Extremely Well-Gifted: Metro Weekly’s 2014 Holiday Gift Guide

It’s that time of year again, people. Gather your credit cards, notify your bank, take an aspirin to ease the stress you’re going to be putting on your heart and get ready to spend those savings you’ve carefully hoarded all year. Yes, it’s holiday season, and that means it’s time for us to spend inordinate amounts on our friends and loved ones — because giving is just as much fun as receiving, apparently.

Of course, that’s not to say that the act of gifting is an easy one. Indeed, thinking of a gift for your other half, your picky mother, that artsy friend we all have or the co-worker you got stuck with in the office Secret Santa can be a real drag during this time of festive fun. With so many ideas and options to choose from, what makes the perfect present?

Fear not friends, as Metro Weekly has 24 incredible gift suggestions — from theaters to spas and craft shops to clothing — to make this holiday season that little bit less stressful. Of course, if you had all of your presents bought and wrapped in September, we wholeheartedly support spoiling yourself. You’ve earned it.

Arena Stage

Sometimes, it’s nice to take the holiday season to remember the classics: White Christmas, It’s A Wonderful Life, Fiddler on the Roof. “Wait,” you cry, “Fiddler isn’t a Christmas classic!” True, but it is a classic, and it’s running this holiday season in a show our critic Doug Rule called “still relevant today — especially when it’s presented as realistically and universally as it is at Arena Stage.” Treat yourself — or a friend who prefers Dreidels to nativities — and get lost once more in this quintessentially Jewish musical. Extended to Jan. 11. Arena Stage, 1101 6th St. SW. Call 202-488-3300 or visit arenastage.org.

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Atlas

Treat someone to a different sort of holiday show this year, with Atlas’ Step Afrika! musical holiday step show. The internationally-renowned stepping company returns for this annual holiday tradition, complete with an accompaniment of furry friends and DJ Frosty the Snowman. It runs through December 22, and tickets are $38 for adults. Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE, Washington, D.C. Call 202-399-7993 or visit atlasarts.org.

Aura Spa

There’s no denying that the holidays can get stressful. On top of the worry over gifts, food, decorations and getting that tree just right, you’ll have plans and parties and dinners to attend and plenty of financial worries as you keep swiping that credit card throughout the festive season. As if that’s not bad enough, there’s the cold, harsh winter weather to add insult to Christmas misery. If it all gets a little too Bah Humbug for someone you know, perhaps treat them to an Aura Spa gift card? The perfect way to say “Calm down, girl,” Aura offer customized packages starting at $180. Nothing says “Happy Holidays” like a massage and a facial. Aura Spa/VIDA Fitness, 1612 U St. NW

Washington, D.C. Call 202-232-6620 or visit auraspa.net.

Body Bronze

Yes, it’s winter, but if you know someone who prefers to look as if they’ve stepped off a plane from Maui all year round, then consider one of Body Bronze’s gift certificates. For frequent bronzers, buy any Level 5 pack of tanning sessions and get two sessions free, while there’s money to be saved on gift certificates, with $10 off $50 certificates and $5 off $25 certificates. Sporting a great tan needn’t cost the same as actually going on holiday, after all. Body Bronze, 625 D St. NW, Washington, DC. Call 202-393-8267 or visit bodybronzedc.com.

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Choral Arts Society

Unsurprisingly, the Choral Arts Society of Washington have plenty of gifts for fans of chorus music. As well as holiday recordings, such as A Washington Christmas with Choral Arts and Choral Jewels for Christmas, they also offer classical pieces and a recording of Choral Arts’ performance dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. What’s more, enter STOCKING14 on their website to save 20 percent on any CD order through Dec. 15, while there’s a 10 percent discount on tickets if you book to see two or more of the society’s upcoming special holiday performances, from Dec. 15 to 24, at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Those are stocking stuffers both you and your bank can agree on. Call 202-244-3669 or visit choralarts.org.

