Shopping With Ken III: Tick, Tick, Tick…

“We’re not driving all the way out here so you can get one of those stupid ties wiith Santa Clauses on it are we Dad?”-Audrey Griswold
“No, I have one of those at home” - Clark Griswold
Nat’l Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Love that movie.
Ok folks, if you include today (Sunday) and every day including Christmas Eve there are 6 days of possible present purchasing left. For some of you who might live with a fan of the genre, that's approximately 214 Hallmark Christmas movies if you have both of the 2 main channels. 
Featuring all 7 plot lines.
But back to shopping.
Yes, it is indeed desperate times for procrastinating purchasers.
We feel your pain.
I mean, we really feel your pain since SWK, while a bit underway when it comes to procuring presents, has miles to go before wrapping up or even wrapping presents 
(reminder to self- buy more tape) 
And by the way, we’re still searching for some free lance wrappers, so…

But back to the business at hand.

A few of the offerings at Fremont's CBD Store of Michigan

Health
Our friends at CBD Store of Michigan have a bevy of health improving products that would fit well in your giftees stocking. Those who already benefit from CBD would be happy to receive some of their varied products and newcomers can  get some consultation from Rod and Liz Glupker who own the Main Street mainstay. We asked them for some ideas:
“Bath Bombs are great stocking stuffers as well as caramel corn, coffee, tea, gummy bears, lotions etc... We also have gift baskets made to order as well as gift cards. Now through December 30th, you can buy a $100 gift card and get a $25 gift card free or buy a $50 gift card and get a $10 gift card free.”
​Stop in their Fremont store on the east edge of downtown. Nice folks with products that help make life less painful less stressful, and less sleepless.

The Dragon Trail awaits

Recreation
The Newaygo County Parks passes are a great gift with access to  Sandy Beach County Park  & Dragon Trailhead, Diamond Lake County Park, White Cloud County Park, Hardy Dam County Marina & Dragon Trailhead, and Ed H. Henning County Park.
Parks Director Nick Smith and his staff have significantly upgraded our green areas and continue to do so. They are  on sale now, stop by the Newaygo County Welcome Center or call the office  at 231.689.7340. 

Hair Force
There are of course many options in our area  however, I am certain of the availability of gift certs at Escape Salon since it is the place SWK goes for quarterly (or so) cuts. Rose is the proprietor and she has always been accommodating when  SWK calls at the last minute in dire need an appointment. Rose  was my first post pandemic cut after being  accused of going for the Christopher Lloyd (Doc) in Back to the Future look. After years of wandering from barber shop to salon and back to barber shop Rose has become perhaps our longest term hair-oriented relationship.

Rose, soon after reopening last year

Meaningful Meat 
A few years back SWK embarked on a meat focused run of Christmas presents. If it sounds a bit weird you would be surprised how many people get more excited over a gift that can be eaten than they do say, a sweater or tie.
This included goods from Jerkie’s in downtown Newaygo, some of the truly righteous bacon from Happy Hog Farm(616) 446-4059) in Grant, and succulent steaks from R Farm ((231) 834-0250), also in Grant, and never chicken because while steaks, bacon and jerky are welcome gifts for carnivores on your list, chicken just doesn’t have that gift vibe.

Some of the items up for grabs at Velocity and North Woods General Store

The Unique
And if you are hitting up Jerkies (where gift packages can be arranged) just a few stores down you will find Velocity and the North Woods General Store. Make sure you stop in, particularly if you are out of ideas because  you will find ideas galore inside their doors. Got an outdoors person on your list? Or just someone hard to buy for? These places will fill your list and (bonus) they have Little Mitten Soaps, the finest shower and bath additions to be found in the region and a staple at N3 World Headquarters aka Bronner’s West.

​More coming this week and if you want to float us a suggestion or two, contact us at [email protected].
Or simply let us know by adding a comment below.