6AM City In-house

One less thing to wrap

A guide to the best giftable experiences in Columbia
Segra-Park-Columbia-Fireflies-stadium
Segra Park will host the Mac and Cheese Festival in March. | Photo provided by Segra Park
We love to think our presents will be up on the mantelpiece forever. But let’s face it: some things are destined to add to our closet clutter.

Let’s switch things up. Instead of gifting a material item, why not gift a loved one an experience? Sometimes, these gifts can keep on giving throughout the year, so every time your friend or loved one has their ticket scanned at the gate of a Columbia Fireflies game, they think fondly of you.

To help you level up your gift-giving game this holiday season, check out our curated list of giftable experiences.

ticketing system at Columbia Metropolitan Airport

CAE’s technology updates allow travelers to fly with ease. | Photo provided by Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)


For the adventurer:
  • Your bike-friendly friends (or college students) would be spoked to receive a Cola Town Bike Collective membership so they can peddle around the Soda City with local swag and a fresh tune-up.
  • Support conservation and give the gift of free admission, guest passes, discounts, and more when you buy a family in your life a Riverbanks Zoo membership.
  • Plane tickets are always a great gift idea. Fly out of the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) to create memories in your bucket list destination.
A widely grinning person sits before a completed bowl on a pottery wheel, hands wet with clay.

Give pottery a whirl at State of the Art Gallery and Pottery Studio. | Photo via @stateoftheartsc

For the artist:
Golfers mill about and swing at Fort Jackson Golf Club

The Fort Jackson Golf Club is open seven days a week. |Photo via Fort Jackson Golf Club

For the sports fanatic:
  • Give the gift that keeps giving to the whole family when you purchase season tickets to see Columbia Fireflies games — offered for half, partial, or full season.
  • Calling all Gamecocks — Buy a set of tickets or season tickets for any of USC’s sports offerings.
  • Gift a round of golf at their favorite local course. Not sure which course would be the best fit? Take a look at these 22 golf courses in Cola.
Historic Columbia

Give the gift of local history while supporting conservation this holiday season. | Photo by COLAtoday team

For the lifelong student:
  • Know any history buffs? Snag them a Historic Columbia membership. Choose between several membership options to receive discounts on events, free house tours, and special access to behind-the-scenes tours.
  • The gift of a Richland Library card is priceless — no, really, it’s free if you’re a Richland County resident or property owner. If you live in a neighboring county and want to purchase a nonresident library card, apply online, in person, or call.
  • Give the SC State Museum family membership to family members with younger kids — featuring free or discounted tickets to shows at the planetarium and more.
inner on the green 2.jpeg

Secure you and your bestie tickets to next year’s Columbia Food and Wine Festival. | Photo provided by Columbia Food and Wine Festival

For the social butterfly
  • It’s never too early to think about festivals — get you and your wine-loving bestie tickets to the Columbia Food and Wine Festival, happening Wednesday, April 24 through Sunday, April 28. If beer and live music is their preferred combo, snag tickets to the St. Pat’s in Five Points festival happening on Saturday, March 16.
  • Have a night out, get dressed up, and buy the Broadway, music-lover in your life tickets to see Hamilton at the Koger Center, happening Tuesday, Feb. 27 through Sunday, March 10.
  • Time is money, so gift your busy bee friend more time when signing up for a new Lowes Foods To Go membership. Simply shop online, select a pickup time, and place your order.
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Monday, Dec. 5
  • Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in 4D debut | Monday, Dec. 5-Sunday, Jan. 1 | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | $11.95-$13.95 | The classic animation shines in an all-new, immersive 4-D Experience® (think: chilling air blasts, snow + more) at the South Carolina State Museum for the holidays.*
Tuesday, Dec. 6
  • Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)/SCDMV Road Show Tour | Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), 3250 Airport Blvd., West Columbia | CAE and SCDMV have teamed up to help Soda Citizens obtain a Real ID, which will be required for air travel by Wednesday, May 3, 2023.*

