8 Keep It Local Holiday Shopping Guide
SHOP LOCAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS I GIFTS WITH LOCAL FLAIR
A Chance to Get Quirky
I f you're looking for something quintessential about your hometown or area, hitting a local shop
is probably your best bet. The nearest big box retailer probably won't be carrying jewelry from a
local artist, or T-shirts for the local football team. Shopping local for the holiday opens up a whole
new arena for gift-buying, outside the usual hustle and bustle of cookie-cutter catalog options.
CHECK OUT THE ART
If you look close enough, many
towns have local art shops — or at
least an artist or craft guild — that
organizes things locally. Track down
the nearest one and see what the cre
ative minds in your community have
to offer. From mixed media art to
paintings, buying from local artists
helps support their work, while also
offering a gift that is one of a kind and
truly unique to the area. Some can
even do work on commission, if you’re
looking for something extra personal.
THE SAME THING
GOES FOR JEWELRY
With the rise of platforms such as
Etsy and Pinterest, there are more
small-town artists than ever just trying
to make a living and offer up some
thing unique. If you’re shopping for
jewelry, check around for local jewelry
makers, and you could find the per
fect, quirky gift for your loved ones. If
you’re looking for something with a
local tie, too, this also could be your
best bet.
DON'T FORGET THE TOYS
Locally made toys are a bit harder to
pull off, but many local shops stock
toys — and the offerings can be very
different from what you’ll find in the
toy aisle at a big box retailer. From toy
train sets to vintage toys that have been
around since the 1950s (but may not
be in easy circulation these days), local
shops often carry a much more diverse
set of toy options. Take a risk and go for
something old school this year.