Our #1 selling Christmas stocking kit is by far the version called “Candy Express“. This kit is made by Bucilla. I am not sure what the attraction is to this particular kit (as I think most Bucilla kits are cute), but this one gets all the attention and we can barely keep them on our shelves. At any rate, a customer of ours Carmen L., just completed this particular kit and sent us a picture (thanks Carmen!). She did a delightful job of completing this kit and we wanted to show it off on our blog as well as our Facebook page (facebook.com/merrystockings). Take a peek at this complete kit entitled, Candy Express. If you want to see the rest of the best selling Bucilla felt stocking kits, see our top 10 list.
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Candy Express Bucilla Felt Stocking Kit
Recently an article was posted on Fox News affiliated website out of Greensboro, NC that talked about Christmas goods being sold before Halloween! The article maintains that store managers are being asked for the items before Halloween and so to appease demand, they are relenting and stuffing their shelves full of Christmas cheer, BEFORE HALLOWEEN! Although I don’t mind because I love Christmas, it does seem a bit early for the average consumer. As retailers, brick and mortar retailers that is, I’m certain they are looking to infuse their businesses with Christmas cash as soon as they can get it. Knowing they’ve had a tougher time in recent years with consumer spending being down, who can blame them.
How about you – when do you think it’s the best time to start shopping for Christmas?
When should stores starting putting out Christmas goods?
Let us know what you think!
Here is the full article: Christmas before Halloween
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MerryStockings
Recently we had a customer, Lois R., send us two completed stocking kit photos. Didn’t these turn out great? Thanks so much for sending in the photos Lois! For the record, the stocking on the left is called HoHoHo Santa and the stocking on the right is Skating Clauses.
Completed Stockings Kits by customer Lois R.
MerryStockings carries over 50 different Christmas stocking kits and we have been offering a promotion this year for those customers that buy that product. The promotion has been that if you complete the kit and send a picture back to us, we’ll send you a coupon to save $5 on your next Christmas stocking kit order. Today we received a photo from Phyllis B. who sent a picture of a kit entitled Snowman and Friends. This particular kit is a Needlepoint kit made by Dimensions Crafts. For more information on the product itself, click here: Needlepoint Christmas Stocking Kits. Thanks again to Phyllis. Here is the photo:
Dimensions Needlepoint Stocking Kit
Photo Ornaments – The New Way to Share Christmas With Family
With our vastly mobile society, the family Christmas photo along with a newsletter of the year’s events has become a common way for far-flung family members to catch up with each other. While this form of greeting at Christmas is probably very welcome, some people are starting a little different tradition that the recipients really enjoy.
Christmas ornaments that feature a photograph are a great way to ‘be there’ in spirit when you can’t be there in body. Many people report they really enjoy the ornaments from close friends or family members because they can hang the ornaments on the tree. During Christmas Eve and Christmas Day festivities, they can look up at the tree and see the smiling faces of people they wish were physically there. It brings the presence of those who are far away a little closer to the heart of the Christmas celebrations.
Some families have been exchanging photo ornaments for a number of years. They find these special ornaments to be particularly popular with grandparents who may not be able to have everyone in the family at home for the holidays. The grandparents look forward to getting the year’s special ornament and hanging it on the tree.
Photographs are a way of sharing that is not likely to die out. However, Christmas is a time for special things, so an ornament that says “We’re here!” is a terrific way to let those who receive the ornaments share the holiday.
The Peppermint Pig – A Uniquely American Tradition
What could a small, bright pink pig made of peppermint candy have to do with Christmas? As it turns out, quite a bit. Most Christmas traditions celebrated in the U.S. have their origins in other countries. The best known imported tradition is, of course, the Christmas tree. Its introduction in 16th century Germany has led it to become one of the most recognized symbols of Christmas.
Less known traditions are frequently regional. The mention of lutefisk as a part of Christmas dinner is likely to result in some puzzled expressions unless you happen to be speaking to someone from Minnesota who is of Norwegian descent. Then your response is likely to be a huge grin and the statement, “Hey, it’s really good if it’s prepared right!” Whether the Christmas meal includes Italian anise cookies or Polish pierogi, Christmas traditions in America often incorporate the traditions of the immigrants who sought a new and better life on our shores. There is one tradition, however, that is uniquely American.
In the late 1800s in the Victorian village of Saratoga Springs, New York, Christmas dinner wasn’t complete without the Peppermint Pig. Many cultures see the pig as a symbol of prosperity and good health. The Saratoga Springs candy-makers, though, took the idea one step further and created a small, bright pink peppermint candy in the shape of a pig. After Christmas dinner, the candy pig was placed in a small bag and rapped a few times with a small hammer. As the bag went around the table, each diner would take a piece of the candy and relate a story of some piece of good fortune they had had the previous year. When the round was completed, and everyone had had a piece of the candy, wishes for a happy and prosperous coming year were shared by all.
The Peppermint Pig is still available through some candymakers in Saratoga Springs. It’s a fun and distinctly American tradition that can highlight your holidays as well. Who knows, maybe the Peppermint Pig will become a new tradition for your family at Christmastime.
This is the first year MerryStockings is offering our own exclusive line of Wool Christmas Stockings and our customers are thrilled with the product. Yesterday, one such customer sent in a note that we wanted to make available for others considering one of our Wool Christmas Stockings. Susan H., had this to say:
“My kids received Julianna’s stocking today. They LOVED it.”
Another customer, Theresa S., had this to say:
“Thank you Jake at Merry Stockings!! Received my order!!! The stockings are great!!!!!”
We always appreciate the feedback and are excited that customers are excited about our new Wool Stocking line.
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This morning I sent a photo of our new Wool Christmas Stocking Angel to a customer who wanted to see it. Of course all of our products have pictures on the website, but sometimes it’s nice to see a product outside of a studio. So, today’s post is a photo of an actual customer order that we shipped today.
Here is the link to the product: Wool Christmas Stocking Angel
Here is the photo:
MerryStockings has started selling it’s 100% handmade in the USA Wool Christmas Stockings on Etsy. We feel this product line is a nice fit for Etsy and we look forward to building our community on Etsy. To visit our shop on Etsy, click here: Wool Stockings on Etsy.
Thanks!
Recently we were given an advance copy of “The Santa Club”. The book is written by Kelly Moss and nicely illustrated by Jim Keserich. The book is a very nice and easy read and would make a great gift. The purpose of the book is to address the idea of Santa. Without giving away to many details, the book does a nice job of moving beyond an appropriate question for a child and calls into light the real meaning behind Christmas and the giving of gifts.
The book’s website is TheSantaClub.net – check it out if you are looking for a cute book this season.
