More than just a gift shop...

Yesterday was a beautiful crisp, fall Texas day - blue skies and a perfect 69 degrees. It was also a beautiful day for a reunion of old friends, in a random (but really not so random!) place: Magpies Gifts on Bellaire.

On Mondays I typically work on website and online store maintenance, and so I don't usually go out on "the floor". But as I stepped out of the back office, to check on an item out front, I was completely surprised to see a dear friend whom I have not seen in about fifteen years! Marie Maloney! She was in town, visiting with mutual friends, and we screamed like fourth graders at a Hannah Montana concert - WHAT?!! No way! A joyous reunion indeed.

Marie had come to Magpies with our other good friend, Ceil Guarino. As we excitedly began to catch up on our children, grandchildren, work, etc., another dear friend walked in the shop - Peggy Shallock and her son Jack! Other customers and the Magpie ladies (aka my dear co-workers) were all smiles as we shared our joy of just being in one anothers company, even if only for a brief period of time.

Why do I mention this? Because it has been my experience that Magpies is more than a gift shop. Magpies is a place where ideas are discussed, life is celebrated, and sorrows are shared. It is a place where mentoring takes place, as is the case of a young friend of mine who seeks wisdom from some of us at Magpies, as she navigates through life. It is a place where mothers and daughters shop, as is the case of Peggy Shallock and her mother, Farrar Gaden.

For over twenty years Farrar Gaden was the childrens librarian here in Bellaire; she was loved by many and now is dearly missed. Mrs. Gaden passed away two years ago. Yesterday Peggy told us that in those last couple of years, Peggy often took her Mom to shop at Magpies. She shared with us how happy her Mom always felt when she came to Magpies, where the gifts were wonderful but the ambience and warmth of the shop was even more wonderful. And Marie Maloney shopped at Magpies when she lived in Houston fifteen years ago and always makes a stop here when she visits our city. Everyone remembers Marie, and Marie remembers everyone here.

I always add a little card with a small feather attached, when I mail online shipments. The card includes a Scripture from Psalm 91:4 "He shall cover you with his feathers; under his wings you shall take refuge."

Truly Magpies has been a place of refuge, a haven, for the past twenty-five years.

Thank you Maggie and Lexie, for your vision for Magpies Gifts! God has truly blessed your efforts.

More than just a gift shop...

Homer #856

We all know that Santa has elves all over the world, and we are quite blessed to have our very own "Homer", Elf #856 working at our Bellaire location.

Aside from the reindeer dust that Carla (I mean, Homer) creates, she brings a certain fun and frivolity to the shop! She posts "grins for the week" in our stockroom, reminding us why we should all be smiling. She brings us treats, makes us laugh, and works hard to keep our customers happy too! She loves setting up the Christmas displays.

When she finally revealed herself to us as Homer Elf #856, no one was surprised; it all made sense....

By the way, you can pick up your own bag of reindeer dust for $6.00 at our Bellaire location. It is a lovely little mixture of glitter (for the reindeer to find their way) and oatmeal (a snack, of course), tied up with a bell. On Christmas Eve, the children sprinkle this on the ground. Gotta have it!

Thank you Homer!

Magpies gets ready for holidays!

The girls at Magpies Gifts have been busy this week, transforming the shops into magical holiday wonderlands! Some may think it's a bit early, but walking into the shop this morning, I felt joy and peace. It feels like the love of warm family gatherings, the joy of giving to others, the peace of the season.

So really, it's never too early to experience that feeling!

Please stop in and visit us at either of our two locations in the Houston area: 5000 Bellaire Boulevard or 4837 Sweetwater Blvd. in Sugarland. And if you can't make it in to shop with us, then visit us online at
www.magpiesgifts.com I would be happy to help you find just the right gift for your friends and loved ones, or help you with your corporate gift needs!

When you order online, we can also wrap and ship your gifts, or have them ready for you to pickup at our store. It is our goal to make your shopping experience with us fun and efficient!

Magpies Gifts is a family owned and operated business, whose goal is for their customers to feel loved and welcomed into their shops! Oh, yes and by the way, we have some amazing gifts in the shop, including Vera Bradley, Jon Hart, Sid Dickens, and Pandora products.

We would love to hear from you! Write to us at this blog, or email me at darla@magpiesgifts.com.

Peace to all of you on this day!