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By Katie Bianco, Stefanie Gans and Michael Balderston
One last sweet bite at Cupcakes Actually
The Fairfax Corner bakery Cupcakes Actually announced it is closing at the end of this month. I’ll be swinging by this week for one last bite of something sweet, and I have my eye on that bourbon pumpkin cupcake. -SG // Cupcakes Actually: 11944 Grand Commons Ave., Fairfax
Stocking up on hostess gifts
I’ve eaten the turkey and watched the Macy’s Day Parade, which also means the holiday season is officially here. I can trim the tree, blast the Christmas music and attend holiday parties to my heart’s content. My family’s social calendar is filling up fast and this year I’m trying to show up on my friends’ doorsteps with a little more than the standard bottle of wine. For the December issue, I got to chat with the women behind Secretly Gifting. They’re best friends who turned their passion for shopping into a business and, believe me when I tell you, they really do know how to find the perfect gift. Lucky for me (and you!), they offered up some great ideas for unique hostess gifts sure to be a hit at any holiday party. -KB
Now it’s Christmas season
Though I know there really isn’t anything I can do to stop the mass blitz of Christmas-themed ads and things once Halloween comes to an end, I do my best to withhold from anything Christmas related until after Thanksgiving. That time has come, so let’s play all the Christmas music we want and get started on gift shopping. Luckily, I have numerous options to do both at any of the region’s Christmas markets and fairs. I can stay close to home and check out Fairfax and Falls Church’s offerings, or make a day of it and go out to Lovettsville for their German-inspired market. -MB
