Your Guide To Holiday Shopping in 2024

In DC, residents celebrate a variety of holidays during this season. While each holiday has unique traditions, they all involve gift shopping. School Without Walls, with its diverse community, is a rich source of holiday shopping recommendations to make the season’s festivities enjoyable—and manageable.

Christmas, celebrated by many SWW students, drives the bulk of holiday shopping, from gifts for family and friends to decorations. One student, Sophie Fetsch (‘26), explained, “Christmas encourages me to buy a lot of stuff for friends, family, myself because of the sales, and some of the kids I babysit.” She shops at local hubs like Georgetown, Target, and Tysons Corner, which offer the variety needed for selecting gifts across age groups and interests. Fetsch estimates her holiday spending reaches around $1,000, and she keeps an eye out for sales and promo codes to make the most of her budget.

For a community-focused shopping experience, Evelyn Webster (‘28) recommends the Brent Elementary School Holiday Sale, which offers wreaths, Christmas trees, dreidels, and hot cocoa. Supporting local fundraisers like these can benefit both the community and the shopper's holiday spirit.

For those in search of Christmas trees and wreaths, stores like The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Ace Hardware offer ample options, as do Meadows Farms in Falls Church, VA, and North Star Christmas Trees in Beltsville, MD.

Hanukkah, another holiday celebrated around this time, is a Jewish holiday that is celebrated for eight days and eight nights, starting on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar which happens to coincide with Christmas this year. Nadia Kallmer (‘26) mentioned that for Hanukkah, she shops primarily in Georgetown at stores like Urban Outfitters and Sephora, where she finds gifts for friends and family. Hanukkah also involves traditional items such as dreidels, menorahs, and candles. Ida Laitin (‘28) noted, “You can get them at any Target or Walmart because it’s a pretty popular holiday.” Other students mentioned that Rodman’s and the Girl Scouts are convenient sources for Hanukkah supplies.

Kwanzaa, a cultural celebration honoring African-American heritage, focuses on family connections and handmade gifts. Craft stores like Michael’s, as well as online platforms like Etsy, are popular sources for Kwanzaa gifts, especially those that allow customization and personal touches.

For all holiday shoppers, DC also features special events like the Downtown Holiday Market, open from Nov. 17 to Dec. 23, which offers unique gifts and treats, as well as Enchant at Nats Park, running from Nov. 24 to Dec. 31. Enchant includes ice skating, a Santa meet-and-greet, and a market with an array of holiday items.

Finally, managing the costs of holiday shopping can be crucial. Apps like Honey, Rakuten, and Simply Codes can help shoppers find promo codes and discounts. These tools can make holiday shopping more affordable and help balance thoughtful giving with financial responsibility.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other holiday, DC has a wealth of stores and events to help you complete your shopping and enjoy the season. Happy Holidays, SWW!