Accents On The Web

The Elf on the Shelf is my newest favorite tradition.

 The holidays seem to be busier and busier each year.  Last year, my family barely got our Christmas tree up before it was time to put gifts under it.  And with little ones you know, we can't put gifts out too early or the incessant questioning will drive us nuts!  This year I'm determined to start earlier and have more of a festive feel to my home.  Not sure if I'll pull it off but it's always good to set goals right? 

One thing I know we have to remember to start early is having our Elf, Tinsel, return for the North Pole to be Santa's secret scout for another year.  The Elf on the Shelf is one of my favorite traditions that we have begun in the Bocklage household.  If you've never heard the story it is about an Elf (each family gives their elf his own name...ours is Tinsel as I said), who explains through the storybook that he works for the big guy, Santa.  If your child ever wondered how Santa knew if they were good or bad, their Elf is his informant.  Tinsel shows up in our home early in the holiday season, perched someplace in a room where the kids can find him.  Last year Ron was three and when he was acting badly I'd whisper, "I know Tinsel, Ron is acting up, but give him a minute he'll be better."  Usually it would make Ron shape up.  One time though he turned around and said "I don't like Tinsel!"  Yep, he was busted and he knew it. Anyway, the story  goes that Tinsel watches the children everyday and at night while they are sleeping he flies off to make a report to the big guy about their day and to spend some time playing with his North Pole friends.  When he returns he lands in a different spot in our home.  In the morning, they have to find Tinsel.  This is really fun and is something both kids did every morning...they woke up thinking that they needed to find Tinsel.  Probably the funniest was when Mom and Dad would forget that Tinsel had not relocated throughout the night.  The good thing is that the elf is lightweight and will sit or hang from about anywhere.  Believe me, we tried it, a quick toss up on the shelf and Tinsel sat perfectly waiting for Ron and Hailey. Thank goodness.

Anyway, I share this with you because if you have little ones, don't miss the chance to begin this tradition with them.  I highly recommend it (as if you couldn' tell).  But start early so that you can submit your Elf's name on the Elf on the Shelf website and your child will get a letter from Santa.  I can't tell you about this yet because I didn't read te box until AFTER Christmas last year.   So, Ron will probably get his letter this year.  Oh well, the book is a must-read and your elf will become a family heirloom.  We have them in stock at Accents.  Stop in soon to get yours.  See you then.  Becky  www.AccentsOnTheWeb.com  

Stuff & Fluff is over and Accents looks amazing!

Every year in mid-October, the employees of Accents come in on a Sunday for about 3 hours and we hold what is called "Stuff & Fluff."  Food is involved, loud Christmas music, much laughter and then we take our everyday Accents and turn it into a Christmas wonderland.  This was that Sunday in October, and the result is an amazing transformation.  In fact, I truly believe that you will not find a shop that is any more visually appealing anywhere...I am that proud of my staff's work.  They are the greatest.  I even had Tammy, my newest addition to the Accents family, who started work on Saturday (yes, just yesterday) and was diving right in on Stuff & Fluff and put together the cutest Christmas tree full of the most giftable ornaments.  Check out the picture...that's Tammy's tree.  Stop in and see for yourself, you're going to love it!  See you then.  Becky   www.AccentsOnTheWeb.com

 

Last week in review :) and another special too!

It was time for our annual fall camping trip this past weekend so we loaded up Jake (our camper) and took off for the wilds of the Lake of the Ozarks State Park.  My kids prefer this park over all others.  They love to stay in the same spot each trip and invite their grandparents to go along.  We set the pop-ups facing each other and enjoy the best meals and roasting marshmallows over the open fire.  To start the fire, I took a FireCone and it was SLICK!  They work and you won't be disappointed...I guarantee it.  That's this week's special then: 20% off FireCones.  All you have to do is come in, make your selections and tell us that you want the special price from Becky's Blog.  We'll be happy to give you a 20% discount on your FireCones. (Don't know what a FireCone is...read the post below.)

The fall air is crisp and we've even turned on our furnace a time or two to take the chill off the morning air.  A blazing fire in the fireplace is not far away.  See you at Accents!  Becky

www.AccentsOnTheWeb.com  And sure, we'll honor it for online purchases too...but you have to mention the Blog special on the checkout page to get the discount.

Special ends Sunday 10/19/08

 

What's new at Accents!

Things are changing daily at Accents and when you visit, you are in for a treat.  We've gotten so many new lines.  For the first time in the 13 years of decorating the store for the holidays, I'm not sure where we'll put the Christmas decor!  And, it's coming in daily.  It won't be long and I'll have to figure it out but for right now, I'm just adding those great gift lines that we are well known for. 

It's hard to choose which new line is my favorite.  The most  unusual might be the FireCones.  These are pinecones that have been colorfully coated with wax to be both decorative as well as functional.  To use a FireCone, you place one in the bottom of your firepit or firebox and then stack your logs (Boy Scout style :) around the cone.  Light the cone and it works as your kindling.  Much neater as the wax completely burns up in the fire.  And, while the cones are not in use they add a lovely accent to your fireplace hearth.  Aren't they just beautiful in the attached photo?  We sell the cones individually or by the box.  If you want a gift basket, we have those too! 

Another favorite is our new monogrammed barware. I think this is the perfect couple gift or hostess gift.  This season, making the gift personal is all the rage.  There is no better way than to give a gift that is monogrammed.  The set of four double old fashioned glasses is ideal for serving that favorite bar drink or a pop...whichever the recipient prefers.

So, these are just a couple of my favorite new items.  Stop in and look around.  Tell me what you find the most interesting.  I love to hear your impressions.  Have a great week!  Becky  www.AccentsOnTheWeb.com