Shopping With Ken: The Finale

Last chance Near Northians. You might read this early enough to get out there on Thursday evening but tomorrow’s the Eve and places will be closed or closing so…

Back when SWK wore a younger man’s clothes (thanks Billy Joel) I would head to the mall on Christmas Eve, No, not for last minute shopping, though admittedly SWK has been known to finish up on a 24th or two. Actually it was for the entertainment derived by seeing truly desperate men taking to the stores sans ideas and more than willing to shell out big bucks to anyone willing to offer up needed suggestions. Jewelers did well. Upscale clothing stores also got hit pretty hard. Then of course there were the misguided who persisted in their belief that appliances were suitable gifts for the women in their lives.

And SWK doesn’t care if your mother, wife, girlfriend, etc. needs a vacuum cleaner. Buy it another time but don’t wrap it up in holiday paper and pass it off as a present.
And should you be thinking of buying exercise equipment or a gym membership, tread cautiously. I know of marriages that ended over the gifting of a Thighmaster.
But back to these desperate hours.

Gift certificates.
No, not the cards good at big box and medium box stores, or chain restaurants.
We’re talking local eatatoriums because while our favorite dining options mostly do well and thrive in the warmer days, winter sees a tad fewer folks coming into our slice of this bipeninsular paradise. And this means less traffic for these valuable victual venues.

To name a few there’s Northern Trails where we are wondering if there will be a return to the intriguing winter outside dining experience they introduced last year.
Hit the Road Joe is serving up enticing evening take out 3-4 times weekly, some righteous pizza on Saturdays and their signature breakfasts on weekends.
Newaygo Brewery doesn’t disappoint when it comes to pizza and they possess some of the area’s finest appetizers.
At Brew Works in Fremont you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere and even more welcoming food choices. Sandwiches and salads are favorites and they have Alaska Amber on tap. Always a bonus.
Moon Dance is back and SWK’s visits there involving former favorite dishes proved to provide the same satisfying post meal experience one expects from the little gem on the west side of Fremont.
Of course there are many more so pick the fave of your giftee and get over to the eatery and score some certs. (no, not the mints).
So for now SWK is signing off, but with a caveat…

Just 53 days until Valentine’s Day.