Ed Fuentes

Handcrafted and painted angel at 3rd and Spring Holiday Market in the Douglas Building.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — As sure as we are that our readers are efficient, organized and never procrastinate, with Christmas just eight days away we thought it would be nice to do a little survey of the holiday shopping that can be found in just one easy walk around the Historic Core. Retailers looking to take advantage of that last-minute holiday rush have no shortage of potential purchases to set under a tree or into a stocking.

Raw Materials' small sketch pads start out at $2.99. It may take a much larger stocking, but much larger canvases are also on sale. 436 S. Main

In the former Coldsprings Fine Art gallery, the 3rd and Spring Holiday Market is underway. The event, a teaser for an indoor artisan market planned for the Douglas Building atrium, features a collective of crafts and gifts, including Ken Wong and his Kitschy Katz collection and Gina Ramirez with her mixed-media painting. They are open everyday from 10am to 7pm until December 22. 257 S. Spring

Blends has select retro style shoes ready to wear, something that must be pointed out simply for the juxtaposition of shoe going into stocking. 125 W. 4th

At Big Man Bakes, carrot, red velvet, double chocolate, the "old school," and coconut flavored cupcakes make sweet gifts for the holiday party hostess who goes all out, or a way to spice up the dull office party. The menu says 12 in a box is $36, but the day I asked the price was $29. 413 S. Main

Pussy and Pooch is offering discounts from 15 to 50% on select merchandise. Their "12 Days of Twinkle" winds down with Holiday Mutt Mingle - 09 on December 22, 2009 from 6pm to 9pm. Sales continue until December 24. 546 S Main St

Not to be outdone, Bark Avenue sells VIP Pet Gift Cards, and offers holiday dog boarding. 545 S. Main

Crewest's print sales have been strong. Now the street art gallery will be unveiling what's being dubbed the "First Urban Wine Label." A Holiday signing party of limited edition wine bottles––designed by Chaz Bojorquez and Man One––for Plata Wine Company will be held Saturday, December 19, beginning at 7pm. If you are 21 or over, you can RSVP at xmasparty@crewest.com. 110 Winston

(SUB)URBAN's Ronnie Gene offers Facebook fans notices on specials for decorative items. Hint, some under $50 specials are coming. 101 W. 5th

Metropolis Books is offering all books and products at 10% off for the Holiday Season, and are specially open on Monday. The hot seller so far is "Stuff White People Like" by author Christian Lander, the blogger who uncovered the disenfranchised white urban dwelling middle class. Also worth noting is James Ellroy's "Blood's a Rover". The moody cover photo is 7th and Main at night, and the Craby Joe's sign is intact. 440 S. Main

A popular series of books comes from Arcadia Publishing's library of local history, always in stock at Metropolis Books. A new addition is "Los Angeles' Little Italy" authored by El Pueblo curator Mariann Gatto.

Bolt Barbers offers gift cards for haircuts and shaves. They've been going out the door quickly lately, picking up more momentum with the recent Hector Tobar article featuring the unashamed man space. While they carry items like Anti-Oxidizing Shave Cream 5 and a Clipper Chimp Wallet Mirror, I may have to pass on the Black Peeping Chimps Underwear. 460 S. Spring