With Christmas Looming, SWK To The Rescue

"Ever since I was a young boy..."

No need to feel holiday handcuffed when it comes to last minute gift ideas

“Christmas shopping! I can do all my Christmas shopping here! I know March is a bit early, but why not be organized? And then when Christmas arrives I won't have to go near the horrible Christmas crowds.”- Sophie Kinsella, Confessions of a Shopaholic

Black Friday? A thing of the past.
Small Biz Saturday? Gone with the wind.
Cyber Monday? Though it extended for seemingly weeks, it too is over.
And yet that list of yours remains incomplete.
Maybe you missed the aforementioned shopping extravaganzas powered by the accompanying excessive marketing.
Perhaps you have simply been overwhelmed what with streaming Squid Games, following the Lions playoff run and delivering those perfect responses to the fb posts you have issues with.
Then again if you are anything like me, a perpetual present purchasing procrastinator, it has just recently dawned on you that Christmas is suddenly just days away. A feeling of dread reminiscent of those college days when the term paper that once seemed forever in the distant future is due on Friday.
And it's Thursday.

Given we are in the final days (until Christmas, just so we're clear) and  we’ve sparked your interest, you likely aren’t one of those folks who wrap up their shopping (and presents) before Hallmark even begins their 2 month Holiday movie binge. That being said Shopping With Ken, though seemingly in a perpetual state of semi retirement, is stepping up to help our readers fill in those stocking stuffers or score a needed gift for those hard-to-buy-for folks on your list.

In the coming days we’ll toss out a variety of suggestions. Some  will be gleaned from personal experience but, more importantly, we will be soliciting submissions from the canny contributors who periodically post their prose in our pages.

We begin with a few pointers from Lola Harmon Ramsey and admittedly the first one she shared  tops the SWK list. 
You see, for many years we, indeed, ‘played the silver ball’ beginning with junior high days when walking up to Park Lanes Bowling Emporium or Anazeh Sands Pool Hall got you access to a variety of machines.
Of course in those days it was strictly flipper games, the genre that continued to hold my primary interest well into adulthood (chronologically speaking), though the arrival of Space Invaders and Asteroids definitely broadened my scope.
But enough about the past.
Clubhouse Arcade in Fremont should not be a secret to anyone who ever has aspired to pinball wizardry.
A great stocking stuffer would be a pass for that far too long dormant pinball player on your list. Here’s a link to do so...
https://squareup.com/gift/QHZEMG3S0YK1V/orderfbclid=IwAR397ID0L9uI9cwFzcp87yF9U0lU0aM0KSIWQ2N5kn69UclLUpwzqV4HOZg

When it comes to gifting it's hard to go wrong with an owl

Also from Lola:

SHB Gifts has all sorts of stuff in their little shop. I’ve seen candles, home accessories, jewelry and snacks in there.
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My cousin, Dee owns Awards and More and has some really neat bird feeders, wind chimes and solar garden figures. She can also engrave a plate for the gift items to make them more personal.
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Jen at Linden Floral has fresh wreaths, poinsettia plants, succulents and gift items like gnomes. I love to get a centerpiece made for holiday dinners and that would also make a nice gift for your hostess if you are heading to someone else’s house for Christmas.
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Liberty Jewelers has beautiful pieces at different price points. “Extra sparkly” always fits and Chris can help anyone that doesn’t quite know what they might want.
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Finally, Hidden Treasures has an array of vendor booths with all sorts of surprises. Some items have been pre-loved and some items are brand new. They have clothes, trinkets, dishes, artwork, records, videos, furniture, jewelry and a lot more.

Thank you Ms. Lola Harmon-Ramsey.
And we'll be back soon with more ideas, so stay tuned Near Northians. 

“One can never have enough socks," said Dumbledore. "Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn't get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books.”- J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Ideas abound at Awards & More