It might feel like spring outside, but holiday shopping is in full swing with less than three weeks left until Christmas. Here is a sampling of local shopping options to help you get your list started, finish it up or pick up a little something for yourself:
Thursday
Champagne and Shopping: This new Sparkle in the Season event at Café Caturra will highlight some of the retailers in Trenholm Plaza on Forest Drive at Trenholm Road. Billed as a girls night out, the $25-per-ticket event includes wine tastings, heavy hors doeuvres from the restaurants head food dude Billy Fallen and a display of products offered by retailers in the center.
Gwen Rawls is going to bring over lots of sparkling wonderful holiday shoes, said Café Caturra spokeswoman Michele Graziano. Rawls recently opened an Italian shoe boutique next door to the restaurant.
And another Trenholm Plaza retailer, MACK Home will decorate the space for the event and display a variety of its home accessories.
Guests will go home with a small bottle of Nicolas Feuillate Brut Champagne.
To reserve a ticket, call the restaurant at (803) 782-0760 and talk to general manager James Foley.
Shop First Thursday: Among the retailers participating in First Thursday on Mains Mingle & Jingle are Anastasia & Friends and the Columbia Museum of Art Shop.
Anastasia & Friends is stocked with art mediums of all types from Columbia artists, including Bohumila Augustinova, Leslie Bennett, Jarid Lyfe Brown and Katherine Elliott, according to a news release.
The gallery will have an opening reception from 6-9 p.m. Thursday and special weekend hours, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., to coincide with Main Streets Soda City Farmers Market.
Nearby, the Columbia Museum of Art shop will host its last sidewalk sale of the year from 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday. All items outside the shop including accessories, purses, jewelry, posters, and childrens stuff are 50 percent off. Art museum members also will get 30 percent off items inside the shop all day.
More information: firstthursdaysonmain.com
Through Sunday
Parade of Homes: If its a house youre shopping for this holiday season, get inspired at the first ever holiday-themed Parade of Homes. Olde Park in Forest Acres is hosting this years event, sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia.
The tour features fully decorated and landscaped homes built by four Midlands-area builders and decorated by local designers.
Tickets generally are $10 per person, with various discounts, including a $2 discount off of one ticket if you bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Or, get an $8 ticket at Bi-Lo. And all attendees will receive a discount card good at participating Forest Acres shops and restaurants.
On Saturday, get in the holiday spirit from 2-6 p.m. The homes will be decorated with holiday lights, inside and out, and The Fresh Market will serve up warm apple cider. Also, bring the kids to see Santa Claus.
More information: columbiabuilders.com
Dec. 13
A Devine Night Out: More than 50 stores and restaurants on Devine Street in Columbia will participate in this free event from 5-8 p.m. Patrons can walk the strip or catch a free limo or pedi cab to get from one end of Devine Street to the other.
After shopping, keep celebrating with a free after-party from 8-10 p.m. at Burger Tavern 77, 2631 Devine St., with live entertainment and an assortment of food and beverages.
Also, register to win door prizes, including a $2,000 shopping spree.
Get started early with a Little Holiday Party at KDs Treehouse, 2911 Devine St., 1-4 p.m. Saturday, featuring music, art, Santa, a jump castle and of course, shopping. Or plan to spend Friday night at a Holiday Happy Hour from 5-7 p.m. at Brittons, 2818 Devine St.
For more information: devinestreetcolumbiasc.com


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