Indie Boutiquey Alternatives to Getting Malled: Montana Ave. Holiday Walk, Melrose Avenue, Royal/T

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

SANTA MONICA—Deck the halls, indeed: the outdoor party features live music, carolers, burlesque shows, and of course, shopping all up and down Montana Avenue, It's Friday, 1400 block (and beyond) of Montana, 5pm to 9pm [Racked Inbox]

MELROSE—Less Mall, More Melrose is exactly what it sounds like: some of the indie merchants along Melrose are banding together, extending special offers, throwing parties, making merry. Participating merchants include LA Eyeworks, Crossroads, Sportie LA, John Fluevog?discount tickets to a Groundlings show, anyone? And food trucks, too. Saturday, late afternoon, around the 7400 block of Melrose [Racked Inbox]

CULVER CITY—If you're a DIYer or a lover of cute, get thyself to Royal/T on Sunday for the chance to make ornaments and crafts inspired by Royal/T's own momiji (friendship) dolls. It's $10 for the event, and that includes supplies, tea and cookies, as well as a 10% discount for the giftshop (excluding the Tron merch). It's Sunday, from 11am to 4pm. 8910 Washington Blvd. [Racked Inbox]