Father-Husband-Marketer-Geek

A brand new festive fall issue of Village D-Lights , a wonderful magazine of village collecting, display tips and product information, arrived in my mailbox on friday. I still haven't read through everything, basically because it is packed with a lot of good content. Here is what you'll find in this (October/November) issue: * The cover story is on the SSRG (Suncoast Southern Regional Gathering) and features many great displays of the award winners. * An interview with Department56 president Steve Ruelle. * A spotlight on Lorrie's Gifts and Collectibles * A profile of Snowbabies creator Kristi Jensen Pierro. * Tips on adding a staircase to your display. * Creating a Harvest-themed display * Updates on the new Greenbook - an updated version of the classic price guide. They are looking for a new name. Anyone with creative inspiration for naming the guide can visit the Village D-lights website and contact them with ideas. My idea for the new guide is "The Village Coll...

One of my avid collector friends alerted me to to a few store visits in Massachussetts. "First stop was Yankee Candle where Kristi Jensen Pierro did a signing of snowbabies. Very busy there - lots of people. She said she didn't see any sales but then didn't look around much as there was just too many people." I believe she is speaking of the flagship store in Deerfield, MA, which gets more and more crowded the closer you get to Christmas. Doesn't stop me, as my friends and I have made an annual trip up there once a year for the last ten or so years. We typically stop in Northampton for coffee and then head on up to the Candle. It's much more commercialized than it used to be, since adding the home & garden shop and such. It's still great, tho. "Next stop was the Christmas Loft in South Hadley. Sad to see this small mall in just disrepair. They had some retired D56 houses 30% off - Never ever do they discount Snowbabies - can't say to muc...