Treat your loved ones to fun, cozy, and personalized picks this holiday gifting season. | Graphic by 6AM City
Looking for holiday shopping inspiration? Our gift guide featuring 90+ picks is here to save the season.
Gifts for students
Local pick: Stella’s Grocery gift card | $25 | Let’s face it, top-tier groceries are not always a priority for young adults, but this will give them the go-ahead to indulge in some quality food products or home goods.
Fidget toy pen | $16.99 | A great stocking stuffer, this chromatic, magnetic pen can be stacked into various shapes when it’s not in use as a writing tool or stylus.
Bullet journal pens + 2026 planner | $13.99 + $24.99 | Pair an 18-pack of rainbow pens with a 2026 Happy Planner for creative, aesthetic organization.
Electric sauté pan | $36.99 | A TikTok trending item, this electric mini hot pot is perfect for whipping up noodles dorm room-style.
Gifts for young people
LED dry erase board | $26.99 | Bring coloring time to a new level with this magic board that makes any drawing neon.
Karaoke microphone | $29.99 | This karaoke mic acts as a Bluetooth speaker, recorder, and voice changer.
Local pick: Hello Kitty DIY Miniature Book Nook Kit | $60 | Available at Carytown’s World of Mirth, this gift is advertised for ages 14+, offering a fun challenge and the potential to team up on a project.
Light-up football | $34.99 | Backyard football is now possible at night, thanks to this LED light-up football.
Gifts for pet lovers
Personalized 2026 pet calendar | $23.99 | For that special someone who likes their pet more than people. We don’t judge.
Backseat cover | $32.99 | A safe and easy-to-clean backseat cover for the person that takes their dog with them everywhere.
Local pick: Dig RVA pet goods | $10+ | Head to the West End to browse pet toys, beds, and specialty care items.
This week marks one year since Sub Rosa’s building fire, which forced the Church Hill bakery to temporarily close. According to the team, the bakery is awaiting one final step before confirming an official reopening date.
Coming Soon
Just up the street from Sub Rosa, a new neighbor is setting up shop. FABLE will operate as a coffee shop and florist, splitting the space between caffeinated sips and grab-and-go bouquets. We reached out to the owner about an opening date; January is on the vision board.
City
VCU and Richmond DPW are teaming up to prevent “corner cutting” at four intersections around the university campus. That may sound like mundane news to some, but it’s a small step in tackling the 150 pedestrian safety concerns documented in a 2023 VCU study. Take a look at 5+ more planned projects.
Holiday
Need gift ideas for the practical person in your life? Richmond Tool Bank is clearing out surplus inventory with a Tool + Lumber Sale. Grab woodworking scraps, landscaping equipment, style-savvy tool belts, and help this local nonprofit make necessary space to provide for the community in 2026.
Answered
We asked you all a very important trivia question last week: How old is the World’s Oldest Ham? Half of our readers landed on the correct answer. Located in Smithfield, VA, the record-holding ham is 123 years old, and there’s a 24/7 Ham-Cam documenting its life in fame.
Try This
Take the Morty’s-Briggs Sandwich Personality Test. Editor Elise: I’m a mix of the Young Leek and Mostly Italian (but not literally Italian). Find your sandwich personality, and stop by Morty’s in Northside to see if the taste is a divine match.
Trending
The final season of “Stranger Things” begins today, Nov. 26, with the first four episodes released. If you’re living for the show’s nostalgic throwbacks, kick it up a decade with Bingo Beer’s 90s Mall Holiday Market. (The Guardian)
Seasonal
We know it’s still November, but we’re starting our countdown to 2026 early with a special deal available only on ourbusiness promo portal. For a limited time, get 26% off all Newsletter Text Ads and Email Banner Ads with code COUNTDOWNTO2026 at checkout.
Fact or Fiction
You can upgrade your bath or shower in as little as one day with Jacuzzi. Fact. Transform your outdated bathroom into a modern sanctuary — now with zero installation cost and no payments + interest for up to one year. Learn more.‡*
The Buy
Knock knock. Who’s there? Surprise … It’s Black Friday savings here a few days early. Don’t wait to shop at the end of the week — check out these three deals now:
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
At a “Friendsgiving” gathering earlier this week, we were surprised with the most delightful guest — a quiet opossum perched on the backyard fence. That’s got to be a good omen in Richmond, right? Smelling the potluck food might’ve had something to do with our fuzzy pal’s visit, but either way, here’s to hoping for a few more friendly opossum sightings in 2026.
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‡ With purchase and installation of any complete bath/shower system from participating third-party Jacuzzi Bath Remodel dealer in your area (“Dealer”). Offer and options will vary by Dealer/location. Not combinable with other offers. Add’l terms apply. Subject to change. Expires 12/28/25. †Financing offer available through third-party lenders under terms of applicable loan program. No interest for 12 months if paid in full within 12 months. Interest will be charged to you from purchase date if purchase balance is not paid in full within 12 months. Subject to credit approval—not all buyers will qualify. Add’l terms apply. See or call Dealer for details.
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