Merry Christmas from The Blissful

Merry, merry CHRISTmas to you. May the peace and joy of the season fill your hearts and homes in the coming year.

All Our Love,

The Blissful

P.S. The shop will be closed December 24th, 25th, and 26th, as well as New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Beginning December 27th, we are officially on Winter Hours, which are Monday-Friday from 10-5 and Saturday from 10-4. Stop in after Christmas for greater markdowns on holiday decor and other items.

Oh, the Hustle and Bustle

Just a quick note to let you know what's been happening at The Blissful. It's been a terrific holiday season for us--our first full holiday season in retail, as we opened our doors last year on December 1st just in time to bite off one big, sweet chunk. This weekend, we're having a ridiculously great sale to crown the year: it's our Nine Days of Noël Sale, it's on through December 23rd, and it really is the best one of 2007. Click here for details. If you've been thinking of paying us a visit, this is the time to do it. That's if, of course, the roads are safe for travel. Our thoughts are with all those throughout the Midwest who were affected by the recent ice storms. We're expecting our own little wintry treat today, tonight, and tomorrow, so we are bracing ourselves. Even as I type this, the cars are moving noticeably slower down Fulton Drive than usual, as the snow just began half an hour ago and everything is already blanketed in white!

In other news, we're steadily preparing to launch online commerce at our website in February. Trying to translate the feel, as well as the breadth and depth of a shop's offerings, into an online format is a big undertaking and one we are really enthused about. Thank you to all of you out there who are patiently waiting for our launch.

I'm just about finished with my own holiday shopping. Only a few more things to check off the list. This weekend we'll be on to the baking, then the wrapping, and--oh yeah!--the relaxing.

Because we'll really need to put our feet up, The Blissful will be closed December 24th-26th, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.

Drive safely!

Flustery Blustery

This is my dad snowblowing our parking lot before the shop opened this morning. Yep, folks, this is winter in Ohio.

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We Ohioans love to gripe about our highly changeable weather patterns. Scorching hot in the summer, icy cold in the winter, sometimes even a snowstorm in April or frost in August. It's as if we live in the Weather Channel's equivalent of Bizarro World (Seinfeld fans, nod along with me). You know you're talking to a born and bred Ohioan when you utter the phrase "that's winter in Ohio" and eyes roll. And here in Canton, home of The Blissful, we're even a bit out of the "snow belt" where the towns are always in threat of the "lake effect" coming off of Lake Erie.

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Still, it can get pretty wild and woolly around here.

I quite love winter weather. It's one of the reasons I may happily spend all of my days right here in O-hi-o.

So bundle up, keep warm, put on your favorite holiday CD (Aimee Mann's One More Drifter in the Snow tops our list), and put those finishing touches on the tree. It's a wonderful life, isn't it?

The Blissful Guide to Irresistible Gifts

Here it is, friends, our round-up of favorite finds for everyone on your list this holiday season. It’s The Blissful Guide to Irresistible Gifts. Exhausted already? Pressed for time? Stupefied by the throngs at the malls? Shop The Blissful for the unique, desirable goodies you’d really like to give. Here are our suggestions for 2007:

For the gal you'd really like to spoil (and maybe that's you!)...

Our newest arrival! The softest cashmere fingerless gloves. You'll be amazed at how very warm these babies keep you. And so stylish! Fingerless is the look of la saison.

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For your cousin in college...

French eau de toilette and bubble bath in Art Nouveau bottles by l'Aromarine.

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For your big sister with impeccable taste...

Gold-plated charm necklaces that beg the question, Where did you find that?

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For your son's new girlfriend visiting from the city...

MarieBelle chocolates in signature blue and brown boxes or a chic little lunchbox filled with their famous Aztec Hot Chocolate.

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For the traveller who likes to wander off the beaten path...

A wayward travel guide to City of Lights.

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For the head of the PTA...

A ruffly cake plate heaped with cookies or topped with something a little more unexpectedly sweet, like our winsome birdie.

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For the consummate entertainer...

Our favorite "ceremetale" tray for the season in a reflective titanium finish. They're even dishwasher safe!

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For the twenty-something setting up house...

A place to record favorite family recipes.

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For those who like their wine...

A bottle of your choice in one of our humorous wine bottle gift bags, with...

