Xmas gifts under $100 in DC?
December 13, 2009 9:15 AM Subscribe
Anywhere good in Washington, DC to shop for Christmas stuff?
I moved to DC from Baltimore recently and found myself driving back up to Baltimore because I couldn't find anywhere to shop for Christmas junk in DC. I used to get coffee and wine and weird gifts from places like Hampden, Wine Source and the Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore.
I saw this post, from last year, which is good for scarves and stuff like that:
http://ask.metafilter.com/108499/Crafty-DC-Shopping
Any other ideas for shopping locally in DC?
Food? Local-specific stuff? Stuff for under $100 (or cheaper) that you can only find here? Stuff that would actually make relatives want to visit?
Other sites that might have this covered?
I moved to DC from Baltimore recently and found myself driving back up to Baltimore because I couldn't find anywhere to shop for Christmas junk in DC. I used to get coffee and wine and weird gifts from places like Hampden, Wine Source and the Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore.
I saw this post, from last year, which is good for scarves and stuff like that:
http://ask.metafilter.com/108499/Crafty-DC-Shopping
Any other ideas for shopping locally in DC?
Food? Local-specific stuff? Stuff for under $100 (or cheaper) that you can only find here? Stuff that would actually make relatives want to visit?
Other sites that might have this covered?
U-street! Tons of funky stuff there, and a few Ethiopian restaurants to choose from for lunch.
posted by Slap*Happy at 9:41 AM on December 13, 2009
posted by Slap*Happy at 9:41 AM on December 13, 2009
Response by poster: I will note, the National Building Museum has a pretty good gift shop that I have used before. That's the kinda place I'm looking fer...
posted by metajc at 9:56 AM on December 13, 2009
posted by metajc at 9:56 AM on December 13, 2009
I think that U St. corridor is your best bet for independent shops, maybe nothing exactly like you'd find in Hampden, but some quirky boutiques and nice housewares shops.
Currently there is a pretty decent Holiday Market in front of the Smithsonian American Art Museum/National Portrait Gallery. I don't know what time it starts, but it is open until 8:00 p.m. on weeknights. Lot's of stalls selling jewelry, food, clothing, and art; I think all by local artisans, many of whom also have stalls at Eastern Market. As an added perk it is very festive and there is a great crepes stall (banana, strawberry and nutella crepes = yum!).
As noted most of the DC museum shops are also pretty good. I would also suggest Teaism for nice teas and beautiful containers of various sizes that are covered in gorgeous Japanese paper (this would be well under your $100.00 limit). They also have other tea supplies, soaps, stationary, etc. There are three locations in DC, one being on 8th street, just down from SAAM/NPG. The store and restaurant are separate, but the restaurant would make for a nice shopping break.
posted by kaybdc at 1:23 PM on December 13, 2009
Currently there is a pretty decent Holiday Market in front of the Smithsonian American Art Museum/National Portrait Gallery. I don't know what time it starts, but it is open until 8:00 p.m. on weeknights. Lot's of stalls selling jewelry, food, clothing, and art; I think all by local artisans, many of whom also have stalls at Eastern Market. As an added perk it is very festive and there is a great crepes stall (banana, strawberry and nutella crepes = yum!).
As noted most of the DC museum shops are also pretty good. I would also suggest Teaism for nice teas and beautiful containers of various sizes that are covered in gorgeous Japanese paper (this would be well under your $100.00 limit). They also have other tea supplies, soaps, stationary, etc. There are three locations in DC, one being on 8th street, just down from SAAM/NPG. The store and restaurant are separate, but the restaurant would make for a nice shopping break.
posted by kaybdc at 1:23 PM on December 13, 2009
d'uh, why the apostrophe on lots? It's like my fingers have a mind of their own (which is free from the confines of proper grammar).
posted by kaybdc at 4:29 PM on December 13, 2009
posted by kaybdc at 4:29 PM on December 13, 2009
Best answer: Every year the White House sells a yearly ornament. My parents and grandma love them. You can buy them at the White House Visitors Center. You can purchase past ornaments (I think they go back to 1981) if there is a special anniversary or date you'd like to commemorate.
posted by koselig at 7:32 PM on December 13, 2009
posted by koselig at 7:32 PM on December 13, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
Eastern Market Saturday craft vendors and the Saturday and Sunday flea markets in the Hine parking lot, including local artists' work. Take a look at Zoey March's jewelry, paintings of local scenes by local artists, antique maps and prints at the flea market.
All museum shops: Decatur House, the LOC, the Smithsonian, the National Cathedral, the National Building Museum is particularly good, the Newseum, Dumbarton Oaks, the Walters while you're in Baltimore.
Union Station, M.E. Swing's locally roasted coffee (I've been drinking it almost exclusively for 21 years), all sorts of places in the U Street corridor, the home stores on 14th Street. Georgetown, alas, has many more chain stores and many fewer independent shops than I used to enjoy, but check that out. Newer shops on 8th Street, SE south of the metro station.
I'll probably come up with more later, but you get the idea.
posted by jgirl at 9:30 AM on December 13, 2009