HAPPY NEW YEAR

Greetings!

There was an afternoon just before Christmas Eve, where I dashed out on my lunch break to do some last minute shopping downtown.   I was thrilled!  You know why?  There were "CITY SIDEWALKS, BUSY SIDEWALKS, DRESSED IN HOLIDAY STYLE!"  That is why!  Wellington Avenue and Mill Street was busy with shoppers, the window displays were beautiful and festive, the air was crisp and fresh and things just felt right.   It truly was a 'feel good' moment.  I hope YOU had a few of those moments as well!

On the eve of the New Year, I usually do some reminiscing about what has passed.......the last weeks in December are usually so very busy and FULL of activity, and can become sort of a blur.  Christmas comes and goes and then we find ourselves ringing in the NEW YEAR! 

Allow me to acknowledge something before the old year ends.  Thank you to each and every one of you who continue to support small independant retailers, in particular the community of Chilliwack.  Thank you to all the downtown merchants and others, who work tirelessly to provide opportunity to the people in Chilliwack by offering something MORE!  Thank you to all who helped make our year at GRAHAM'S not only successful, but memorable.  We are grateful for all the smiles, all the stories, visits, hugs, and all the treats and goodies you bring to us!  Truly!

As we move forward into 2012 my wish and the wish from all of us at GRAHAM'S  for you, is good health and happiness.  So simple, but true.  Thank you  again, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Bye for now,

Erica

                                                          

CALM AND BRIGHT

Hi Everyone!
With only a few more days until Christmas I am sure most everyone is busy, busy, busy!  Shopping, wrapping gifts, baking, decorating for the season and various other activites.  And, then it's over.....just like that.   My biggest challenge this season has been to stay "calm and bright!"   Calm is easy.  Bright gets to be quite challenging as I start to fade the closer Christmas Day draws near.  But, it's all GOOD!

Our $500.00 shopping spree winner is VIVIAN AIRD, of Chilliwack.  Vivian is one of our long time customers, and she was thrilled to be chosen winner!  We were also happy for her!!  We had a lot of entries and thank you to everyone who entered. 

From all of us at GRAHAM'S,  have yourselves  a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!  Enjoy, relax.... and savour every moment! 

bye for now...
Erica

BE JOYFUL

Greetings!

As we  approach the season of Christmas,  buying gifts is on the minds of alot of people.  Naturally, one tries to find the "perfect gift" and some of us (me) have been known to run from store to store to find it.

How can we choose when there is so much to choose from?  Or our budget doesn't allow for what we'd like to give?  Or buying  a gift feels like an obligation?  Oh, the STRESS we can cause ourselves!

We, at GRAHAM'S are in our busiest season of the year and we are in the "business" of giftware.  We offer up many ideas for gifts and gift-giving  throughout the year, but we also understand that there is more to gift giving than what comes wrapped in a box.  

Our wish for you during this special time of year,  is to RELAX, ENJOY and be JOYFUL with your experience of gift giving! 

Bye for now,
Erica

A BUSY WEEKEND

Greetings!

GRAHAMS  had their 41st Anniversary  on  BLACK FRIDAY, Nov. 25th  with a store wide sale.  Our store manager, Natalie, made home-baked Italian Pizelle cookies topped with a dusting of icing sugar.   Yummy!  It was a fantastic and celebratory day!  Later that evening, Santa Claus made his first appearance in the downtown core, with the lighting of the town Christmas tree.

Natalie enjoying her visit with Santa at "Sticky's Candy."  Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011

The following day, Saturday was our  HENCKEL knife sharpening event.  (I had meant to bring my camera, to take pictures....Oh, darn!)  Let me tell you, we sharpened many knives!  A donation box was in place for the local Salvation Army  and with gratitude to those that donated, they will be receiving $141.06.  Also,  I must add that there were many shoppers in the downtown area, making the promotion of "Small Business Saturday" a great success.  Thank you everyone for breathing life and energy into small businesses everywhere, in particular Chilliwack!
 
This week we are having a SALE on the SOPHIE CONRAN boxed dish set!  12 pieces for $99.99 and that is a fantastic price!  Plus, you get a FREE platter!!  How great is that?  If you haven't yet been to the website go to:  www.grahamsgifts.com  Check  under "EVENTS."

This time of year is filled with  such great energy and excitement!  Upcoming, is  the Santa Claus Parade on the 3rd of December in the downtown core.  I'll remember to take my camera so I can post some photos next week!  Hope to see familiar faces, smiling of course! 

Bye for now...
Erica

SHIFTING GEARS

Greetings!

The Season of Christmas is upon us!  The new stock, which has been arriving almost daily for the past 8 weeks,  has been unpacked and placed upon the shelves.  The store is beautifully decorated for Christmas, the sounds of Christmas  music is playing throughout the store, and best of all the Christmas "lookers" and "shoppers" have arrived!  We (the staff)  have officially shifted gears, and gone into over-drive.

Every now and then, there is a pause in between what I would call  the "bus has just stopped out front" and the store being quiet.  During the pause, there is always something to catch up on, such as straightening the linens, some quick dusting or perhaps answering a phone call or two.  Suddenly,  the  front door opens, and the next bus load of people arrive.  Meaning,  it seems that a group of people  congregate and come in all at the same time....leaving us, rapidly shifting from neutral gear into over-drive.   We've often thought it is rather  interesting as to why or how it happens  this way! 

Just as a reminder, that this coming Saturday on Nov. 26th between 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. there is a FREE Henckel knife sharpening at the store.  Bring your knives in for a professional sharpening done by the Henckel representative and while you're at Graham's,  be sure to enter the $500 Graham's Gifts Shopping Spree!  Draw is to be held on Dec. 17th, so get your entry in while you can!

We're shifting gears and joyfully await your arrival! 

Bye for now,
Erica