Christmas Shopping Tips and Cocoa to Boot

FBB&C owner Krystal Johnson (L) chats with the Shopping With Ken consultant and sometime censor during a visit to the inviting little downtown Newaygo shop.

Shopping With Ken crew starts seasonal searches with Flying Bear Books.
​
Yes, there’s time before panic sets in. However, should you truly desire to keep that pledge uttered last Christmas Eve that you would get ahead of the game next year, it might be time to venture out a bit and possibly pick up a present or two.
Here’s an idea from SWK that might fit for friends and family on your list.

There is something about a visit to a bookstore when one is on a quest for gifting ideas. They are generally pleasant places  to be and seem to provide a bit of an emotional oasis. Where time slows down a tad and busy minds find a calmness in the perusal of their potential purchases.
The Shopping With Ken crew paid a recent visit to Flying Bear Books & Creperie  in downtown Newaygo, a hub of wonderful finds for the folks on your list. Yes, of course there are books. Books of all genres from fantasy to philosophy and mysteries to memoirs. And there is no shortage of romance novels.

And yet, beyond the ocean of titles, the cozy little store houses an abundance of intriguing gifting opportunities. Many local artisans have their creations on display here and our area is home to a number of gifted creators producing intriguing items.
 Besides, there are few present purchases more satisfying than finding that one of a kind item for your giftee. The art work at FBB&C is heavy on fun and funky with ornaments and cards mingled with a variety of other imaginative works of art.

A very cool idea for adventurous buyers are what proprietor Krystal Johnson calls Blind Date Books. These are books wrapped up to hide the cover and  come with a snack, a bookmark, a drink and stickers. These are separated by genre with YA, Sci-fi, Childrens, Romance, Historical etc. on the outside of the wrapper. A truly fun gift for your bibliophilic friends

And speaking of Ms. Krystal, during our visit she mentioned that she makes a mean cup of cocoa. Being a connoisseur of such beverages I took up the challenge and ponied up for one.
Believe me readers when I tell you, she makes one righteous cup of cocoa. It was far and wide the best I have had this season and my season began way before it got cold. 
FBB&C  also produces a wide selection of crepes (hence the ‘& Creperie’) and one of their newest offerings is a walking crepe Krystal introduced at the recent Christmas Walk in Newaygo. Small enough to fit in a traveling cup yet nothing is small about the taste of these beauties.
But back to books. 

Flying Bear Books & Creperie carries both new and used titles and if they don’t have it they can order it for you. Their children's section is a treasure trove of classic stories and intriguing finds and the popular-with-all-ages Young Adult section boasts many of the more sought after  series and selections. And don't forget that gift certificates will allow those on your list to pick out a book or two on their own  as part of their present.
If the Thanksgiving to Christmas rush has your gifting ideas running a bit dry, a visit to this bountiful  bookstore allows for some contemplation time as well as surrounding one with gifting opportunities.

​And seriously, when you get there and before you begin your search, score a cup of Krystal’s cocoa. It’s good. Really, really good.

If you have an idea you want us to check out send your suggestion(s) to [email protected]