What does a green Christmas mean to you?

Customers keep asking what the themes are going to be here at HiHo this holiday season. Every year I keep them a secret, you see each year we decorate every room of the shop in a different theme and or color.
But I'm pretty good about not sharing the themes, I like the element of surprise, the weekend of our open house. The different reactions to the huge transformation that takes place in only a few days...are always fun.

However I decided to share these pictures... giving you a hint of what a green Christmas theme maybe at HiHo. Wink-wink.

You really didn't think I was going to spill the beans did you??? Oh...thats a hint too!

HiHo's Holiday Open House

What will be inside these doors, come November 14th & 15th? Magic!

A full year in the making, the beginning of the 2009 Holiday Season. Inspiring displays, created by the HiHo family and staff. An amazing assortment of old and new merchandise gathered all in one big wonderland. Join us for refreshments, and be engulfed in the celebration of the season.

HiHo Hunting Inspiration

Look what I found in my hunt for Christmas display inspiration.Vintage displays that bring me back to my childhood.
Isn't that what Christmas is all about?? The recollections of holidays of the past, the nostalgia and the smile it puts on your face, even when know one is looking.
Each year I attempt to top the displays from the year before in hopes of HiHo becoming part of someone Christmas past memories of the future. A trip to down town Buffalo at Christmas time was a huge outing, we put on special clothes and had to hold hands, while we walked by the windows. I even recall referring to certain stores not by name but as Christmas stores.
This last picture is of a grocery store, the trees are stacked cans of food....you can't beat the inspiration!!!

Happy Halloween

I'm sure the rest of the world is planning for the Halloween weekend, taking in the views, with all there colors, maybe even carving pumpkins. I continue my relentless preparations for the HiHo Holiday Season ( you know I love it). My kids are a little older now, they will wait until the evening of and then throw something together....Mom really won't be included, unless they need something,( money, safety pins, a ride). I am writing this post to assure my readers I do stop and smell the pumpkins....once in a while. Mr. HiHo and I stepped out last week as the Phantom and Phyllis Diller. Enjoy the pictures, and........Happy Halloween!

Real or HiHo Real?

I don't know if I live within the real world of retail, but certainly have created my own world of retail. The Fall Season is in full swing, tourists finding us for the first time and locals checking in for honey and cards, the pace is quickening as we cross our fingers for a huge fourth quarter. It's count down time, two weeks until we put up holiday trees and magic. Only days later our open house. Flash forward to the famous Black Friday and our only fears are weather and keeping up stock levels. I've been drawing and plotting, changing plans as things sell and my ideas grow. Today and tonight I struggle with big decisions, like how many Candy Canes are enough, what brand of Peppermint Bark and how many ounces of Ribbon Candy make a nice gift box? The bottom line, this time of year whether its in the real retail world or in the HiHo retail world we are focused on the bottom line. Tonight it is fun and Sweet!!!

Previously Loved,

not vintage and not new, but waiting to be loved again.

This large platter has whimsical deer enjoying the land scape. A powerful accent piece for a mantle or hutch.

This pair of ginger jars match the platter.

A bit more traditional this pair of vases are a good size and nice weight.

This sweet small dresser has gold painted Asian inspired designs. It would make a great side table and is the perfect size for keeping your lingerie or jewelry organized.

No matter what your decor , I'm sure HiHo has something for your home.

Rich Dark Woods

Often themes or trends in HiHo are dictated by what we find at auction. In the course of the last two weeks darker pieces of furniture seem to filling the HiHo truck late in the evening. The rich deep tones have added to the autumnal flavor of the shop. This caned back chair has a needle point seat.
This small and charming two tiered table, SOLD has inlaided details just below it's square top.
I couldn't resist this magazine rack, SOLD with sorted slots up top and a stacking shelf on the bottom.

A campy dark wicker plant stand, would help with moving the plants inside this time of year.

This is a good size with storage below, a china closet, not too big, not too small....just right and in time for Thanksgiving.