations (with the purchase of a gift card) at Rose’s Luxury have been claimed, gift cards to the restaurant last five years. Take a gander at the rest of the city’s Michelin list for inspiration. A number, like Blue Duck Tavern, The Dabney, Fiola, and Kinship offer gift cards that can be purchased online.
Photo by Mr.TinDC
CAPITAL BIKESHARE MEMBERSHIP: I decided to get an annual Capital Bikeshare membership a few years ago when I wasn’t completely sold on being a daily commuter. Having access to Bikeshare was the perfect way to get comfortable with D.C.’s roads as a cyclist, while having the option of ditching the bike whenever I wanted. Even now that I have my own bike, a membership still comes in handy for times when I want to take a one-way bike trip. If your friend is testing the waters of cycling in the city, they’d love this gift (even if they won’t use it until the weather warms up).
A 2008 Washington Wizards game (Photo via Brandon Wu)
SPORTS TICKETS/SEASON PASSES: For the friend who loves to root for the home team, snag tickets to a sporting event. And if you want to go bigger, get them passes for an entire season. As officials prepare to break ground on a new stadium next year, D.C. United suggests that soccer fans score a season membership to get the best seats for the team’s final season at RFK stadium. For basketball fans, a DC 12 Club membership grants access to the best seats and pricing for regular season and Wizards NBA Playoff games. It also comes with Wizards apparel and guarantees that members’ names are printed court side on the Wizards playing floor, among other things. Mystics annual pass holders get access to the team’s open practices, yearly member party, and away game watch parties. And a 2017 Nats Plus Membership purchase guarantees access to some of the best views for baseball watching, along with members-only benefits. And while there’s a wait list for some seats at FedEx Field, others are still available for Washington Football Team games. For a wild card, check out the brand new Arena Football team.
Photo by Alyson Olander.
BOXES OF FOOD: Even if they have it all, they still need to eat. Consider a share in a CSA for the cooks and locavores on your list. The Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative offers CSA variants for winter produce, bread, cheese, eggs, chicken, or meat. Or Washington’s Green Grocer and From the Farmer offer single boxes to give a taste of the idea. Alternatively, acquire a basket and head to specialty local shops like Glens Garden Market, Each Peach, Union Market, or the The Cookery and bundle up some combination of honey, hot sauce, shrubs, simple syrups, chocolate, etc. for an edible gift.
