Sip & Shop - Dec 2024
Sip & Shop 2024 – A Cozy Winter Tradition With Friends
For several years now, in the quiet stretch of winter when the Finger Lakes is wrapped in snow and everyone is craving connection, I’ve gathered a group of friends for our annual Sip & Shop downtown stroll. It started as a fun idea one December and has grown into one of my most beloved traditions — a day that blends friendship, local shopping, and a little mid-winter indulgence.
Lunch, Laughter, and Boozy Coffee
We always begin at Simply Crêpes, which has become our unofficial home base for the day. The moment we walk in — cheeks pink from the cold, scarves half-unraveled — we’re greeted by warm lights, rich coffee aromas, and a big table waiting for us.
The ritual is the same each year:
A cozy, lingering lunch with boozy coffees (which somehow get stronger every year), family updates, and laughter that always starts earlier than expected. It’s the perfect soft landing before heading out into the cold for the “shop” portion of Sip & Shop.
Supporting Local Shops Downtown
After lunch, we wander through downtown Canandaigua, stopping at our favorite family-owned shops. Over the years, this part has become more meaningful — a way to support the small businesses that truly shape our community.
We take our time browsing boutiques, gift shops, art stores, and specialty shops, offering each other opinions on candles, scarves, jewelry, home goods, and stocking stuffers. No rushing, no pressure — just slow winter shopping with the people who know me best.
There’s something beautiful about showing up year after year in the same shops, greeted by familiar faces behind the counters.
Finishing the Day With the Guys
Our tradition ends the same way every year: we meet the guys for drinks and dinner at a local restaurant. By then our hands are full of shopping bags, our energy is warm and silly, and the day has that perfect winter glow — cozy, familiar, and full of small joys.
Sip & Shop has become an anchor in the season. It marks the turning point where winter feels less like something to endure and more like a backdrop for connection, community, and celebration.
