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Thanksgiving Day Preparedness Guide

Thanksgiving Day is full of fun, love, excitement, and immense pressure for certain individuals. Good thing the tenants at Annapolis Town Center can set you up for success, no matter if you are a host or a guest. Check out our best tips for either role you may play this holiday season.

For Hosts

Turkey Day is by far one of the most treasured holidays of the year, but for hosts – it can be one of the most stressful days as well. With so many moving parts, a stacked guest list, and the 21st-century expectations of table decor – your head could be spinning before you even begin! So, let’s start with the basics and break down which tenant should be your go-to stop. 

Table settings and decor can be simple or elaborate, depending on your preference. Get started with personalized invitations straight from Paper Source. When you start here you can streamline a look for the entire Thanksgiving experience. Liking pairing the invitations with day-of personalized napkins and place cards. Next, head to ArHaus for the perfect table runner and drink glasses to cheers the evening away. They pair beautifully with Smyth Jewelers’ timeless serving platters, knife sets, and salad bowls. Don’t sweat the small stuff with the help of Bed Bath & Beyond. Get your table accents like pumpkins, flowers, garland, and long-stemmed candles. You can even welcome your guests with a Thanksgiving-inspired outdoor welcome mat.

 

What is Thanksgiving without the food?! Most families create dishes of their past for the present. So, Whole Foods may be your only needed stop for the best variety in ingredients. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t start some new tasty traditions. Sop in True Food Kitchen to purchase their Recipe Book. Seasonally changing, this book may have just the missing dish to complete your table. Feeling a bit overwhelmed yet? Cheat the system and let our property restaurants take the reins. With a plethora of dining options for all palettes, you can easily order ahead of time and pick up just before guests arrive (giving you enough time to put the dishes in your own serving bowls and plates)! 

For Guests

If you are not hosting the dinner yourself, practicing your best guest etiquette should be your top priority. In most instances, guests are required to simply show up with an empty stomach. Though, it is always polite and recommended to bring something small to show your appreciation to the host. Maybe their favorite bottle of liquor or wine from Bin201. A seasonally fragranced candle from Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, or one of the many home furnishings stores. You can even prep them for the next holiday with a wine-themed 12 Nights of Christmas advent calendar from Cooper’s Hawk. Or, grab the latest in accessory fashion fun! No matter your choice, our variety of tenants can provide you with what you need.

If you happen to take part in a potluck-style dinner hosted at someone else’s residence, then you know choosing the right dish to appease all in attendance is crucial. Start at Whole Foods where the ingredients are endless and the pre-made food can be the answer to your holiday prayers. From specialty appetizers in a variety of serving sizes to prepped charcuterie boards and aisles of delicious, healthy food options, Whole Foods can easily become your one-stop-shop. Be sure to pop in Target to help get those side dishes prepared the best way possible with the latest in cooking supplies, and looking fancy in their decorated serving dishes and side bowls. You will be sure to “wow” others with your Martha Stewart or Joanna Gaines-esque skills. 

So regardless if you are a host or guest, we have what you need to make this Thanksgiving Day special. Make sure to stay up to date on all things Town Center by following us on Instagram and Facebook (@AnnapolisTownCenter)!

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Make It A Date

You may think that spouses or live-in significant others need a breather from each other after a year-long, 24/7 forced bit of “togetherness”. However, we think just the opposite! These longtime love birds need to jump back on the bandwagon of newly dating partners who have been longing for one-on-one time. As the weather turns and the nation re-opens, it is clear that more than ever we all need a little more fun and a lot less stress. That is why we have jotted down a few date idea favorites around the property.

Whether you are looking for a night of romance, a day of pampering or a basket of fun, Annapolis Town Center has what you need to keep that spark going.

A Pampering Experience

A rejuvenating escape may be the best date idea yet for 2021. Nothing says I love you more like a full day of relaxation and tranquility, side-by-side with your partner. Thanks to the Town Center, there are a number of ways you can get to pampering. Book a couple’s massage or bodywork therapy at About Faces Day Spa & Salon. Get her nails done at the highly sought-after Paint Nailbar. Or, have a couple’s makeover session at Salon Unlimited! It feels good to take care of yourself – together!

An Evening Out

Who else is ready for someone else to cook a great meal?! Or, maybe you are just excited to wear something other than lounge clothes. Get out of the house and treat you and your loved one to a casual or romantic dinner date. Annapolis Town Center boasts a variety of restaurants to fit everyone’s palate. Enjoy dinner and a show at Ziki Japanese Steakhouse with their Hibachi tables. Indulge in a Napa-inspired experience at Cooper’s Hawk Restaurant and Tasting Room. Share flavorful, Asian-inspired entrees and innovative cocktails at P.F. Chang’s China Bistro. Catch a game and a great brew at Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant. Or, keep it simple and visit one of the many quick-stop eateries like NEO’s, Burgers Grilled Right, Giolitti Deli, and Mission BBQ.

