Last Minute Shopper Savings, Gift Ideas & Fabulous Finds
Attention fellow procrastinators and/or those of you who have yet to get gifts for teachers, colleagues, friends or to stuff stockings: it is t-minus 7 days until Christmas Eve!! I thought it would be helpful to share some last-minute savings and gift ideas from stores right in our backyards … no shipping fees required! Beat the crowds by calling in your request, and swing by to pick it up at your convenience. For savings and special offers and fabulous local finds, click to read more!
((Check out their re-designed website — it’s gorgeous!))
Now how about some fun ideas from beyond our borders?
The Linen Shop just launched an Online Holiday Boutique, where a selection of their twelve most popular gifts are available for you to browse, customize with a monogram, and order — all online! What could be more simple?
Also in New Canaan is the newly-opened Cosmetic Boutique, 86 Elm Street, where you can find a collection of high-end makeup and body care brands including Laura Mercier, Julie Hewitt, Eve Pearle, Jurlique, Natura Bisse, Keihl’s, Bliss and more … what gal wouldn’t love a replacement blush and lipstick combo? Or a cosmetic service like eyebrow shaping or lash tinting? Hydrating facials and other skincare services available as well. Andrea Clark, a popular Fairfield County makeup artist and expert skincare consultant, is on-hand to do makeup application and cosmetics consulting: it’s a one-stop beauty shop. Not sure what she wants? Call to get a beautifully packaged, golden gift certificate for $125 worth of product in the store and a complimentary make-up application by Andrea (by appointment only, a $60 value). And done!
Other Fun & Funky Finds
Got a coffee lover on your list? Check out these environmentally friendly and adorable fabric “coffee cozies” by Darien mompreneur Jen St. Jean. Her Itty Bitty Bags are also a unique and fun gift idea …
And something awesome for the man who’s got everything:
Soundview Millworks is also a Darien-based business that is low profile but super high-end offering gorgeous, hand-crafted cutting boards, cleat boards and other accessories. PS: The cleat board above can be customized with an initial!! You’ve got to check out this website.
Finally, consider a gift that truly gives back to the community: The Distinction Card.
You’ve probably seen them and/or signs and ads for them, but you might not realize what they do and how they help the community while saving cardholders money.
First and foremost, the Distinction Card rewards you for shopping, dining and doing business locally. Participating businesses have created special offers for cardholders that range from discounts to free gifts as a way of thanking you for your patronage and encouraging you to come back. To see a list of participating businesses and their special offers, click here. The card saves you money and helps our local businesses thrive, which bolsters our local economy.
But the Distinction Card is also a fundraiser for scholarships for Darien High School seniors, awarded by the Darien Chamber of Commerce.
So the nominal fee you pay for a Distinction Card ($25?!) that is good for one calendar year literally goes towards covering advertising expenses and then directly into helping our Darien high school graduates achieve their goals.
It’s honestly a win-win for the community, and a gift you can feel great about!
Right now the Chamber is offering a 30% discount on packages of 3 cards, which will include both the 2009 card and the 2010 card for each cardholder. By the way, each card comes with a duplicate card and key card to make sharing your savings with the family that much easier.
Buy your card(s) right online HERE.
I will keep you posted on other fabulous last-minute finds … hope this was helpful!
