Holiday shopping is off to a record start, but there is still plenty of time to round out your gift list with the help of local merchants.

Why it matters: Using your purchasing power at locally owned stores helps small businesses, and it has a hand in preserving Music City's distinctive flavor.

Zoom in: We've constructed a gift guide that can help you match the right goodies with the right people.

🏞️ For the outdoorsy: River Queen Voyages offers a stunning view of Nashville from the Cumberland River. You can buy gift certificates for a solo "skyline" kayak ride through downtown or a group-friendly kayaking scavenger hunt.

🍿 For the cinephile: A Belcourt membership is a gift that keeps on giving with every screening. Typical Belcourt movie tickets are only $9 for members, compared to $13.50 for non-members.

• Members also get discounted concessions and access to special events like Q&As with Nicole Kidman. Individual memberships start at $55 per year.
• Adam's take: This is a great option for a recurring gift. It is my go-to every year for my youngest brother.

🎼 For the music nerd: Tickets to the Frist Art Museum can take you back in time to experience Beatlemania through Paul McCartney's eyes. A collection of McCartney's photographs is on display that charts a pivotal three-month span in 1963-64 that saw The Beatles become international megastars.

• The "Eyes of the Storm" exhibit runs through Jan. 26.

🕯️ For the cozy homebody: The Paddywax factory sale running today and tomorrow offers an opportunity to stock up on discontinued or lightly dented candles at a deep discount.

📚 For the bookworm: Parnassus Books can take some of the stress off your shoulders with custom book bundles. Staffers pick a selection of books based on the genre you select and what you share about the gift recipient.

😋 For the foodie: The Kitchen in Belle Meade is great for brainstorming ideas for the culinarily inclined. Their high-quality olive oils are perfect to bring to your next holiday party as a gift for the host.

❓ Still stumped? Stop by White's Mercantile in 12 South for a cavalcade of ideas for everyone on your list.

🙋 Tell us: Reply to this email with your favorite go-tos while shopping local.

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The average earnings for a new worker in Nashville hit $62,200 this year, according to a new analysis.

Stunning stat: That's up 4.7% from last year. But it's a whopping 26% over 2020, per Glassdoor.

How it works: Glassdoor used more than 5 million salary datapoints from users "with 0-4 years of relevant experience in their current job from January 2020 through October 31, 2025," and among metro areas with at least 1,000 salary datapoints per year.

The big picture: "It's difficult to start your career during a soft labor market, but there is a silver lining: Earnings growth is on the rise for workers with 0-4 years of experience, and 2026 will be the first year that these workers' purchasing power exceeds 2020 levels," per Glassdoor's report.

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🏀 One of the most exciting athletes in Nashville these days is Vanderbilt women's basketball star Mikayla Blakes. She's one of only nine players in NCAA history to score 1,000 points in 42 career games. (Tennessean, subscription)

❓ Nashville businessperson Lee Beaman, who is a mega donor to GOP politicians, faced a tough line of questioning during the U.S. Senate hearing to consider his appointment to the TVA board. (Tennessee Lookout)

🏈 When the Titans play the Browns on Sunday, the spotlight will be on the teams' rookie quarterbacks, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. (AP)

The best way to start your weekend is by acing the Axios Nashville Friday News Quiz.

• If nothing else, it warms Adam and Nate's cynical old hearts to see readers take the time to answer the quiz each week.
• Every time more than 10 readers get answer the quiz correctly, the Axios Nashville team gets together for a raucous celebration. Champagne. Dancing. Chest bumps. It's a happy scene.

So make two ink-stained retches happy this morning, and try to answer these questions. If you get all three correct, your name will appear in next week's newsletter.

⁇ Matt Van Epps defeated state Rep. Aftyn Behn for the District 7 House seat. Did Van Epps win by more or less than his predecessor's 21.5-point win in 2024?

🐘 Name a Republican politician besides President Trump who endorsed Van Epps.

🎵 Name an artist performing at Bonnaroo in 2026.