If you’re like me, the holidays pack in equal parts joy and anxiety. Can you get it all done in time? Will the pressure to find meaningful gifts take the joy out of the season?

We created this guide with hopes it would relieve some of that shopping-induced stress. On the following pages, you’ll find recommendations — from Roanoke Times readers like you — on where to shop for your kids, the special person in your life, the Hokies on your list and much more.

But we didn’t stop at collecting “Best Of” votes for gifts you’d buy. There’s something in here just for you, to nourish you and maybe treat yourself. You’ll find suggestions on where to get a massage after a long day at the mall, or an idea for a lunch place to reconnect with your girlfriends during this busiest time of year.

In this season of giving, we also wanted this publication to focus on giving back to the community. How? By emphasizing the “shop local” message. Browse the lists of winning businesses, all located in Southwest Virginia, and maybe you’ll be inspired to seek out a new-to-you boutique. If you do, we’d like to hear what you think at roanoke.com/bestof.

Happy holidays,

Carole Tarrant

Editor, The Roanoke Times

Categories:

Holiday decor

Holiday entertaining

For shopping warriors

Where do you buy?

Bargain hunters

Local roots

Hitting the road

Holiday pampering

Holiday guides:

Events

Calender

Recipes

Local holiday light displays

Christmas tree selection and care

Day-trip shopping destinations

Restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner

Style Street tips from local shopping warriors

Fill out our short survey and let us know what you think of our Best Of Holiday Shopping content.

“Over the River and Through the Woods”

8 p.m. Children, $5; adults, $12. Showtimers, Roanoke. 774-2660.

Nov. 17

Meet Clara and The Sugar Plum Fairy

1 p.m. Free. Barnes & Noble, Tanglewood Mall, Roanoke. www.svballet.org.

The Nutcracker Ball

6 p.m. $95. Hotel Roanoke. 529-6173.

Nov. 17 – Dec. 9

Wreath Exhibition and Silent Auction

Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Free entry. The Salem Museum. 389-6760.

Nov. 21 – Jan. 2

Bedford Festival of Trees

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free to view. Bedford Welcome Center, 816 Burks Hill Road, Bedford. 587-5681.

Nov. 23

Buchanan Merchant Christmas Open House

5 p.m. Free. Downtown Buchanan. 254-1212.

Holiday Bash

6 p.m. $26. Roanoke Civic Center Exhibit Hall. 853-5483.

Nov. 23 – Dec. 23

Fantasyland

TBD. www.vahistorymuseum.org.

Nov. 23 – Jan. 26

Christmas Trains Exhibit

Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. Donations will be accepted. Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library. 586-4520.

Nov. 24

Buchanan Tree Lighting

7 p.m. Free. Buchanan Town Hall. 254-1212.

14th Annual Flotilla for Toys

7 p.m. Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Huddleston. 297-5998.

Nov. 25

Roanoke College Choir: Lessons and Carols XXVIII

3 and 5 p.m. St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Roanoke. 375-2333.

Martina McBride: The Joy of Christmas

7:30 p.m. $59 and $69. Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre. 853-5483.

Nov. 29

Heathly Holiday Foods and Entertaining

4 p.m. Town residents, $6; nonresidents, $12. Christiansburg Recreation Center. 382-2349.

Nov. 29 – Dec. 1, Dec. 6 – 8

“The Christmas Express”

7:30 p.m. nightly with an additional matinee at 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Children, $10; adults, $12. Attic Productions, Fincastle. 473-1001.

Nov. 30

Madrigal Dinner & Tree Lighting

6:30 p.m. $85. Chateau Morrisette, Floyd. 593-2865.

A Christmas Spectacular

6:30 p.m. $35. Greene Memorial United Methodist Church, Roanoke. 344-6225.

Dec. 1

18th Annual WinterFest

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. The Jacksonville Center for the Arts, Floyd. 745-2784.

33rd Annual Peaks of Otter Christmas Classic Foot Race

8:30 a.m. Price varies. Bedford Middle School. www.bedfordymca.org.

Bedford Christmas Parade

1 p.m. Centertown Bedford. 586-2148.

A German Christmas at the Andrew Johnston House

3 p.m. Free. Giles County Historical Society Andrew Johnston House, Pearisburg. 921-1050.

