Heck, you should shop local all the time, but this year, when big banks and big corporations are making a big mess of things, how about we support local/independent businesses, handcrafters and restauranteurs? Spend money in the community and it stays in the community.
There are many, many campaigns to get people shopping with the “mom & pop” stores and out of the (big) chains, two of my favourites are The 3/50 Project (choose three local businesses and spend $50 in each) and Shift Your Shopping (a more basic movement to buy local) — for larger metro areas, there’s even an app for that.
I’ve already committed to make some of the gifts I give this year and I’m going to do my best to avoid gifting made-in-China tchotchkes. (Exception to this rule is second-hand tchotchkes that I might save from certain doom in the landfill.)
And when it comes time to book the office solstichrismakwanzukkah party, consider a local eatery or book a caterer — our town is full of amazing examples in both camps. So join me won’t you? Shop local for the season — and for the rest of the year, too.