Holiday Shopping Local Multi page Ad

Page A13

My OH-mazing Shopping Day!

It’s just a few blocks to Island Pet Center, the second store on my gift-buying list. Right inside the door, I find a great little red knit sweater for my dog, Muttley. He’ll look so festive in it and be so warm this winter. Around the corner on the next aisle is a whole row of his favorite chew toys in every color of the rainbow. And how about a couple of rubber balls and a giant rope toy to stuff in his stocking. Heaven knows, we can’t forget our almost-human “children” at the holidays. On the way to the cash register, I find an adorable red and white Christmas stocking shaped like a dog’s paw that’s perfect for Mutt. His Christmas is just going to be barkingly good!

Mon-Sat: 10 - 6 PM 11 - 5 PM

www.islandpetcenter.com

(360) 675-9646

My first stop on my day-long holiday shopping excursion is at in downtown Oak Harbor where I stock up on Christmas tree lights and ornaments. I

choose a couple of cute sock monkeys and a selection of red ribbons and bows and ceramic feathered birds that will look great on my tree. While I’m there I see a great display of holiday aprons and festive tableware that I know my mother will love to have at her house on Christmas Day. And then I find a beautiful rack of

s in all sizes that will make great gifts for my kids’ teachers. Who knew that a hardware store would have such a great selection of gifts for women? Move over men, this ACE is the place for us!

Mon-Fri: 8 - 6:30 PM

(360) 679-3533

PET CENTER

My next

stop is at

in the recently updated downtown. I found a

parking space with no problem and hopped

right in the store. My eyes went straight

to the display of brightly colored knitted

mittens, gloves, scarves and hats. That’s

the perfect gift for my sister Jenn, who

needs to be warm while she walks to work.

I chose a mish-mash of color – shades of

and a lime green hat. Just as I’m about to

check out, I spot a dazzling display of party

dresses along the wall. My eyes fixate on the

sleeveless sparkling silver party dress

with a black belt. I head toward the

dressing room to try it on and what do

you know, it fits! I guess I’ll be glittering

at the company Christmas party!

Mon - Fri: 9:30 - 5:30 pm

690 Pioneer Way

(360)

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My last stop for the day is at the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce. I drop off my sales receipts from all my purchases in Oak Harbor and get tickets in return for the Jan. 19, 2012 drawing for prizes worth $2,000. What a great deal. It’s like all my giving during the holidays will give back to me because I just know I’m going to win! I guess it really does pay to shop locally!

I see the sign for A Knot In Thyme holly farm and stop by to get a beautiful handmade variegated holiday wreath for the front door of my house. While I’m there I find out that they offer draft horse-drawn wagon rides on Saturdays and Sundays that take visitors on trails through the six acres of holly trees and gardens. Adventurers can get off and hand select a pre-cut Christmas tree and the crew there will bring it back and load it onto the car. Visitors also can sip hot cider when they return and shop for nature inspired gifts such as lavender teas, dried flower arrangements, jewelry and other items, while being serenaded by Victorian carolers. Mon - Tue: 10 - 4pm • Thu: 10 - 4 pm • Fri - Sat: 10 - 5pm • Sun: 1 - 4 pm

www.aknotinthyme.com4233 Degraff Rd. • Oak Harbor

(360) 240-1216

tickets in return for the Jan. 19, 2012 drawing for prizes

It’s off to Greenhouse Florist on NE 7th Avenue so I can order a nice holiday flower arrangement or plant to be sent to dear old Aunt Rainy. She’s back in Kansas and I won’t see her this Christmas, but I want to make sure she knows I’m thinking about her. I’ll have it sent to arrive a week before Christmas to help her get into the holiday mood. I select a beautiful arrangement of green plants with a red amaryllis, holly, red glass balls, and a big red bow. And what’s this? A table full of tree ornaments on sale! Guess I better pick out a few of those. You can never have too many ornaments on the tree.

Mon - Sat: 9 - 5:30 pm • Sun: 12 - 4:00 pm

www.thegreenhousefandn.com555 NE 7th Ave. • Oak Harbor

1-877-855-9222 TOLL FREE

on NE 7th Avenue so I can order a nice holiday flower arrangement or plant to be sent to dear old Aunt Rainy. She’s back in Kansas and I won’t

FLORIST & NURSERYA Family-Grown Business Since 1954

THE

Time to grab lunch at El Cazador. I order my favorite, Enchiladas Suizas. Really good chicken enchiladas stuffed with diced bell peppers, onions and mushrooms. Of course I start with some warm chips and salsa and enjoy a great atmosphere where everything is decorated for the holiday season. When it’s time to leave, I put in my order for two dozen tamales to be picked up on the 24th for our traditional Christmas Eve Mexican fiesta at my house.