Meet Clara and The Sugar Plum Fairy

1 p.m. Free. Barnes & Noble, Tanglewood Mall, Roanoke. www.svballet.org.

Dec. 6

Annual Vinton Christmas Parade

7 p.m. Free. Downtown Vinton. 343-1364.

Dec. 6 – 9, 13 – 16, 20 – 23

“Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells”

Thursday through Saturday, 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Dec. 6, all tickets $10; other dates are $18 for adults or $12 for youth and seniors. Roanoke Children’s Theatre in the Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke. 224-1200.

Dec. 7

Dickens of a Christmas and Roanoke City Tree Lighting

7 to 9 p.m. Free. Downtown Roanoke. www.downtownroanoke.org.

Holiday Pops: It’s a Wonderful Life

7 p.m. Students, $9; general admission, $20 to $85. Salem Civic Center. 343-9127.

Salem Lighting of the Christmas Tree

6 p.m. Free. Salem Farmers Market. 375-3057.

Salem Christmas Parade

6:30 p.m. Free. Downtown Salem. 387-0267.

Winter Lights Festival and Tuba Christmas

4 p.m. Free. Downtown Blacksburg. www.downtownblacksburg.com.

Dec. 8

Gingerbread Festival

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Longwood Park, Salem. 387-0267.

Holiday Pops: It’s a Wonderful Life

7 p.m. $25. Martinsville High School. 276-632-3221.

Buchanan Christmas Parade

4 p.m. Free. Downtown Buchanan. 254-1212.

Fincastle Holiday Home Tour and Marketplace

9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. HFI members, $12; general public, $15. Various locations, Fincastle. 473-3077.

Dec. 8 & 9

The Nutcracker

Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m. Price varies. Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre. www.svballet.org.

Dec. 9

Holiday Pops: It’s a Wonderful Life

5 p.m. $25. Covington Center, Radford University. 343-9127.

Holiday Tours at Poplar Forest

Noon to 3 p.m. Free with regular admission. Poplar Forest. 434-525-1806.

The Cake Boss Buddy Valastro: Homemade for the Holidays Tour

7 p.m. $85.00, $45.75 or $35.75. Salem Civic Center. 375-3004.

The Salem Museum Holiday Home Tour

1 p.m. $12 in advance and $15 day of tour. Various locations, Salem. 389-6760.

White Gift Service

7:30 p.m. Free. DuPont Chapel, Hollins University. 362-6451.

Candlelight Christmas Home Tour

1 p.m. TBA. Downtown Buchanan. 254-1212.

Dec. 10

Holiday Pops: It’s a Wonderful Life

7 p.m. Call for prices. Covington High School. 962-6220.

Dec. 10 – 24

Chrismon Tree Exhibit

7 to 9 p.m. Free. Ascension Lutheran Church, Danville. 434-792-5795.

Dec. 14

Dickens of a Christmas and Roanoke City Christmas Parade

7 to 9 p.m. Free. Downtown Roanoke. www.downtownroanoke.org.

Messiah

7:30 p.m. Students, $10; adults, $20. Blacksburg Baptist Church. www.blacksburgmasterchorale.org.

Dec. 15 & 16

Flames of Memory and Christmas in Wartime Presentation

6 p.m. Donations will be accepted. National D-Day Memorial, Bedford. 586-3329.

Dec.16

“Klaus”

There will be a staged reading of the show (with a director coming in from chicago) on Sunday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. at Community High School, under the auspices of the Hollins Playwrights Lab.

Dec. 17

Jingle Bell Hike

9:30 a.m. Town residents, $5; nonresidents, $10. Bissett Park, Radford. 382-2349.

Dec. 18

Holiday Sing-Along

7:30 p.m. Donations of money and canned food items will be accepted. Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. www.blacksburgmasterchorale.org.

Dec. 21

Dickens of a Christmas and RVSPCA Pet Costume Contest

7 to 9 p.m. Free. Downtown Roanoke. www.downtownroanoke.org.

For more local events, visit the roanoke.com calender

Best restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner
1. Hotel Roanoke, 110 Shenandoah Ave. N.W.
2. K&W Cafeteria, Tanglewood Mall and 1609 Hershberger Road N.W. in Roanoke, and 1215 W. Main St. in Salem
3. Cracker Barrel
Honorable mention: Sheridan Livery Inn and Restaurant, 35 N. Main St., Lexington; The Roanoker Restaurant, 2522 Colonial Ave. S.W.; and Roanoke Rescue Mission, 402 Fourth St. S.E.

