Can you complete your entire gift list by shopping local? When you support locally-owned, independent businesses, you not only purchase high-quality, unique items and receive unbeatable customer service, you also support local businesses that give back to our Alexandria non-profits, schools, community organizations, youth sports programs, and more.
Some Del Ray businesses and at-home entrepreneurs go an extra step, featuring gifts that make a direct contribution to a wide variety of worthy organizations:
Bellies & Babies Consignment Boutique
1913 Mt Vernon Ave.
In addition to children’s clothing and gear, Bellies & Babies features the Noonday Collection — “all handmade jewelry, leather bags, scarves by women in third world countries to provide them with honorable work to support their family,” said Bellies & Babies Owner Dawn Luepke. Find the entire line online at www.dawnluepke.noondaycollection.com, or at The Shops of Del Ray’s Ladies Night Out on Dec. 6 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., where Noonday will be Bellies & Babies’ featured vendor.
GIVE Del Ray
Bring a gorgeous arrangement for a hostess gift, or give a loved one the gift of a floral subscription with GIVE, a new, in-home floral business in Alexandria. A portion of every arrangement is donated to local non-profit organizations; featured charities have included Alexandria Animal Welfare League, The Carpenter’s Shelter and Friends of Guest House. “The company was founded on the belief that contribution to one’s community – whether creative, social or emotional – is imperative to thrive,” said owner Amy Eggers.
Holy Cow
2312 Mt. Vernon Avenue
For the person who’s impossible to shop for, gift cards to local restaurants are the perfect go-to gift. Through a partnership with ACT for Alexandria, Holy Cow Del Ray donates a quarter from every burger purchased to Alexandria non-profits; the customer chooses where their quarter qill go from a list of over 200 local organizations. This summer, Holy Cow celebrated donating over $100,000 to local charities — one quarter at at a time.
Kiskadee
2205 Mt Vernon Ave.
Kiskadee is a one-stop-shop for everything you need for your wardrobe — plus gifts for at price points for every budget. One of their popular lines is the Los Angeles-based Project Social T — known for their ultra-soft sweaters and tees — and for donating a percentage of every purchase to a variety of charities nationwide.
Made in Del Ray
Available at The Greener Cleaner
2210 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Show off your community pride — or give the perfect gift to welcome a new neighbor — with items from Made in Del Ray, which donates a portion of all sales to the Alexandria Boys and Girls Club. Made in Del Ray is expanding their beyond their popular t-shirts in time for the holidays, offering additional community pride items such as magnets, coasters, and blankets.
The Purple Goose
2005 Mt Vernon Ave.
For over 27 years, The Purple Goose, has been one of the region’s top children’s boutiques. They feature the popular brand TOMS, with has donated more than 86 million pairs of new shoes to children in need across the globe through its Buy One, Give One program. “The Del Ray neighborhood fully supports this line and we have exceeded the company’s expectations of sales from a small store like ours every year,” said Purple Goose owner Paula Hoelzel.
PawsGo
www.pawsgo.com
Find the perfect gift for dog lovers at pawsgo.com — and help connect another person with their new best friend. Every day, thousands of dogs are rescued by small, independent not-for-profit organizations, which PawsGo highlights and help with a variety of “Want a Friend” t-shirts.
Yates Automotive
317 E Braddock Rd.
If you’re traveling for the holidays, fill up at Yates Automotive on your way out of town; gas gift cards also make the perfect gift for a new driver or college student. Year-round, Yates donates 2 cents per gallon to local non-profits; the featured non-profit for December is the Holiday Sharing Program for the The Fund for Alexandria’s Child.
Enjoy special promotions, wine, refreshments, and holiday cheer at The Shops of Del Ray’s Ladies Night Out on Th., Dec. 6 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For a list of participating retailers and artisans, visit www.visitdelray.com.
