December 1, 2008

Wrap Sheet

2008 Holiday Gift Guide

Nana’s week-old fruitcake is a hard sell. But these gifts aren’t.

BUILD
Toy around with the Zolo A-Go-Go play sculpture set, with interchangeable plastic pieces in various shapes and colors (MCA Store, 220 East Chicago Avenue, at Mies van der Rohe Way; 312-397-4000).

FEED
Farm animal silhouettes (ducks, chicks, more) adorn Beehive Kitchenware’s lead-free pewter baby spoons (Florodora, 330 South Dearborn Street, between Jackson Boulevard and Van Buren Street; 312-212-8860).

READ
See your munchkin’s mug in Jill Dryer’s new picture book, What If? Upload a pic of Junior online and a fantastical personalized story (about bubblegum pancakes and popcorn snowstorms) is born.

COMFORT
Snuggle up to The Playful World’s animal pals. The fair-trade plush critters are knitted by impoverished women in the Peruvian Andes (Little Green Baby, 4654 North Rockwell Street, between Leland and Eastwood Avenues; 773-505-2066).

CREATE
Learn printmaking and collage with portable, all-natural Clementine Art Kits (Twinkle Twinkle Little One, 3224 North Damen Avenue, at Melrose Street; 773-472-3000).

Now holiday shopping is a cakewalk.

DAZZLE
ZooLights
What: Watch ice being carved and see exotic animals under the glow of more than one million lights.
Why: Brighten up, buttercup.
When: Thru Jan. 4. Daily, 5-9 p.m. (Weekends only thru Dec. 14.)
Where: Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon Dr., at Fullerton Ave. (312-742-2000).

PIROUETTE
Dance-Along Nutcracker
What: Learn the moves of the famous ballet alongside professional dancers, with live music by the Lakeside Pride Band.
Why: It’s tutu cool.
When: Sun., noon & 3 p.m.
Where: Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall, 78 E. Washington St., at Michigan Ave. (312-744-6630).

REGISTER
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago Winter Art Camp
What: Campers (ages 6-12) make daily visits to the school’s museums and galleries, and learn drawing, painting, and mixed media.
Why: Mini Monets, unite!
When: Sign up now for camp Dec. 29-31.
Where: 280 S. Columbus Dr., at Jackson Dr. For more information, call 312-629-6170.