THANKS MOM.


Greetings!

On my mind, is Mother's Day which is only a couple of days away at this point.      

So just how do we show how much we care, respect or honor our Mom's role in our life? 

A present?

Making a dream come true?

A bouquet of flowers?

A day of shopping?

Whatever you choose to give Mom or remember Mom by,

 GRATITUDE says it best.  Well, I think so.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all the Mom's out there, and

THANK YOU for all you do and for being YOU.

Bye for now,

Erica

Something is NEW

www.grahamsgifts.com

Greetings!

Gosh, it's been weeks and weeks since my last blog, sincere apologies.  What is new, you ask?

Royal Albert China, has a NEW pattern which was inspired from it's most successful pattern called "OLD COUNTRY ROSES."  It has a vintage look about it which is the current trend and I am a huge fan of anything vintage or vintage inspired. 

The name of this one is "NEW COUNTRY ROSES."  I can almost smell those roses.....*sigh* and just look at those fabulous colors!  Oh-la-la!

It is fresh and vibrant and perfectly pretty.  I LOVE it!   I am envisioning myself having a lovely cup of tea and nibbling that sweet little cupcake on the plate!  Ladies, this is tea-party material here!
 

Y'know, if you love something and it isn't within your budget one doesn't need to  have it ALL.  I mean if you really LOVE it, how about one little teaplate to have your morning toast on?  Or a pretty little mug?  I mean, if it gets your heart racing, I say why not?  If you cannot  justify a whole set of new dishes,  buy one or two pieces of it and enjoy it.

Surrounding oneself with the things you LOVE, even if it's just a teensy weensy bit of it, just makes you feel so good inside!  It really does. 




Yipee! A NEW season is here as well! SPRING. Don't you just LOVE it?   The chirping of birds.  Daffodils. Tulips. Pink tree blossoms. Cherry Blossoms. The smell of fresh cut grass. Planting. Vibrant colors.  Driving with your car windows open.   Blue skies.  Sunny days. Warmth.

Happy Spring everyone and a HAPPY EASTER!   Treat yourself  to something which makes you feel SPECIAL. 

By the way, I'd like just ONE (or two) of those little eggs with that little cupcake, please......

Bye for now,
Erica

THE DAYS OF JANUARY

Greetings!

If you come in to see us in January at GRAHAM'S, you'll discover that we are dusting, cleaning and/or rearranging. (I promise not to give you a dusting cloth.)  Each of us, takes a section of the store and we work our way through, getting things back in order, cleaned and refreshed.  Believe it or not, this process takes about 4 to 6 weeks!   It's a great feeling when it's done....kind of like when you've cleaned your house, or cleaned the car. Don't you feel that way too?

The former "CHRISTMAS" room is in the process of becoming a SALE room.  Currently, the CHRISTMAS merchandise is 50% off (I like to tuck a few things away for next year, so you'll usually find me hunting for bargains after Christmas!) and we will be intermittantly adding miscellaneous  merchandise at 50% off.  Do drop in whenever you can, you'll never know what you will find!   

Coming up is soon is VALENTINES day!  I've got a few suggestions if you need. 

We've got the cutest little waffle maker that makes heart shaped waffles!  Can you imagine how awesome that would taste and look topped with strawberries and whipped cream!  Can we all say "mmmmm?"

Bath and body products by CRABTREE and EVELYN are a  popular item with the ladies!  My personal favorite is IRIS which is "exquisitely scented orris from the root of the iris flower, blended with precious sandalwood, sensuous patchouli, and a hint of fresh vetiver."

How about serving a yummy chocolate fondue for two?   So good and so easy.  We've got the chocolate fondue pots and the prepackaged chocolate product, all you need is the fresh fruit!

Your beloved might like something sparkly....like jewelry by SWAROVSKI.  Crystals are set in rhodium. Did you know that rhodium is a member of platinum?  SWAROVSKI jewelry will NEVER tarnish.  We've got a fantastic selection, heart shapes included.

It's been snowing here for the last couple of days, and not many of you like to venture out in this weather.   And that's okay!  I love to stay home at times, where it's warm and cozy.  When you do decide to venture out, drive carefully.  If you're in the downtown area, come by to say 'hello'!  Some of the dust bunnies can wait.

Bye for now,
Erica

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