After reading the harrowing tale of the Kim family and how Mrs. Kim kept her children alive by breastfeeding them, we feel a bit blasé about all these fine food and cocktail party charitable events tonight. But since we are fortunate enough to not be in a life-or-death struggle for survival ...

At the Rickshaw Stop (155 Fell between Van Ness & Franklin), Root Division presents Spectacle: A Cocktail Party and Visual Carnival, with eye candy, ear candy, and free champagne, with special performance by the Sexy Lilliputians (we believe the band is composed of people of normal size as we could not find any evidence to the contrary) and DJs Chuck Gonzales and Eric Rumors. This event is a benefit for Root Division, an SF arts non-profit providing studio space for artists and art classes for youth. (7:30pm - Mid)

Another opportunity to kick down the double digit dollars tonight - "The Art of Giving", a holiday benefit for Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and One Warm Coat (donate a coat and get a guest in for free) presented by SF Weekly and YBCA at YBCA (701 Mission at 3rd). According to the P.R., there will be "delicious food, lively libations, a silent auction ... in a setting made beautiful by the people and the art!" Wow, gotta love the implied message of hottie cruising for charity. (7-10pm)

Down the Peninsula, Kepler's Bookstore (1010 El Camino Real in Menlo Park) is having a Holiday Party including a special presentation by John Scharffenberger, the maker of award-winning chocolates and the author of The Essence of Chocolate. Kid-friendly activities, holiday punch, and a free stocking stuffer with a purchase of $25 or more. (Starts at 6pm)