Black Friday Shaken and Stirred

Black Friday has gotten a little out of control.  I don’t think I have to
expand on that.  Just turn on a television, flip on your computer or your phone. You can’t avoid the hype unless you are living at Walden Pond with no electricity or internet access.  Black Friday is more extreme than ever.  It looks like a window in to hell to me, but I don’t mind if others love to jump in to the fray of this more recent American tradition.  It is
just not my particular cup of tea.

For those of us who prefer our Holiday shopping  a little more on the
civilized side, I offer you the following pleasant, easy and lovely Black
Friday.  First, wait until Saturday when all of the maniacs are home exhausted or at the ER from fighting over flat screens and Tickle Me Elmos.

Sleep in. Snuggle in with your spouse.  Take a moment to enjoy just being the two of you for a bit.  If its just
you, smile about the fact that your day is going to be just exactly what you want it to be.  Put on a little
Holiday music. If you have relatives in from out of town, throw together a nice omelet and craft some bloody marys. 
Play some board games.  Read the newspaper.

Nose around in the lovely shops on Elmwood.  Start at Thin Ice, where you can buy some wonderful local handcrafted gifts for everyone on your list.  Say hello to the lovely proprietor, Therese Deutschlander. Her smile
alone is worth the trip.  She will also wrap your gifts beautifully for you. Swing over to Miss Josie’s Antiques in Kenmore to find a nice unique gift for the vintage lover in your life.  You can find jewelry, housewares,
handbags, and even some wonderful vintage Christmas decorations.  Speaking of jewelry, stop by Lisa Hunter Jewelry on Main St in Williamsville.  The owner, Barbara Maira, will show you some of the most original jewelry around. 
She can also make a custom design with your input, including reworking some family jewelry, or something that you have that needs freshened up or updated.  

Stop for lunch at Brodo on Main and order the Domenic’s Brodo.  This slightly spicy homemade soup will warm you up and make you feel cozy. Its quite lovely there too.

Your next stop should be Cats Like Us in Tonawanda.  Andrew and Julie Ann Davis have assembled a collection of modern and retro clothing, jewelry, handbags, and even Tiki gifts.  This place is both fun and fashionable.  Treat yourself to a nice Holiday dress or fun hair flower while you are there.  About five minutes away, on Niagara Falls Boulevard, you will find Martinsville. Martinsville is a beautiful mansion filled with handmade soaps, candles, and amazing jewelry, hair accessories, hand painted glass ware, and many other unique gift ideas.  

I couldn’t neglect to mention my favorite family gift.  A very simple and beautiful gift for the whole family is a piano. 
Stop by and see us at Denton Cottier & Daniels.  We have pianos to fit every budget, skill, and décor. 
We even have some that play for you!  We have a fun one displayed at Premier Liquor on Maple and Niagara Falls Blvd. We have nothing against a bigger and better tv, but this is something that your family will have for the rest or
their lives. We also have gift certificates for pianos, lessons, or piano tuning available.  We also have some new
mini-pianos suitable for a dorm room, childs room, or any small space.  They also convert in to desks for
maximum space saving. 

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They come in pink, blue, black or white.  They have been selling like hotcakes!

I don’t know about you, but all of this shopping has made me hungry.  I think
its time to take my treasures home, light a fire, pour a glass of wine, and dig
in to some leftovers.  I am thankful for a lovely day. This Friday wasn’t so
black.