Flavor up your week with these 5 great food events: Spirits, pairings, Japanese

Before pigging out on candy canes, cookies and egg nog next week, use this week to experience the wonderful food and drink happenings taking place in Philadelphia.

Those clothes bundled up in your dresser are mad at you because you haven't worn them in months. Why don't you do them a favor and give them to someone who will wear them? On Wednesday, Dec. 17, True Voice Media and East River Bank collaborate with nonprofit organizations Cradles to Crayons and Northeast Treatment Centers to host the first Holiday Social that features a clothing drive, benefiting deserving children in Philadelphia, that will be performed as a fashion show. Get this: The event is free and the clothes you donate will be a part of the fashion show. Sweet, right? With an RSVP you not only get to brighten less fortunate families' hearts this year, but you also get to enjoy complimentary food and drinks from Primos Hoagies, Brauhaus Schmitz, The Boiler Room, and more. The event starts at 6 p.m. and takes place at the Neighborhood House (20 N. American St.)

If you've had any of the Art in the Age spirits in the past, you know that all four styles pair well with almost every season of the year, and on Thursday, Dec. 18th at Standard Tap (901 N. 2nd St.), discover what mixes are best for winter during Art in the Age Night. Beginning at 6 p.m. and running through 10 p.m., enjoy four specially selected cocktails priced at $6 apiece as well as some AITA food items such as Root sticky buns, and a Snap dish. A portion of the proceeds benefit American Farmland Trust, an organization who strikes to protect farms across the country.

Four of life's guilty pleasures — candy, whiskey, ice cream, and food — get into the mix on Thursday, Dec. 18 as chef Jason Cichonski's Gaslight Restaurant (120 Market St.) collaborates with the Franklin Fountain, Shane Confectionery, and Dad's Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey for a special Chocolate Drinks and Dinner event. The four-course dinner will highlight specialties of each business with signature items to enjoy such as an Aztec Xocolatl Cacao Tea, Butternut Squash Risotto, caramelized banana tart with ice cream, and more. The dinner runs $45 per person without the whiskey and $70 with the cocktail pairings. Seatings for the dinner are at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Hiroyuki "Zama" Tanaka's excellent Japanese restaurant, Zama (128 South 19 St.), celebrates five years of business on Friday, Dec. 19 with a five-course dinner special featuring restaurant favorites such as Kanpachi Sashimi, tuna California, 7 chef selections of Nigiri, and more. The pairing starts at 5 p.m. and runs at $55 per person.

Santa's in town on Sunday, Dec. 21 and the jolly old fellow makes a stop at Little Nonna's for the Italian restaurant's Christmas celebration. Starting at 1 p.m. through 4 p.m., Santa Claus will make way throughout the building and spread holiday cheer to those present during his visit. Not only will the restaurant be specially decorated for the season, but guests can enjoy a Christmas menu of Italian favorites featuring meatballs, mozzarella in carozza, Nutella sandwiches, and more.