Plus, a taste of Taqueria Luciano's.
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42º | 13% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 5:05 p.m.


Never fear, our gift guide is here

A collage of wrapped presents and gifts including a cozy slipper, sweatshirt, and hand cream.
Treat your loved ones to fun, cozy, and personalized picks this holiday gifting season. | Graphic by 6AM City
Psst — It’s nearly mid-December. Finish your holiday shopping this weekend with our gift ideas:

Gifts for your significant other


Local pick: Little Pep Squad Membership | $65 | This membership offers weekly tastings, monthly recommendations from wine experts, and a free tote to rep your favorite wine club.

Full-zip flannel jacket | $36.99 | Flannel, cotton, and fleece combine in this ultra-soft, stylish hoodie.

Gifts for retirees


Local pick: Sabrina Cape | $328 | This wardrobe staple will surely make you stand out of the crowd with its elegance and sophisticated vibe – perfect for traveling or date night.

Garden kneeler and stool | $30.90 | Gardening’s more fun without the knee and back pain.

Gifts for students


Fidget toy pen | $16.99 | A great stocking stuffer, this chromatic, magnetic pen can be stacked into various shapes.

Gifts for holiday parties and gift exchanges


Local pick: North Carolina coast puzzle | $22 | Great for entertainment and testing out their knowledge of different parts of our beautiful state.

Existential crisis duck lamp | $17.99 | This amusing, rechargeable light is cord-free + a cute desk accessory.

Gifts for golfers


Frustrated golfer socks | $12.99 | This No. 1 best-selling pair of men’s novelty socks is sure to get a laugh.

Gifts for people who have everything


Olive oil mister | $9.99 | A handy gift they can use to turn oil into a fine mist or a steady drizzle.

Gifts for book lovers


Local Pick: Listography Journal: My Life in Lists | $17 | This unique journaling experience will spark their creative juices with classic prompts and meaningful illustrations throughout the book.

“To be read” storage basket | $16.99 | Perfect for that friend with an amazing aesthetic bookcase.

Gifts under $20


Shower steamers | $9.99 | This best-selling assortment features scents like lavender, eucalyptus, and rosemary.
Slippers, snack organizers, ebikes, and karaoke

Events

Friday, Dec. 12

Holiday Candle Making Workshop | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Lizzie’s All Natural Products | $43

Columbus River Dragons vs. Twin City Thunderbirds | 7:35 p.m. | Winston-Salem Fairgrounds | $25+

Blackout ll The All Black Masquerade Party | 10 p.m.-2 a.m. | Simply Sonya | $13

Saturday, Dec. 13

Makers Market | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | West Salem Public House | Free

Christmas Market | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Koren Farms, Mocksville | Free

German Christmas Market | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Körner’s Folly, Kernersville | Free

Soul Sessions featuring Stone & Colin Phillips | 2 p.m. | The CMPND | Pay-what-you-can

Kaleideum After Dark: Twin City Santa | 7-11 p.m. | Kaleideum | $25+

Handel’s Messiah | 7:30-9:15 p.m. | Wait Chapel at Wake Forest University | $45

Sunday, Dec. 14

Skate with Santa | 1:15 p.m. | The Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena | $25+

Lewisville Civic Club Christmas Parade | 3-4 p.m. | Shallowford Square, Lewisville | Free
See our full events calendar
Feature your event here, or make a bigger splash

News Notes

Winstonian

Hats off to Winston-Salem’s own Gingerbread Lady and her team for taking the win on Food Network/Magnolia Network’s new show, “Gingerbread Land.” Take a peek at Team Coastal’s extraordinary gingerbread house and get prepared to have your jaw dropped.

Concert

Wear your favorite ugly Christmas sweaters or your festive duds and sing along to your favorite throwback holiday songs during High School Reunion’s Christmas Vacation at Ramkat. The event unravels today, Dec. 12, at 8 p.m., plus benefits Samaritan Ministries’ Penny Campaign — ticket costs $21+.

Pets

Low on pet food supplies? Forsyth Humane Society and the Forsyth County Animal Shelter will distribute free pet food tomorrow, Dec. 13, at 5570 Strumer Park Circle. Drop by from 9-11 a.m. to collect food items, which will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. No registration is required.

Fun Fact

Are you a fan of WStoday’s daily games? We’ve updated the look of our Games section in the newsletter, but the crossword, word search, Sudoku, and more are still available every day.

Answered

Yesterday, we asked which fact is not true about Wilmington, and this one was a tough one for WStoday readers. Only 35% of WStoday readers answered correctly and responded “it has hosted 120 films over the years.” Technically, the Port City has hosted over 400 films. We’ll admit it… We made that one a little sneaky. Next time, we’ll play nice (maybe).

Environment

One of the year’s most brilliant meteor showers, the Geminids, will dazzle the night sky this weekend, peaking between Saturday, Dec. 13 + Sunday, Dec. 14. Grab some snacks from Washington Perk & Provisions and enjoy the dazzling view.

Health

At Novant Health, spine care goes far beyond surgery — it’s focused on helping patients get back to living fully. Through personalized treatment, individuals find relief from pain, improved mobility, and support through every stage of their journey. Explore the power of personalized spine treatment.*

Older Adults

Are you taking advantage of these stellar senior discounts? From savings with Walgreens to a discounted Amazon Prime membership, we found 20 hacks all older adults should know about to continue saving and building wealth.*

Shop

Your glasses called — they’re ready for retirement. Shop Zenni’s durable frames + advanced lenses for an upgrade, with most pairs under $80. Bonus: Take an extra 10% off with code TWW.*

Finance

If you’re paying interest on credit card debt, take this as your sign to stop. Instead, get this leading card for 18 months of 0% interest on a balance transfer. You’ll even earn cash back perks on additional purchases. Stop stressing about debt — apply now.*

Editor’s Pick

WStoday: Taqueria Luciano’s on Trade Street
Peep the arepas and carne asada tacos on the table. | Photos by WStoday
Editor Kellina here. Seeing that Taqueria Luciano’s opened on Trade Street earlier this month, I had to make plans to check it out. The Mexican restaurant first started as a food truck and later opened its first location at 230 Reynolda Rd. in 2020. It offers options for dine-in, takeout, and delivery at both locations.

I ordered “reina pepiada arepas,” a classic Venezuelan dish, which combines avocado, mayonnaise, and chicken. The crispy exterior, combined with the soft bite in the middle, gave it a perfect balance. Every bite was smooth and flavorful, yet not too overpowering. Pair it with agua de piña (“pineapple water”) for a full immersive dining experience.

The Buy

A stylish button down cardigan complete with sophisticated gold hardware and a super-soft knit texture. Bonus: Pair it with these trendy barrel jeans.
More worth The Buy
WStoday Games

The Wrap

Today’s edition by: Kellina

Yesterday, I took a ceramics class at Sawtooth Studio located inside the Generations Center. Instructor Kathy G. walked us step-by-step through the process of making a mug. Though I wouldn’t consider myself an artsy person, this process makes me appreciate the craft much more. Whether you’re planning a date or a solo venture, these winter classes will spark your creativity.

P.S. While you’re at the Generations Center, try the BLT sandwich from Black Coffee Cuisine. You won’t be disappointed.
WStoday: Editor Kellina making a pair of mug with clay at Generations Center

Editor Kellina hard at work.

Photo by WStoday (left) + Kathy G. (right)

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