Need a hand with the holidays? You’re not alone.
The Chicago Furniture District, a collection of locally owned home-furnishings and -accessories shops in the River North neighborhood, is hosting “How-To’s for the Holidays,” from noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 20. Participating stores will feature lectures, demonstrations and presentations on everything from tree-trimming to selecting champagne for the holidays.
This is not about selling, it’s about helping customers with their holiday preparations, says Paul Zurowski, owner of Sawbridge Studios and organizer of the event. (There will be plenty to buy, however, and some stores will offer free gift-wrapping and shipping as well as food and refreshments.)
“You have all these specialty retailers who have all this knowledge that we can share,” Zurowski says.
At Sawbridge (153 W. Ohio St., 312-828-0055), Zurowski will teach how to make bows using a technique he learned from his mother. Gift-wrap is also one of the things for which Sawbridge is known.
Over at Le Magasin (408 N. Clark St., 312-396-0030), attendees can bring their plates from home and get help from owner Didier Milleriot on how to create an attractive table setting.
Learn about Asian holidays, customs and gifts — why gifts are wrapped in red, for example — at Golden Triangle (72 W. Hubbard St., 312-755-1266), where the staff will lead a presentation on auspicious gift giving.
And what would a holiday party be without the perfect drink? Katie Walter, author of “Some Like it Hot: 50 Drinks to Warm Your Spirit,” will be at Cambium (113-119 W. Hubbard St., 312-832-9920) to sign her book and demonstrate her recipes.
That’s just the beginning. For more information and a list of the participating stores, go to www.chicagofurnituredistrict.com or call 312-828-0055.
———-
tha@tribune.com