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Best place to get Thanksgiving takeout
1. The Roanoker Restaurant, 2522 Colonial Ave. S.W.
2. K&W Cafeteria, Tanglewood Mall and 1609 Hershberger Road N.W. in Roanoke, and 1215 W. Main St. in Salem; and Kroger (tie)
3. The Fresh Market, 2207 Colonial Ave. S.W.
Honorable mention: Sheridan Livery Inn and Restaurant, 35 N. Main St., Lexington; Cracker Barrel; and Mary’s Party Works, 400 Washington Ave., Vinton

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Best venue for a holiday party
1. Hotel Roanoke, 110 Shenandoah Ave. N.W.
2. Pomegranate Restaurant, 106 Stoney Battery Road, Troutville
3. Carlos Brazilian International Cuisine, 4167 Electric Road, and Salem House Restaurant, 311 W. Main St., Salem (tie)
Honorable mention: Blue 5 Restaurant, 312 Second St. S.W.; Coach & Four Restaurant, 5206 Williamson Road; at home with Full Circle Catering, 20 Swink Lane, Lexington, and Olive Garden (three-way tie); and Holiday Inn, Taubman Museum of Art, 110 Salem Ave. S.E., and The Plantation on Sunnybrook, 7342 Plantation Road (three-way tie)

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Best holiday caterer
1. Full Circle Catering, 20 Swink Lane, Lexington
2. Schaal’s Catering and Events, 717 13th St. S.W., and Blue Ridge Catering, 522 Salem Ave. S.W. (tie)
3. Mary’s Party Works, 400 Washington Ave., Vinton
Honorable mention: 2nd Helpings, 1502 Williamson Road N.E.; Plantation Creations, 7342 Plantation Road; and a four-way tie among Center Stage Catering, 315 Franklin St., Rocky Mount; Gillie’s, 153 College Ave., Blacksburg; Hotel Roanoke, 110 Shenandoah Ave. N.W.; and Lib & Amy Catering, 344-1317

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Best neighborhood for holiday lights viewing
1. Grandin Village area
2. Elks National Home, 931 Ashland Ave., Bedford
3. South Roanoke, Old Southwest Roanoke and Cove Hollow, Elliston (tie)
Honorable mention: Raleigh Court, Maple and Main in Lexington, Hunting Hills

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 Best local holiday event
1. Suntrust Dickens of Christmas (Dec. 7, 14 and 21, downtown Roanoke)
2. Rescue Mission Ministries/Stellar One Drumstick Dash (Thanksgiving Day, downtown Roanoke)
3. Salem Christmas Parade (Dec. 7)
Honorable mention: Lexington-Rockbridge Christmas Parade (Nov. 30);
Roanoke Symphony Holiday Pops (Dec. 7)

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Best party spot for New Year’s Eve
1. Hotel Roanoke, 110 Shenandoah Ave. N.W.
2. Downtown Roanoke
3. Home with family and friends
Honorable mention: Corned Beef and Co., 107 S. Jefferson St.; Pomegranate, 106 Stoney Battery Road, Troutville; Martin’s, 413 First St. S.W.

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Best shopping mall/district

1. Valley View Mall

2. Tanglewood Mall

3. Downtown Roanoke

Honorable mention: Towers Shopping Center, New River Valley Mall and Downtown Blacksburg

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Best men’s clothing store

1. Davidsons, 412 S. Jefferson St. and 4235 Electric Road

2. Belk

3. JoS A. Bank Clothiers

Honorable mention: Macy’s, Eddie Bauer and Men’s Wearhouse

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Best women’s clothing store

1. Punch Boutique, 3117 Franklin Road S.W.

2. Belk

3. Mad Dog Boutique, 109 N. Main St., Blacksburg

Honorable mention: Coldwater Creek, 1460 S. Main St., Blacksburg; J & J Fashions, 275 Franklin St., Rocky Mount, and Talbots, 4702 Starkey Road (tie); Chico’s, 4714-B Starkey Road, and Stein Mart, Tanglewood Mall (tie)

