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Hey neighbor! 👋
It’s here! The Fredericksburg Area Local Gift Guide launches today with 106 locally owned businesses across the City of Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, and King George, plus holiday deals from photographers, boutiques, bakeries, and more. Looking to shop in person? Holiday Open House Weekend takes over downtown November 14 and 15, and 4-hour parking returns that Saturday.
Veterans Day is tomorrow, so our guide rounds up free meals, coffee, haircuts, and deals for veterans and active-duty service members, along with the city’s procession. We also have 13 free things to do with your kids this month, a chance to tour two waterfront homes in Stafford tomorrow, and a look at Be The Bean, a monthly gathering for faith-driven professionals in Fredericksburg.
Grab your coffee and let’s dive in. 🌊
Dori
Local Pulse: FXBG Edition
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The Fredericksburg Area Local Gift Guide Is Here 🎁
Most of us would rather shop local. The trouble is, at 9 p.m. with a long gift list, the easiest option usually wins. So we made local the easy option.
Today, we’re launching the Fredericksburg Area Local Gift Guide: 106 locally owned businesses from the City of Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, and King George, all in one place.
It’s sorted by town and then by what each business sells, so you can jump straight to boutiques, local makers, bakeries, restaurant gift cards, spa days, classes, and experiences. Shopping from the couch? Shop Local From Home gathers the local shops that sell online, so your gifts still support a neighbor.
Look for the 🎁 Holiday Deal badge for special offers this season. Here are a few of the deals in the guide so far, and more are on the way:
Black Lace Boudoir (Fredericksburg): a $200 product credit with a $399 Boudoir Experience
Links by Leija (Fredericksburg): a free charm with a $100 gift card
Luca Bee’s Baby Boutique (Fredericksburg): a $60 gift card for $50, up to $175 for $150
Novel (Fredericksburg): Happy Chapter specials every Tuesday and Wednesday, 4 to 6 p.m.
Christie’s Cleaning (Stafford): 10% off the first month for new clients
Corgi Clay Art Center (Stafford): 20% off gallery artwork and merch, Nov. 28 through Dec. 23
Karen Presecan Photography Studio (Stafford): holiday portrait sessions for $225, digital files included
Photography by Yvonne (Spotsylvania): a free 16x20 print with any session of $350 or more
Smaller Living Huge Life (Spotsylvania): a signed copy plus a free seat in Brenda’s live Essentials Workshop
Zyra E-Commerce (Spotsylvania): an extra 10% off purchases of $50 or more
BriBakes (King George): 15% off all orders
When you shop, tell them you found them in the FXBG Neighbors Local Gift Guide. It means the world to small business owners, and to us.
Every gift bought here pays a local paycheck. Browse the guide: fxbgneighborsconnect.com/p/local-gift-guide
Own a local business? Listings are free for locally owned businesses that sell gifts, and we’re adding new ones all season. Get listed here.
🛍️ Holiday Open House Weekend Kicks Off the Season Downtown
On Saturday and Sunday, November 14 and 15, downtown Fredericksburg becomes one big holiday shopping trip. Stroll brick-lined streets glowing with lights and dressed-up storefronts while you hunt for handcrafted ornaments, cozy finds, fashion, and art from local boutiques and galleries.
Deals: Participating businesses are offering discounts, door prizes, and free gifts with purchase
Santa: Take your photo with him at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center
Tree Lighting: Festivities begin at 4 PM at Riverfront Park
Gift cards: Main Street Downtown Gift Cards come in $5, $10, and $20 amounts and work at nearly 60 local businesses. For every $50 you buy, you get a free $10 bonus card (limit $250 in purchases per person, while supplies last). Pick them up at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center, 601 Caroline Street
Free holiday trolley: Runs 10 AM to 5 PM on November 14, 27, 28, and December 19, picking up at the VRE lot on Prince William Street and the lot on Fall Hill, with seven downtown stops
Make a day of it with the trolley, the shopping passport, and gift cards. Whether you’re keeping a family tradition or starting a new one, this is the place to begin the season.
Plan your weekend: fxbg.com/events/holiday-open-house-weekend
🅿️ Downtown Holiday 4-Hour Parking Returns November 14
Planning to shop, dine, or catch a holiday event in downtown Fredericksburg? To support the season, designated on-street spaces will be limited to 4-hour parking from November 14 through January 10.
The city encourages visitors to plan ahead and allow extra time during the holiday season.
