EBALDC’s Holiday Gift Guide
It’s December already…do you have all your holiday gift-giving lined up? If not, never fear—we’ve got you covered with fun holiday gifts from trusted EBALDC local vendors and businesses!
Do you have a dog lover in your life? Surprise them with a gift certificate to All About the DOGue, a full-service salon and spa for pet pooches! All About the DOGue provides a calm, friendly, and clean environment for your dog grooming needs at 3850 San Pablo Avenue, Suite 105, Emeryville, CA.
Looking for something for a young budding reader/writer? Consider books, journals, and other fun merch available at chapter 510 department of Make-Believe, “a magicked up safe and creative space for Oakland’s young artists to come together and create” according to Aida Ndaiye, 11, author.
The Cook & the Farmer, a farm-to-table café, wine, and oyster bar serves “coastal inspired cuisine with a touch of Southern influence” and offer e-gift cards, as well as physical gift cards that you can buy in-house. For your favorite foodie, they have a delightfully giftable selection of small batch housemade jams, using all organic and local fruit from the farmers’ market, natural wines for your holiday celebrations (15% off when purchased on premises), and tinned fish and other pantry items that are great stocking stuffers. Custom gift bags can be made on request.
With enticing flavors like Caramel Mocha, Chocolate Toffee, Key Lime Pie, and their famous Red Velvet, it’s always a good time for cakes and cupcakes at Cupcakin’ Bakeshop! Pick up some for your holiday get together or satisfy your sweet tooth with a gift card.
Celebrate with the gift of a meal at delage, the tiny gem of a Michelin-recognized “California-inspired Japanese” restaurant!
The photographer in your life might appreciate a membership in the East Bay Photo Collective, which supports their Education and Community programs as well as the Oakland Photo Workshop, and includes discounts on workshops and rentals, participation in annual Members’ Exhibition, annual Photo Book, discounts at local photography businesses.
Swan’s is known for being the epicenter of tasty meals. Enjoy a meal from La Guerrera’s Kitchen on Swans’ comfortable outdoor dining patio or give a gift card for the same.
If you’re looking for beautiful blooms to grace your holiday table or a bouquet for a special someone, try Showers of Flowers, located at 3850 San Pablo Avenue, Suite 100, Emeryville; 510-652-3548.
Perk up your mornings with Souvenir Coffee, locally roasted, and available for purchase at the shop at Swan’s Market or online. Selected specialty teas from Far Leaves Tea are also available for purchase on the website.
Calling all house-smoked and cured sausage lovers! Taylor’s Sausages at Swan’s Market has everything you’d ever want, from breakfast sausage to hot links to Portuguese linquica to Filipino longanisa. Longtime customers rave about their homey service, delicious meats, and house made sausages.
First Annual Old Oakland Holiday Crawl
The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment (MADE) 30th Anniversary December 9th
The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment (MADE) is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the video game DOOM on Saturday, December 9th. In partnership with East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation – EBALDC, MADE will host events throughout Swan’s Market to inspire everyone to participate in video games as an art form.
Register for free tickets to the event here!
Inside the museum, experience a short documentary about Doom’s development process, the DoomEd tools that were developed for designers and artists to collaborate, and more!
Other activities you can enjoy:
* Play the original DOOM at the play-a-thon table (free at Swan’s Market)!
* Experience other retro systems at the MADE Museum!
* Enjoy live DOOM music set in the courtyard outside on 9th Street
* Enjoy tacos, Japanese food and other tasty treats at nearby eateries
The outdoor activities are open to the public and will not sell out.
Check out Chapter 510’s Winter Book Fair
Saturday, December 16th, 1:00 – 4:00 PM!
Celebrate 11 books by young Oakland authors with readings and book signings at Chapter 510, a “made-in-Oakland youth writing, bookmaking, and publishing center” that provides support and a safe space for Black, brown, and queer youth to write. Chapter 510 is located at 546 Ninth Street (adjacent to Swan’s Market).