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Best salesperson

1. Laurie Frohock at Two and a Half Sisters, 2126 Colonial Ave. S.W.

2. Catherine Grainger at Punch Boutique, 3117 Franklin Road S.W.

3. Sheila Copenhaver at J & J Fashions, 275 Franklin St., Rocky Mount

Honorable mention: Terri Burnett Urquhart, The Rescue Mission Thrift Store; Jayna Browder, Kay Jewelers in New River Valley Mall; and Robby Jones, Hamric & Sheridan Jewelers, 11 W. Nelson St., Lexington

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Best restaurant for girlfriend shopping date

1. Olive Garden

2. Wildflour Cafe

3. Panera Bread

Honorable mention: Cheddar’s, Valley View; Montano’s International Restaurant, 3733 Franklin Road S.W.; Carrabba’s Italian Grill at Valley View

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Best place to get a gift for your clients

1. Two and a Half Sisters, 2126 Colonial Ave., S.W.

(Tie) 2. Chocolatepaper, Roanoke City Market (308-3 Market St.) and The Shoppes at West Village (3565-C Electric Road)

(Tie) 2. Hamric & Sheridan Jewelers, 11 W. Nelson St., Lexington

3. Countryside Classics, 120 E. Main St., Salem

Honorable mention: On A Whim, 1470 S. Main St., Suite 114, Blacksburg; Walmart and Target (tie); Mr. Bill’s Wine Cellar, 2825-B Brambleton Ave., S.W., and Allura MD Laser Aesthetics, 1900 Braeburn Drive, Salem (tie)

 
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Best place to get a gift for the cook in your life

1. Provisions, 4235 Electric Road

2. Bed Bath & Beyond

3. Ladles & Linens, Roanoke City Market (305 Market St.) and 13 S. Main St., Lexington

Honorable mention: Macy’s; Gourmet Pantry, 401 S. Main St., Blacksburg; Tuesday Morning, 1923 Electric Road, Salem, and 3165 N. Franklin St., Christiansburg

 
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Best place to get a gift for someone who has everything

1. Alpine Sewing Machine Co., 3609 Brambleton Ave.

2. Two and a Half Sisters, 2126 Colonial Ave. S.W.

3. Countryside Classics, 120 E. Main St., Salem

Honorable mention: On A Whim, 1470 S. Main St., Suite 114, Blacksburg; Provisions and RSVP, 4235 Electric Road; Allura MD Laser Aesthetics, 1900 Braeburn Drive, Salem

 
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Best place to get a gift for your mother-in-law

1. Alpine Sewing Machine Co., 3609 Brambleton Ave.

2. Two and a Half Sisters, 2126 Colonial Ave., S.W.

3. Belk

Honorable mention: Macy’s; On A Whim, 1470 S. Main St., Suite 114, Blacksburg; WillowPod Provisions & Gifts, 90 Town Center St., Suite 105, Daleville

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Best place to get a gift for the outdoorsy person in your life

1. Gander Mountain

2. Dick’s Sporting Goods

3. Walkabout Outfitter, 301 Market St.; Valley View Mall; 15 W. Washington St., Lexington

Honorable mention: Sportsman’s Warehouse, 3550 Ferncliff Ave. N.W.;Countryside Classics, 120 E. Main St., Salem; Orvis, 19 Campbell Ave. S.E.

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 Best place to get a gift for your pet

1. PetSmart

2. Petco

3. Nature’s Emporium, 3912 Brambleton Ave.

Honorable mention: Walmart; Target; Kibbles on Main, 1531 N. Main St., Blacksburg

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Best place to get a gift for your special gal

1. Alpine Sewing Machine Co., 3609 Brambleton Ave.

2. Frantz Diamonds and Jewelry, 3540 Electric Road

3. Two and a Half Sisters, 2126 Colonial Ave. S.W.

Honorable mention: Hamric & Sheridan Jewelers, 11 W. Nelson St., Lexington, and Victoria’s Secret (tie); Fink’s Jewelers; On A Whim, 1470 S. Main St., Suite 114, Blacksburg

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Best place to get a gift for your special guy