More parking details: fredericksburgva.gov/744/Parking
A big thank you to our sponsors for keeping this newsletter free for the community🙏 Want your business in front of 52,000+ Fredericksburg-area neighbors? Become a sponsor. [email protected]
Be The Bean Is Growing, and There's a Place at the Table for You
Be The Bean started with a simple idea: a coffee bean placed in hot water doesn't let the water change it, it transforms the water instead. That idea has grown into a movement of faith-driven professionals who gather monthly in Fredericksburg to encourage one another, grow as leaders, and build trusted relationships, with new gatherings and a membership community for those wanting to go deeper. You don't need to know anyone or have it figured out, just show up and grab a cup of coffee.
Read the full story here, and learn more at bethebean.org.
FXBG’s Got It
Highlighting a few things worth knowing around town:
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🎖️ Veterans Day Deals Around FXBG, From Free Meals to Free Haircuts
Veterans Day is tomorrow, Wednesday, November 11, and restaurants and shops across Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Spotsylvania are saying thank you to veterans and active-duty service members. Our guide rounds up the offers, plus where to honor service in person.
Free meals: Applebee’s, Chili’s, Olive Garden, Red Robin, Mission BBQ, Wendy’s, and more (many are dine-in only)
Local picks: 6 Bears & a Goat is pouring community-funded free beer, Alpine Chef has free pretzel sticks and 50% off meals, and 77 Barbershop is hosting a Veterans Day event with gift bags
Coffee and haircuts: Free coffee at Starbucks and Wawa, and free haircuts at Great Clips and Sport Clips
Procession: The city’s Veterans Day procession steps off at 10:30 AM from Memorial Park, followed by a commemoration at 11 AM at the Fredericksburg Area War Memorial on George Street
Bring proof of service, and call ahead, since participation varies by location and most offers are good on November 11 only.
See the full list: fxbgneighborsconnect.com/p/fredericksburg-veterans-day-deals
13 Free Things to Do With Your Kids This November 🧸
Family fun doesn’t have to cost a thing. Our new guide rounds up 13 free kid-friendly activities across Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Spotsylvania, from the Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on November 14 to Thanksgiving story times at library branches November 13 to 20. You’ll also find free crafts at JCPenney and Michaels, a Lowe’s Kids Workshop (register online, since spots fill fast), ambassador opossums to meet at Possum-bilities downtown, and free skating and hockey classes with FXBG Hockey. Details can change, so check each event’s website or social media the day before. Learn more: fxbgneighborsconnect.com
Tour Two Waterfront Homes and Meet the Builder 🏡🇺🇸
On Wednesday, November 11 (Veterans Day), Foundation Homes, Inc. and The Reid Team at Union Home Mortgage are opening two waterfront homes at 3413 and 3417 Aquia Drive in Stafford from 12 to 2 PM. Walk through both, meet the builder face to face, and ask your questions over refreshments with waterfront views. Bring a veteran along, and the hosts will thank them with a small token of appreciation. Questions? Call The Reid Team at 540-842-1484.
What’s Happening In & Around the ‘Burg
Here are some of the top events happening soon. Always check with the venue for the latest details. Got an event coming up? Add it to our calendar.
Tuesday 11/10
Local Heroes Night - Eligible local heroes receive 20% off on-premise beverages at a participating Fredericksburg venue.
Hunger Games Trivia - Test your knowledge with team trivia and prizes at Tales and Tails Book Cafe.
Marine Corps Birthday Celebration - Honor the Marine Corps with a traditional cake-cutting ceremony, specialty brews, and pizza at Adventure Brewing Company.
Decoupage Pressed Flower Picture Frame Workshop - Create a one-of-a-kind floral picture frame with all supplies included at Curated FXBG.
Wednesday 11/11
Veterans Day Procession - Honor United States veterans during a procession along Washington Avenue in Fredericksburg.
Mid-week Farmers Market - Shop a midweek selection of local offerings at 4600 Spotsylvania Parkway.
Trivia with Trapper - Think, drink, and compete for prizes at 6 Bears & A Goat Brewing Company.
Open Mic Wednesdays - Enjoy a welcoming, multi-genre open mic night at Original Grinds.
Thursday 11/12
Conscious Healing Open House - Tour the space, meet staff, and learn about healing and recovery resources at Conscious Healing.
Great American Songbook Concert: VA250 - Celebrate VA250 with American classics by Gershwin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, and more at the Downtown Library.
Friday 11/13
Fabulous Friday: NovemBear - Kids in grades K–6 can enjoy games, activities, and more at Central Rappahannock Regional Library’s Fredericksburg Branch.
Skate Night: Harvest Night - Wear your favorite flannel and enjoy an autumn evening on the rink at Dixon Park Roller Hockey Rink.
