N&D 12.04 // Holiday Crafting, Shopping & Screening

It’s December, y’all. So, there’s really only time for crafting and shopping for presents and streaming holiday content. Am I right? Let’s unpack all of that right here, shall we?

Getting Crafty

If ALDI is a mecca for grocery finds, the ALDI Aisle of Shame Community is a cult, and I might need to be deprogrammed. This Facebook group rejoices in finding the oddities and discounted items in the center aisle, where gift items and home decor live. Followers shout out “caw-caw” upon arrival in the hopes of a fellow member echoing the sentiment. Online, they — OK, “we” — share how the items are incorporated into our worlds, like the wine sweater that ended up on a 9-week-old kitten. The latest craze is turning the $10-ish (price varies by location) ALDI wooden snowmen and Santas into something else. A crafty fan noticed an uncanny resemblance in shape to South Park’s Mr. Hankey, and, well, you know. Now, if I could only get Board & Brush involved, as I will need some guidance in this endeavor. If I find one of my own, that is.

Speaking of Board & Brush, there’s something to do every Saturday this month at the Arlington location (500 E Front St, Ste 150, 682-238-4537), including this one. At 2pm, enjoy a Family Make-and-Take all-ages workshop ($20) with a variety of wood and paint projects to choose from. Then, from 6:30pm to 9:30pm this Saturday, plus Saturdays Dec 14, 21, and 28, attend a Pick-Your-Project event ($73) for ages 14 and up, with the 21st being the Jingle & Mingle Party. All events are BYOB. For more info, go to BoardandBrush.com/Arlington.

Known for her inventive arts-and-craft nights, Tyler at The Cicada (1002 S Main St, Fort Worth, @The_Cicada_FTW) is hosting a DIY Yule Ornament Workshop. From 8pm to 11pm on Mon, Dec 16, you are invited to step into the enchanting world of Yule with a night of intentional crafting, where you will create your own ornament using a specially curated selection of mystical botanicals, magical ingredients, and spices. Workshop leaders @ArtioArtisanals says, “Whether you’re warding off winter spirits, inviting good fortune, or simply celebrating the season, your ornament will be a unique keepsake to treasure.” Tickets are $30 on Eventbrite.com and include all the materials needed for the project, as well as one drink ticket so that you can try a complimentary seasonal cocktail or mocktail.

Pop-Up Shopping

You can do your part for #ShoppingLocal by visiting mom-and-pop storefronts, but you can also meet your maker at a variety of upcoming free pop-up events around Fort Worth.

The Rabbit Hole Pub (3237 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, 817-744-7160) is hosting its monthly Rabbit Hole Roundup from noon to 5pm on Sunday, with 50 local businesses, several food trucks, and many drink specials. (Normally, their vendor market is the first weekend of the month, but they pushed it to the second weekend to take Thanksgiving off.)

NTX Vintage Markets is hosting its annual Indoor Holiday Market at Panther Island Brewing (501 N Main St, Fort Worth, 817-882-8121) 1pm-5pm Sun, Dec 8, featuring local vendors, a permanent jewelry pop-up, live music, football on the big screen, brunch specials, and $2 mimosas.

The next Rock ’n’ Roll Rummage Sale at South Main MicroPark (105 S Main St, Fort Worth, @RockNRollRummageSale) is from noon to 5pm on Sun, Dec 15, with 130 vendors, photo ops with Santa Claus, and live music by Luther & Parish, Robert Sieben, and Midnight Thirty. Read about this and other Honeysuckle Rose events on FWWeekly.com in Blotch.

Doc’s Records & Vintage (2628 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, 817-732-5455) hosts a Vintage Flea Market on the third Saturday of each month with live music from local musicians and free beer provided by Manhattan Project Beer Co. Having just done a big event for Record Store Day on Black Friday, it’s unclear as of press time as to whether Sat, Dec 21, is a go or not. However, Doc’s always has great vintage finds in their permanent booth area and killer tunes blasting overhead, so it would still be a great day to shop sans beer. Maybe shotgun some in the parking lot Wee Beasties-style. No? You’re right. No. Follow Doc’s on Instagram for updates.

Screenings & Streamings

Elf, Four Christmases, Love Actually, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Night Before, and The Santa Clause are part of the list of screenings available in December as part of the Fireside Films series at Rooftop Cinema Club on the roof of The Worthington Renaissance (235 Throckmorton St, Fort Worth, 817-870-1000). Loveseats are available for optimal snuggling, and tickets include a personal heater and complimentary gourmet warm drinks, including hot chocolate, cider, coffee, or tea. Tickets are $21-30 at RoofTopCinemaClub.com/fort-worth/, where you can also find info about future events in the series.

Enjoy a family film night at Burnett Park (501 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-870-1692) with a special screening of Elf under the stars this Friday at 7pm. Free parking is provided on the upper floor of the First on 7th Garage (625 Burnett St, Fort Worth, 682-747-6991). There is no cost to attend. Just bring your own blanket. Arrive early for free photos with Santa Claus from 5pm to 7pm under the Singing Trees.

Alamo is back! Along with new first-run features, the theater is screening some classic holiday movies, too, at our area location, Alamo Drafthouse Denton (3220 Town Center Tr, 940-441-4233). This Sunday at 11am, it’s “all aboard!” with an interactive family adventure at The Polar Express Movie Party. Then, at 6:30pm on Dec 12, there’s an Elf Movie Party with themed games, props, and singing loud for all to hear. Also, as part of its Time Capsule series, you can see a recently restored version of Bob Clark’s immortal holiday slasher film Black Christmas (1974).

Something magical is happening on Christmas Day. Because we don’t have enough football to satisfy our Texas appetites with high school games on Friday, college games on Saturdays, and pro games on Sunday and Monday … and Thursday … and Thanksgiving, the NFL is hosting its inaugural Christmas Day Game. At NRG Stadium, the Houston Texans will take on the Baltimore Ravens with a halftime show by Houston native Beyonce. And because Netflix isn’t satisfied with just ruining boxing for the masses, they have decided to take football down with them. Yes, this game will be streaming (or buffering) on Netflix at 3:30pm on Wed, Dec 25. (Seriously, Netflix, get it together. Do you really want to piss off #TheBeyHive?)