Shop ‘til you drop 🛍️

Win the holidays with gifts from these local Etsy sellers

Just Artin’ Around creates custom pet portraits and can include the pet’s name. | Photo via Etsy

Pop quiz, Richmonders. What’s better than shopping local? For 100 points: Shopping local from the comfort of your own home, of course. Not only is it one of the best ways to support the local economy, but locally-crafted gifts tend to wow during the holidays (a big win in our book).

To kickstart your holiday shopping, we’ve rounded up 16 products we love from local Etsy shops — some of which hold the coveted Star Seller badge that’s given to sellers who consistently earn 5-star reviews, ship orders on time, and provide great customer service, aka less holiday stress for you.

Psst — Some of these items may sell out quickly due to limited quantities. Click on the link to the Etsy seller’s page to find something similar.

Resonate Crystals offers more bracelets made from various crystals and gems.

🎁 Under $25

Sunstone bracelet ($20) | A sandy-toned crystal bracelet that can be worn with practically any color. | Resonate Crystals

Natural perfume oil ($13.95+) | This natural perfume is made from essential oils and offers rich base notes of teakwood and vanilla. | Apothecary Scents

Personalized whiskey glass ($15.99+) | The spirits lover in your life will appreciate these dishwasher safe whiskey glass personalized with a custom engraving. | Exclusively Your LLC — Star Seller ⭐

🎁 $25-$50

Custom pet portrait ($49.99+) | For the friend that loves their pet to the moon and back, this custom pet portrait is a thoughtful gift that can be made in color or black and white.| Just Artin’ Around — Star Seller ⭐

Floral embroidery kit ($35) | Your loved one that enjoys a good art project will cherish this vibrant embroidery kit complete with the embroidery hood, pattern, thread, and more. | Ellucy Stitches

Good tidings cutting board ($39) | Possibly the perfect holiday hostess gift. | Milk and Honey Luxuries — Star Seller ⭐

🎁 $50-$100+

Dainty gold sun ring ($115+) | This hand-forged ring can be made in various sizes using 10k gold, 14k gold, or 14k rose gold. | Muse Glass — Star Seller ⭐

Giant toppling timbers ($78.85) | This Jenga-inspired game is the perfect gift for the entire family to enjoy. | Tailgating Pros

8 MORE UNIQUE GIFTS

Click here to have your event featured.

Monday, Dec. 5

Christmas Under The Clocktower | Monday, Dec. 5-Sunday, Jan. 1 | 7-9 p.m. | Main Street Station, 1500 E. Main St., Richmond | Free | Stop by the station to see trees decorated by local nonprofits and vote for your favorite.

Tuesday, Dec. 6

The Crisis at our Doorstep: Housing in RVA | Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, 122 W. Leigh St., Richmond | Free | Head to the museum for a discussion on housing affordability as part of The Valentine’s “Controversy/History” series.
Holiday Movie Tuesday: “Jingle Jangle” | Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 7 p.m. | Starr Hill Richmond Beer Hall & Rooftop, 3406 W. Leigh St., Richmond | Free | See the 2020 holiday musical and enjoy eats from The Cocky Rooster.

Wednesday, Dec. 8

Richmond Short Stories | Wednesday, Dec. 7-Thursday, July 6 | 1:30-2 p.m. | The Valentine, 1015 E. Clay St., Richmond | Free | Learn more about the River City by exploring items in the museum’s collections.

Thursday, Dec. 8

13th Annual Improv Festivus | Thursday, Dec. 8-Sunday, Dec. 11 | 7:30-11 p.m. | CSz Richmond Theater, 8906-H W. Broad St., Richmond | $10-$50 | The celebration features eight shows over four days with 100+ improvisers and 30 troupes from around the country.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

55º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Outdoors

South Richmond is eight native trees richer. The city + its partners have replaced a stretch of pavement along Clarence Street with American yellowwood, swamp white oak, and other tree varieties in an effort to clean the air, reduce polluted runoff, and address extreme heat. 🌳 (RVAHub)

Arts

Opening this Saturday, Dec. 10 at the VMFA is “Lessons of the Hour— Frederick Douglass,” an exbihition by artist + filmmaker Sir Isaac Julien. Expect a 10-screen film installation exploring the 19th-century abolitionist. Bonus: There’s free admission.

Education

The University of Richmond will study how to improve student inclusivity and address barriers to belonging, thanks to a $625,000 grant from The Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Faculty member Angie Hilliker will lead the study + help collaborate across 14 other universities. (RVAHub)

Answered

We asked what’s your favorite thing about Richmond in December, and the results are conclusive: lights, lights, lights. 🎄 47.62% of you picked that option, with readers also recommending seeing “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the Byrd and heading to Carytown Artisan Market at City Stadium.

Active

Registration for the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K, presented by Kroger, is now open. Whether you’re pursuing a 6.2-mile PR or prefer a casual stroll, Richmonders are invited to the 24th running of this race on Saturday, April 22, 2023 — don’t miss a course ft. tree-lined streets, stunning architecture, and more. 👟*

Cause

Specifically designed to meet the unique needs of children, the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU’s new Wonder Tower is a one-of-a-kind hospital where a kid can still feel like a kid — even during some of life’s toughest moments. Construction is nearly complete, but the hospital is still asking for the community’s support to help bring the project fully to life. Donate here. 🤝*

Shop

We can’t stop thinking about the luxurious floral embroidery on this beautiful red and black dress — and it would be perfect to wear to the Richmond Ballet’s “Nutcracker” performance, too. The best part? It can be in your closet by Saturday with code RTRx6AM.*

Seasonal

Your Monday morning holiday gift inspiration, courtesy of Etsy: For the person who loves bread. For the person obsessed with their pet. For the person who can take a joke. For the kid who loves to color. Plus, all you need is popcorn or all you need is marshmallows. 🎁*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Here, we got this for you 🎁

Countdown the holiday season in Richmond with our December calendar

We hope you find this week’s gifts interesting, soulful, and maybe even inspiring. | Graphic by RICtoday

Ok, we know you may have other media outlets in your life, but how many can say they got you 25 presents? We’re counting down December by bringing you a week’s worth of gifts each Monday.

Last week, you unwrapped the history of the Famous Foods of Virginia cookie factory, a video of Jay-Z at VCU, and craft fairs to shop that weekend.

Ready for this week’s tips, tricks, and guides to Richmond? Hit the button below. ⬇️

Have an idea for how we can level up this seasonal series? Hit our line with your ideas. ❄️

PRESENTS THIS WAY

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Sarah.

Editor’s pick: Another reader recommendation we received on can’t-miss activities in December: Seeing Richmond Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Am I the only one obsessed with watching this practice video? 🩰

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Here’s how to spend the last month of 2022.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Robin Schwartzkopf, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Rachel Sklenar | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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