Happy Holidays
 

Artwork by Fran Frisch

The cubs were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of daddy-bears danced in their heads

Hopefully, this list will let you wish the merriest of greetings to all your friends and family around the world . . .

1. Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année !
2. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year !
3. Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo !
4. Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo !
5. Boas Festas e um feliz Ano Novo !
6. Fröhliche Weihnachten und ein glückliches Neues Jahr !
7. Pax hominibus bonae voluntatis !
8. Kala Christougenna Ki'eftihismenos O Kenourios Chronos!
9. Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva i s Novim Godom !
10. Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar !

From our families to yours -

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

 

 The Vintage Tree
 by Travis Smith

Now days it is even easier to achieve a vintage holiday look - so many stores like Target and Kmart offer the retro Christmas look in ornaments, trees, gift wrap, and more. For the die hard purist, you can always find a vintage aluminum tree on eBay, but be prepared to spend some serious money - no bargains at this time of year! A couple of years ago I was bidding on a rare vintage pink aluminum tree and dropped out at $300 - it ended up going for $1,200! You can also find rotating tree stands and that venerable classic: the color wheel for an instant psychedelic effect.

Another great online resource for unique artificial trees is - www.christmastreesgalore.com. I was challenged this year when designing the holiday displays for Copenhagen Imports in Scottsdale - I wanted three coordinating Christmas trees to go with my color scheme of black & white, red, and silver.

I hope this article helped to inspire you with your holiday decorating - I've got to run and finish my snow village of vintage bottle brush trees ("but that's another story")...

More Holiday Tips 

 The Perfect Sugar Cookie
 by Chef Tom

Many of our friends work themselves up into a lather with their holiday cookie baking. Days and nights toiling away in a Martha Stewart like frenzy to make the damn holiday bright. Even the Mistress of Procurement claims to make "the best damn chocolate chip cookies on the planet!"

I wouldn't know, despite having shared the last 4 years of our lives together, I have never had one of "the best damn chocolate chip cookies on the planet!"

What up with that?

So, we asked our friend Chef Tom of BearlyEdible to whip up a little something for us.

Here's what he told us -

It just would not be Christmas without the cut-out, iced sugar cookies. They are everywhere this time of year. Coworkers bring in trays to share. They are at reception desks and checkout counters. I'll most likely receive gift boxes of holiday goodies where decorated Santa's, Christmas trees and snowmen are the centerpiece of the cookies.

And of course - the recipe. 

 Last Minute Shopping
 

For the beary best in last minute shopping - you know who you are - we've developed this must have list for all the bears on your list.

1. Bear Toilet Handle - What home is complete without this friendly grizzly to enhance your morning ritual? This magnificent creature won't be hibernating in winter, or become extinct. A perfect addition to your lakeside or mountain cabin, or for that little piece of bear in your version of wilderness.

2. Bear Sarong - Show off your Bear Pride, as well as that cute bear butt of yours. Perfect for when you head to warmer climates.

3. Built Bear Tough - Very nice long sleeve 100% preshrunk cotton t-shirt with Maltese Cross Bear Logo in center of chest and blue design down the sleeve.

4. Bear Skin Products - Made by Bears by Bears. Available in leather and woodsy.

5. Bear Boxers - Bear Naked? Animal in Bed? Find the boxer that best suits your favorite cub. Then rip 'em off him!!

6. Bear Silver Pendant - Sometimes you gotta go with the bling. This jewelry is individually hallmark stamped by the London Assay Office of the Goldsmiths' Company to authenticate the metal, as well as the personal stamp of the designer, Neil Garnett.

7. Denali Bear Throw - Perfect for cuddling by the fireside with Mr. Woofy! Softer and warmer than fleece, he'll be naked in no time.

8. Neoprene Fetish Wear - He knows if you've been naughty or nice . . . Have you been a good bear all year? Then let Santa bring you something naughty from our fetish line.

9. Bear Cub DVD - Snuggle up to one of the the first feature-length narratives to feature "bears" and their community, many of them quite "woofy." Meet Pedro (José Luis Garca-Pérez) a handsome gay dentist who is unabashedly and fondly known as a "bear" - a gay male who is big and hairy.

10. Gift Certificates - What to get the bear that has everything? Searching for the perfect gift for Mr. Woofy? Can't remember if he is an XL or a 2X? Doesn't matter. No matter what size he comes in, The Complete Bear gift certificate fits. TheCompleteBear.com gift certificates are convenient, practical and make great gifts for all the bears and cubs on your shopping list.

Orders must be placed by noon (PST) Friday, December 21 for best chance of Christmas delivery.

Happy Shopping . . .

Shop today 

 Unwrap a Fireman?
 

BOSF's Holiday beverage benefit is Sunday, December 16th at the Lone Star Saloon (4-8pm).

There will be a lot going on so get ready for a great event which will include:

• Complimentary food to ring in the Holidays (while it lasts!)
• A Holiday ornament sale by The Complete Bear (www.thecompletebear.com). A portion of sale proceeds will be donated to BOSF charities.
• A special grant distribution to various selected charities.
• A new, unwrapped toy drive (each donated toy gets you raffle tickets for some nice prizes!)
• A visit by the San Francisco Fire Department, the December beverage beneficiary.
• A SPECIAL VISIT by DaddyClaus!!