1. Dick’s Sporting Goods

2. Belk and Lowe’s (tie)

3. Gander Mountain and Macy’s (tie)

Honorable mention: Davidsons, 412 S. Jefferson St. and 4235 Electric Road, and Hamric & Sheridan Jewelers, 11 W. Nelson St., Lexington (tie); Best Buy and Todd’s Jewelry, 900 Dundee Drive, Radford (tie); JoS A. Bank Clothiers and Countryside Classics, 120 E. Main St., Salem (tie)

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Best place to get a gift for the sports fanatic in your life

 1. Dick’s Sporting Goods

2. Sportsman’s Warehouse, 3550 Ferncliff Ave. N.W.

3. On A Whim, 1470 S. Main St., Suite 114, Blacksburg

Honorable mention: Fleet Feet Sports, 4347 Franklin Road; Play It Again Sports, 4082 Electric Road; Gobbler Gear, 603 College Ave., Salem, and Campus Emporium, 207 N. Main St., Blacksburg, and 1337 S. Main St., Blacksburg (tie)

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Best store decorated for the holidays
1. Steger Creek, 4361 Starkey Road
2. Cornerstone Collectibles, 114 E. Main St., Salem
3. Macy’s
Honorable mention: Countryside Classics, 120 E. Main St., Salem; Joe’s Trees, 5110 Cumberland Gap Road, Newport; and The Vintage Emporium, 4735 Read Mountain Road, Cloverdale

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Best source for fresh Christmas trees
1. Joe’s Trees, 5110 Cumberland Gap Road, Newport
2. Country Corner, 4273 Challenger Ave. N.E.
3. Kroger
Honorable mention: Lowe’s; Food Lion; and Pine Ridge Nursery, 922 W. Main St., Salem, and Floyd County (tie)

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Best place for holiday decorations — inside the home
1. Steger Creek, 4361 Starkey Road
2. Cornerstone Collectibles, 114 E. Main St., Salem
3. Target
Honorable mention: Countryside Classics, 120 E. Main St., Salem; Kirkland’s, 1383 Towne Square Boulevard, and The Vintage Emporium, 4735 Read Mountain Road, Cloverdale (tie); and Walmart

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Best place for holiday decorations — outside the home
1. Lowe’s
2. Walmart
3. Target
Honorable mention: Steger Creek, 4361 Starkey Road; Home Depot; Joe’s Trees, 5110 Cumberland Gap Road, Newport, and Roanoke City Farmers Market (tie)

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Best Black Friday sales
1. Walmart
2. Target
3. Best Buy
Honorable mention: Kohl’s, Belk and Macy’s

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Best after-Christmas sales
1. Target
2. Belk
3. Walmart
Honorable mention: J.C. Penney, Macy’s and Kohl’s

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Best clothing consignment
1. Plato’s Closet, 4082 Electric Road
2. Goodwill Industries of the Valleys
3. Hidden Treasures Consignment, 4216 Brambleton Ave.
Honorable mention: Consigning Women, 2214 Electric Road and Creative C.A.T. Consignment, 2316 Orange Ave. N.E. (tie); Euro Fashions & Exclusives, 3635 Franklin Road S.W. and New To Me Consignment Boutique, 1322 Grandin Road S.W. (tie); and Rena’s on Main, 18 E. Main St., Salem

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Best kids consignment
1. Once Upon a Child, 1371 Towne Square Blvd. and 3953 Brambleton Ave. in Roanoke, 360A Arbor Drive in Christiansburg and 18013 Forest Road, Suite B-01 in Forest
2. Goodwill Industries of the Valleys
3. Lauren’s Friends & Alex, 3473 Brandon Ave. S.W.
Honorable mention: Plato’s Closet, 4082 Electric Road; Kidstuff, 4 E. Main St., Salem; and Second Chance Consignment, 8 Roanoke Street, Christiansburg

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Best home decor consignment
1. Consignment 1st, 2065 Electric Road
2. Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, and Tis the Season, Colonial Avenue at 23rd Street Southwest (tie)
3. Buy the Season, 1529 Apperson Drive, Salem
Honorable mention: Creative C.A.T. Consignment, 2316 Orange Ave. N.E. and New To Me Consignment Boutique, 1322 Grandin Road S.W. (tie); Hidden Treasures Consignment, 4216 Brambleton Ave. and Upscale Attic, 360 Arbor Drive, Christiansburg (tie); and Black Dog Salvage, 902 13th St. S.W.

