Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009

Shopping season hits the metro-east as holidays are just around the corner

All kinds of holiday shopping events are coming up in Belleville. Don't miss this first trio of the season:

At The Basket Case, it's a whole new look and it's glam! It's on view now and during a special combination remodel celebration and annual Christmas Open House on Thursday, Friday and Nov. 7. Stop in for refreshments, specials and gifts. The shop in Lake Christine shopping center on Lebanon Avenue now is resplendid with red walls, zebra chairs, mirrors and crystal chandeliers.

On Sunday, Country Sampler is holding its Christmas Preview from noon to 4 p.m. The first 25 shoppers get a free gift. While you're there, check out the Light Garden branches that just arrived. These beautiful willow branches twinkle with tiny lights: $23.99 for a branch with 60 lights, or $37.99 for a set of three taller branches with 96 lights. Plus, the annual Christmas Open House is Thursday, Friday and Nov. 7. With a $10 purchase, get a free gift: a cool snowman plate on Thursday; snowman salt and pepper shaker set on Friday; and a snowman dip spreader on Nov. 7. Of course, if you spend $50 any one of those days, you get all three free.

Mark Nov. 7 (just a week from today) for Grimm & Gorly's Christmas Open House in downtown Belleville from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It's also the first anniversary of the Cupcake Company located inside the store and a chance to preview holiday merchandise. There will be bowmaking instruction, 25 percent off all merchandise and more. ...

... Sign of the times: Get 5 cents back every time you use a cloth or recycle bag instead of a plastic one at Target stores. ...

... This might be considered a gag gift: Gordman's in Fairview Heights has the Light Up Garage Parking Signal for $12.99. It's a down-sized stop sign with red LED lights that's supposed to prevent a driver from hitting the back wall of the garage. It stands at eye level on a flexible post and flashes when bumped. ...

... Toys R Us has come out with its annual Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids. Pick one up at the store. It offers merchandise selected by the nonprofit National Lekotek Center to make playing accessible to all children, based on the assessment of hundreds of toys in its therapeutic play centers nationwide. The 60-page guide also offers tips on buying and playing safely with toys. You'll find many of the toys in stores, as well as online. ...

... Tired of vacuuming the sofa to remove pet hair? Bed, Bath & Beyond in Fairview Heights now carries the SureFit Furniture Friend sofa cover ($39.99). It's beige, quilted washable suede. The one-piece cover fits sofas 53 to 73 inches long and covers just the seat, arms and back, making it easy to fit and remove. ...