Dupont Optical

From bold fashion statements to frameless, subtle options, glasses come in many shapes and styles, and finding the perfect pair to adorn your face can be tough. As RuPaul’s famous ad for l.a. Eyeworks tells us, “A face is like a work of art. It deserves a great frame.” Punnery aside, Dupont Optical is a great place to treat someone who wears glasses to an entirely new look. They’re local, dedicated to finding the right frame for the right person, and offer a unique array of designer styles, including Bellinger, l.a. Eyeworks, Mansunaga and Porsche Design. Dupont Optical, 1615 17th St. NW, Washington, D.C. Call 202-483-9440 or visit dupontoptical.com.

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The Fillmore

If you know someone who loves music or comedy, The Fillmore in Silver Spring could make a great Christmas present. Splash out on VIP seats, which offer a reserved table for four and unrestricted views from the balcony, and your group will have an intimate, hassle-free evening while everyone else jostles for a view in the standing-room only main floor. Bianca Del Rio brings her “Rolodex of Hate” tour to The Fillmore in February — for fan’s of the Drag Race winner, this gift’s a no-brainer. The Fillmore, 8656 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, Md. Call 301-960-9999 or visit fillmoresilverspring.com.

Fitness Generation

The holidays are a time of excess. Delicious, fattening, alcohol-filled excess. That’s why it’s imperative that you keep up the fitness routine to stop the holiday pounds from piling on. It’s just as well, then, that Fitness Generation is offering $100 towards personal training this festive season, letting you sweat out the office Christmas party and work off that family feast in their 3,000 square foot studio. Yes, exercise is hard work, but this way you can have your cake (and turkey and eggnog and chocolates) and eat it, too! Then spend all of January on the treadmill. Fitness Generation, 7809 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, Md. Call 301-312-6301 or visit thefitnessgeneration.com.

The Folger

The Folger has a surprisingly extensive gift shop, waiting to tempt those who love Shakespeare and the Renaissance period. There are a variety of Folger Consort CDs available, including A Tudor Christmas, An English Country Christmas and Christmas in New Spain (all $16.95), the latter of which is drawn from concerts performed at the Folger Theatre consisting of songs from the New World, spanning the 16th to 18th centuries. If you’re looking for a classy gift for a history-loving friend, this is sure to hit the mark — at least until Folger starts offering time-travel vacations. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE, Washington, D.C. Call 202-544-4600 or visit folger.edu.

Indian Craft Shop

If you have particularly deep pockets, The Indian Craft Shop has some spectacular items of Native American arts and craft for you to gift. Charles Slwooko’s Whalebone Owl with Ivory and Baleen eyes will set you back $750, but it’s an ornament made from whalebone, which is a conversation piece if ever there were one. Sue Tapia’s gorgeous Polished and Matte Finish Carved Pot costs a slightly eye-watering $1,100, but if you have the funds and either you are or someone you know is a fan of its rich, authentic design, that’s a price worth paying. For the rest of us, where a $500 iPad is considered an extravagant Christmas gift, there are Navajo Folk Art Wooden Ornaments by Charlene Watchman, which at $15 apiece make cute little stocking stuffers. The Indian Craft Shop, 1849 C St. NW (Dept. of the Interior), Washington, D.C. Call 202-208-4056 or visit indiancraftshop.com.

Mara Home

An independent retailer offering classic contemporary furniture and accessories, Mara Home has a great variety of potential gifts. We love a drink here at Metro Weekly, so naturally Mara’s collection of alcohol-themed items caught our eye. From the stainless steel Torre & Tagus Kiro cocktail shaker ($40), to Umbra’s beautiful Geo Bottle Opener ($18.95), there’s a variety of gifts for budding bartenders and party hosts. If you know any bears who love to relax with a glass of wine, consider dropping the Bear Stopper ($12.95) in their stocking. Mara Home, 2213 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. Call 202-232-4526 or visit mara-home.com.

