Ask Dr. Mike

Ask Dr. Mike: Christmas Version

The doctor answers questions that often come up at the holidays.

Debating the Santa ‘Lie’ Dr. Mike, My husband feels that we should not lie to our 3-year-old child about Santa Claus. He is concerned that our child will resent us for it later and that it will compromise her trust in us as parents. He says he “wants to prepare her for life” as soon as possible. I, however, can’t stand the idea of raising our child in a Santa free environment. He and I grew up with childhoods that included Santa at Christmas, so his over the top pragmatism just doesn’t make any sense to me. I also have such fond memories of Christmas and want the same for our children. Thoughts? S in Loudoun County S, I do not think your husband is seeing the forest for the trees, as the old saying goes. I suppose Santa is “a lie,” and for…

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Holidays in Leesburg

Holiday Shopping Spotlight: Caulkin's Jewelers

Caulkin's Jewelers is more than just jewelry. You can find everything from $4 stocking stuffers to pottery, to a $25,000 diamond ring.

 You won't find bigger proponents of the "shop local" movement than the folks who work at Caulkins Jewelers, located at 11 S. King St. In business since 1956, owners Stanley and Roger Caulkins have seen a lot of changes come to Leesburg, many of which have hurt their business. "Those big box stores are cutting our legs off," Stanley Caulkins said. Locally owned jewelry shops have become a thing of the past in many ways, and Caulkins Jewelers finds itself constantly trying to find what will appeal to Leesburg residents both old and new. As a result, they're much more than jewelry. Caulkins says that some of their most popular items this holiday season have been scarves, umbrellas and pottery. In fact, Caulkins is the largest supplier in …

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Leslie Perales Loges

11:53 am on Monday, December 20, 2010

Kona, it's gorgeous! Totally understand the reluctance to get near it though. When I got engaged I was afraid to do anything with my left hand.   more ›

Holidays in Leesburg

Holiday Shopping Spotlight: Leesburg Hobbies & Collectibles

Whether you're a hard-core collector or just someone who likes trains, Leesburg Hobbies & Collectibles has every locomotive under the sun

 Though they opened their store in 2001, the Craig family has been living with model trains for much longer. Co-owner Grace Craig says that "my husband had this as a hobby, and I have two boys and a girl who are all adults now, and we just kind of dragged them in with us." Leesburg Hobbies & Collectibles has model trains for everyone: whether it's a Thomas the Tank Engine set for your toddler, or a $6,000 engine for an avid collector, all ages and price ranges are represented in the shop. Grace Craig said the holiday season is their busiest. "The ready-to-run sets are very popular," she said. "They come with the engine and some cars, and the track and transformer. It all comes in one package." Her husband, co-owner Mike Craig said gifts …

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Christmas Open House at Dry Mill Winery

Dry Mill Winery celebrates the holidays with music and wine

 The holiday season is in full-effect at Dry Mill Winery this weekend with their Christmas open house. The cozy tasting room was full of people on Saturday drinking wine, chatting, and listening to live music. While many people were there to get out of the cold and enjoy wine from one of Loudoun's newest wineries, a few were using the open house to get some Christmas shopping done. In addition to single bottles and gift certificates, Dry Mill offers specific gift packages for wine lovers as well. Their Christmas Special comes in a gift box perfect for under the tree. Owner Dean Vanhuss explains the Winemaker's Choice gift. "Once a week I'm going to do a package of three wines," Vanhuss says. "Each week the selections are going to be …

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Getting Out in Leesburg

Very Virginia

In this week's edition, I visit Very Virginia for the very first time.

 The first time I was in Very Virginia is when I was on another Patch assignment for The Pink Shop. Having never been to either store, I had no idea that Sola Pallotta owned both. While The Pink Shop is certainly the more whimsical of the two, you can find fun Virginia-themed items at her other store as well. As a JMU alum, my personal favorite is the hand-painted wine glass that says, "You can tell a JMU girl, but you can't tell her much." Is it a little cheesy? Sure, but it's also kind of perfect in that it becomes funnier the more wine you drink. Anyway, the point is, my birthday is in about a month. Wait, the actual point is that Very Virginia is a great place for gifts, especially for out-of-towners. There is, of course, the wide …

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Holidays in Leesburg

Holiday Shopping Spotlight: Leesburg Vintner

Whether stocking up for a holiday arty or looking for a gift, Leesburg Vintner has you covered.

 The Leesburg Vintner, located at 29 S. King St.,  is filled to the brim with wine, champagne, beer and snacks. Open since 1988, Leesburg Vitner does a steady business year-round. However, owner Mike Carroll said he sees an uptick in business around the holidays. Leesburg Vintner has holiday gifts from $20 - $200, so one can buy an elaborate present, like a bottle of Cristal champagne, or give a more reasonably priced bottle of wine from one of Loudoun County's many wineries. Of their selection, Carroll says that they "have a lot of different wines at a lot of different price points to try and keep everybody happy." Leesburg Vintner also sells a variety of food to go with your wine, including local honey and chocolate truffles made at a …

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Holidays in Leesburg

Holiday Shopping Spotlight: The Pink Shop

The building may be pink, but inside, The Pink Shop has gifts of all different colors.

 The first thing you may notice when walking into The Pink Shop, is that everything isn't pink. Sure, there's plenty of rose and fuchsia in the tiny store, but you'll also find plenty of stocking stuffers and gag gifts in other colors. The Pink Shop owner Sola Pallotta prides herself on a bright, fun store. "I love zany things," Pallotta said. "I've always been a funny, silly, clown-type person." That whimsy is evident in the store, where you'll find gifts ranging from decorative wine bottle stoppers, to ice cube trays that look like teeth. "People love coming in here for White Elephant gifts," Pallotta says. But The Pink Shop also carries items like jewelry and lotions for those people on your holiday list who may prefer a gift that's a …

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