Holiday Sip ‘n’ Scrawl
A cuppa’ hot cocoa on a cottage-style table and some Christmas card crafting — pancake stack available to order. Covet and Co., a boutique luxury letterpress studio, is hosting a workshop at Flapjack’s Pancake Shack in Little Italy. Thursday, Dec. 10, cozy up for a night of old-school letter writing — a letterpress Christmas card that Covet and Co. prints on their antique printing press. A $10 ticket buys you a cup of hot chocolate, the card, an envelope, a pen — even postage. And, at the end of the night, Covet and Co. will gather up the cards and pop them in the mail for you. Tickets sold at the door, cash only. Follow on Facebook for updates.
Flapjack’s Pancake Shack,  354A Preston St.

North Dal Holiday Shopping Night
You wait at the ByWard Market Square. It’s a cool night lit by Christmas lights (ideally it would be snowing softly). You hear the sound of horse hooves draw nearer, a carriage approaches and stops. You and your fellow shoppers hop in for a lift to North Dalhousie St., where you’re greeted by carols floating softly through the air, elaborate window displays, and store owners offering hot chocolate, treats, and discounts. This is how Christmas shopping should be.

Head to North Dalhousie Thursday, Dec. 10 from 4 to 9 p.m. to take part in their holiday shopping night. Eighteen businesses from Murray to Bruyere are participating. Spend $20 at any of them and receive a ballot to win $900 worth of North Dal gift cards. Great for families, too. Children’s story time and pictures with Santa are all free, as are the horse-drawn carriage rides. Visit Facebook for a full list of participating shops. Use #NorthDal to keep track of your holiday ventures.