I'm heading to my home state of Connecticut this weekend for a holiday open house hosted by an old college pal. She started this tradition last year and invited a few of her small business friends to bring their wares and set up shop so guests could do their holiday shopping early and in the company of good friends munching on snacks and sipping wine. Pretty cool, huh? All that was missing last year from my friend's party was shortbread. I remember I had another commitment and I missed out on great pre-holiday sales!
So, picture this, shortbread friends:
A group of friends gathered in your house, sampling delicious baked goods, sipping tea (or wine, if you prefer) and shopping for the holidays with NO STRESS! Perhaps a fire is gently crackling in the fireplace and your kids and husband have gone out for pizza. Everyone's relaxing with their shoes off (ever holiday shopped like THAT before?). You're laughing with your friends while a buttery morsel of shortbread melts in your mouth and a "MMMMMMmmmm..." escapes from your lips as you take a sip of Earl Grey tea. You never knew holiday shopping could be so carefree, so easy.
You as the host, get a discount off your entire holiday shortbread order and your friends get a 10% discount if they order more than $75 of shortbread products. Invite your friends who sell homemade jewelry, quilts, whatever to join the fun and sell their stuff and think of all the stress you've saved everyone!
Want more info on hosting your own holiday shortbread party?
Email me today - ann@vermontshortbread.com for details and benefits TO YOU. We're booking fast and there are not very many shopping days left till Thanksgiving and Christmas...so book now while we still have a few openings left!

Thanks Ms. Zuccardy for a successful open house, a wonderful visit, and some good writers' brainstorming! Everybody got a head start on their holiday shopping but more importantly we all had a chance to catch up before the end of year rush squeezes our schedules dry.
Everyone out there -- starting this annual pre-holiday tradition is one of the best things I've done! It's great to support women who dare to go out and do their thing. More than shopping or eating, we all have a chance to support each other in our dreams. That's really what it's all about. Women helping women. Female friendship and doing our thing!
Anne
Posted by: Anne Witkavitch | October 21, 2007 at 07:26 PM
Awesome idea, Ann!
Posted by: Michael at Eddiesenergy.com | October 21, 2007 at 09:07 PM
OH MY GOSH!!! This is such a GREAT idea!! My brain is spinning and over flowing!! I am going to let all the creative juices gel and then I will get back to you! Thanks!!!
Posted by: Chris | November 08, 2007 at 10:57 AM