A set of wine glasses for casual gatherings in a modern new shape, or...

A vintage doorknob winestopper (perfect for the neighbor throwing the casual soirée), or

A vintage pool ball winestopper.

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For the busy woman who needs to remember everything at a glance...

A slate message board.

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For your niece in high school...

Our Piano Cord Bracelets in sets of six, available in four colors.

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For every stocking needing stuffed...

A peppermint candy-encrusted marshmallow stir stick for cocoa. Yummy for kids of all ages.

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For your favorite door...

Our retro glitter-dusted wreath.

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For your newlywed daughter or daughter-in-law...

A set of 12 Days of Christmas plates in modern holiday colors.

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For the one throwing the Christmas caroling party...

Holiday candle pairs wrapped with vintage sheet music and adorned with holiday sentiments and vintage ornamentation. By local calligraphy artist Helen Lewis of Illuminating Words.

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For the collector...

Mercury glass perfume bottles in various sizes and shapes.

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For the craftsy gal...

A rubber stamp set by Cavallini & Co. And while you're at it, why not color coordinate it with our 2-wick candle tin in Tea Leaf?

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For your best high-end friend...

A luxury soy candle by Akeewakee with packaging so gorgeous it should be considered art. Try Patchouli Fir or Lavender Amber for winter ambiance.

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For the traditionalist...

A handsome tabletop clock that smacks of European styling.

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For the aging hippie...

Our Red Hippie Van, naturally!

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For the luxe mama, or the mama who deserves a little luxury...

A quilted velvet throw to curl up under after a long day of hustle and bustle.

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For anybody who needs a real nice break...

An item or two from our new French apothecary collection, Côté Bastide.

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For the woman who fancies herself a little bit French...

A gorgeous new book to thrill her eyes and soul.

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For the girl who loves color...

A handbag in her favorite hue.

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For the office gift exchange...

Our Andaluz candles in one of three juicy scents, or...

Our two-wick candle tin in Mayan Hot Chocolate. Indulgently good.

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For the last minute oh-geez-I-need-a-gift-right-now-and-one-that-they'll-actually-LIKE!...

Our Pane Rustico (flatbread) and bestselling gourmet pestos, handmade in small artisan batches in Italy and Atlanta. We have a hard time keeping this in stock during the holiday season!

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For the trendy and eco-conscious girl on a budget...

Chic new satchels and handbags in organic leathers and velvets!

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For your classy mother-in-law...

Soft leather carryalls for everyday necessities by Hayden-Harnett.

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For she who likes to keep it preppy...

A darling wallet in a distressed leather. Most of these have pink (pink!) interior lining.

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For she who likes to travel light...

A fun clutch for day or night.

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For your daughter, who likes to make bath time a little fancy...

Sugar scrubs by Mistral, each one with its own little scoop.

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For those who can't get enough of Christmas...

VOTIVO Candles in the best seasonal scents, all dudded up in their holiday finery.

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For your sister who likes to hang out in the kitchen...

Our artisan bread boards, perfect for serving on, with...

A blue and white horn spreader for a really great flight of cheese.

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For the vintage bibliophile...

A 2008 daily planner with archival-style nature-inspired artwork.

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For the neo-80s hipster...

Our Ramone studded cuff bracelet by Hayden-Harnett. (The proprietor's favorite style.)

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For one who is both elegant and edgy...

Our Hayden-Harnett Joey Cuff.

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For the classically cool girl OR guy (we love androgyny in jewelry!)...

The Hayden-Harnett Celina Cuff.

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For the woman who loves to make a statement...

An heirloom-quality piece by Elements/Jill Schwartz.

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For everybody, especially those for whom you have no idea what to get...

A Sid Dickens Memory Block. Timeless, movable, affordable art on plaster. Handmade in Vancouver by the artist and his team of up-and-coming young artists. With motifs ranging from travel to architecture, art, music, religion, nature, mythology, and fairytales, you are sure to find one that signifies something important to your gift recipient. Let us help you get that certain someone started on a collection.

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And for YOURSELF...

Wrap your presents by the glow of our new favorite candles by Tatine. Choose a home-y, familiar scent like Egg Nog or Mulled Cider, light it up, and bask. It's bliss in a pillar.

And that's The Blissful Guide to Irresistible Gifts 2007. Noël!