In these economic times, doesn't it just make sense to look to your own community for holiday gifts? It makes perfect sense to me and I always feel great when I can find exactly what I'm looking for in my own home town. Why buy local? Well, for starters, you're helping a local business to grow and prosper. These are your neighbors, they live in your town, maybe even next door. Doesn't it feel great to know when you're buying a product that you're helping someone to pay their mortgage or put food on the table?
If that doesn't give you a warm fuzzy, then how about the benefits to your pocketbook? Buying local means never having to pay shipping. That not only saves you money, but the environmental cost of those delivery trucks zooming up and down the highway. Spare the air, ya know? How about when you can buy directly from the manufacturer of the product...you can look into their eyes, chat about family or maybe just about what crazy weather we're having. There's nothing like the face to face sale to make the seller and the buyer feel special.
Anyway, those are just some of my random thoughts on the subject of buying local. I'm sure there are other equally valuable reasons that currently escape me. But all in all, it's a really good thing.
Enrich your community by supporting your local artisan, crafter, designer, or small business. Happy holidays!
