Whassup: No Office Party Edition

It's the season of the office holiday party, which means it's time to warm up your ass cheeks in preparation for the copy machine/your boss' drunken hands, load up on eggnog, and change who can see facebook photos that get posted of you. But hark! There are other, somewhat less uncomfortable things to do this week! Welcome to Whassup: No Office Party Edition:

* Thursday, Dec. 8 and Thursday, Dec 15: Snowflake Celebration, 7th Ave: Let's be honest -- the holidays are really about discounts. With Black Friday just a pepper-sprayed memory, you've still got some sales a-comin'. Seventh Ave shops will have a range of discounts, along with a "No sales tax X-mas" promotion during this festival. Also, carols and Christmas treats and other nonsense. Doors open until 9 or 10pm.

* Friday, Dec. 9: Taxidermy Showdown, Bell House: Come check out a menagerie of weird creatures and the taxidermy creations they have entered into this contest sponsored by the folks at Secret Science Club. It's true -- the weirdest sights at these shows are often the contestants. Brace yourselves, it's pretty awesomely strange. $7, 8pm.

* Friday, Dec. 9: Talib Kweli, Southpaw: Mos Def's old partner from Black Star, Talib Kweli hits the Southpaw stage with his new project, Idle Warship, a collaboration with singer, Res. $20, 8pm.

* Sunday, Dec. 11: Puppet Christmas Carol, Brooklyn Lyceum: Tired of Christmas movies staring people made of skin, muscle, and  other gross stuff? Well, check it: now you can see A Christmas Carol starring whimsical felt creatures with hands up their asses. A Puppet Christmas Carol! Three showings, $10-$30.

* Tuesday, Dec. 13: Garbage Skillshare, Tea Lounge: Most of us waste food. (As I write this, I am throwing a half-eaten hamburger mostly away in spite.) The documentary Vulture Culture looks into forming community by salvaging wasted grub. A Q and A with the director follows. Then, everyone will raid the Tea Lounge trashes for old bagels. (Probably kidding about that last part.) 7:30pm, FREE.

* Thursday, Dec. 14: Wye Oak, Rock Shop: Wye Oak is a badass folky, indie rock band. Which is probably why they sold out this show. But check with your hipsterist, pitchfork-enest friends. Maybe you can buy a spare. $15, 8:30pm.

* Thursday, Dec. 15: FIPS No Office-Office Party, Littlefield: Come celebrate the holidays with your TRUE family: Brooklyn bloggers and their readers. Oh, there will be all sorts of semi-ironic holiday fun to be had, all fueled by the Christmas Spirit, a.k.a. spiked punch. $5, 7:30pm.

* Thursday, Dec. 15: Lady Lamb, Union Hall: What's more hipster than coming for the opening act at a small-venue show in Brooklyn? Doing it with retro facial hair? Ok, well, grease up your handlebar 'stache if you must, and come check out the powerful pipes of Lady Lamb and the Beekeeper, a shockingly strong little folky singer occupying the opening slot of this show. The rest of the bands are probably pretty all right, too. $10, 7:30pm.