Mon - Wed: 11 - 10 pmThu - Sat: 11 - 11 pm • Sun: 10 - 10 pm

www.el-cazador.com32195 Sr 20 • Oak Harbor • (360) 675 - 6114

enchiladas stuffed with diced bell peppers, onions and mushrooms. Of course I start with some warm chips and salsa and enjoy a great atmosphere where everything is decorated for the holiday season. When it’s time to leave, I put in my order for two dozen to be picked up on the 24th for our traditional Christmas Eve Mexican fiesta at my house.

tamales tamales to be picked up on the 24th for our traditional Christmas to be picked up on the 24th for our traditional Christmas

Next I drop in next door at bayleaf where the staff helps me put together a gift basket for my boss. We find a great bottle of Copain Syrah and a small bottle of Bittermens Burlesque Bitters. Next we add some Spanish Cocktail nuts and a box of chocolates –Kona Coffee, Honeycomb Malt and Fleur De Sel in the Whiskey Pairing Collection. Add in some Glacier Rocks, a Vinturi Travler wine glass and a cork screw and it’s the perfect gift for Mr. Big. I also opt for a second basket of all Whidbey Island made products – Whidbey Island Winery Rose, 3 Sisters beef pepperoni, Island Trollers Albacore Tuna and Tree Top Salty Blonde cookies to give

to the neighbors. What a wonderful shop where you can create a special gift basket in any price range for any special occasion and even take home an extra bottle of wine for Christmas dinner!Tue - Fri: 11 - 6 pm • Sat: 10 - 5 pm • Sun: 12 - 4pm Closed Mon

www.bayleaf.us720 SE Pioneer Way Ste. 1-B • Oak Harbor

(360) 675 - 6600

A great time to take a short drive out to Deception Pass Tours just on the other side of the bridge.

Their shop is up and running on the weekends during the winter and I want to take a look at the

t-shirts and handmade gifts they have for sale. I’m also going to buy a book of ten tours at a special holiday

rate, so I can take my husband under the bridge on that jet boat tour that he’s been promising to take me on for a year! And we’ll have plenty of tour passes left for when company visits next summer. With the Season Pass Package, I’ll also get to go on a Whale Watching Tour when they begin in March of 2012. And I get coupons for two free ice cream cones whenever we want to stop by

the shop! You can’t beat a deal like this!

I almost forgot! I need to stop in at Carla’s Shear Inspiration and get a spa package for the kid’s daycare provider because Heaven knows she needs it after caring for little ones day-in and day-out. Carla’s is an excellent place to pamper yourself or someone you love. Services include hair care, a complete nail salon, waxing, facials and makeup sessions using the TIGI line that the shop carries. The staff is so friendly and professional and after a pampering, you’ll leave feeling wonderful! Ok! I’ve talked myself into getting a spa package for myself! I could use a little TLC, too, after this hectic shopping day.

Tue - Wed: 8 - 7 pm • Thu: 8- 8 pm • Fri: 8 - 5 pm • Sat: 8 - 3 pm830 S.E. Bayshore Dr. Suite 101 • Oak Harbor

(360) 679-4477

On the way back into town, I stop at Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle on Goldie Road and arrange to rent a Limousine for the night of the 17th. That’s our office holiday party and I’m going to surprise my co-workers and take them all to the party in a Limo, complete with a champagne toast to all our hard work the past year. Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle offers Limo service year round, and tour bus service for special occasions, along with their on-time shuttles to and from the airport in Seattle. I’ve never been in a Limo so I check out the inside – just a peek! If you want to go in style, choose Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle. I can’t wait to see the looks we get when we arrive in a long white limo! This is going to be a great party and a night we’ll remember.Mon - Sun: 6 - 11 pm

www.seatacshuttle.com • 877-679-4003

for the night of the 17th. That’s our office

And after a long day of shopping, I decided I needed to treat myself! So I stop by Angelo’s Caffe. Angelo’s is a great place to get dinner. They use all organic salad fixings, buy local produce and vegetables when possible, and use Whidbey Island beef from 3 Sisters Cattle Farm. They also serve Penn Cove Mussels. I have some of their beef, barley, and vegetable soup which they make by hand and I finish off the meal with a fine piece of berry pie made fresh that day. This place is great for American or Italian food and family friendly, and they offer breakfast, lunch or dinner. I am going to get some gift certificates when I check out so I can bring the family back when all the holiday rush is over!Tue - Sat: 7 - 5 pm • Sun: 8 - 4 pm

www.angeloscaffe.com670 SE Pioneer Way

Oak Harbor(360) 675-4053

www.oakharborchamber.com32630 SR 20 • Oak Harbor

(360) 675-3755

check out so I can bring the family back when all the holiday rush is over!

My last stop for the day is at the drop off my drop off my tickets in return for the Jan. 19, 2012 drawing for prizes tickets in return for the Jan. 19, 2012 drawing for prizes worth $2,000worth $2,000giving during the holidays will give back to me giving during the holidays will give back to me

And after a long day of shopping, I decided I needed to treat myself! So I stop

It’s off to It’s off to It’s off to Greenhouse Florist on NE 7th Avenue so I can Greenhouse Florist on NE 7th Avenue so I can Greenhouse Florist on NE 7th Avenue so I can

OH! OH! OH! ...SHOP LOCAL! A great time to take a short drive out to Pass Tours

Their shop is up and running on the weekends during the winter and I want to take a look at the

t-shirts and handmade gifts they have for sale. I’m also going to buy

rate, so I can take my husband under the bridge on that jet boat tour that he’s been promising to take me on for a year! And we’ll have plenty of tour passes left for when company visits next summer. With the Package, I’ll also get to go on a when they begin in March of 2012. And I get coupons for two free ice cream cones

the shop! You can’t beat a deal like this!

Sat - Sun: 9 - 5 pm

www.deceptionpasstours.com5596 SR 20

Anacortes, WA 98221(888) 909-8687

Time to grab lunch at favorite, favorite,

On the way back into town,

choose Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle. I can’t wait to see the looks we get when we arrive in a

(360) 675-3755 (360) 675-3755 (360) 675-3755

Rose, 3 Sisters beef pepperoni, Island Trollers Rose, 3 Sisters beef pepperoni, Island Trollers Albacore Tuna and Tree Top Salty Blonde cookiesAlbacore Tuna and Tree Top Salty Blonde cookies