Sarah invited me to check out D.C.’s Eastern Market Night Market with her, a new event we hoped would meld the cheerfulness of the Eastern Market weekend market experience with the bustle of neighborhood and downtown Christmas markets that pop up this time of year.

While that description would be a stretch, we had a good time anyway and got some of our Christmas shopping done. Holiday gift buying is, without a doubt, best done with friends. I’ve become solitary in that activity over recent years, and tonight reminded me I should make sure I combine lunch or dinner dates at this time of year with running into a shop or two. I stay on task and it’s fun to mull over possible presents with another person.