As we move steadily toward the holiday season, many people start to scatter across the city and the country. The weekend before Thanksgiving – while juggling thoughts of basting turkeys and mashing potatoes and packing to go home – hundreds will gather at the historic Sphinx Club in downtown Washington. Why will they be there? A holiday tradition 55 years in the making—Holiday Shops Presented by The Junior League of Washington.

They will huddle outside the ornate building façade at the edge of Franklin Square on Thursday, November 21 as the doors open for an exclusive sneak peek at the goods gathered. Bright, sparkling lights and evergreen decorations will greet them as they sip cocktails and nibble hors d’oeuvres while they are mesmerized by the holiday fashion show. As a live DJ mixes festive music, others will have started buying up their coveted goods.

Removed from the hustle and bustle of K Street on a weekday morning, a special group will take advantage of a lesser known Holiday Shops tradition: the Early Bird Breakfast hosted jointly by Lindamood-Bell and JLW. While helping to support the JLW Meg Graham Scholarship Endowment, attendees will enjoy a continental breakfast buffet including a festive hot chocolate bar.

And as the breakfast plates are cleared, coffee cups washed and hot chocolate bar wheeled away, the Sphinx Club will awaken – General Shopping starts at 11 a.m. and continues through Sunday at 4 p.m.

During the feverish general shopping, set-up will commence for the signature event of the weekend: the Black, White & Read All Over Auction and Cocktail Party. This grand party will result in vital funding for critical JLW community committees, outreach and services and enable the Junior League to extend beyond our 101 years of service and dedication to the D.C. community. Delicious food, amazing drinks and fantastic music will make this a Junior League night to remember and a great start to the holiday party circuit.

And last – but certainly not least –during the holiday seasons – Santa and Mrs. Claus will detour for a D.C. visit as they take pictures with families and we’re all treated to the sounds of live bagpipes.

So why attend the Junior League’s Holiday Shops this year? It’s a great excuse to put off that Thanksgiving preparation, baking and cooking for a little while longer, and get some dancing and shopping in! Exciting news such as sneak peaks of fabulous auction items, merchant finds, and special event surprises are posted to the Holiday Shops Facebook page daily so ‘like’ the page to be ‘in the know’ on the 55th Holiday Shops! Tickets to special events are available on the JLW webpage and all events are open to the public.

By Amy Strope, Holiday Shops Communications Sub-Committee Volunteer

Beautiful shots from our photographer Natarsha N. Wright Photography at the 2012 Holiday Shops event.