Holiday shopping kickoff, what’s new at the mall, Hanukkah dinners & more

Planning to head out tonight for a post-Thanksgiving shopping spree? Think again. This year most stores will be closed all night, so in-person Black Friday shopping won’t actually start until Friday morning. If you’re heading to Westfield Montgomery mall this weekend (doors open at 7 a.m. Friday), you’ll find a bunch of new places to shop — plus a surprise new restaurant on the way. Here’s the latest:

• Anya by Vivien, a couture and bridal shop, just opened next to the Nespresso store on the mall’s upper level. Check out the full line of designs by Vivien Agbakoba, whose dresses have been worn by some of the Real Housewives of Potomac.
• See’s Candies and Sheepskin Gifts: It wouldn’t be winter at Westfield Montgomery without this pair of seasonal pop-up shops. This year, you’ll find them both in the Macy’s wing.
• Miniso: This Asian variety store chain made its Maryland debut last month between Finish Line and Bath & Body Works. The merchandise, mostly priced from $5 to $15, includes everything from home goods, exercise equipment and electronics to makeup, plush toys and baby items.
• Ivyees Everything Honey: Here you’ll find an array of giftable spreads, plus honey-infused teas, shampoos and skincare products. Ivyees is in the Nordstrom wing, upper level.
• Minte: This new teeth whitening center, bathed in a cool green palette, just opened in the former Eyebobs space across from Apple.
• Butter Me Up, a D.C. eatery offering all-day breakfast, just started construction in the former Aroma space. On the menu: buttermilk biscuit sandwiches stuffed with various combinations of eggs, cheese, sausage, bacon and fried chicken. This will be the first brick-and-mortar restaurant for Butter Me Up, which currently exists as a takeout-only “ghost kitchen” inside the Shaw restaurant HalfSmoke.

For more photos of what’s new at the mall, check out Store Reporter on Facebook and Instagram.

With Hanukkah arriving so early this year, you could find yourself laboring in the kitchen again while the fridge is still full of Thanksgiving leftovers. Or… you could make things easy and let Rose’s Luxury cater a few of those eight crazy nights. Check out the Rose’s at Home “Hanukkah Feast” (pictured above), featuring brisket lo mein, potato latkes with trout roe, and chocolate babka for dessert. Go for a two-night feast, and you’ll also get campfire carrots, rigatoni amatriciana, and innkeeper’s pie. Cost: $50 per person for one night or $90 per person for two — including delivery to any home within 30 miles of Capitol Hill. (Hanukkah gift, anyone?) The entire feast will arrive at your door, chilled and ready to assemble, with easy-to-follow instructions for reheating. Want to learn more? Click here.

After the Thanksgiving food fest is over, it’s time to start thinking about your winter fitness plan. Enter Moxie, a new exercise platform that combines live online instruction with in-person training at 7610 Old Georgetown Road. Local trainer Jennifer Blackburn leads a team of instructors teaching everything from strength, cardio and HIIT classes to barre, boxing and yoga. Work out anytime that suits your schedule — whether you’re at home, on the road or in the gym. Interested in live classes? Tuesday, Nov. 30th (#FitGivingTuesday) is a great day to stop by the Bethesda studio. Giveaways will be happening and the club will match donations to childhood cancer charity Just Tryan It, whose founder Mollie Darby is a member. Want to learn more? Click here.

The Container Store may not be the first place you think of for holiday shopping, but it’s actually a great spot to find some fabulous and unexpected gifts. Every year, the store sends over some customer faves for us to review. Here’s what we loved this season:

• Deflecto marker accordion case. For the creatives on your gift list, this is an elegant way to corral all those errant markers, pens, colored pencils, even knitting and crocheting tools. Spread it out across the table for group art-making projects, then pack it all back up into one neat carrying case. $34.99.
• Poppin desk products. We love this brand for its clean lines and modern styles in an eye-catching rainbow of colors. Pens and pen holders, scissors, staplers, stackable trays and more. Prices start at $4.99.
• Iris card keeper. This is the place to hold favorite cards you’ve received over the years, or to store all those blank cards you’ve yet to send. Plastic dividers help keep everything in order. $19.99.
• Joyful round bin in charcoal and rainbow. This drum-shaped bin works for laundry, toys, gym equipment or anything you want to hide away. Everything looks cool behind these colorful felted balls. $59.99.

Visit The Container Store in person at Congressional Plaza, 1626 E. Jefferson Street in Rockville. Call (301) 230-2333, or click here to shop online.

A weekly guide sponsored by some of our favorite local businesses

As you kick off your holiday shopping, don’t forget to support our local stores. Hanna’s Connection just got a shipment of cozy accessories, Scout & Molly’s is having a 30% off sale, and Quartermaine Coffee Roasters has everything on a coffee lover’s wish list. Read on for gift inspiration, dining ideas and much more.

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