Virginians can shop easily for holidays

Stores in Richmond, D.C. make shopping merry

The biggest shopping day of the year is fast approaching — the day after Thanksgiving — and nothing puts me in more of a holiday spirit than the sights and sounds of a mall at Christmastime.

Before shopping, make a list of the people you need to buy gifts for, ideas of what to buy for them and how much you are willing to spend on each one. This list should make shopping speedier.

Our state capital is home to two brand-new outdoor malls that opened in 2003. Short Pump Town Center is located at 11800 West Broad Street in Richmond.

With over 100 stores, there are plenty of vendors from which to choose. My favorites include Arden B., H&M and bébé for girls; Nordstrom, J.Crew and Abercrombie & Fitch both for girls and guys; the Apple store for techies; and Glass & Powder Boardshop for beach bums.

Just a few miles away is Stony Point Fashion Park at 9200 Stony Point Parkway. This open-air mall sports an outdoor skating rink for the holidays, posh stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Louis Vuitton and affordable stores include Anthropologie, Coach, Banana Republic and Charlotte Russe. Your sports-loving dad would appreciate a gift from Dick’s Sporting Goods, while your mom would love to be pampered with something from L’Occitane en Provence, the French beauty powerhouse.

Another incredible mall boasting over 250 stores is Tyson’s Corner, located at 1961 Chainbridge Road in McLean — most NOVA people are familiar with this wonder. At Tyson’s, you can find your shoe-crazed friend a stylish pair from Aldo or Steve Madden. Try Bloomingdale’s, Hecht’s or Lord and Taylor for family-friendly gifts.

A/X Armani Exchange has great gifts for the metrosexual on your list. Guess has the perfect present for your fashionista friend. Been saving your pennies for something extraordinary and expensive for that special someone? Across the street from Tyson’s is Fairfax Square — a mini Fifth Avenue. Tiffany & Co., Hermés and Gucci are located in this high-dollar complex.

I must now send you on your merry way armed cash or plastic to tour the hottest of the shopping world.