Update on Christmas Sale

All Christmas items are now 60 % OFF!

Hurry in to see some really cute stuff at great prices. It's up to each dealer how long they will keep it in the shop, some will be taking it out after this next weekend, so don't delay. Hours are
10:00 to 5:00 Mon - Sat. and 11:00 to 5:00 on Sunday. Remember even though a lot of stores in Niles are closed on Monday and Tuesday, we are always open on those days!

Have a safe Happy New Years!

CHRISTMAS SALE

Christmas sale starts tomorrow December 24th at

MY FRIENDS AND I

We usually do a discount on Christmas items the day after Christmas, but this year we are starting the sale early. All Christmas will be 40% off original price starting tomorrow. The SALE is for anyone who shops tomorrow, but we didn't advertise it. This is the first announcement. We will be open till 3:00 tomorrow which of course is Christmas Eve maybe longer if we are busy. Call before you come and then you'll know for sure we're still in town. The day after Christmas we will open 9:00 - 6:00 and then back to our regular hours, Mon - Sat 10 - 5 Sun.11-5

Have a WONDERFUL Christmas everyone!

Swankyswigs

Ever hear of Swankyswigs?

Well I bet you did and just didn't know it.

Sometimes things sit in our kitchen cabinets for so long, they gradually age into collectibles. If you have a few colorful character glasses stuck way back in one of your cubbies, it's time to get them out and look them over. You might just have a Swanky or two. They are VERY collectible. There's even a book on just Swanky Swigs.

The predecessor to today's character glasses actually came on the scene during the Depression-era. Collectors call these little glasses "swanky swigs" referring to swanky decals featuring colorful flowers, stars, and animals, themes, decorating them.
These juice-sized tumblers originally held Kraft cheese products and were premiums distributed over many years. Occasionally collectors will run across a swanky swig with an original lid bearing the Kraft name still intact or, even more rarely, with the cheese product still in the jar.

A few swanky's we have in the shop

Yipes!

As you can see from the Santa Countdown to the right, Christmas is almost here. We still can help you find that perfect gift.

Check out the cute handmade pin cushions. They are all made in a little vintage containers. Don't you know someone who'd love one of these?

Christmas Home Tour

Sat. was the Niles Main Street's Annual Christmas Home Tour.
I got out to just a few of the houses before they closed, and snapped some pictures. I heard from several ladies who attended that all the homes were beautiful. If you didn't come this year, you'll want to try and make it next year. Stay tuned to the blog all year long for event updates.
The last 2 pictures need a comment or two.
Ed who lives here in town has over 300 Nativity Scenes that he displays each year during the tour. Pictured is only one of his sets and it's displayed on a trunk in front of a very pretty quilt. His collection was something to see.
The next picture is of some customers who came in shop and all I can say is WOW! They looked beautiful. Thank you ladies for letting me take this photo.

A Pretty Site in Niles

When I closed the store this evening, it was just getting dark. I happened to look down the street and the sun was just hitting the flagpole and trees. The picture doesn't do it justice, but it was sure pretty. Even though the stores aren't open at night, you might want to just come over and drive the town, Niles Blvd. and back in the residental area. The town is all lite up and sure looks pretty

Front Window at My Friends and I

More things to collect

Ok in the last post I told you about the Valentines I just put in, today I put in lots of Salt and Pepper sets. These are just a few of them. Do you know a collector? A gift of one of these sets would make some collector very happy. It would be such a thoughtful gift for someone on your Christmas list.

No I don't have the wrong holiday!

Well after you see the pictures below, you might think I do have the wrong holiday!

I found tons of cute Valentines on my trip and thought about saving them till after Christmas. Then I thought, why not take them in now. They would make a perfect gift for someone who loves old paper items, and of course there are lots of Valentine collectors out there, you might even know one.
Then the more I looked at them, the more I loved them, and thought I'd use some for Christmas gift tags just to be a little different. I cut paper into a tag then used photo corners to attach the valentine to it. (see second picture.)
If you like to see them in all their cuteness, come in and take a look.

And the Winner is.....

Winner of the $25.00 gift certificate is Joan B. from Santa Clara. Thanks to all of you who read our blog and came in shopping this last Fri. Sat. and Sun. We are going to be doing lots more of these blog contests, so check back often.