5 Things You Need To Know Today

Five Things: Heart-Felt Shopping Ideas

Your guide for life in East Greenwich today, Feb 14.

Valentine’s Day: Don’t panic – if you haven’t gotten a gift for your sweetheart yet, you’ve got loads of possibilities right here in town. Here are some suggestions: Flowers: We’ve got several great florists, including Indigo Path, Busy Bee, and Sprigs. My suggestion? Think beyond roses. There are lots of beautiful flowers out there. Sweets: Of course there are our two candy shops, the Chocolate Delicacy and Sweet Twist, or you might want to swing by Wild Harvest to see what sweets they have. And Felicia’s has lots of great baked goods too. Jewelry: Check out the lovely items at Eloquence, Alex & Ani, Wood’s Jewelers, Harbour Galleries, and Lost Treasures. Gifts: Where to start? From The Green Door, Bags By Iris, and Staci’s Lingerie, to …

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Holiday Spotlight: Smyle!'s 'Stocking Stuffer Bar,' Hanukkah Items

From push puppets and wristies to menorahs and dreidls, this Main Street gift store hooks you up for the holidays.

Smyle! has brought back its very successful "Stocking Stuffer Bar" – lots of great small gifts in one place – from vintage push puppets to fleece wristies that keep hands and arms warm while leaving fingers free, our popular "Silly Dog" magnets and handmade wooden toys – all made in the USA. They also have a great selection of Judaica for Hanukkah – including menorahs, Hanukkah candles from Israel, dreidls and some lovely silver jewelry with Jewish symbols. Smyle is known for its wide array of vintage tableware, so be sure to check out their holiday tablecloths and tea towels while you're there. Smyle! is open seven days a week through Christmas Eve – most nights until 8 p.m. or later.

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Holiday Spotlight: Dammit Dolls & Elf On A Shelf At Bags By Iris

These soft dolls offer comfort to harried adult, eager child alike – you can guess which goes with which.

Two of the hottest gifts for the holidays this year are small, soft dolls – Elf on a Shelf and Dammit dolls – and Bags By Iris carries both types. Elf on a Shelf is a charming pre-Christmas idea for anyone with young children. The elf doll comes with a book and the idea is every night you place the elf in a different spot and your child has to find him. The story goes the elf keeps track of your child's behavior and reports back to Santa.  Dammit Dolls are no less cuddly, but their purpose is the opposite of heightening the excitement level. Rather, they are meant to help you get rid of some of that holiday (or any day!) stress. They don't mind being manhandled, they are excellent listeners, and they never ever talk back.  Here's what …

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Holiday Spotlight: Green Door Dresses Up For Christmas

For the next four weeks, we will be showcasing items and specials you can find right here in EG.

When it comes to getting ready for Christmas, no one does it like The Green Door. You walk in and you are home. It smells like the holidays, glitters like the holidays, feels like the holidays.   It is the place to go for both gifts and inspiration. So, while Susan and her team carry a variety of lovely gift lines (check out the website here), it's the experience of the place that makes The Green Door a must-visit this time of year. In particular, look for the one-of-a-kind permanent floral decorations for your front door or that elegant centerpiece that will dazzle your guests. The Green Door is holding its Holiday Preview on Tuesday, Nov. 27, from 7 to 9. Hours during the holidays are Mon.-Sat. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thurs. until 8 p.m…

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5 Things You Need To Know Today

Five Things: Eat (Some More), Wash (Dishes), Shop (Holidays)

Your guide for life in East Greenwich today, Nov. 23.

Black Friday: I hate Black Friday, it’s true. But if you are a happy shopper, today’s your day. Let me know what I missed – tell us about your bargains in the comments section! Holiday Open House at Inspirations Embroidery: Custom embroidery at Inspirations Embroidery on Main Street. Great gift ideas for teachers, holiday parties and that hard to buy for person on your list – jackets, golf towels, hats, and more. With over 20,000 custom embroidery designs for you to choose that special logo to create a unique, one of kind holiday gift. Personalized tote bags for under $20. Bring in your Santa Stockings, tableclothes, napkins, and any unique gift ideas you may have for onsite custom embroidery – $10 initials or names. 427 Main St. from 10 …

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Poll: Did You 'Cyber-Shop'?

Online shopping was up 33 percent over last Cyber Monday, according to IBM.

  A study released today by IBM reported that online sales were up 33 percent over Cyber Monday 2010, with the average order totaling nearly $200. In the past few years, retailers have viewed the Monday after Thanksgiving as a follow-up to the annual Black Friday craze — and shoppers have followed, with Cyber Monday 2010 accounting for some $1.02 billion in sales, according to comScore.com. And, in a few cases, retailers like Wal-Mart and Target have extended their online deals through what they're calling "Cyber Week" to take advantage of savvy shoppers. How about you? Did you do any shopping online yesterday? Take our poll, and add your comments below.

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Crowds Come Out For Small Business Saturday

Local retailers say traffic was up this weekend.

East Greenwich saw a boost in holiday sales after Thanksgiving, according to a few local retailers. Mild temperatures no doubt helped bring people to Main Street, in particular, but shoppers also seemed to respond to the strong ad campaign for Small Business Saturday. "This week has been fantastic," said Dianne Muzalewski of the Little Kitchen Shop on Main Street. "The weather's been with us. I think that's the big thing." Her store accepts American Express cards. On Saturday, customers could earn a $25 Amex coupon if they used their card at a participating small business. Muzalewski liked that. "It was really kind of nice to see a big corporation step up to help the little person," she said. EG resident Sharon Sutton said she was shopping…

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Get Out

Shopping for a Good Cause

House of Hope CDC Fundraiser, Live Music Galore & More

It’s Thursday, and even though Hurricane Irene is looming, there's still time to enjoy the last weekend before school starts. There are fun and interesting events happening in East Greenwich and beyond to put on your calendar. Check out the Patch picks for the best activities to hit and places to explore in your free time. 1. SHOPPING FOR HOUSE OF HOPE CDC If you need to shop (new school clothes come to mind), why not help others at the same time? The focus of this year’s Macy’s Shop for a Cause is the House of Hope CDC, a resource agency for Rhode Islanders in need of temporary and permanent housing and other critical, lifesaving supports. To participate, shoppers buy a $5 shopping pass from House of Hope CDC for exclusive savings to be …

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