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Best place for locally made arts and crafts
1. Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center, 439 E. Ridgeway St., Clifton Forge
2. Two and a Half Sisters, 2126 Colonial Ave. S.W.
3. Roanoke City Market
Honorable mention: Olde Salem Days; The Green Heron Art Center, 111 Third Ave., Radford; and Floyd County Arts and Crafts Festival and Taubman Museum of Art, 110 Salem Ave. S.E. (tie)

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Best place for “Only in Roanoke” souvenirs
1. Two and a Half Sisters, 2126 Colonial Ave. S.W.
2. Roanoke City Market
3. The Gift Niche, 110 Market Square, and O. Winston Link Museum, 101 Shenandoah Ave. N.W. (tie)
Honorable mention: A three-way tie among Chocolatepaper, Roanoke City Market (308-3 Market St.) and The Shoppes at West Village (3565-C Electric Road), The Roanoker Restaurant, 2522 Colonial Ave. S.W., and Hotel Roanoke Gift Shop, 110 Shenandoah Ave. N.W.; 2nd Helpings Gallery, 1502 Williamson Road N.E., and Virginia Museum of Transportation, 303 Norfolk Ave. S.W.

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Best place to buy Virginia wines/beers
1. Kroger
2. Wine Gourmet, 3524 Electric Road
3. Vintage Cellar, 1338 S. Main St., Blacksburg
Honorable mention: Chateau Morrisette Winery, 287 Winery Road S.W., Floyd; Blue Ridge Vineyard, 1027 Shiloh Drive, Eagle Rock and Mr. Bill’s Wine Cellar, 2825-B Brambleton Ave. S.W. (tie); Countryside Classics, 120 E. Main St., Salem

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Best place for Virginia Tech gear
1. University Bookstore on the Virginia Tech campus and Volume Two Bookstore, 801 University City Blvd., Blacksburg
2. Two and a Half Sisters, 2126 Colonial Ave. S.W.
3. Gobbler Gear, 603 S. College Ave., Salem
Honorable mention: Walmart; Virginia Tech Bookstore|Campus Emporium, 207 N. Main St. and 1337 S. Main St., Blacksburg; and Dick’s Sporting Goods, 100 New River Road, Christiansburg and 1910 Valley View Blvd. N.W., Roanoke

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Best place for University of Virginia gear
1. Two and a Half Sisters, 2126 Colonial Ave. S.W.
2. Walmart
3. University of Virginia Bookstore, 400 Emmet St. South, Charlottesville
Honorable mention: Willow Grove Gifts, 4706 Starkey Road; Tailgaters United, Valley View Mall; and Mincer’s, 1527 University Ave., Charlottesville

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Best weekend shopping destination
1. Charlotte, N.C.
2. Williamsburg
3. Short Pump Town Center near Richmond
Honorable mention: Tysons Corner in Northern Virginia, Pigeon Forge outlet malls in Tennessee and New York City

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Best day-trip shopping destination

1. Short Pump Town Center near Richmond
2. Valley View Mall in Roanoke, and Greensboro, N.C. (tie)
3. Concord Mills in Charlotte, N.C.
Honorable mention: Lynchburg; Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem, N.C., and Lexington

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Best high-end mall

1. Short Pump Town Center near Richmond
2. Tysons Corner and Tysons Galleria in Northern Virginia
3. South Park in Charlotte, N.C.
Honorable mention: Stony Point Fashion Park in Richmond, Four Seasons Town Centre in Greensboro, N.C., and The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in Arlington

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Best outlet mall
1. Tanger Outlets, many locations along the East Coast
2. Williamsburg Premium Outlets
3. Concord Mills in Concord, N.C.
Honorable mention: Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets in Leesburg, Potomac Mills in Woodbridge; and Pigeon Forge outlet malls in Tennessee and Hagerstown Premium Outlets in Maryland (tie)

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Best store that Roanoke doesn’t have but should get
1. Trader Joe’s
2. IKEA
3. Dillard’s
Honorable mention: Whole Foods, Nordstrom and H&M

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Apple-Orange-Date Waldorf Salad
Serves 6

With this recipe, Katherine Craft of Roanoke was the runner up in the Appetizers, Dressings and Salads category at The Roanoke Times’ 1979 Favorite Recipes Contest.

