Let The Season Begin - East Van Christmas Shopping

While I am not a big Christmas gift shopper, it is nice to start feeling the season with checking out Christmas goodies. And it is surprising how many good deals to get the season going are in East Vancouver.

As per any weekend shopping trip, the first stop is always London Drugs (Read Few of My Favourite Things). Then, anything I can't find at London Drugs, I continue my shopping tour looking.

It sure felt like Christmas - aisles and aisles of lights (best selection in the city), decorations and irresistible Christmas gadgets (though I restrained).

Main Street season shopping starts with Deck The Hall Fair this weekend ($2 admission).

Festive and fun, yet pretentious and pricy; but I still found 3 perfect Christmas gifts there.

Further north on Main Street, Christmas spirit is in abundance at the German Store (European Specialty Importers - 220 Prior Street).

Yes, you have read about this place last week (read International Tour of Main Street), but nowhere beats it for Christmas spirit.

Cookies, original advent calendars from Germany (plus the more modern Smarties ones), ornaments, chocolates, fancy coffees, teas, mustard, soaps, marzipan, stollens - all season-themed.

Open only till noon on Saturdays.

And finally, a must visit during the season, is Welk's discount store (3511 Main Street).

A fancy dollar store that goes wild with Christmas stuff. And it seems everyone in the city knows that given that they are, believe it or not, already running out of some Christmas decorations, boxes and nick nacks. 

 
Happy Season Kickoff and cats got himself a red box along the way.