OUT and ABOUT with Seeker Chick Mai-Liis: and the Christmas Open House  “Best Welcoming Party” award goes to … Nickel and Ore’s Christmas Elves!

Another busy weekend with 2 parties for my hubby Sheldon and I to DJ at and a total of three Christmas Open Houses plus a visit to the artisans at Modern Primitive and a stop off at Harvest Garden Centre.

My first visit was to the SDG & A Cornwall Seeker November cover store, Floral Expressions “The Christmas Store” which is located on the Upper  Level of Cornwall Square. I was actually happy to see that the Cornwall Square was quite busy especially around the new Food Hall – such a modern look with an open and cheery feel!

As I neared the Winter Wonderland entrance of Floral Expressions’ “The Christmas Store” I could see that it was a busy place with the Grand Opening happening and everything was tax free for one day. The store was packed but so well organized at the same time with a different theme set up in each available space.

By the way I was told that when I do OUT and ABOUTS I should include a selfie so I apologize in advance for the fact that I am a “Selfie Newbie” and obviously need a lot of practice!!!

Owner Amanda Gaucher and her daughter were helping shoppers find unique gifts and Christmas decor and when I say unique there is so much to find that for me, who is living in a “Tiny House” with at the moment 12 bins of Christmas decor to look through, this and all the other Christmas Shops in Cornwall are very scary areas for me to be in right now especially as my favourite saying is “You can never have too much Christmas decor”!

Remember that Floral Expressions – The Flower Shop –  is still open at 17 Second Street West. New windows were recently installed but once Amanda gets her window displays in there the shop will be back to it’s normal beautiful self. Check out their Facebook page often.

I left Floral Expression’s Christmas Store and remembered that Modern Primitive (also on the upper lever of Cornwall Square) holds an Open House Day on the first Saturday of every month where they feature artisans and musicians in the store. As I tell everyone, if you venture into this store, you’d better make sure that you have a couple of spare hours because there are so many unique items here that you will need a lot of time to explore every “nook and cranny” – see pics above.

Modern Primitive is described as “a culturally diverse and spiritually inspired gift shop!” Check it out for yourself and you can also visit: modernprimitive.ca and visit their Facebook page often!

My next stop was Mrs. B’s Gifts & Home Decor, located at 609 Pitt Street in Cornwall where I was greeted by Mrs. Claus and her tray of goodies inviting me to The Christmas Party. Again, another dangerous store for me to visit at this time of the year where there are so many Christmas Decor and Gift items to purchase. So many unique gift ideas and when you purchased at “The Christmas Party” you got to spin with the spinner, Barb’s husband. Visit the store Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm or check out www.mrsbsgifts.com and check the facebook page often and check out the pics above!

Stop number 4 was at Nickel and Ore, The Art of Living and Giving (formerly Laura’s) at 1140B Brookdale Avenue, Cornwall where I have to say I was surprised by the Santa’s Helpers Welcoming Committee!  As I said I think the “Best Welcoming Party” award goes to …… Nickel and Ore’s Christmas Elves! This store, as all the others I visited, is beautiful all year round but at Christmas it is so much more magical. I was so happy to have a few hours off before we started DJing on Saturday night as I ran into quite a few friends throughout the day. A visit to the store is a must but you can also check them out at www.nickelandore.ca plus visit their Facebook page often and check out the pics above!

And on my way out of town to meet DJ Shellshock AKA Sheldon Grant out at the Bonville Community Centre where we were DJing at  the 40th Wedding Anniversary of Valerie and Stephen McDonald (past owners of McMaze) I stopped in at another of my favourite places Harvest Garden Centre at 75 Cornwall Centre Road where they have a beautiful gift store full of Christmas goodies. See pics above.

So for Christmas be sure to Shop Local and check out the November issue of the Seeker (out in the next few days) for our annual Shop Local and have a chance to win $250 cash contest. 12 stores are taking part this year. Visit them all and have 12 chances to enter the draw winner will be announced on December 20th on the Seeker Community Facebook Page.