Wednesday, Dec. 7
  • Riverbanks Zoo & Garden - Lights Before Christmas | Wednesday, Dec. 7-Friday, Dec. 9 | 5-9 p.m. | Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, 500 Wildlife Pkwy., Columbia | Take your photo with Santa, roast marshmallows at the Jingle Bell Bonfire, and be sure to wear your hat – it snows nightly at Riverbanks during the Lights Before Christmas.
  • Gallery Talk with Wendell Brown | Wednesday, Dec. 7 | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St, Columbia | Free | Join artist and educator Wendell Brown for a tour highlighting works in “The Art of Elizabeth Catlett: From the Collection of Samella Lewis."*
Thursday, Dec. 8
  • Meeting Street Artisan Market | Thursday, Dec. 8, Saturday, Dec. 10 | 4-8 p.m. | Interactive Art Park, 425 Meeting St., West, Columbia | The market includes vendors selling original art, crafts, foods, and produce.
  • Holiday Bizarre | Thursday, Dec. 8 | 5-8 p.m. | NoMa Warehouse, 2222 Sumter St., Columbia | Free | Enjoy sips and snacks while you shop and chat with these local makers.
  • A Christmas Story: The Musical | Thursday, Dec. 8-Sunday, Dec. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St., Columbia | $15-$25 | Don’t miss this nostalgic show that follows the holiday adventures of Ralphie, who knows exactly what he wants for Christmas and will do whatever he can to get it.*
Saturday, Dec. 10
  • Santa Saturdays at the State Museum | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | $6.95-$8.95 | Santa will be at the museum to meet with guests and members so you can take holiday photos.*
  • Mosquito Beach Oyster Roast & Craft Market | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 2-5 p.m. | Mosquito Beach, 2206 Mosquito Beach Rd., James Island | $40-$60 | Enjoy all-you-can-eat oysters and a Lowcountry Buffet (think: mac and cheese, chili + sides) and two drink samples (beer, wine, or tequila), plus holiday shopping from local vendors.*

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS
Columbia Metropolitan Airport

Weather
  • 59º | Cloudy | 20% chance of rain
  • Let it snow — well, maybe. The Farmer’s Almanac suggests that SC will get some wet wintery weather throughout the rest of December and into January. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration however predicts that SC will have a dry winter with above-average temperatures. Read more here. ❄️ (The State)
Development
  • The intersection where Elmwood Avenue meets Bull Street may see construction to improve traffic flow. The repairs will be funded by the Richland County Penny Tax Program. Read the potential changes coming here, and stay tuned for more details to come from a press conference next week. 🚙 (The State)
Coming Soon
  • Day’s Harvest — a new local produce, meat market, and cafe — is coming soon to 912 Lady St. Neşet Hikmet, a professor in the College of Engineering and Computing at USC, is creating this local farmstand to combat food insecurity, create a community space, and connect locals to local food. 🥬 (The Daily Gamecock)
Number
  • $9.9 million. That’s the amount of money being allocated to Chapin High School’s stadium renovations set to be complete by next November. Visitors can expect more seating, a new press box, concession stand, entry plaza, restrooms, and more. 🏈 (The Post and Courier)
Opening
Health
  • Looking for patient-centered healthcare at an affordable price? Look no further than your own backyard — all six of them. Palmetto Primary Care Physicians has six locations in the Midlands so you’re never too far from getting the care you need. Bonus: They offer both primary + specialty care services. 🧑‍⚕️*
  • Open enrollment for individual and family health insurance is now. Enrollment events are happening this week at Insurance Advantage at 511 Meeting St. in West Columbia Fri., Dec. 9 from 12 p.m.-7 p.m., and Simplesurance at 4326 Ft. Jackson Blvd. in Columbia on Sat., Dec. 10 from 10 p.m.-5 p.m.*
Seasonal
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6AM City In-house

The more the merrier 🎁

More experience gift options in Columbia, SC
Hotel Trundle
The building that houses Hotel Trundle was once occupied by Western Auto. | Photo provided
We went down a bit of a rabbit hole when thinking about all the experience gift options you can find in Columbia, so we are sharing four more:
  1. Buy the classic-rock music-lover in your life tickets to see Journey’s 50th Anniversary Freedom Tour at the Colonial Life Arena happening on Friday, Feb. 10.
  2. Time is money, so gift your busy bee friend more time when signing up for a new Lowe’s Foods To Go membership. Simply shop online, select a pickup time, and place your order.
  3. May we interest you in a staycation at Hotel Trundle? Psst, it’s offering 20% off midweek stays in December.
  4. It’s never too early to think about festivals — get your and your wine-loving bestie tickets to the 2023 Drink Pink Rosé Festival happening on April 30. If beer and live music is their preferred combo, snag tickets to the St. Pat’s in Five Points festival happening on March 18, 2023.
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Sam.

Editor’s pick: I love a stocking stuffer and we’re on the hunt for some local stocking stuffer inspiration. If you know of some, have bought, or plan to buy a few around town, let us know where to look. Psst — local businesses, feel free to shamelessly plug yourself here too.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? See 11 new albums from Soda City artists, here.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Samantha Robertson, David Stringer, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea| Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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