‘Tis the Season

’ Tisthe Season!

Shopping and Dining Around the City

by Leah Draffen THERE’S NOTHING QUITE LIKE perusing a locally owned shop—beautiful home goods, ornate decorations, sweetly scented candles, handmade art and pottery, fabulous clothing. While it’s fun to shop for yourself, it’s even more satisfying to mark off items on your Christmas list! Fresh and fun glassware for your aunt? Check. A shining necklace for your sister? Check. New pajamas for dad? Check. And it’s undeniable that our local store and restaurant owners are even more excited to see your face during the holidays!

Right: Colorful stemware at JADE. Below: A Christmas bell from Judy at the Rink.

DECK THE HALLS

Hilltop Shoppe owner Mary-Martin France’s go-to advice for gifting is to “start simple”. She says: “Go with something everyone likes. Either a candle or one of our French tea towels is usually my go-to for the hard-tobuy-for customer.” Mary-Martin’s personal favorite gift this year is their new handmade wine glasses from Saban Glass. Available in bright and fun colors, each glass is oneof-a-kind. She also expects their new lacquered sphere candles and always popular Thymes Frasier Fir products to be customer favorites. Hilltop Shoppe will be part of several pop-up markets this year along with the Cannery’s Lanyard Lovebirds on December 5, and the Southern Hotel in Covington on December 9. Anything acrylic is a go-to gift for JADE owner Jennifer Rabalias. She suggests, “Frames, trays, vases, games, coasters—acrylic matches almost any style!” Other favorite items in store include Estelle colored glasses for the wine lovers, a gold sustainable electric chargeable lighter, luxe coffee table books, initial notepad with acrylic holder, brand new PJ Harlow sleepwear, and alpaca slippers. Jennifer has seen trends in fuzzy faux fur tree skirts, vintage inspired décor and ornaments, and whimsical glass Christmas ornaments perfect for ornament exchanges. She believes that the color gold continues to dominate the holiday season and beyond!

BEJEWELED

Speaking of gold, Anna Hollinger, of Symmetry Jewelers and Designers, says versatile, easy-to-wear pieces are going to be a hit this year. “We expect minimalist

styles, which feature raw or natural textures, will be popular,” Anna says. Want a gift idea that’s perfect for anyone? How about a necklace! “We have pieces in every price range from designers, carried by no one else in the city. And our large inventory of necklaces starts at $50.”

For Brandon Boudreaux of Boudreaux’s Jewelers, he’s excited to see all their Christmas customers from years past. He says, “Being in our fourth generation, I hear all the old stories of how my grandfather or great grandfather sold jewelry to some of our longest standing clients.” This year, he expects the classics to rule holiday gifting— diamond studs, bracelets and pendants. He adds, “One thing that we always stress is to get in the store early. We custom make a huge amount of jewelry during the holiday season, but at a certain point we have to cut off orders. There is no feeling worse than having to tell someone that there simply is not enough time to make that perfect gift they envisioned for their loved one!”

While out shopping, you can meet Jennifer Ponson of Jennifer Ponson Jewelry Designs on December 4 and 5, during her trunk show at the Bead Shop on Magazine Street. Jennifer has been working with Jasper along with other beautiful items from mother nature. She crafts pieces into wearable art making them perfectly unique and personal gifts for loved ones. “I love when someone finds a piece that speaks to them. It’s the look on their face when they clearly connect to a piece,” she says. Jennifer will also happily meet via video from her studio to help design a custom piece.

BEST DRESSED

This holiday season, Reagan Charleston Thomas’ hat collaboration with Eugenia Kim is sure to be a hit with Reagan Charleston Jewelry collectors. She also expects the latest Manifestation Collection pieces are going to be

super popular gifts. “All of our jewelry pieces are original designs that are entirely artisan made; cast by hand in our East Coast casting house; and finished in our local studio.” Reagan loves matching sets for gift ideas. She adds, “Petite pieces for daughters and full-size pieces for mommies; and cufflinks and lapel pins for him to match with necklaces, earrings, pendants, and rings for her.”

To dress for your holiday gathering, sequins, bold color, and cutouts are on the radar at SOSUSU. Owner Susan Stall says, “We offer cocktail to denim and everything in between catering to everyone from ages 18 to 80!” They also have a variety of gifts ranging from his and her Christmas pajamas, to winter hats, Christmas socks, and jewelry by Tendenza and Of RARE Origin. SOSUSU will celebrate its five-year anniversary on December 1 with food, drinks and giveaways. Join in on the fun and knock out some shopping while you’re there.

SYMMETRY JEWELERS & DESIGNERS photo courtesy:

ON THE LIST

At Home Malone, Kristin Malone wants to help her customers find locally made gifts for everyone on their list. “While many people are concerned about supply chain issues, we aren’t too worried. Since we opened five years ago, our mission was, and still is, to buy from local makers who are designing and creating their products locally,” Kristin says. “Our Home Malone door hangers are always a customer favorite. It’s the perfect under $50 gift that >>

Clockwise from top: Stunning diamond studs from Boudreaux’s Jewelers; wearable art from Jennifer Ponson Jewelry Designs; unique necklaces from Symmetry Jewelers & Designers; a chic hat from Reagan Charleston Jewelry’s collaboration with Eugenia Kim.