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup whipped topping

1/2 tsp. orange zest

3 Tbsp. orange juice

2 tsp. sugar

Dash salt

4 cups diced, unpeeled red apples

1/2 cup pitted, chopped dates

3/4 cup chopped celery

1/4 cup chopped pecans

1. About one hour before serving, combine in the container of a blender: mayonnaise, whipped topping, orange rind, orange juice, sugar and salt. Process to blend.

2. Combine apples, dates and celery; gently toss with dressing. Chill. Add nuts before serving.

 Turkey brine

Giving your holiday bird a long soak in a salt and sugar brine will make for juicier and more flavorful meat. Start this the night before you plan to roast your turkey.

2 cups water
1 cup kosher salt
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 bag of ice

1 defrosted turkey

1. Bring 2 cups of water to boil, then stir in kosher salt and brown sugar. When salt and sugar have dissolved, add the mixture to one gallon of cold water in a clean, non-corrosive container (such as a thoroughly cleaned cooler or a clean 5-gallon plastic bucket that never held chemicals. Do not use a metal container.).

2. Submerge turkey in the brine. If brine does not cover turkey, add more water to the container. Dump ice over the top, cover container and let turkey soak overnight.

3. Remove turkey from brine, pat dry with paper towels and continue to cook as you had originally planned. Be sure to use a meat thermometer, though, because brined turkeys can cook faster than unbrined birds. Discard the brine.

Latkes
Serves 6

These fried potato patties are traditionally served at Hanukkah. Recipe originally featured in The Roanoke Times on Dec. 20, 2005.

4 large potatoes

2 eggs

1 tsp. salt

3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour or matzah meal

1/2 tsp. baking powder

Minced onion (optional)

Dash of black pepper (optional)

Vegetable oil for frying

1. Wash and peel the potatoes. Grate the potatoes with a grater/food processor. Drain off the liquid. Beat the eggs and mix with the grated potatoes and all other ingredients except the oil.

2. Heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it’s very hot. Drop the potato mixture, by tablespoons, into the oil. Use a pancake turner to flatten them. Fry them to a golden brown on both sides (should take 2 to 3 minutes per side). Do not fry more than three or four at a time. Drain on paper towels.

3. Serve with applesauce and/or sour cream.

Baked cheese grits
Serves 4 to 6

An easy, delicious accompaniment to your holiday breakfast or brunch. Recipe submitted by a reader in 2010.

1 cup water

2 cups milk

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 cup quick grits

3/4 stick butter

1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 tsp. hot sauce

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 2-quart casserole dish.

2. Bring water to a boil. Add milk and bring just to a simmer. Add grits and salt and cook, stirring often, until thick. Remove from heat.

3. Add butter and stir until melted and well-mixed, then add cheese and stir until it has melted into the grits. Stir in eggs and hot sauce, then pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish.

4. Bake 30 to 35 minutes.

No-Bake Rum Balls Makes about 3 dozen

Recipe courtesy of Kathy Lu, features editor for The Roanoke Times. Do not feed these to children, but feel free to eat plenty of them yourself.

2 1/2 cups crushed vanilla wafer cookies
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 cup chopped walnuts
3 tablespoons dark corn syrup
1/4 cup rum

1. Mix crushed cookies, cocoa and confectioners’ sugar in a bowl.
2. Stir in chopped walnuts, corn syrup and rum; mix until well-blended to form a dough.
3. Form dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in confectioners’ sugar.
4. Store in a covered container.

Best-Ever Sugar Cookies Makes about 3 dozen

This is food writer Lindsey Nair’s go-to recipe when it comes time to make Christmas cookies. She got it from a friend, Beth Handley, years ago. The texture is perfect for rolling and cutting, and the hint of lemon flavor is extra-special.
4 cups sifted flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. milk
2 tsp. lemon extract
2 Tbsp. lemon zest (yellow part only)

1. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside.
2. In another bowl, cream the butter. Gradually beat in sugar until it is well incorporated. Add eggs, milk, extract and zest and mix well.
3. Stir in sifted ingredients a little at a time until well-blended. Chill dough until firm (about 20 to 30 minutes). It will also keep several days in the refrigerator.
4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or grease well. Roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters and bake for 7 minutes. To make round cookies, roll the dough into balls and bake until beginning to brown around the edges.
For more great recipes, visit roanoke.com/food