Holiday toy trends

Lifestyle and parenting expert Amanda Mushro shares the hottest toy trends and must-have gifts for this holiday season. For more gift ideas, visit www.AmandaMushro.com.

Pop-up holiday store offering free clothing, toys for families in need

The two-day community event runs Dec. 9-10 at 21339 Gratiot Ave. in Eastpointe. Donations can be dropped off at Eternal Tattoos, Eastpointe Memorial Library, and the EP FreeStore across from Bellview Elementary School. You can also donate to https://www.gofundme.com/f/freestore-holiday-popup-shop

Blake’s Holiday Extravaganza & Annual Tree Lighting at Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill in Armada

Blake’s Holiday Extravaganza (Nov. 18-19 and 24-25) & Annual Tree Lighting (Nov. 19 at 6:00 p.m.) at Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill in Armada Kick off the holidays with the festive tree lighting on Sat., Nov. 18 as Blake Farms sets a massive tree aglow. Free and over two weekends, the Holiday Extravaganza features carolers, live music, live reindeer, horse drawn carriage rides, an Artisan Market with unique gifts, complimentary holiday crafts for kids and more. U-Cut and Pre-Cut Christmas Trees at Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill and Blake’s Backyard Pick the perfect tree at Blake’s 100-acre tree farm featuring more than 10,000 trees. Varieties include Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir, Blue Spruce, White Spruce, Balsam Fir, Concolor Fir, and Scotch Pine. Free saws and wagon rides are available as well as tree cleaning and wrapping services. Guests can also select a pre-cut tree, available at both Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill and Blake’s Backyard in Almont. Cider Cocktails – Seasonal cocktails made with Blake’s Hard Cider.

City of Farmington Hills to Host “Antiques Twelve Mile Roadshow” Saturday, Nov. 18

The City of Farmington Hills Special Services Department Cultural Arts Division welcomes back Jamie Thompson of Carriage House Antiques in Perrysburg, Ohio for an evening of appraisals, advice, exhibitions and entertainment. Audiences delighted last season when he presented an evening of macabre Victorian fun. With a formal education in art history, more than twenty-five years of experience in estate sales and appraisals, and a lifetime of collecting, Jamie Thompson is an invaluable resource to collectors, both amateur and professional. Tickets for the evening will include the informal appraisal of one hand-held item of any size. If you can carry it in, he’ll tell you what you have and what it’s worth! Tickets are $15 in advance at thehawktheatre.com. WHO: This event is designed for adult audiences and best for those 16 and older. WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. WHERE: The Hawk – Black Box Theatre 29995 W. 12 Mile Rd. Farmington Hills, MI 48334

Alpino now open in Corktown

Alpino offers a taste of the alps right here in the motorcity. Open seven days a week you can see their menu and hours at alpinodetroit.com.

Ice Rink at Campus Martius Opening Day

The ice rink at Campus Martius is now open for the season. Check out all the rink has to offer through special skates as well as the downtown markets. You can find all you need to know at downtowndetroit.org.

Saule Label shares their new collection

Saule label shares their new jewelry collection fresh off its debut during paris fashion week. You can find yourself some beautiful accessories at saulelabel.com.

English Gardens' Sip & Shop

On Thursday, November 16th we?re bringing back our popular Ladies Night, but expanding it to everyone who is interested with our new ?Sip & Shop? format. The night will feature: ? Exclusive savings and coupons for shoppers ? Free demonstrations of on how to make a bow, wreath decorating, customer evergreen porch pots, fresh floral arranging and how to choose the best Christmas lights. Certain locations will also have a live drink demo cautery of E.G. Nick?s. ? Live, acoustic music from local artists including: Taylor DeRousse, Nick James and Phoebe Holmes ? Light appetizers ? Two drink tickets (including wine, cocktails or mocktails) ? 4 raffle prizes varying from English Garden?s gift cards, gourmet chocolates, house plants and tickets to our upcoming workshop The event is $10 and all ticket sales will be donated to the Salvation Army?s Angel Tree program and attendees will get a $10 OFF a $40 purchase coupon for that evening.