If you have a fashion forward man or woman on your holiday shopping list, this week youll have an opportunity to score a great gift, while saving yourself a little coin.

rian Handbags is having a Holiday Sample Sale, with accessories and bags from local designer, Rian Berry.  

This is the companys first ever sample sale, and it features bags and accessories from the 2008 mens line, from the womens limited edition illustration line, and some never-before-seen womens bags.

To celebrate the spirit of giving, the sample sale will also feature a wine tasting of O Wines, a winery that donates a portion of its sales proceeds to at risk young girls in the state.

Location:  rian SODO Office, 1202 1st Avenue South, Suite 335

Date & Time:  Thursday, December 4th, 2008, 5-7 pm

Prices:  The sale and wine tasting is FREE.  Sale prices are 25-85% off retail.

Get thee to this sale on time, and scoop up some great gifts.  Even if they are for yourself!

Photo credit:  rian handbags

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December is a great month to take kids to the Tacoma Art Museum, AND it wont put a dent in your holiday budget!

During the month of December, visitors 6 - 18 years of age get FREE admission to the Tacoma Art Museum.  Kids under 5 are always FREE. 

Brett Willis, president of the museums Board of Trustees said:  Our Museum is a safe place where children and their families can come together to explore, think creatively, and build stronger connections, all through art.

The museums permanent collection includes a rotating display of pieces of Northwest Art, Glass, Studio Art Jewelry, Works on Paper, Japanese Woodblock Prints, and European Painting and Sculpture.

Additionally, there are a number of special exhibits on display:

• Oasis: Western Dreams of the Ottoman Empire from the Dahesh Museum of Art
• What Is a Trade? Donald Fels and Signboard Painters of South India
• The Surrealist Impulse: New Acquisitions from the Tacoma Art Museum Collection
• Speaking Parts: Conversations between Works in the Collection

Put a little art into your holidays plans with a visit to the Tacoma Art Museum!

Location:  Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma (map it)

Date & Times:  Tuesday Saturday 10am 5pm, Third Thursdays till 8pm, and Sunday noon 5pm.

Admission:  $7.50 adults, $6.50 military, and seniors (65+), and for the month of December, all youth admitted FREE.  Third Thursdays are FREE for everyone.

Photo credit:  flickr

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One of the many beautiful light displays this time of year is the Parade of Christmas Ships.

The Christmas Ship is Argosy Cruise Lines Spirit of Seattle, and it leads off the parade.  Onboard will be music and entertainment, including scheduled shore-side caroling.  Santa will be there checking to see whos been naughty and whos been nice, and helping to keep the festivities merry.  There are lots of activities for children (activity corner, sing-a-longs, etc.), you can order a box lunch to eat onboard, and for adults, a cash bar is available.

Dont worry if the weather is a little chilly; the boat has two fully enclosed heated decks!

Following the Christmas Ship is a flotilla of additional parade ships, along with private, decorated boats, making a bright spot out on our local waters.  You can see the lights of a parade from quite a distance away.

Location:  Varies, check schedule online.  Departures are from various marinas around the greater Seattle area.  You can view the parade from ship or shore.

Dates & Times:  November 29th December 23rd, various sailing times

Tickets:  Vary depending on sailing date and time, and also which ship you choose.  Value rates and special events are available. 

If you cant join the festivities onboard, the schedule will show the various shore stops.  Catch up with the music and sing-alongs there!  Or plan a waterfront meal at a local restaurant.  Or just find a parking spot to watch the colorful parade of floating lights go by.

A portion of all ticket sales goes to the Seattle Times Fund For The Needy, an annual program that raises money for several charitable organizations in the Puget Sound area.

Image credit:  Courtesy of Argosy Cruise Lines

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Details:  Center House is all decked out in its holiday finest for the annual WinterFest celebration.

Offering up family events, entertainment, and tons of activities, it was full of life this weekend.

One of my favorite displays was this bigger than life-sized snow globe. 

There were a couple of trees and some additional decorations inside, and when the air machine got to work, the snow swirled around.  It was just like Id tipped the globe upside down!

Photo credit:  personal collection

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A little snow wont get in the way of your holiday shopping, when its coming down inside at Pacific Place.

Every night during the holiday season, a flurry of snowflakes will come down at 6 pm.  The shopping center also has a full schedule of holiday music sure to brighten up even the greyest of Seattle days.

Snow globe fans will want to pick up the 2008 collectible snow globe (in photo at right).  This year it plays Deck the Halls and, as always, features notable Seattle area landmarks. 

You can purchase it at the Pacific Place concierge desk (level one and level three) or order it online. Proceeds benefit Childrens Hospital and Regional Medical Center.

Previous years snow globes played The Nutcracker Suite (2007) and White Christmas (2006).  You can still order those while supplies last.

Location:  Pacific Place atrium. 6th & Pine (map it)

Date & Time:  Daily at 6 pm, November 28th December 31st.

Price:  Snow and entertainment is free.  Snow and entertainment in the collectible snow globe is $49.99.

Image credit:  Pacific Place

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