MetroStage

MetroStage’s A Broadway Christmas Carol returns for its fifth year this holiday season, with a mashup of the Dickensian classic and parodies of famous Broadway tunes. It runs through Dec. 28, and should make for a camp, fun evening. Gift certificates are available (two tickets are $100), or you could simply surprise the recipient by taking them on a whim. Unless they’re Scrooge, they should love it. MetroStage, 1201 N. Royal St., Alexandria, Va. Call 703-548-9044 or visit metrostage.org.

Metro Weekly

We’re not above shameless self-promotion here at Metro Weekly. Our recently launched T-shirt store currently offers four great designs, including our limited edition 20th Anniversary Shirt and three gorgeous illustrations from our contributing artists Scott Brooks and Christopher Cunetto. Celebrate the fight for marriage equality with our Supreme Court t-shirt, show your political ferocity with our pink GOP elephant, or send a love letter to all dangerously delicious foods with our Dear Carbs design. T-shirts are available in men’s and women’s sizes, are 100 percent cotton and cost just $25. From us to you, our incredible readers, this holiday season. Visit metroweekly.com/store.

Miss Pixies

If you or someone you know is looking for the perfect Christmas tree ornament you need to get down to Miss Pixie’s. There, you’ll be greeted by literally hundreds of vintage Christmas baubles ($2-$6) in a wide variety of shapes, styles, materials and colors. If you want to jazz up an old tree, or give someone a gift for their first Christmas in a new house, these delightful baubles are a steal. Miss Pixie’s Furnishings & Whatnot, 1626 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. Call 202-232-8171 or visit misspixies.com.

Naked Decor

If you don’t know at least one person with one of Supon Phornirunlit’s Queen Elizabeth throw pillows, it might be time you sought out more stylish friends. For dog lovers, we recommend gifting a Naked Decor dog throw pillow, with four-legged models including a French Bulldog and the ever-popular pug. Reversible and 100 percent cotton canvas, these $49.95 pillows will brighten up even the most dour of rooms. For the fabulous gay in all of us, consider an “It’s Good to Be Queen” tea towel ($14) and let the recipient assert their superiority whenever there’s a spill to be cleaned or a dish to be dried. Visit nakeddecor.com.

Old City Farm

Owner Frank Asher takes great care of the plants he sells, and his commitment to sourcing locally grown trees and shrubbery is just one of the reasons you should source your holiday wreaths, garlands, table tops and stands from Old City Farm & Guild. As well as supporting another locally-owned business, you’ll be getting wreaths starting at $16.95, table tops with a stand starting at $45.95 for a 4 to 5 feet decoration, and garlands at $1.75 per foot or available at 25 feet for $25 to $39.95. Old City Farm & Guild, 925 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. Call 202-412-2489 or visit oldcityfarmandguild.com.

Studio Theatre

There’s an abundance of great theater in D.C., and Studio is no exception. If you or someone you know loves theater — or is in need of a little culture in their life — Studio has a great package deal to make their stages more accessible this holiday season. Indulge in a three-play package and choose from three of Studio’s plays — Bad Jews, Choir Boy, Laugh, or Jumpers for Goalposts — starting at $75 for Tuesday or Saturday Matinees or starting at $99 for Friday or Sunday evening shows. That’s a lot of theater for the money. Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. Call 202-332-3300 or visit studiotheatre.org.

Ten Thousand Villages

If there’s someone in your life both environmentally conscious and a frequent traveler, first, sit them down and lecture them on the impact flying has on the environment. Then, go out and buy them the ReStyle Travel/Dopp Kit ($39) from Ten Thousand Villages, so they feel a little better about all of those heavily polluting flights. Made from recycled tire tubes by artisans in Colombia, not only do they stop old tire tubes from ending up in landfills, they also ensure that each bag has a unique design — which makes carrying toiletries feel that little bit more exclusive. Ten Thousand Villages, 915 King St., Old Town, Va. Call 703-684-1435 or visit tenthousandvillages.com.