Shopping Made Fun

Shopping may seem like a bit of a bore for a date idea. But, there are plenty of ways to make it fun and exciting. Mix it up a bit and have a fashion show. Or, become each other’s personal shoppers. Set a spending limit and let the gift-giving commence. Annapolis Town Center has an array of retailers that boast the trendiest clothing items and accessories. Shop from tenants like Anthropologie, Charm City Run, J. Jill, Lou Lou Boutiques, and South Moon Under. Once you are finished, grab a few drinks at one of the many restaurants or head over to Bin201 for some take-home refreshments.

Hands-On Approach

Let your creative side shine. Muse Paintbar hosts a number of instructor-led painting sessions throughout the week. Bring your loved one and test your skills, all while sipping on wine for this fun and interactive date. Paper Source also hosts a variety of craft classes, workshops, and events to further explore your artistic side. Looking instead to create your own personalized date experience? Head over to Whole Foods and grab all the perfect fixings for a picnic. Annapolis boasts a ton of great locations to sit, eat, chat, and enjoy the great outdoors. Whole Foods has the snacks, refreshments, and cutlery for the ultimate spread.

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Organizational Tips for 2021

To most people, “Spring Cleaning” means out with the old, in with the new. But, does anyone really know where to start? Check out our list of the best three places at the Annapolis Town Center to start getting organized – whether it’s your house or schedule! 

Bed Bath and Beyond

Even if your children haven’t returned to college, they may still be treating their rooms like a dorm. Bed Bath and Beyond has long been known for its student department, and you can find more than just a shower caddy.  Shop all of their essential items to get you organized, like under-bed storage, shoe racks, and desk organizers to help give them that extra push. They’ll thank you later. 

Target

Obsessed with Pinterest? Make your boards and pins a reality with Target. Target has anything you might need for both office and home organization that is guaranteed to work with any home decor style. If you look carefully, you can find the perfect bins, storage, and desk storage options that’ll make tidying up just that much more satisfying. Combining style and utility, it might just become your new favorite piece! 

Paper Source

Organization isn’t all boxes and bins with labels. Sometimes it’s sitting down and taking the time to plan out your day, week, or even month. And, let’s be honest, nothing feels better than crossing something off your to-do list. Paper Source is constantly updating its inventory of calendars and planners for any type of task. If that still isn’t enough, you can create a custom planner to fit your needs. Stop into Paper Source to check one more thing off that list.

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Winter DIY Projects With Annapolis Town Center

We all have DIY projects on our to-do list, just waiting for us to catch that spark of creativity. The holiday season is the perfect time to relax, enjoy a night in, and spend time with family – so why not add something crafty to the agenda. And, for those who are less inclined to get artsy – there are plenty of opportunities to update your space or create the perfect at-home cocktails too! The Annapolis Town Center offers a number of retailers that can help you bring your next vision to life.

Paper Source

Greeting cards, place settings, and a host of other unique creations are waiting for you at Paper Source. Let their team help you craft your way through the next few weeks with your own twist. You can even find the perfect gift wrap and accessories to make your gifts stand out under the tree. They have all the tools you need to make whatever you can think of!

Bin201

While going out and gathering may not be an option, you don’t have to give up all the fun. Bin201 can help you become a DIY-mixologist, making all of your favorite drinks from the comfort of your own home. Have fun with it and get together with friends, virtually, for your own socially distanced holiday party. Their knowledgeable staff will make sure you have everything you need to get started. If you’d prefer to just sit back and sip on something, purchase their holiday box, available now!

Offenbachers

Make the holiday staycation of your dreams a reality at Offenbachers. Browse their awesome selection of furniture to upgrade your space and make it more fun for the entire family. Whether it’s a new hot tub or a pool table, pick up some new pieces that will bring the fun right to your own home. Now is the perfect time to transform your backyard into a cozy winter escape, just in time for Christmas.

Restoration Hardware

Interior design projects count as DIY! If home decor is more your style, Restoration Hardware is the place to be. Treat yourself to some home renovation this season. Upgrade any room in your home with the perfect lighting, rugs, window treatments, and much more. Prepare for more gatherings and reasons to celebrate as 2021 nears *fingers crossed*.

We love hearing from our guests! Share your DIY creations with us over on social, just tag us @annapolistowncenter. To stay up to date with the latest Town Center happenings, follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

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Holiday Cocktail Bar Must Haves

The holiday season has arrived, and that means spending time with friends and family over good food and even better cocktails. Mix up some special drinks to serve at a holiday party or for a nightcap in front of a cozy fire. With a few staple items, simple recipes, and that perfect glass, you can add a few more traditions to your holiday festivities. 

