In Town

Can a Christmas Tree be feminist? According to Alexis Bittar and Riggs Washington DC … yes. The celebrated jewelry designer and high-end hotel have partnered this year to create Menagerie A Tree. Bittar skipped the standard red and green in favor of pastel feathers, pearl garlands and high shine tinsel. As for feminism, the soaring 18-foot-high stunner pays homage to the hotel’s famed First Lady Suites with message-in-a-bottle inspirational quotes from famous women tucked into glass bottles placed among the branches (and yes, those globe-shaped ornaments are supposed to look like a certain body female body part). Bittar is a favorite of some of the most high-profile modern feminists including former First Lady Michelle Obama (he even designed the Obama family’s tree in 2014), Iris Apfel and Lady Gaga. In addition to the tree, Bittar and Riggs are offering a Gem Service Menu to hotel guests this holiday season. A nod to the hotel’s heritage as a former bank, a safety deposit box of Alexis Bittar pieces will be kept on-site for this jewelry-on-demand amenity, allowing guests to purchase a last-minute piece de resistance before a festive fête or a holiday gift while staying at Riggs. The gem menu isn’t necessarily feminist, but diamonds are a girls’ best friend.

Perhaps a little cliche, but in the grand tradition of holiday gifting, who doesn’t dream of that little blue box under the tree? Tiffany is eschewing the blue this year with an oversized multi-colored ornament at its CityCenterDC flagship. It’s an Instagram moment for sure … and can also serve as a nudge for the gift givers in your life. And no worries, you can still find the blue box inside the Tiffany’s boutique. Look for the colorful ornament in the CityCenterDC plaza right next to the 75-foot twinkling tree–another perfect place to pose for holiday pics.

Tysons Galleria is home to Chanel, Celine, Cartier and more, so it stands to reason that any holiday party the McLean mall hosts would be a fashionable affair. On Dec. 13, Fashion Santa, the suave brother of our favorite jolly holiday icon, will be on hand for an evening of photo ops in front of a glam, shimmery wonderland. Come for Santa, but stay for the sneak peek tasting of Jiwa Singapura. 

Chef Pepe Moncayo, best known for the Michelin-starred Cranes in D.C., will feature a preview of bites from his newest restaurant, set to open in Tysons Galleria in early 2023. Jiwa Singapura is Moncayo’s tribute to Singapore, where he lived, met his wife, had his children, and deepened his love for cooking and the art of hospitality. He calls it his “home, forever.”

Attendees will also have the option to donate to Capital Area Food Bank during the event.
RSVP here.

Innovative experiential art powerhouse ARTECHOUSE turns its impressive talents toward Christmas this year with a multisensory holiday art experience. SPECTACULAR FACTORY invites visitors inside an enchanting and experiential multiverse world filled with candy canes, nutcrackers, and more, just in time for the holidays in DC. 

While traversing through fantasy worlds, guests are invited to join the Spectacular Factory by assembling magical holiday gifts via the ARTECHOUSE XR app by scanning designated gift boxes, collecting small trinkets and rewards throughout with prizes upon completing the experience. Visitors are also invited to stop by the XR bar, which will offer a full range of specialty holiday-themed cocktails augmented by enchanting XR experiences. Yes, your cocktail did just sprout a digital Christmas tree.

Santa breakfast options abound in DC in December, but this one is Wolfgang Puck approved. New this year, CUT at Rosewood Washington, D.C. will host a three-course brunch with Santa on Dec. 10 and 17. Families, friends and all fans of Santa can enjoy the sumptuous spread before retiring to Rosewood’s library for a special reading of a Christmas classic with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Santa will be on-hand to sign a copy of the book he reads, with all proceeds going to Rosewood’s charity partner, The Homeless Children’s Playtime Project.