Mele Kalikmaka

Car Antlers - Absurd Holiday Trend

Sending some jubilant cheer to our friends at Melissa and Doug!

First off--whoop whoop and a fist pump!! The Gals are officially out of the shop until January 3rd! I had this surreal, exuberant joy while leaving work today--it was as if I was in third grade and starting Christmas break. Stay tuned...we have some amusing activities planned for our time off!

Now on to business. Has anyone else seen a HUGE influx of reindeer antlers (red noses on the grill optional) on vehicles this year? What is going on with this epidemic? Did The Gals totally miss out on some sort of amazing retail trend?

This past week, we were out and about delivering some holiday gifts, when we spotted a car with reindeer antlers. The festive car flair (complete with small jingle bells, mind you) stuck out on this yellow car like a sore thumb.

Cue brief, snarky, sleep deprived commentary:

While pulling into a parking garage, no more than 15 minutes later, we were catapulted into a reindeer car antler breeding ground.

We were flabbergasted by the astronomical amount of antlers. Most logical thing to do...take pictures of every single holiday car trend victim.

And no joke, this is quaint 3 story parking garage...

Yuletide Nitwit #1 - Complete with stick figures.

Yuletide Nitwit #2

Yuletide Nitwit #3

Yuletide Nitwit #4 - Above mentioned Lexus from video...

Yuletide Nitwit #5

As you may be able to tell--it was just a downright nasty rainy day. Can only imagine how incredibly waterlogged those car decorations were.

Our apologies to any of our readers, but we DO NOT get it. What is the pleasure in "festing out" your car with such an inane accessory? Why would you want to outfit your car to resemble an animal?

Are we the only ones...or is this an utter festive faux pas?



Festive Tunes - Margaret's Pick for 2011

T-Minus 2 days, 2 hours, 45 minutes.

Does anyone else feel as if it has been the holiday season for an extremely extended period of time this year?

Continuing on with our favorite festive tunes...

Madge's Pick: "Winter Song" by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson

Why is it Madge's Pick: "I have a few reasons. 1. It's really a beautiful song. 2. I think it has a bit more to do with the 'Christmas Spirit,' rather than most of the Christmas songs out there. And 3. It doesn't directly pertain to Christmas."

Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson - Winter Song

Side Note: After watching the video, I really think the two girls in the video freakishly resemble Jenny and I...if I had brown hair.

What does Margaret really, really want for Christmas this year?

New slipper boots. Desperately.

 Homespun Gifts

"Madge's Hot Mocha Cocoa"

Every year, during the holidays, I find myself in a dilemma. What kind of gift do I give our sales associates? It seems trivial--but you are purchasing a pretty vast amount of gifts, and for individuals with varying tastes and styles.

In the past I've purchased...

• Unique coffee mug with Starbucks gift card - atypical.
• Gift card - boring.
• Scarves in assorted colors - gets pricey.
• More gift cards - whole lots of boring.

I love receiving homemade gifts and goodies! Especially in today's economy, it makes me appreciate that someone spent time creating/making a gift, rather than going out to a large retail establishment and picking up something ordinary.

This year I came across a delicious hot cocoa recipe--added my own twist, espresso (because who doesn't love anything with coffee in it?), and made lovely gifts for our sales associates!

Madge's Hot Mocha Cocoa:

In 12 oz mason jars layer ingredients in the following order:

• 4 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder.
• 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar.
• 2 tablespoons of espresso powder.
• 4 tablespoons of powdered milk.
• A pinch of salt (making sure to throw a bit over your left shoulder).
• 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips.

I decided to add a bit of flair to my mason jars by tying small bow out of some red/white and green/white "floss" (yup the stuff you used to make friendship bracelets out of). And using an old school mailing tag, labeled each jar and on the back gave the simple instructions, "Makes two servings. Mix with hot water and enjoy!!"



A fabulous and tasty handmade gift--one that is a cinch to make and easy on the eyes, LOVE the layers!

Festive Tunes - Jenny's Pick for 2011

As in most retail establishments, for the past 21 days we have listened to our fair share of holiday tunes. Our playlist has been bombarded with everything from Bing Crosby's Christmas Classics to Merry Mixmas.

We decided to share the tunes that we have grown particularly fond of this year.

Jenny's pick: "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas"

Why is it Jenny's Pick: "I love the made up words and carefree attitude towards adopting one of nature's largest animals."

So what does Jenny really want for Christmas this year?

A new iPhone. As you can see...it has seen better days, much better days. And it is now interfering with her "mobile communicating."

3 Days, 5 Hours, 17 Minutes.

Appreciation of a Well Wrapped Gift

Simple yet classic gift wrapping. Brown kraft mailing paper. Azure blue yarn. Old school mailing tag stamped with blue snowflakes.

Classy, cost effective, and a welcome change from your typical wrapping paper.



Snowflake Sweatshop