Looking for unique and creative holiday gifts this holiday season?

The first Friday of December will boast a number of holiday sales.

Art Murmur staples plan to sell special merchandise and bring out additional vendors to sate the seasonal demand. 

First Friday comes but once a month, and this month offers up a panoply of art stroll options. 

Despite the tough economy, the past year has seen a surge of art galleries, pop-up shops and retail stores open up in downtown Oakland.

Many of these spaces - which include Oakollectiv, Oaklandish, SMSHBX and the cathedral building - are owned or operated by people of color.

As an invading army of 99 percenters assembled in New York City, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and other major cities, Oakland responded by undermining the cultural status quo - and spreading the love by getting grassroots, multicultural and life-affirming with it.