a peek inside the fishbowl

03 Nov, 2007

I have Christmas on the brain

Posted by andrea in: Oh! Things!

I need your help!

I’ve done a few researchy-type shopping trips for various Christmas gift guides, including a couple for Ottawa Magazine which were very very fun, and gave me some great ideas to boot. All of this pre-shopping shopping has given my brain a big jump on Christmas this year.

My general take on the holiday is this: less gifts, great gifts. That’s my motto. But from a shopping perspective it also takes time and energy.

I don’t know if anyone would be interested, but I was thinking about highlighting some of the excellent shops in Westboro Village and posting about it here. If you have kids, there is kid stuff in Westboro that’s so cool you’ll hardly believe your peepers.

(the rest of this post is hidden below the fold - you know, in case someone is eadingray over my houldersay.)

 
 
Mark and I are thinking about buying the girls some cross-country skis for Christmas this year. But I’m not entirely convinced. Remember last year? When we didn’t know if the canal was going to freeze in time for Winterlude? Perhaps roller skates would be a better gift. Hmm.

I do want to buy the girls some art from Etsy and make a tradition out of it. But I need help. ASAP. There’s so much too browse through that I can’t possibly get through it all. Does anyone have any fave Etsy artists I need to know about?

So far I like:

* Matte Stephens. I love love love this particular one.

* Belle & Boo. Check this one out. [sold out already - ack!]

* John W.Golden. This one is sold, boo! But there are so many others to choose from. Hmm. How about robots?  And he does custom work too. Oi.

* Creative Thursday has left me paralyzed. One - two - three awesome pieces.  [sold out as well - noooo]

See? I need help. Any others artists you’d like to add to my pile?

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5 Responses to "I have Christmas on the brain"

2 | b*babbler

November 4th, 2007 at 5:02 pm

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Ooh, I immediately fell in love with the Belle & Boo print. I’m so sad that they’re already sold out. Bah!

3 | Anne

November 4th, 2007 at 9:25 pm

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The Belle and Boo print is still available….
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7689791

4 | J.

November 5th, 2007 at 12:06 pm

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It looks like you are taking the Buy Handmade pledge: http://www.buyhandmade.org/

5 | Marla

November 6th, 2007 at 10:45 am

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Through this site: http://blog.makingitlovely.com/

I found this artist:: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=73433

and I LOVE her stuff. It’s a lot like some of the things you’ve chosen, but edgier.

I feel some discretionary income slipping through my fingers soon…

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My name is Andrea and I live in the Westboro area of Ottawa with my husband Mark and our two daughters Emma (11) and Sarah (9). I am a writer, web content manager, and family photographer. I've been blogging since 1999. I have a passion for words (on their own or strung together), the arts, healthy living, family travel, good food, and sharing the best of Ottawa for parents and kids. I also love vegetables, books, and great design. The Fishbowl is my whiteboard, water cooler, and journal ... all rolled into one. If you're so inclined you can read more about me here >>

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