Holiday Craft Fair

I went to the mall Friday, that's right. Black Friday. There were not as many sales as I had hoped. But then again, I didn't get out to the stores until 6ish. Lame in the eyes of serious shoppers i guess. So, I didn't get nearly as much shopping as done as I had hoped. Something that will be helpful to me as well as people who hate malls this time of year: Union Square Main Streets' Annual Craft Fair.

A press release from Union Square Main Streets said four craft markets and open studios at the fair will feature gifts including sculpture, jewelry, knitwear, photography, handbags, electronics, greeting cards, wreaths, and more. The Sherman Café and Bloc 11 will be on the scene if you get hungry. Local bands The Doctors Faux and Chris Mancini and the Pretty Pennies are set to headline live performances throughout the day.

Something else I always think about it to hit up artist co-ops. Family members usually enjoy home made gifts. It doesn't say anything about you needing to be the one to make them anymore. What are we third graders? I kid I kid.

Union Square Main Streets' Annual Craft Fair
December 1
Union Square Plaza and Toast Lounge

Holiday Trivia: Black Friday is not the busiest shopping day of the year as most assume. It is usually the Saturday before Christmas. OR December 23rd if Christmas falls on a weekend.

Free Pizza

No joke, free pizza. Once a week Johnny D's closes its kitchen and orders out. The offer is good every Monday from 6:30 - 8pm but I suggest showing up on the earlier side. Trivia starts at 8:30 and the crowd trickles in around quarter of 8. This creates what we will call the pizza squeeze. The bar honors their offer and gives out pizza tickets when the pizza runs out, but waiting for the delivery boy (remember they order out) can be painful and unfulfilling as the crowd tackles only a few pizzas when they arrive.

So my advice:
Arrive around 7 with some good friends. Enjoy plentiful and free pizza. Discuss an array of intellectually hot topics (its good to spout out smart comments before trivia starts to even out the harsh truth that you probably won't answer any questions correctly later). Drink a few beers. By the time 8:30 rolls around you will be pleasantly full and have that slight buzz that will allow you to overcome any answer apprehension (you still won't get any right, but at least you will show confidence).

If this doesn't sounds like a good idea you could always swing by after a long day at work, eat pizza and drink PBR in a dark corner alone, slip out before the crowd arrives, and be home in time to catch the newest episode of whatever ridiculous reality show is on Monday nights. Whatever floats your boat.

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