Plus, check out several ways to enjoy the outdoors this weekend
 
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🎁 Unwrap an experience

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.

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.

For the adventurer:
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:
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.
  • 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 behind-the-scenes tours.
  • 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.
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.
6 more giftable experiences
City Guide presented by AllSouth Federal Credit Union.
Asked

What has been the best local experience gift you have either received or given?
This is not an exhaustive list. Join the conversation and help us give our readers more ideas for gifts.
Gift us your answers
 
Events
Friday, Dec. 8
  • Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve | Friday, Dec. 8 | Times vary | Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St., Columbia | $34.49-$109.75 | Enjoy holiday music with a rock ‘n roll twist from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
  • Samantha Fish - Shake Em’ On Down Tour | Friday, Dec. 8 | 8 p.m. | The Senate, 1022B Senate St., Columbia | $32.50 | Guitar virtuoso Samantha Fish, renowned for her eclectic blend of rock, blues, soul, and pop, brings the Shake ‘em Down Tour to town with outlaw country artist Jesse Dayton.
Saturday, Dec. 9
  • Accessibility Morning at the SC State Museum | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | Free | Each month the museum hosts a special morning designed for families of children, teenagers, young adults, and adults who would benefit from a quieter, sensory-friendly, and disability-adapted experience.
  • Bierkeller Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) | Saturday, Dec. 9-Sunday, Dec. 10 | Times vary | Bierkeller Columbia, 600 Canalside St., Columbia | Free | Delight in the charm of a traditional German Christmas market along the Congaree River.
  • Santa Saturdays | Saturday, Dec. 2-Saturday, Dec. 23 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | $6.95-$8.95 | Meet Santa at the South Carolina State Museum, see holiday shows, explore four floors of exhibitions and shop in the museum store every Saturday leading up to Christmas.*
  • South American Wine Tasting | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 3-4 p.m. | Hampton Street Vineyard, 1207 Hampton St., Columbia | $33 | Sip and learn about the wines of South America and try six different wines with advanced sommelier Jonathan Lopez
Sunday, Dec. 10
  • 1989 Taylor’s Version Drag Brunch | Sunday, Dec. 10 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Hideout in WeCo, 118 State St., West Columbia | $10 | Join Columbia Kings n’ Things for a drag tribute to 1989 Taylor’s Version.
  • Cocktail Classroom: Holiday Drinks | Sunday, Dec. 10 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Smoked, 1643 Main St., Columbia | $65 | Learn how to make classic holiday drinks with a modern twist.
Calendar events here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Seasonal

5 local gift boxes we’d love to unwrap this season
Slideshow of the contents of cheer boxes from Lowes Foods.
All of the ingredients in the North and South Carolina Cheer Box are sourced locally, within NC and SC state lines. Read: It’s the perfect way to give the best of the Carolinas to anyone no matter where they live. | Photos via @lowesfoods
Looking for a present for a friend who loves to shop local, or want to share a slice of your home with family far away?

Here are five gift ideas from Lowes Foods that we would love to receive — so you can grab a holiday party appetizer, poinsettias for the front door, and gifts for friends + family all in one spot (or order online):
  1. North and South Carolina Box
  2. South Carolina Box
  3. Breakfast Box
  4. Spice Bazaar Deep South Spice Box
  5. Spice Bazaar Central American Spice Box
Pro tip: You can order Cheer Boxes in bulk via email for an easy workplace gift solution.
Get gifting, COLA
News Notes
Development
  • Huger Street is experiencing a surge in development with several proposed projects on vacant lots — think apartment complexes and multifamily projects. Infrastructure improvements, including the extension of streets + riverfront development, could be in Huger Street’s future. (The State)
Drink
  • Celebrate Steel Hands Brewing’s fifth anniversary on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 1 to 10 p.m. with live music, special beer releases, and a VIP experience, offering exclusive perks like brewmaster tours, a low country boil, and a limited edition bottle release. General admission is free, while VIP tickets are $75.
Sports
  • The USC men’s basketball team lost for the first time this season against Clemson 67 to 72. Their record now sits at 7-1. The USC women’s basketball defeated Morgan State. 104 to 38 and sits with an undefeated record of 8-0. Next up, the men will play at East Carolina on Saturday + the women will play Utah on Sunday.
State
  • Consumer spending in SC stayed steady in 2023, with the economy expected to grow in 2024, but maybe at a slower pace. Wages outpaced inflation for the first time since 2020, indicating potential for strong consumer spending in the coming year. The Post and Courier discusses inflation, housing, and more with economists.
Seasonal
  • Enjoy the Light Up NOMA event happening on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 3 to 6 p.m., featuring a tree lighting, live performances, and a Cookie Crawl. More than a dozen NOMA businesses will offer shopping deals, food tastings, and entertainment. The family-friendly event includes Santa Claus, face painting, and discounts.
Plan Ahead
  • Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Smoked Red Carpet event. Choose from general admission, early access VIP, lounge section, or private bottle service section tickets. The night includes a red carpet, small bites, a DJ, and a 1600 Block Ball Drop with a champagne toast at midnight.
Fun Fact
Featured Deal
Community
  • Looking for a spot to host your next event? Enter: SakiTumi Grill & Sushi Bar with flexible options for both semi-private and full private rentals (think: holiday parties, corporate dinners, and more). The unique space offers food options, a full bar, and more. Learn more.*
Seasonal
Finance
  • Big box stores continue to lobby for the Credit Card Competition Act — a bill that could dismantle credit card rewards. If signed into law, corporations would benefit from lower fees by potentially sacrificing the security and benefits of cardholders. Learn more about the bill and ways to voice your stance.**
**This message is brought to you by The Points Guy.
 
Outdoors

🌤️ Get outside

A few ways you can enjoy the outdoors around Columbia
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Congaree National Park’s 2.4 mile boardwalk is an excellent introduction to the park. | Photo by @annadiller
Saturday’s weather is supposed to be in the lower 70s and sunny. We’re sharing a few activities so you can enjoy the outdoors around Columbia while the weather is nice.

Ride your bike
Pump up your tires + explore the Midlands’ nature through these bike trails.

Take a hike
Browse eight hiking trails catering to all skill levels in and around Columbia, and here are three of our favorite local accessible trails that are wheelchair-friendly.

Picnic in the park
Whether you’re looking for a place to play with the kiddos or to decompress with some off-screen time, here are 20+ parks and recreational spots for you to enjoy.

Get work done outside
So, you have to get caught up on this week’s work over the weekend. Bummer. Elevate your working space by bringing your laptop to one of these outdoor spaces.
The Buy

The Buy 12.08.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
The cheeriest French press to bring some sunshine into your kitchen + make you a smooth, well-brewed cup of coffee.
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The Wrap
 
Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s edition by:
Sam
From the editor
Another way to gift an experience is to pay for someone to enjoy a staycation. Take a look at our unique places to stay around the Soda City guide for some inspiration. I know I wouldn’t mind unwrapping a stay at Hotel Trundle.
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