Universal Gear

Universal Gear features all of the usual fashion-conscious clothing items that fans of the store have come to expect, but as well as a cozy jumper or skimpy pair of underwear, why not throw another gift into the bag? Molton Brown’s 12 piece Bathing Treasure gift set ($50) offers a dozen of the British brand’s body washes to sample — black peppercorn is a particular highlight — and is the perfect way to help a friend or loved one take more baths and relax in a variety of scents at the end of a long day. If you want to help someone spice up their outfits while supporting an LGBT-owned company, consider a Harold Watch by Cheapo ($79.50). Not the most alluring of names, but these bold, elegant watches will go with a variety of styles, while the Swedish brand’s website actively tells homophobes and misogynists not to buy their watches — and we can’t help but love them for that. Universal Gear, 1919 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. Call 202-319-0136 or visit universalgear.com.

The Washington Ballet

While The Washington Ballet’s Nutcracker, now playing through Dec. 28 at The Warner Theatre, is a delightful spectacle (and a worthy gift to treat someone to by itself), it’s almost outclassed by the amount of gifts available specifically themed to the performance and available in the lobby. There are exclusively designed Russian nesting “Matryoshka” dolls ($65), crafted by Alkota Russian artists for the show, as well as a branded snow globe containing two ballet dancers and D.C.’s famed cherry blossom trees in bloom ($60). You could always grab a branded T-shirt or mug, but the recipient may be somewhat disheartened not to have received one of the ballet’s more elaborate gifts. Call 202-362-3606 or visit washingtonballet.org/shop-twb.

WIT

We could all use a little more laughter in our lives — especially around the holiday season, as the nights get colder and people’s spirits start to sag. If you know someone in need of a boost, take them to see Washington Improv Theater’s holiday show, Seasonal Disorder. Billed as a madcap four weeks of improv that draws inspiration from the holiday classic Love Actually, it’ll give even the most Grinch-like among us a reason to smile. Washington Improv Theater, 1835 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. Call 202-204-7770 or visit witdc.org.

Wise Owl Club

It’s heartwarming this winter to know that there are still men who embrace being hairy. As such, reward their handsome scruffiness with treats from one of D.C.’s best barbershops. Wise Owl Club offers three excellent beard oils, which can help keep that facial hair feeling smooth and soft — particularly handy now that we’re edging into mistletoe season. Beardo Beard Tonic ($27) is made in D.C., and contains rosemary oil, bergamot orange and a splash of vodka for a clean, invigorating finish. Otter Wax ($28) and beardbrand’s Blank Slate ($27) come courtesy of Wise Owl’s pop-up Mutiny DC shop, with the former containing Virginian Cedarwood, Bergamot and black pepper to promote luster and shine, and the latter made to be fragrance free for those with sensitive skin or who don’t want their beard scent to clash with their cologne. Wise Owl Club, 2010 18th St. NW, Washington, D.C. Call 202-705-9425 or visit wiseowlclub.com.

Wolf Trap

If you know someone who loves the Wolf Trap performing arts center, then the perfect gift this holiday season is a Wolf Trap membership. Not only does it help fund Wolf Trap’s creative endeavors and sustain their education programs, it also unlocks exclusive rewards and benefits such as priority tickets and access to special events. Prices cover every budget, from the $75 Associates membership up to the (eye-watering) $25,000 President’s Circle. Of course, standard gift certificates, which can be exchanged for tickets or goods in the gift shop, are also available. Wolf Trap, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna, Va. Call 703-255-1900 or visit wolftrap.org.

Woolly Mammoth

Woolly Mammoth understands that a gift certificate needn’t be quite as impersonal as it so often appears. Select one of the theatre company’s Holiday Gift Packs, for instance, and your recipient will receive a gift certificate as well as information for that season, show calendars for selecting and tracking dates and the option of a personalized message wrapped up in a card. The company’s “Six-Packs” are sadly neither alcohol nor muscular, but do offer a pretty flexible way to give someone the gift of theater, including granting the recipient six tickets to use in whatever combination they so choose, with ticket reservations up to one day before the show, the best available seats and up to 40 percent off single ticket prices. Standard gift certificates are available, but really, you’ll just look a little lackadaisical if that’s what you settle for. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW, Washington, D.C. Call 202-393-3939 or visit woollymammoth.net.