Editorial: Shop here, shop safe, shop friendly
With every passing year, we’re more and more convinced that holiday shopping is at its absolute best right here in our community.
Some folks don’t take a lot of pleasure in picking out Christmas gifts for the people in their lives. Shopping at local stores is the perfect remedy for this. You’ll run into friends and people you know while scanning the shelves, and they’ll surely lend you a hand – chances are, they know the people you’re shopping for! Smaller stores also make it less overwhelming to tackle that gift list. Shopkeepers are happy to see you, and make suggestions, and help you package up what you pick.
Let’s be honest — nobody needs any more troubles this year. Shopping in our stores here means skipping the travel (fewer gallons of gas!), smaller crowds, more room to move around and the company of people who watch out for each other.
Beyond these practical things, shopping local is really fun. Morgan County has unique stores with great gifts, restaurants that would be happy to set you up with a gift certificate, artists whose studios are full of one-of-a-kind items, hardware stores full of useful gadgets, and local businesses that offer services your loved ones really need. Rethink that gift list and consider a new approach – a gift certificate toward that pedicure your aunt likes, a basket of locally-made food or wine, handmade art, a nice pair of work gloves, dinner for two at that special eatery, flowers or a wreath from that downtown florist.
We know and support the individuals and families who run the businesses that keep this community going. They spend every day trying to keep their doors open, employing local people, supporting sports teams and charity efforts, paying taxes and making this a nice place to live and visit. During this Christmas and holiday season, return the favor and support them. Spend some (or all!) of your holiday bucks right here with them. You’ll find great presents and we guarantee you’ll feel the holiday spirit burn much brighter in the company of your neighbors and friends.
