Tired of Big Crowd Shopping?

Tired of Big Crowd Shopping?

There are many of us who get more than overwhelmed doing our holiday shopping in the malls and Wal-marts® of the world. Fighting for parking spaces, not finding that "perfect gift", and waiting (for what seems like hours) in checkout lines only exasperates us. There must be a better way!

May I suggest 2 better ways?

1) Visit the smaller antique and gift shops on the streets of small towns and villages such as Sneads Ferry and Topsail Island along the North Carolina waterway. Parking is much better and, unlike many downtowns these days, free parking! The isles are less crowded with frantic shoppers allowing you a much more pleasurable experience. There is even one antiques shop that offers free coffee to their visitors as well as a free North Carolina map. Where else do you get that level of customer service?

Interested in purchasing a Topsail Island Vacation Rental for some friends, relatives or yourself? Maybe you are part of a group holding silent auctions or raffles and need that special gift. This is a great time to stop by and speak with the fine staff of Kathy S. Parker Real Estate to get that perfect time at the beach reserved for the upcoming tourist season.

2) If time is a critical factor, or you don't want to make the trip, how about shopping right where you are right now? Online!

Don't know what to get? How about something from the following ideas list?

• Antique Clocks
• Antique Jewelry
• Barometers
• Costume Jewelry
• Dreamsicles Figurines
• Dresden Figurines
• Fenton Glass
• Flow Blue
• Fostoria
• Heisey Glass
• Homer Laughlin
• Hull Pottery
• Krieger Watches
• Made in Japan
• McCoy Pottery
• Nautical Jewelry
• Occupied Japan
• Nippon
• Noritake
• Seth Thomas Clocks
• Steuben Glass
• Steven Douglas Jewelry
• Tide Clocks
• Tide Watches
• Waterford Crystal

As you can see, there is so much to choose from without the hustle and bustle of the craziness that goes with holiday shopping in the larger downtowns and malls. Take a walk on the quieter side this season.

You may find that getting into the holiday spirit is much easier this way!

Support Our Troops

Support Our Troops

Sometimes living in a small town really has its advantages. Take for instance the small town of Sneads Ferry North Carolina. This little piece of heaven is located just South of Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base and approximately 40 minutes North of Wilmington along the North Carolina coast.

The people here are mostly fishermen, military (e.g. Marines), civil servants and other government employees. There is a strong sense of national pride here that you don't often find in larger cities. The people often don't agree with the politicians but, nearly all respect the courage and commitment of our military troops in their daily duties protecting our freedoms.

Just yesterday I noticed a yellow ribbon magnet on the side of a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) that said "Keep Daddy Safe". I'm rather sure the family has their opinions about the various wars and conflicts our world has at the moment but, more important to them is the person out there doing the job. This is the person who cannot let down for fear of losing his life so you and I can be safer during these holidays along with every other day.

That is a rather sobering thought.

I ask each and everyone of you who read this to stop and think during this holiday season about the many freedoms we often take for granted in the United States (and others who have been freed and/or protected by our military men and women). Please remember them in your prayers, thoughts or whatever methods you use.

When you see a SUV or other item with a "Support Our Troops" ribbon, please take the time to appreciate what so many have given up for each and everyone of us.

Support Our Troops

If Diving Is Your Game - BottomTime Is The Name!

If Diving Is Your Game - Bottom Time Is The Name!

H2 SEO is pleased to announce its newest Wilmington SEO website marketing client, Bottom Time with their stores Scuba Tech in Holly Ridge North Carolina and Bottom Time in Wilmington North Carolina along with the dive charter services of Jolly Rogers Charters.

The fine folks of Bottom Time work extremely hard to make your wreck diving adventures more pleasurable no matter whether you are into: florida wreck diving, the graveyard of the atlantic or just diving into the wreck. If you need scuba tanks, scuba equipment repair, scuba classes, or prefer to become a dive master (or divemaster), then the staff of Scuba Tech and Bottom Time have just what you need!

Don't be concerned if you're not an expert! The staff of Bottom Time will walk you through everything you need to become an open water diver and learn salt water fish identification for your underwater photography entry level adventures.

When you decide you are ready to scuba North Carolina waters or you want rescue diver training, begin research diving or maybe even Jacksonville diving, visit Bottom Time. They have the trained staff and experience to get you prepared to excel!

SCUBA Tech (Headquarters)

1306 NC Hwy 172

Holly Ridge, NC 28445

Phone: 910-329-1666

Toll Free: 877-WRENCHES

Fax: 910-329-1157

Bottom Time Wilmington

6014 Wrightsville Ave.

Wilmington, NC 28403

Phone: 910-397-0181

Toll Free: 800-NITROX-1

Fax: 910-397-0187

Topsail Gifts for the Holidays!

What better place to be than by the ocean?

During the holidays there are many who enjoy giving and receiving gifts. If you happen to be one of those or maybe you prefer to pick up that extra special something just for you...then please read on.

During this time of year the folks of Topsail Gift Basket along with Tide and Weather want to bring out the seafarer in all of us for the holidays. No, I'm not talking about scrubbing the deck or cleaning off the barnacles (although they could always use a hand with those). I'm talking about those wonderful reminders of a simpler place and time. Those trinkets and precious gems that signify the sun, surf and sand to us and those we care about.

Whether you prefer barometers, nautical jewelry, tide clocks or tide watches, they probably have exactly what you want. If name brands are more to your liking, then how about Steven Douglas Jewelry like or even Krieger Watches like ?

If you enjoy the beach, the surf or the ocean, then you owe it to yourself to check out Topsail Gift Basket and Tide and Weather. The staff are great to deal with and the atmosphere is wonderful both in person and online.

You will be glad you did!

Barometers -

Sea Witch Antiques Gears Up For The Holidays

Sea Witch Antiques is gearing up for the holidays in "downtown" Sneads Ferry North Carolina by: adding Christmas lights both inside and outside of the store, placing wreaths on the walls and even adding some trees inside.

More importantly, the addition of lots of name brand merchandise has given the store a whole new appearance. This new appearance includes famous glassware names like: Fostoria, Fenton Glass, and Heisey Glass. Add the pottery products with names like: Weller, Van Briggle, and Hull Pottery along with Salt Glaze and you just begin to get an idea of the vast array available.

A recent WOW within the Sea Witch is the influx of top of the line Dresden, Dreamsicles, Made in Japan and many other high quality name brand antique and collectible figurines throughout the store. Don't be surprised when you see that the vast majority of these are virtually unblemished even though they are so fragile!

Not to be outdone, the clocks product line of Sea Witch Antiques consists of the major players: Seth Thomas Clocks, New Haven Clock Co., and United which show just how devoted the owners of Sea Witch are to maintaining the high quality and personal service their customers have come to know and love.

Where else do you get a free cup of coffee and a North Carolina map to make it easier to find other places to visit?

Of course the china and dinnerware section has: Flow Blue, Nippon, Occupied Japan, Noritake, Hummel Plates, and Homer Laughlin. This is the higher standard set by both Jean and Dean Hudson of Sea Witch Antiques. This standard, along with great customer service, has brought repeat customers back again and again.

Maybe this is why their customers say "No One Does It Like The Witch!".

When you decide to do your shopping for the holiday season, give Sea Witch Antiques a look. You will be glad you did!