To HelpMake YourList

Boudreaux’s Jewelers

701 Metairie Road, Metairie 831-2602 boudreauxsjewelers.com

Briquette

701 S Peters Street 302-7496 briquette-nola.com

Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard

819 Conti Street 581-3866 broussards.com

Everyday Keto To Go

110 Athania Parkway, Ste B, Metairie 957-9033 everydayketotogo.com

Galatoire’s

209 Bourbon Street 525-2021 galatoires.com

Home Malone

4610 Magazine Street 766-6148 homemalonenola.com

Hilltop Shoppe

3714 Magazine Street 533-9670 hilltopshoppe.com

JADE

875-4420 jadenola.com

Jefferson Performing Arts Society

1118 Clearview Parkway, Metairie 885-2000 jpas.org

Jennifer Ponson Jewelry Designs

850-698-3183 jenniferponson.com

Judy at the Rink

2727 Prytania Street 891-7018 judyattherink.com

Reagan Charleston Jewelry

Canal Place, 333 Canal Street, Ste 200A reagancharleston.com

SOSUSU

3427 Magazine Street 309-5026 sosusu.myshopify.com

Swiss Confectionery

3700 Orleans Avenue 522-7788 swisscakes.net

Symmetry Jewelers and Designers

8138 Hampson Street 861-9925 symmetryjewelers.com

people love.” Kristin also recommends useful or one-ofa-kind gifts for those who seem to have it all. “A curated package of a few items such as a wooden roux spoon, a ceramic spoon rest, and a tea towel. All functional items that can be displayed but also well used!”

Martha Claire Breland of Judy at the Rink agrees that local and thoughtful items will dominate gift lists this year. She says, “I think local items are going to shine this season! We’ve had such a focus on community over the past two years and love supporting our artists.” She personally enjoys decorating for Christmas and cannot wait to welcome customers to their glittery wonderland in store. “It really puts you in the spirit and carries the glitter into Mardi Gras!”

Books are always a classic option when it comes to gift-giving and LSU Press recently released The Café Brûlot written by Sue Strachan. Although the drink may have originated in France, Café Brûlot is primarily served in New Orleans, making it a distinctive Crescent City tradition. Sue delves into the history of the drink, the story of its various ingredients, and the customary implements used to serve it. Sure to be found under many Christmas trees, the book can be purchased online at lsupress.org, or in person at Octavia Books and Garden District Books.

For the person who truly has everything, the gift of theatre is an out-of-the-box idea. Gift cards, individual tickets and season subscriptions are all available for the Jefferson Performing Arts Society. This season, JPAS will present The Nutcracker ballet with two matinee shows on December 18 and 19 at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center. Amy Kirk Duvoisin tells us about the annual production, “JPAS continues to ring in the season with The Nutcracker. It’s a rite of passage for both local dancers and their families, as well as a wonderful tradition for audience members.”

TRADITIONS NEW AND OLD

A well-loved tradition this time of year is Galatoire’s

Réveillon menu. The restaurant is delighted to share this magical season with so many loyal patrons and their families, Melvin Rodrigue, president and CEO of Galatoire’s Restaurants, says, “We’d like readers to know that—despite the challenging times we have experienced during the last 18 months—traditions endure. The holiday season is a special time to celebrate our time-honored traditions and Galatoire’s is ready to set the table and be the centerpiece for families and friends to gather and embrace their traditions. This is something we need now more than ever.” Réveillon Lunch and Dinner, created by Executive Chef Phillip Lopez, will be offered December 1-24 along with a New Year’s Eve Wine Dinner on December 31. Find details at galatoires.com.

At Briquette, owner Anna Tusa is ready for some fun at their annual Holiday Spirited Dinner on December 10. The dinner will feature five courses paired with a festive hand-crafted cocktail prepared by Anna. “Everyone will be going home with a special thank you gift for being amazing supporters of Briquette all year long,” Anna says. The meal is $125 per person all inclusive. Reservations can be made on OpenTable or through Anna at 460-3886. >>

GALATOIRE’S photo courtesy:

Top: Broussard’s exterior. Above: Galatoire’s shrimp remoulade. Left: Many door hanger options at Home Malone.

For 101 years, Broussard’s has served its French and Creole-influenced menu in its historic French Quarter location. This year, as Chef Jimi Setchim has paid homage to Louisiana ingredients, he created special prix fixe menus for each ingredient including spices, coffee, rice, and pecans. For the month of December, Broussard’s will finish their Centennial-Plus-One Celebration with a citrus menu. Chef Jimi Setchim will also showcase Louisiana citrus with several special menu items on the traditional Réveillon menu.

SWEETS AND MORE

If headed to a holiday party empty handed, swing by Swiss Confectionery for the sweets! In fact, they are offering Christmas or holiday-themed cake designs at no additional charge, and their petit fours are in the spirit as well with red and green options. “You can never go wrong with a box of our ‘flurries’, which are our classic petit fours with a white chocolate snowflake on top,” Sarah Mitzel says. Their assorted fancy and deluxe mix boxes are an easy, delicious way to offer a variety of treats at any event.

For holiday meals at home, Everyday Keto To Go owner and baker Susan Freeswick is excited to introduce stuffing breadcrumbs this year. In addition to Everyday Keto To Go’s wide variety of guiltfree sweets and savory goodies, she says, “We provide holiday specials including pies, cake rolls, and more savory items like the breadcrumbs. We also have side dishes like dressing, ‘sweet potato’ casserole (without sweet potatoes) and more!” If you want to surprise a friend or family member who has dietary restrictions, an Everyday Keto To Go gift card may just be the perfect gift.

From shopping for jewels to noshing at Friday lunch, we hope that your holiday prep is filled with local merchants, purveyors, and restaurateurs so that we all may have a merrier Christmas!