I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

The good folks at Pasture are making the holidays a little brighter for kids in foster care. Last week, they hosted a Thanksgiving dinner, and through December 11th, they're accepting gifts for their Holiday Gift Drive in conjunction with Connecting Hearts. Celebrate their exceptional display of holiday spirit on December 5th at a Pasture Happy Hour where you can drop off even more toys for kids who would truly appreciate having a gift to open this season. Other drop-off locations include Quirk Hotel, Orange Richmond, Blue Bones Vintage, Saison, Williams & Sherrill and McLean's Restaurant. Why not try to hit them all?

HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING

If you're still wondering what to get for your best buds, ask yourself this important question: What podcasts are they listening to? The answer might help you determine the perfect gift, according to our collaborative podcast-inspired gift guide with Campfire & Co. Part I, curated by Campfire, is all about the shiny, awesome trappings for your office and home; while Part II, curated by yours truly, is all about stuff to eat or use while eating.

Looking for even more rad stuff that may or may not have been on the guide but is surely on my personal Hanukkah list? Get thee to the Bizarre Market atop Chop Suey.

COME REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN

You like beer? You like dinner? Southbound is hosting a beer dinner with Commonwealth Brewing on Thursday, December 8th, and that sounds like your kind of thing. Five courses, five beers, and a tap takeover to boot. Get on it!

MELE KALIKIMAKA

Don your finest Hawaiian shirts and make your way to Metzger on Sunday, December 11th for their Iki Kai Pop-Up, which promises "classic Hawaiian food from Krystle Malia Kalikilani Montes & Brittanny Anderson and cocktails from James Kohler and Brandon Peck." No reservations, so show up early to ensure your share of poke. Say Aloha to this delicious pupus-filled menu:

IF WE MAKE IT THROUGH DECEMBER

December is a brutal time for most food industry pro's, and The Jackdaw wants to give them at least one night in this long, long month to actually enjoy themselves. The Jackdaw pops up at Millie's on Monday, December 12th with another industry night and a menu boasting noodles, congee, char siu skewers, and pupusas--from 7:00 pm until the food is gone!

OH COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

Now in its 4th year, Secco's annual Champagne Takeover is the kind of event you look forward to as soon as the one you just went to ends. Scoop up tickets to this six-wine and hors d'ouevres tasting experience for $75 per person, and then Uber over to Secco on Thursday, December 15th for a bubbly good time.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU (BAGELS)

On Sunday December 18th, from 1:00 to 4:00, brunch on bagel sandwiches at Blue Bee Cider with Nate's Bagels and a Sunday sipper sangria from Blue Bee. And speaking of Blue Bee, this very Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00, make a Beeline to the cidery for Christkindlmarkt, short on vowels but long on gifts to snag for all your bees and boos.

DECEMBER IS A BUSY MONTH. GET USED TO IT.