OK, all of you Scrooges out there.  This is guaranteed to cure you.  Consider it a dare, if you will.  Because I don’t think you could POSSIBLY have an encounter with the real, live Kris Kringle and walk away jaded.  

Kris Kringle will be at Periwinkle’s Fine Gifts in Cranford (17 North Union Ave) signing ornaments on Saturday, November 16th, from 1:00 – 4:00.  (He might be persuaded to stay a little bit longer if there are a lot of visitors.).  He is bringing a special ornament with him that is available for sale, and will personally autograph it for you.  Wow – what a gift idea THAT is!  A beautiful, artisan ornament signed by Kris Kringle himself!  How special would THAT be to put on your family tree every year, remembering the time Santa himself signed it for you to enjoy each Christmas?

Make no mistake . . . this is not a “red suit out of the Walmart box, sit on my lap for a quick pic and candy cane” Santa Claus.  This, my friends, is the real deal!  Who else but Kris Kringle himself could own such a stunning Victorian-look elf-sewn suit?  Or have such well-coiffed snowy, home-grown whiskers and eyebrows?  He is absolutely beautiful.  And if you think the kids will be mesmerized, wait until you see the looks on the faces of the adults!  Really, it’s impossible not to be sucked into the magic when he is around.  Elaine Moffett, the owner of Periwinkle’s for 24 years.  We were in Westfield for 15 years and Cranford for 8. I want my store to be fun and try to offer different events throughout the year. Owner Elaine Moffet says “My best way  to describe this day is to refer to the original movie “Miracle on 34th St. “ The judge in the courtroom you can see that he really believes it is Kris Kringle—you will leave feeling that way.  He has his own magic and adjusts to all situations.”

Periwinkles even has its own “Miracle on 34th Street” story!  Apparently a number of years ago, a mother came into the store with a young boy, who was about 4 years old.    She forewarned the employees that her son was  TERRIFIED of Santa!  They had tried to bring him to a few mall Santas to get a picture, but were met with screams of terror whenever they sat him upon Santa’s lap.  He wanted nothing to do with Santa Claus in any way, shape, or form, and was horrified at the very idea of Santa coming into his home on Christmas Eve.  Kris Kringle knew just what to do.  He spoke to the boy on his own level, made him feel more comfortable, and didn’t push.  Nor did he try to derive a “photo smile” from the boy.  Instead, he simply told him how warm it was that day, and that his gloves were making him uncomfortable.  He took them off, handed them to the boy, and asked if he would mind holding onto them for a while.  He told the boy he’d be doing him a big favor if he’d just hold them until Chistmas, when he could leave them out for him to pick up on Christmas Eve . . . . that is, IF he still wanted Santa to visit that night while everyone slept.  The mother was tearfully thankful, the little boy transformed, and Santa’s magic saved Christmas in that household that year!

If you’ve never visited Periwinkles, you are missing out on a gift store treasure!  Elaine Moffett, has owned Periwinkle’s Fine Gifts for 24 years (it was in Westfield for 15 years,  and then Cranford  for the last 8.) her goal is for the store to be fun, and try to offer different events throughout the year.  They have those upscale, cute, clever little gifts that you never even knew existed, but simply have to have once you see them.   It’s the kind of store that is a lot of fun to just walk through and explore, and doing so is actually relaxing and fun.  Periwinkle’s offers unique and personalized gifts, clocks, music boxes, Christmas tree ornaments, and so much more! The shop is small and intimate, with fun things in every corner.  And the employees are friendly, delightful, and extremely helpful. This is probably why the store has such a repeat-customer following.    You can also see and order some of their items online at http://www.GiftTheBest.com.

For those of you who have the Christmas spirit, and for those of you who don’t, but could really use some, he’s here for you.  Come check him out on the 16^th!  And be careful . . . . he knows if you’ve been good or bad, so be GOOD, for goodness sake!