We did it. We survived Christmas.
The power stayed on, despite multiple rainfall and wind warnings, GareBear made a big meal on Christmas Eve, and so far, I’ve inhaled fourteen chapters in my latest indulgence (Suzy Krause’s I Think We’ve Been Here Before—I adore Suzy, a gloriously talented Canadian writer, so please check out her latest release!). We ate yummy snacks and I tried to relax (only checked email half a dozen times instead of the usual half-hourly), and I had a turkey-and-cranberry sammich for dinner last night. (YUM.)
Oh, and we watched the first three episodes of The Sticky on Amazon Prime. Funny and dark. Feels a bit like the original Fargo. (We also watched Saturday Night, about the birth of Saturday Night Live, and it was . . . disappointing.)
This year for the holidays, I firmly instructed the family that because I’ve spent so much of the Bank of Montreal’s money on this latest business endeavour (and I’m still juggling my full-time job), presents from Mom would be a hug and probably a magnet. No time to shop; no time to think about anything other than BIZNESS.
So, in usual heroic fashion, GareBear stepped up in my distracted absence, ordering volleyball stuff for Lea and Taylor Swift merch for Yaunna. Bren was a last-minute trip to Mark’s because he gave us zero ideas for what he might want or need (and OMG, he’s been wearing the same fuzzy gray zip-up jacket for years and I’d like to set it on fire). On December 23, Bren did mention he’s been looking at an Apple Watch, mostly because he’s hoping it has an app that will literally zap him awake (he’s a chronic insomniac and has struggled with sleep issues since he was a kid). I told him I’d look into getting him a shock collar instead. PetSmart probably has ’em on sale for Boxing Day. Cheaper than an Apple Watch. He agreed. Boom. Done.
(Oh, and I replaced the zip-up. If we do a ceremonial burning of the gray one, I'll take pics.)
(Proof I took some time off on Christmas. Nuit made sure of it.)
SO, the FUN part of the holidays is supposed to be the giving—whether it’s food, drink, physical items, or a good solid hug*—and I am THRILLED to share that the lovely humans who ordered gifts from Bard & Bloom have reported back with a resounding five-star huzzah!
- Our friend Kyrsten ordered mugs for her closest family members, each featuring the worst photo she could find of them. The video she sent of the whole gang laughing their asses off upon opening presents gave us the warm fuzzies.
- Michelle said that her magnets make it seem like “joy barfed all over her fridge.” (That review is going on the website for sure.)
- My darling comedian friend Nic ordered a set for her parents who are flying in from overseas today, and when she saw how amazing the full-colour, mylar-protected 2” x 2” squares of last summer's grand family adventure turned out, she ordered another set.
- The House Elf, a.k.a. Yaunna (volunteering her time since I’m unable to pay her in legal tender yet) has been making terrific vids for Instagram and TikTok, some ASMR and storytimes, both of which have garnered enough views so far to keep the algorithms happy. We like happy algos. (And BTW, follow us on the socials if you're not already!)
You see, THIS is how a small business gets off the ground. Friends supporting and buying, sharing with their circles, strangers watching our videos and smiling at the sweet stories about our menagerie of rescue tuxies and of course Pippin Took, CBO** of Bard & Bloom.
We’re doing our best to find the least expensive shipping with pleasing and not-tacky packaging options. We’re learning new techniques every day and brainstorming unique and fun product ideas for 2025. I may have started an illicit relationship with Uline.ca because they send actual paper catalogs, you guys, and they have everything under the sun for pretty much every kind of business AND they have the absolute fastest shipping I’ve ever seen. And yes, in 2025 I will learn how to use that bloody Cricut for more than making basic stickers. It will not defeat me!
Through all this trial and error, after converting our own fridge's face into a magnetic photo gallery, we’ve learned that B & B is much more than a fun business idea—it is actively filling our cups. It scratches that creative itch I’ve not been able to satisfy since my photography days, and it’s far more instantaneous in the gratification department than writing an entire novel***.
We LOVE seeing people’s pictures, printed in full colour and made into magnets—we still get excited every time at how GOOD they look. This new business is about glimmers (the opposite of a trigger), about making people happy.
Because making people happy is AWESOME. We simply cannot get enough of it.
So before you pack up the ornaments or eat that last After Eight or Andes mint (geography dependent) or lock yourself in the bathroom with a bottle of Bailey’s and a good novel because your in-laws are so annoying … go through your camera roll on your phone, pick the top 9 or 18 shots from this season, and pop over to Bard & Bloom so we can make your glimmers into year-long mementos.
And use code SANTA10 until 12/31/24 to save 10% on your order.
OH, and did I tell you about my idea for MAGNETIC VISION BOARDS? I am so freaking excited about these. I’ve never been a vision board girlie (I’m far too cynical), but I think we’re gonna need All the Good Vibes™ for 2025. Stay tuned.
Love and glimmers and all that good stuff,
Jenn, Yaunna, and Pippin Took, CBO
***********************
*My friend Bonnie gives the absolute best hugs. Healing, restorative, calming—I wish we were neighbours so I could see her every day for a hug.
**CBO = Chief Borking Officer
***Yes, I will keep writing novels. If you’re interested in books, I've written a few.
