The Holiday season is now in full swing. The promise of Christmas gifts sold at low prices on Black Friday crept even closer on the calendar this year, as most huge chain stores had Thanksgiving hours. So now family members have changed the insane tradition of waking up at 4 a.m. on Black Friday to shop. This year, people ran out the door to stores like Walmart and Target on Thanksgiving night before the dishes were even dry. For toys, video games, and other big ticket items, I suppose that makes sense. This is definitely a hurting economy. Working class people need to save money in any possible way we can.
That being said, local working class merchants are also struggling right alongside us. Although we may not be able to get an iPad (or some other fad gift that advertisers shove down our throats) at a local shop, there are a lot of treasures we can find right here without dealing with all of the hassle involved in frenzied present hunting at huge stores owned by gigantic corporations
For instance, how many nail salons or hair salons are in your neighborhood? They all have gift certificates. All year long, our mothers, wives, girlfriends, and daughters make trips to these salons to get dolled up. Why not buy a gift certificate for the girl in your life to her favorite salon? She would definitely be grateful to save the cash, and you know she likes the work they do. This idea also works for men and for our local barber shops.
What do the people on your Christmas list like to eat? The Riverward neighborhoods are bustling with mom and pop eateries, small markets, butcher shops, diners, and cafés. Every neighborhood has its own flavor, and the variety of food is astounding. We have everything from pizza shops and pubs to small gourmet restaurants. Everyone has that favorite place to eat or get take-out. With the economy in its current state, every little bit helps. If you treat someone to a night out or simply give some grocery relief, it would definitely be appreciated. And doesn’t it mean more than shoveling money at buying something extravagant and unnecessary? Doesn’t it mean more than giving your money over to some giantcorporation for a gift card? When buying a gift certificate to a local joint, you are showing someone that you’ve made a creative decision to pay attention to his or her specific taste.
If you know someone who is creative and artistic, chances are there is a kindred spirit in one of the local neighborhoods they can identify with. There has been an influx of artists and craftspeople into the Riverwards these past few years. They are all over in Fishtown and Northern Liberties and they are also burrowed in neighborhoods like Kensington, Port Richmond, and Bridesburg. A good thing about this influx is that lifelong neighborhood artists and craftsmen are popping out of the woodwork. Look online by searching for your neighborhood’s name with the word “artist”. You will probably find someone who makes art that a family member or friend would cherish.
These are just a few of the ideas for local Christmas shopping, but there are so many options. If you really think about your local options and allow yourself to be inspired by the concept, you can get really creative with your holiday shopping. For example, you can talk to your local auto mechanics and car wash workers. Businesses like these may or may not offer gift certificates, but they need the business like anyone else. Maybe you can purchase vouchers for future work. No one ever wants to pay for these kinds of services. It would be a definite relief for them to pay less when auto inspections are due or when auto troubles arise down the line.
The beauty of shopping locally for a gift is that you won’t have to stress yourself to the point of heart attack to find it. No highway miles, sitting in traffic jams to a crowded mall with jam-packed parking lots. No fistfights over Cabbage Patches or Tickle-Me Elmos or whatever is the latest fist fighting Christmas gift.
Christmas is a time for giving, and there are ways to give a nice, personal gift that helps support the community you live in. Buy from local merchants this year as much as you can. Look at your Christmas list. Think about the folks you have to buy for, and think about gifts that can be purchased locally. Chances are that your neighborhood is holding that perfect gift for most of your family and friends. It’s just sitting there, waiting for you to come get it. If you need help to start making a list of these businesses, you can start by flipping through the pages of this very paper when you are finished reading this article. The paper is filled with local merchants who are your neighbors and who would be happy to do business with you and help you check off items on your Christmas list.
When you shop local, you are not only buying a gift. You are telling merchants and business owners just how much you appreciate them being here in your neighborhood. And small business owners will appreciate your business as well.
