Two Shops Team Up On Getting Messages To Santa

By CORINNE MESSER

The Progress

Two neighboring stores on the main street in Overton are all ready and waiting for Christmas shoppers. Both Ink and Amethyst and The Front Porch have an abundance of gift possibilities for holiday shoppers. And they are even teaming up to provide a unique opportunity for writing letters to Santa.

The Front Porch actually has two locations. The one in downtown Overton which is right next door to Ink and Amethyst. The other is in Mesquite at 12 W. Mesquite Blvd. #111, just west of City Hall.

“We have a lot of Christmas ornaments, home and Christmas decor, chocolates, and gift items available,” commented store owner Charlene Hadden.

Additionally, there is a pop-up shop, located inside each location, called Home Theory, which sells a lot of home goods.
“Come on in, shop for a gift, and we will package it for you,” Hadden said. “It’s a one-stop shopping adventure.”

Of course, the store also sells beautiful floral arrangements of all sizes. The possibilities are infinite.
“A popular trend right now is including preserved florals in bouquets,” Hadden said. “They can be customized by request, and are also designed in-store.”

The Front Porch can also order simple Christmas greens or loose stems for those wanting to create their own wreaths and arrangments.

Ink and Amethyst has an assortment of products for mindfulness. Behind the front counter is a wall of apothecary herbs used to create different aromas for a variety of benefits.

Store owner Rey Jarrel explained that burning and smelling the herb white sage helps to clear the mind, is space cleansing, and has aroma therapy benefits.

There are also beautiful and unique customized greeting cards designed by Jarrel and other artists. The store also offers stationary packages with stickers, washi tape, and wax seals.

Also for sale are face rollers, incense cones, daily affirmation cards, and healing crystals, all for self-care.
“Our items in the shop are for mindfulness, to feel good, and to feel connected to the divine,” said Jarrel. “We have multi-cultural products from South America, Egypt, Scottish and Irish folklore, and the Middle East to name a few.”
Jarrel also sells stunning handcrafted jewelry.

The two stores are collaborating on a project that the kids will love. A bright red Santa’s mailbox is located in the Overton location of The Front Porch. Children can drop off their letters to Santa at the mailbox and get a free treat.

Best of all, if their return address is on the envelope, they will receive a letter back from Santa.

Those wanting to make a special day of it can visit Ink and Amethyst first and pick up a free pre-printed letter with prompts for Santa.

For the “very serious” letter writers out there, Ink and Amethyst also has a deluxe stationary kit for sale that even includes a wax seal.

The two businesses have shared in this fun in years past and it has proved to be a favorite holiday activity for children.