Dec 4th to Dec 12th, 2026 *Hours TBA*
Martha’s Café, Arbutus, Maryland
“The seeds of dreams are often found in books.” -Dolly Parton
Come get a little bookish this holiday season!
Darling & a Scholar is bringing a cozy holiday pop-up bookstore and book market to Martha’s Café, filled with affordable used and secondhand books, Christmas gifts, bookish goodies, and plenty of fun finds for readers of all ages.
Think of it as a Scholastic Book Fair for the whole family, but with holiday shopping in mind.
Looking for Christmas gifts for book lovers? Books for the kids? A stocking stuffer for your favorite reader? A gift for a teacher, friend, coworker, book club buddy, or someone who is impossible to shop for? Come browse.
You’ll find children’s books, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, classics, fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, mysteries, romance, and plenty of unexpected treasures. There will also be notebooks, pens, bookmarks, stationery, literary goodies, and other small gifts that are perfect for readers.
And of course, we’ll have our gift-wrapped Blind Date with a Book. Pick a wrapped book based only on a few clues and let the surprise be part of the fun. It makes a great Christmas gift, stocking stuffer, Secret Santa present, or treat for yourself.
12 Days of Bookmas
Looking for a really special gift for a book lover?
Our 12 Days of Bookmas Advent Calendar and Gift Box includes 5 carefully curated books, 2 surprises, 2 sticker packs, and 2 bookmarks for $75.
It’s twelve little pieces of bookish joy all wrapped up into one gift. Perfect for the reader who loves surprises, the friend who always has a book in their bag, or anyone who would happily trade a boring gift basket for a box full of books.
Make a Little Holiday Magic
This is more than a place to check a few names off your Christmas list. It’s a chance to slow down, mingle, meet fellow book lovers, and spread a little holiday cheer.
Bring your book club. Bring your friends. Bring the kids. Strike up a conversation with someone browsing the same shelf. Share a favorite book recommendation. Help someone find the perfect gift.
And when you’ve found your books, grab a hot cocoa, coffee, or another cozy drink from Martha’s Café and settle in with your new reads.
Even the Grinch eventually realized there was more to Christmas than presents. So take a page from his book and warm up with something hot, cozy, and cheerful while you enjoy the company around you.
Stay awhile. Read a few pages. Talk books. Laugh with your friends. Meet someone new.
After all, holiday cheer is better when you share it.
At the Holiday Market
Shop affordable used and secondhand books for the whole family.
Find Christmas gifts, book gifts, and gifts for book lovers.
Stock up on children’s books, books for teens, young adult books, and holiday reading.
Pick up stocking stuffers and bookish goodies.
Try a gift-wrapped Blind Date with a Book.
Pick up a 12 Days of Bookmas gift for $75.
Bring gently used books to donate and receive $5 off your purchase.
Grab a hot cocoa, coffee, brunch, or something sweet from Martha’s Café while you browse.
Mingle with fellow readers, exchange recommendations, and spread a little holiday cheer.
Shop small and support local businesses this holiday season.
Whether you’re checking names off your Christmas list or just looking for a fun place to browse, we’d love to see you.
Come for the books. Stay for the coffee, cocoa, and conversation. Leave with some Christmas gifts and probably a book or two for yourself.
About Darling & a Scholar
Darling & a Scholar is a community-centered pop-up bookstore and book market serving neighborhoods throughout Baltimore County. We partner with local small businesses to create welcoming spaces where people can discover affordable secondhand books, support local businesses, and connect with their community.
We believe books make pretty wonderful gifts, and that finding the right one for someone you love should be part of the fun.
See all upcoming events at DarlingScholar.com.
Build Your Own Bookshelf
Want to give someone a whole bookshelf?
Ask about our curated bookshelf service, where we hand-select a collection of books based on someone’s interests, favorite genres, personality, or reading style.
It’s a fun gift for book lovers, new homeowners, teachers, students, and anyone who would rather receive a stack of books than another sweater.
More details and pricing will be available at the event.
About Martha’s Café
We’re so happy to bring Holiday Cheer to Martha’s Café in Arbutus and grateful to them for welcoming us into their space.
While you’re here, grab a coffee, hot cocoa, brunch, lunch, or a sweet treat and settle in for a little holiday browsing. Bring a friend, bring your family, pull up a chair, and make an afternoon of it.
Shop local. Eat local. Give books. Mingle. Spread some holiday cheer.
And maybe stay for one more cup of cocoa and one more chapter.
