Monday, December 1, 2008

Sanibel Luminary Rocks

Sanibel's Luminary kicks off at 5:30 Friday night. This annual event promises to be better than ever this year. In addition to the luminaries lighting Periwinkle Way Santa will be stopping, bands will be playing and the school choir will be singing.



Park at some of the larger centers and take a trolley to the ends of the island to visit each participating shopping center and get into the holiday spirit. Tahitian Gardens will be the center point with trolleys traveling east and west from there. Cracker Blues will be playing there and Santa will be there in his tropical attire, no shoes! Travel west to The Village Shops where you'll have the opportunity to have your picture taken with Santa participate in some free drawings and listen to Tribal Love a steel drum band. Go furter west to The Olde Sanibel Shoppes and listen to the Sanibel School Choir from performing from 6:45 to 7:15 p.m. They will get you in the spirit of the season with their holiday program.



Everyone will have food and beverages and lots of good cheer to spread around. This annual Chamber event is sponsored by R.L.R. Investments/ShopOnSanibel.com and the City of Sanibel and many other island businesses.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Black Friday Sanibel Island Style

I keep hearing about stores opening at 12:01 the day after Thanksgiving and Friday morning at 4 a.m.

I envision all these people at the door waiting for the "go" signal as they stampede into the store/mall. While I love a good bargain and like to shop, this is not my idea of holiday shopping. I guess I'm still a little old fashioned....I like the good cheer and good tidings to all men philosophy, not the claw your way to the sales table mentality.

This year you can get some great buys while maintaining a sense of peace and goodwill toward your fellow man at the sidewalk sale that will be held on Sanibel Island at Tahtian Gardens shopping plaza 1975 Periwinkle Way. If you're going to be in town for the Thanksgiving Holiday or if you live on or near Sanibel, there will be great buys available offered in the relaxed island style. The sale starts Friday at 10 a.m. and runs all weekend. The center is open from 10-5 daily and many of the shops will have up to 50% off thier merchandise. I'm talking designer labels like Diesel, Seven, madeUlook and others. There is a fine jewelry store in the plaza as well as handmade glass jewelry and artisan works in various mediums. There are several shops that have wonderful Christmas and Holiday ornaments along with music and gifts, unusual stocking stuffers....you get the idea. Bath & Body, Resort Wear, collectables and home decor shops round out the selections.

One of the things I do like the best is that the shops carry limited numbers of their items, many of them have things you will not find in other stores or you will have to look a long time to find them. At Tahitian Gardens, you park in the lot and walk about 15 feet and you're at the nine retail and 3 eating establishments, so you don't get tired just going from shop to shop.

If you're shopping for less but want more value, quality and something that will be memorable, try Tahitian Gardens this weekend. You'll be glad you did and you'll keep your goodwill toward men and know that when your gift is received, it will be remembered for a long time!

Happy Holidays everyone.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Orchid Lovers & Shoppers

This weekend The Village Shops on Sanibel Island will be holding its 15th annual orchid show. Beautiful, healthy plants from Marilyn's Orchids will be offered for sale. There will be classes on how to care for and repot these georgeous plants all weekend long. The Village Shops are at 2340 Periwinkle Way and the show runs from 10-5 each day.

The orchid show has a bonus. The Village Shops are holding a sidewalk sale this weekend as well, so you can purchase beautiful plants and wander through the shops to see the many find items on sale that will make your gifts memorable and very much appreciated this holiday.

I love orchids and they are amazingly simple to keep growing and blooming for years and years with little care. They are my type of plant as they actually do better with neglect than too much care! If you work or are a busy person, these plants are for you. This year since everyone is watching their cash, they will make fabulous gifts because the blooms last for months on many varieties, so your gift will take center stage for weeks and months and bring great beauty into the recepients life and fond memories of you, the gift giver!

And when you stop at The Village Shops, you park and walk right into the center so you don't have to park and walk a quarter of a mile to get to your first destination. The destination is conveniently located within a few feet of your car! This is a great start to holiday shopping with beautiful plants and luxurious shopping all in the same location. Hope you can make it.