Holidays

Nov. 26 – Shop Small Business Saturday

/ still a dreamer

Here comes the onslaught – the endless ads and commercials on radio, TV and web -all promising you the perfect Christmas if you just buy from them. And who is ‘them?’ All the big box stores that have multi-millions to advertise, of course.

But while everyone is busy cramping about the crappy economy, they’re also busy running out to these same stores to get a deal. And this while the small businesses in your very own neighborhood are languishing and slowly shuttering their stores due to lack of sales. People … here’s the chance. Shop local!

“The 2nd annual Small Business Saturday® is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. On November 26, we’re asking millions of people to shop small at their favorite local stores and help fuel the economy. When we all shop small, it will be huge.” What a great idea.

How about it? Nirvana is not really at Wal-Mart, and by shopping at the small businesses in your town or county, you keep merchants alive who are trying so hard to bring you what they think you want. Got a car wash? Get some gift certificates for friends or family – who wouldn’t love someone else cleaning their car inside and out .. or detailing it? Gift and card shop? There’s always something special for a hard-to-get person, and you’ll most likely be buying Christmas cards. Have a favorite restaurant in your area? pizza place? cafe? Again – gift certificates to eat out are a real treat in this economy, and bound to please anyone. It’s not rocket science, just a shift in thinking.

There are so many options before blowing it all at a big box store. Help your local businesses thrive and get cool stuff for your gift recipients. And although Small Business Saturday is November 26, spread the wealth and expand the time frame. Think small – you’ll feel great.

In this post you see photos of just a small portion of the wide selection of what’s in store in a small business not too far from me. It’s primarily a card and gift shop with an amazing assortment of things inside; it’s called This `N That on the Corner, and it’s located at 38 Bridge Street in Milford, NJ. Shopkeeper Tracy puts her heart and soul into searching out great merchandise and also features local artists. You can come to my neck of the woods and shop here if you’d like – she’d love it! – or maybe take a look around your own neighborhood with new eyes.  The season of giving is upon us – happy small business shopping!

Idea for New Year’s

/ still a dreamer

As mentioned about a year ago, I am not one for New Year’s resolutions for a variety of reasons.  However, in talking with a dear friend on New Year’s Eve, she had come up with a very helpful idea for the turning of the New Year … better than resolutions.

She made up a list of all she had accomplished in the past year. Before the clock struck midnight, I did the same. Let’s face it – we all know what it is we want to do and what changes we have to make. That’s nothing new. And New Year’s Resolutions, for me, anyway, just state the obvious and indirectly, point out all our shortcomings in the year gone by.

But a list of what we HAVE accomplished – now that’s a feel-good list, because whether we accomplished specific goals or not, we have definitely done many things over the year that we can be happy with. And that list isn’t just about career goals or the like. It’s about ALL we accomplished – were you a good friend the past year? a great Mom? did you donate time or expertise to a charity that means something to you? Help a neighbor? Repair something that’s been waiting forever? Finally treat yourself to something you’ve put off for years? Finish even a part of a project that’s been really challenging? Create a new resume? Leave a painful relationship behind? Exceed your own expectations of what you believed possible?

Here’s your chance to review the year and realize that you actually did quite a bit. Life isn’t measured only in “got a new job” or major milestones, though they’re nice, too. It’s often measured in day to day growth. So make a list of all that good stuff you’ve been doing – it’ll make you feel better about tackling whatever dreams you have for the New Year.

Happy New Year!

French Bulldog Christmas Cards

/ still a dreamer

There’s still time to order! If you’re a French Bulldog lover or just want to send out a warm holiday greeting with artwork featuring this adorable breed, take a look at my Frenchie holiday cards. I have several to choose from, all with lovely messages, and the original artwork is, of course, mine.

Or … give a French Bulldog holiday gift! Choose from Frenchies Apres Monet smaller blank note cards, or 5×7″ Frenchies Apres Rousseau blank note cards, Frenchie fairies, and more! Perfect for the French Bulldog lover on your list. Visit my Etsy shop and see!

Note: All illustrations, drawings and photographs are © Jeanne Balsam and may not be reproduced in any format without written permission. Thank you!

French Bulldog Holiday Card Sale!

/ still a dreamer

Looking to send friends and family the most adorable Christmas/holiday cards around? You can, and they’re now on a special, limited- time sale on my web site. You can order either one of  two different designs of my French Bulldog Holiday cards or a half-and-half mix at the very fabulous price of 10 cards and envelopes for only $10 plus shipping. Both cards are 5×7″ and come with bright holiday green envelopes, (and the original artwork, of course, is my own.) Cards are packed in an acrylic sleeve, and will ship via USPS Priority Mail.

Above is Stranger in the Snow, with an inside message that says … “May the wonders of the season be yours.” A pied Frenchie puppy meets a snowy version of himself, and is curious at the least!

At right is Frenchie Makes A New Friend, with the message “The gifts of love and acceptance are given now in this wonderful season and all year `round. Enjoy your present. Happy Holidays”, picturing a black-masked fawn Frenchie meeting … a fawn.

Enjoy this limited time offer — it ends  December 7! Just click on the link for each card or right here for the French Bulldog Holiday Mix. Save a little holiday green and be the person everyone remembers for sending that adorable card!

Note: All illustrations, drawings and photographs are © Jeanne Balsam and may not be reproduced in any format without written permission. Thank you!