Holiday Cocktail Bars

Image courtesy of the author

Stock up on a few stable items that will get you through the holidays. Stop by Bin 201 Wine Sellers to fill your cabinet with plenty of holiday cheer! For most seasonal recipes, you won’t regret having vanilla vodka, bourbon, gin and wine on hand. And luckily Target, Whole Foods and Bed Bath & Beyond carry all of the added mixers and ingredients to shake up your cocktail game.

Holiday Cocktails

Image courtesy of the author

Recipes

Add a bit of sugar and spice to your cocktail menu this holiday season. Here’s a selection of simple, crowd-pleasing recipes that are guaranteed to get you in the spirit.

If you’re looking for some bar tools that are festive for the season, check out Bed Bath & Beyond, Target and Pier 1 for a wide selection of mixers, muddlers and glassware. For a bit more of an extravagant look, stores such as Anthropologie and Paper Source are the perfect one-stop shops for unique pieces to adorn your home bar.

Holiday Cocktails

Image courtesy of the author

Shake it up this year with some specialty cocktails that are simple enough to make at home. Whether it’s ingredients, shaker or fun glassware, you can find everything that you’ll need in the Annapolis Towne Centre.

 

Blog written by Kristin Dyak.

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A Crafty Christmas

No Christmas gift stays closer to the recipient’s heart for years to come than one made by the giver’s hand.  Whether you are a clever or a clumsy crafter, a little help from the shops at Annapolis Towne Centre can enable you to make something memorable for a special friend, colleague, or family member or for the whole clan.  If your creative spirit leans more toward holiday décor or if it’s your child who is the craftsperson, the Towne Centre has that covered too.

Figuring out what to make is the first and biggest step in crafting gifts or décor, and several shops at ATC offer great ideas for projects of all sizes and degrees of complexity. A stroll through the Annapolis Art Alliance’s Pop-up Shop can provide inspiration and more because its clerks are artists whose work is displayed in the shop, and they can give you advice tailored to your skill level on various projects.  The only risk to visiting the Pop-up Shop is that you might also find some excellent gifts for some of the special people on your list (but hopefully that won’t cause you to abandon your own crafty ambitions).

Image courtesy of Annapolis Arts Alliance

Target offers how-to books for a wide variety of crafts and may be the best place in Annapolis for one-stop-shopping to buy the basics to make pretty much anything.  Target has glue guns, scissors, colored paper, felt squares, artificial flowers, ready-to-decorate wreaths, acrylic and watercolor paints, all sorts of sewing items, and picture frames to show off your photography or artwork.  Target’s endless number of kid-focused craft kits can give a do-it-yourself kind of child the opportunity to make personalized gifts (some of these kits are also suitable for use by busy parents).

Image courtesy of Target

The Paper Source offers the very best quality of paper—not just wrapping paper but pretty paper for projects of all kinds and all colors, including making your own Christmas cards.  If you want to go the simple route—something that you can rightfully say you made but has almost zero risks to the assembly—take a look at the shop’s craft kits for all ages that offer projects ranging from flowers and wreaths and holiday décor to soapmaking.  If making your own holiday cards is too much of a stretch, the store has a beautiful selection of ready-made cards, simple or elegant, funny or romantic, to accompany your special gifts.

Image courtesy of Paper Source

In addition to a wide selection of holiday décor, Bed Bath & Beyond has a large assortment of flower vases and containers both for storing craft materials and for displaying your creations. For example, the store’s assortment of Mason jars provides a just-like-grandma-used-to-make touch to your homemade jams, jellies, or dried bean soup mixes.  Need some pinecones for your project?  Bed Bath & Beyond has them!

Image courtesy of the author

Restoration Hardware can provide knobs and pulls for the crafter who enjoys furniture-making or repairing or if you just want to give your furniture or kitchen cabinets a fresh look.  RH also has some beautiful planters for greenery gifts and baskets that can showcase your creation.

Anthropologie offers decorative ceramic hardware for furniture that is especially nice is you want to provide some pop to your home.  Choose from the store’s assortment of pretty vases to highlight arrangements of fresh or dried flowers.

Image courtesy of the author

A selection of teas arrayed in a basket or on a tray with a pretty teapot and a couple of cups and saucers can allow you to express your creativity and show your appreciation of tea-drinking friends or family members.  The Baltimore Coffee & Tea Company has tea (and coffee) selections to suit everyone’s taste, with or without caffeine.  Moreover, the shop has a lunch counter offering a tasty selection of made-to-order sandwiches, soups, and desserts.  Take this opportunity to relax, get off your feet, have a bite to eat, and pat yourself on the back for being such a thoughtful crafter!

Some might say that around the holidays the best craft gift is an edible one, and Whole Foods has the ingredients for just about any type of cookies, candy, pie, cake, quiche, bread, etc., you’d want to make.  The store also has arguably the best assortment of live greenery and fresh-cut flowers in town, ready for you to arrange and put in a vase for your host or hostess or to brighten up your dinner table or kitchen.

Image courtesy of Whole Foods

So head to Annapolis Towne Centre and get ready for hours of holiday fun!

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