NoLibs Holiday Shopping Spree

by Julia West

Not interested in getting up before the sun rises on Black Friday to fight bargain-eyed mothers for the last remaining Snuggle Me Fido? Forfeit the fuss of mall parking lots and the disappointment of soggy food-court fare for a leisurely stroll through the shopping mecca that is NoLibs instead.

The Northern Liberties Business Owners Association's second annual Holiday Shopping Spree — great name, BTW — breaks down as follows: Buy at any participating store and automatically receive a 10 percent discount and shopping card. For every subsequent boutique you visit and make purchases from, you'll get additional savings — 5 percent more for every store till you reach the top discount: 25 percent off. (To play your card right, save your favorite place for last.)

Where to begin? Pick up handmade jewelry for the sophisticated bohemian on your list at Adorn; stuff the stockings of a toy collector at Jinxed; and pick up a little something for yourself at Art Star, full of gems in the jewelry, clothing, accessory and artwork departments.

Spending builds the appetite, so once you get two stickers slapped on your shopping card, refuel with specials at A Full Plate or Home Slice, or go for a mid-spree cocktail at Yards, 700 Club or Darling's Diner. To add to the mix — or confusion — stores including Art Star, Once Worn Consignment and Millesime will have free cookies with corresponding recipe cards.

To recap: The more you shop, the more you save and your savings also transfer over to food and booze, not to mention a treasure map of free cookies. Black Friday who?

Sat.-Sun., Dec. 4-5, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Northern Liberties, 215-238-1557, nolibs.com.

(julia.west@citypaper.net)