Shopkeeping: Holiday 2020
Here we are on the cusp of the holiday season, and a different season it will be. In my own family, gatherings will be small this year, and gift-giving will focus on simple comforts to add warmth and cheer to the winter months ahead. It seems many of you are thinking similarly and are shopping early, because many bags and parcels filled with seasonal teas are heading out the door. My studio is a wonderfully pleasant place to be these days, with tiny tree, fairy lights, and holiday spices scenting the air. On a busy day, I keep a pot of tea on a warmer just as I did in my tiny Freeland shop.
While it has been a challenging year, there have been many moments and gifts to savor; a beautiful and productive garden, a healthy family, a caring community, and a small business that survives in spite of me. This is my 22nd holiday season, and when I blend up a jar of tea today, it pleases me just as much as it did in 1998. I am feeling very grateful.
My annual holiday promotion to thank you for your support and encouragement has begun. Please enjoy 15% off your next purchase. At checkout, enter the code “holiday15” in the coupon/discount box, click “Apply” and your order will be adjusted. This offer is good until midnight December 12, when I close for Christmas and New Year’s break. I will be closing a few days early to allow extra time for parcels to make it where they need to go.
Over the last few years, I have had the pleasure of seeing many of you at holiday gift shows. Because there will be no shows this season, I am offering front porch pickup days on the following Wednesdays: November 25, and December 2, 9, and 16, between 10am and 5pm at my home on South Whidbey. Orders will be processed and filled as received to keep control of inventory, and will then be set aside for you. Shipping will be charged, but those charges will be refunded following pickup. After you place your order, please contact me with your preferred Wednesday and whether you will be dropping by in the morning or afternoon. I will reply to confirm and provide you with directions to my home. Weather permitting, I will look forward to popping out to wish you a quick and safely distanced “Happy Holidays!”
As always, thank you for reading. Take care, and have a lovely, even if quiet, Thanksgiving day.
A week ago I returned from a 3 week trip with Michelle in HER motorhome. We drove 4,550 miles…all the way to visit Kim and her boyfriend in Delaware and then down to the Jacksonville FL area to spend 4 days with Michelle’s new boyfriend. I flew home…through 3 very busy airports and the shuttle bus home last Sunday night. Wonderful trip. I am self-quarantining for at least two weeks, and last Friday I had a Covid test. No symptoms, just want to be careful. I’ll be spending Thanksgiving Day at home, alone. I bought a frozen turkey dinner and a few sides…works for me! I’m thankful every day for a loving family and great friends. I’ve only used my motorhome 2 nights this year. Hope to still get out one more time before I store it for the winter in Anacortes at my friend’s place. Started to put away some Fall decorations and can’t decide just how much I want to bring in of the Christmas decorations… Decisions, decisions!!
Blessings to you and yours. Hope to be able to come by and say hi again soon. Love, DeAnn