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Editorial Features
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By Ann Taylor
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The holiday season is upon us, and Christmas carols blare from every department store while
garish displays persuade consumers to show their appreciation of loved ones... |
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Gifts for the Naughty and Nice
By Nirmala Nataraj
Yep, it's that time of year again, and if you're anything like me, the hedonist in you will
spring for only the finest products and services for loved ones and obligatory giftees alike.
Certainly, it's the thought that counts...
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Eat, Drink and be Merry
By Tracie Broom
San Francisco is a barrel full of fish -- fabulous, restaurant-shaped fish
-- and there's no letting up on the spawning. Come shoot the latest with us!
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Holiday Events
Now Through Sun Dec 28
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The Bay Area tradition returns this winter for a season of holiday fun and frolic set to both classic and contemporary musical selection reflecting the spirit of the season. Featuring an elegant Classical Act and joyful Cool Act, The Christmas Ballet is a magical treat for audiences of all ages.
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Now Through Sun Dec 28
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Be there as the San Francisco Ballet -- the oldest ballet company in the nation -- brings to life this holiday tradition, complete with all the magic, from the Nutcracker Prince to the Sugar Plum Fairy. ... During its run, Nutcracker will stage six family performances, where the first 500 children to arrive will receive a special gift.
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Wed Dec 31
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After one of the best 2nd Sunday Seasons ever we have put together a truly special 10th Year New Year's Eve event featuring some of our favorite Artists. Featuring a fully tented venue, special NYE menu...
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Now Through Sun Dec 28
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Be there as the San Francisco Ballet -- the oldest ballet company in the nation -- brings to life this holiday tradition, complete with all the magic, from the Nutcracker Prince to the Sugar Plum Fairy. ... During its run, Nutcracker will stage six family performances, where the first 500 children to arrive will receive a special gift.
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Now Through Wed Dec 31
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Addiction Salon Holiday Special for first time clients with Salon owner Ilona. 10% off Mens Haircuts and 20% off Cut & Color Combo for Men and Women.
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Now Through Sun Dec 21
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Find Unique Men's, Women's, Children's Clothing, Accesories, Photography, Jewelry, Cards, Books etc. Over 25 local Artists and Artisans. Our items are often made from recycled materials. All items are created locally and/or produced. We focus on quality of work while being affordable.
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Now Through Sat Dec 20
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The annual sale of Christmas trees, ornaments & wreaths by this SF service organization in support of Bay Area programs for at-risk youth. For sale are trees of all sizes & shapes. Activities for kids & tree delivery services are also available.
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Now Through Sat Dec 27
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"Twas The Nightmare Before Christmas" - The one where the girls try to get away for the holidays. "That's For Me To Know" - The one when Blanche wants a hot tub...
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Now Through Tue Dec 30
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Feel like there's no way you can afford great, one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones AND support your favorite local non profit this holiday season? Think again! There's one sure way to beat the 401K Blues. Creativity Explored's Annual Holiday Art Sale offers savvy shoppers the best way to wow friends and family with fiercely original presents and feel good about dollars spent this December.
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Now Through Sun May 3, 2009
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Antiques by the Bay presents The Alameda Point Antiques & Collectibles Faire, California's largest monthly antiques and collectibles show. With over 800 outdoor dealers selling merchandise twenty years old or older, it's like having several hundred little antique shops and hip retro thrift stores all in one convenient location.
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Now Through Sun Jan 4
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Liebe Wetzel has the packing materials taking matters into their own, er..."hands" in her show, The Wrapping Paper Caper, this year's holiday offering for kids of all ages from Lunatique Fantastique. In true private eye guise, our Bogart-esque "detective" follows a trail of styrofoam packing-peanuts, encountering a witty and wonder-filled cast of characters along the way, including an elegant wrapping-paper damsel in "dis-dress"...
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Now Through Sat Dec 27
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Scrooge is back, and he's meaner than ever in A.C.T.'s A Christmas Carol, the Bay Area's favorite holiday tradition. Featuring adorable Tiny Tim, those spooky Christmas ghosts, and a multigenerational cast of dozens, A Christmas Carol is a sparkling, music-infused celebration of goodwill that your family will never forget.
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Now Through Sun Dec 21
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A timegame adventure into Victorian Holiday partying with hundreds of costumed players in 90,000 square feet of theatrically-lit music halls, pubs, dance parties and Christmas shops on winding lanes. It's a twilight evening in Charles Dickens' London Town - a city filled with lively and colorful characters from both literature and history.
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Now Through Sun Apr 19, 2009
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All aboard The Golden Gate Express for a San Francisco holiday experience like no other! This winter, Golden Gate Park's Conservatory of Flowers premieres its first garden railway exhibition. It's a celebration of the city of San Francisco as model G-gauge trains wend their way through a lush landscape of dwarf plants and steam past mini versions of the city's landmark buildings...
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Now Through Sun Jan 4
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Celebrate the holiday season at the Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center Presented by Wachovia. Delighting families, couples and ice skating enthusiasts for 15 years, Embarcadero Center's rink will be open to the public for nine fun-filled weeks...
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Now Through Sun Jan 4
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Safeway introduces a new holiday tradition in the heart of Union Square and Wachovia continues it's traditional celebration of skating at the Holiday Ice Rink at Justin Herman Plaza. This will be a great chance to have some fun between shopping and eating and give everyone a little relief from the holiday craziness.
