Items tagged with 'giving'
Gifts that say Albany -- literally
When you visit NYC, you can't throw a snow globe without hitting a Big Apple themed gift. Hats, shirts, mugs stickers, ties, postcards. But if you have friends or relatives visiting the Capital Region, have you noticed that it's nearly impossible to find the same kind of things with an Albany theme? It's the capital city, but can you find an "I heart The Egg" bumper sticker, or an "I got my tan in Albany" t-shirt? Noooooo.
Well, if you're just busting to show your A-Town pride you might find an outlet at CafePress.
AOA's holiday gift guide
These little piggies are on the AOA holiday gift guide.
OK gang, we're down to the wire on this whole holiday shopping thing. It is officially the time of year when those who haven't finished shopping (or started) might begin to panic.
No need.
We're kind of big on thoughtful gifts here at AOA, so in case you still haven't been able to think of the right gift for someone on your list, we've been compiling a list for you. If you've missed them, after the jump you'll find a list of local gifts we think would be fun to give (or get).
Got some fun favorites that aren't on the list? Help an elf out and post your suggestions.
Don't Bogart the Egg Nog
Just in time for Christmas, The Rev Records has released a holiday album. The Silver Screams Don't Bogart the Eggnog is a collection of original holiday music recorded by A-Town's Bryan Hamill.
From the website:
Hamill turns his lens on the holiday season, tackling such subjects as pets,knitting, and pastries, all in his signature hodge-podgey bedroom pop style.
You can download an mp3 for 5 bucks or email one as a gift.
Pendant necklaces from Elissa Halloran Designs
A plethora of pendants.
What?
Pendant necklaces from Elissa Halloran.
The Frankencake at Cheesecake Machismo
Mmmmm. Frankencake.
Why settle for one flavor of cheesecake when you could have six? Or more!
If you're headed to a holiday party this season and don't know what to bring, here's the perfect idea: A Frankencake from Cheesecake Machismo.
Albany Art Room Gift Certificates
Gift certificates to the Albany Art Room AND permission to get dirty? Yay!!!
What?
Gift Certificates to the Albany Art Room. Think about it-- the kids are going to be off for a whole week, it's cold out, and the the time it takes to go from infatuation with new toys to stir crazy is shorter than you think. A few hours at the Albany Art Room could be a lot of fun for kids and a great break for parents.
Belgian beer from Brewery Ommegang
Not just beer -- Ommegang beer.
On day five of AOA's holiday gift guide -- a little holiday cheer.
What?
The 2008 gift pack from Cooperstown's Brewery Ommegang: three 750 ml bottles (one Hennepin, one Three Philosophers and one Chocolate Indulgence Stout), plus a special Ommegang glass.
Holiday treats for furry friends
Yes, they look yummy, but hands off! They're for the dog (or cat).
On day three of AOA's holiday gift guide -- a little something for man's best friend.
What?
A selection of baked pet treats from Sherry's Kitchen.
The Peppermint Pig
The three little peppermint pigs.
Done with your holiday shopping yet? Yeah, didn't think so. In our ongoing effort to be helpful (live elves), we've been keeping an eye out for gifts that are fun, interesting and local. We'll bring you one a day. And as always, if you've got any thoughts or suggestions, tell everyone about it.
On the first day of the AOA holiday gift guide we give you peppermint porcine goodness.
What?
The Peppermint Pig.
It's not bacon candy -- but it's almost as much fun. Candy pigs may seem kind of random, but they were a traditional holiday gift in Saratoga Springs generations ago. About 20 years ago Mike Fitzgerald at Saratoga Sweets brought them back. Now they're in catalogs and on the internet. They've even marched in the Macy's parade. But they're made right here in the Capital Region. Here's how the tradition works:
Cranksgiving
It's a canned food drive! It's a bike race! It's both!
Here's how Andrew (Pink Tallbike) Franciosa described Cranksgiving to us:
This race takes place the weekend before Thanksgiving every year. There's no registration fee, but riders bring money with them, because the checkpoints are all grocery stores. At these grocery stores, they have to leave their bike outside, run in, and purchase a specified food item. Once they've collected all of the food items and have finished the race (we check the receipts to make sure they didn't cheat), all of the food gets donated to the Albany Homeless Action Committee.
Registration starts at 8:30 pm Saturday night (you'll need $20, a bag and a lock -- and, we're guessing, a light) at the memorial near State and Henry Johnson in Albany's Washington Park.
By the way: if you're curious about the backstory to Cranksgiving, it was started by bike messengers in New York City in 1999.
... said Katherine about All hail the great State of Long Island