Kids Washington, D.C. - December 01, 2008

Big Donors

2008 Holiday Gift Guide

For your tiny sophisticates mass-produced mounds of plastic won’t do. Instead, find a standout from our favorite museum shops.

Culture Vulture
Weave worldliness into their daily lives with a whimsical stuffed wool snow lion doll from Tibet (The Textile Museum, 2320 S Street NW; 202-667-0441). Keep their noodles warm with handmade alpaca hats from Bolivia (Dumbarton Oaks, 1703 32nd Street NW; 202-339-6401).

Crafty Connoisseur
Hand-carved puzzles and spinning tops made of recycled wood by North Carolina artisans will please with their simplicity (Renwick Gallery, Pennsylvania Avenue NW and 17th Street; 202-633-1000).

History Buff
The Woodrow Wilson talking action figure complete with gray wool suit and quotes from the 28th president is a winner in this race (Woodrow Wilson House, 2340 S Street NW; 202-387-4062).

They’ll draft Lilliputian legislation with a quill and ink well set, plus get a peek into the big house with a copy of Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out (Decatur House, 1610 H Street NW; 202-842-0030).

They’ll be smarter for it.

WATCH
The Nutcracker
What: Performance, pictures with the cast, and party with crafts and music to benefit Thearc’s One in a Million Campaign.
Why: Don’t be a rat.
When: Sat., Performances, 1 & 5:30 p.m.; party, 3-5 p.m.
Where: Thearc Theater, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE, at 19th St. (202-889-5901). Tickets online at thearcdc.org.

SEE
Lifesize Gingerbread House
What: An eight-foot-high house made from 187 pounds of butter, ten pounds of ginger, and 200 pounds of candy.
Why: Sounds sweet.
When: Thru Jan. 2.
Where: The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City, 1250 S. Hayes St., Arlington (703-415-5000).

MAKE
Holiday Baking
What: DC Coast hosts a one-day dessert cooking class.
Why: Roll it and pat it and mark it with a DC.
When: Sat., 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: 1401 K St. NW, at 14th St. To register, call 202-216-5988 or e-mail jillian@passionfoodhospitality.com.