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Now Through Sat Dec 20
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You loved her in Katya: From Russia with Love. We got her back for the holidays and she's better than ever to entertain you with her Russian holiday spirit(s). This show is sure to sell-out so get your tickets early!
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Now Through Sun Dec 28
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A hand-clapping, foot-stomping, dance-in-the-aisles holiday treat, there's no better way to usher in the season than with the soul-stirring sonds of the finest gospel singers from throughout Bay Area, Featuring the song stylings of the dynamic Miss Faye Carol, and the vocal talents of Yvonne Cobbs-Bey and Yolanda Cato Freeman...
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Now Through Sun Dec 21
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Welcome Yule! Ring in the holidays at the 23rd Annual Christmas Revels - an incomparable performance event that observes the winter solstice - the longest night of the year - with a blend of ancient folk rituals, songs and dances from a diverse cultural canvas.
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Now Through Sat Dec 20
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Discover the life of a man whose acting talent and haunting voice has graced our beloved childhood memories of stop-animated holiday specials. This is Christopher Walken as you've never seen him-in a Christmas cabaret.
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Now Through Sun Dec 28
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Mr. YooWho discovers his dream of traveling the world in the most unlikely of places, a field of sunflowers. He travels through a potpourri of wonder generating laughter that reaches far across generational lines. Enter a world where humor and poetry intermingle with precision mini-board high diving...
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Best places to give...
Children's Development Bank, A bank for street and working children in New Delhi, India for their economic empowerment facilitated by adults but managed by the children themselves.
Heifer International, provides gifts of livestock and plants, as well as education in sustainable agriculture, to financially-disadvantaged families around the world.
Glide, one of the largest social services providers in San Francisco, each year Glide touches the lives of thousands of individuals and families struggling to overcome the multi-generational cycles of dependency and poverty.
International Rescue Committee, works with refugees internationally and domestically.
Computer Recycling Center, recycles and donates computers to those in need.
Save the Bay, an environmental group protecting our beautiful bay.
Kiva, give microloans to in-need entrepreneurs in the developing world.
Best places to get...
Gift Subscriptions
OTHER TOP LOCAL SHOPS IN SAN FRANCISCO
826
Valencia
Pick up fun pirate gear here and donate to a good cause while at it!
Proceeds from sales of eye patches, glass eyes, flags and all sorts
of skull and crossbones paraphernalia benefit the children's writing
and tutoring programs held here.
AB
Fits
If you're looking for the perfect pair of jeans, look no further than
AB Fits. Featuring a wide variety of styles and the hippest labels
-- Seven, Blue Cult, Joe's, the helpful staff can assist you with
finding just the right pair...or two. But jeans aren't they only thing
this local store slings, you can pick up the latest and greatest in
fashion here as well.
Flax
Explore your options! Here one can either purchase supplies for the
artsy folks in your life, or ready-made gifts. If you're feeling crafty,
there is also plenty here with which you can make cards and presents!
Azalea
Boutique & Z Beauty Lounge
Stay warm this holiday season with Azalea's large cashmere assortment
for men and women. You can also score hard to find jeans such as A.P.C.'s
new standard/ or rescue jeans and Sass and Bide's Frayed Misfits skinny
jeans. After finding that show-stopping outfit, take a break in one
of Z's elegant wicker armchairs and indulge in a mani-pedi.
Green
Apple Books
Books can be personal gifts, though they are not all that is sold
here. Journals, calendars, and even music occupy shelves upon shelves
in this comfortable establishment. Used and new cookbooks, coffee
table books, novels, biographies, children's books and more.
The
Other Shop
Vintage finds here of all flavors! I scored a vintage space chess
set here one Christmas with spaceships and aliens for pieces. 70's
era kitchenwares, mod furniture, vintage Playboy issues, delicious
lamps of many colors and sizes — all here under one roof. The collector
and lover of timeless designs will appreciate what this local institution
has to offer.
Little Otsu
Vegan friendly shopping for vegans and meat-eaters on your list! Here
you will find handmade toys, funky and cute hats (think short bills
and distinctive fabrics), stationary, bags, wallets, non-leather shoes
and belts.
RAG
Men's, women's and children's clothing and accessories from local
designers. From punky to reworked and remastered classics, there are
lots of goodies. Additionally, handmade jewelry and accessories for
men and women including ties and clutches.
Robotspeak
Audiophiles are sure to love any gift from here. Analog devotees might
enjoy software to master their recordings, or new toys on which to
perfect their sequencing. Beginning and expert music producers alike
- there are gadgets to fit every range of the spectrum.
Super
7
Artwork, books, zines, figurines, plush dolls and clothing are in
abundance here for children of all ages. It was here I found the picture
disc for the Bollywood track to the opening credits of Ghost World.
This is a favorite for cute, colorful and affordable paints and drawings
for walls and decorative pillows and plushies for couches.
Therapy
With two spaces, Therapy has something for everyone — men, women and
children! From funky to classic, there are housewares, clothing, shoes,
bags, books, fun and unique greeting cards, novelty items, hand-crafted
jewelry and furniture to choose from. Great for gifts and hard to
leave without getting something for yourself.
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