Shopping Local Actually Makes Shopping Fun!
Welcome December. Here we are in full Holiday swing and although I have scaled back my gift giving in recent years, there are some gifts for special people I still enjoy wrapping. The fact of the matter is, however, I hate to shop. The act of walking in and out of stores with the intention of maybe finding something that might be perfect for some loved one on my list is daunting. I mean, the chance of my finding that ideal gift for that particular person while walking aimlessly through a mall has never worked for me. I am more of an “in my head” shopper which makes the one click option on my computer screen my usual go-to.
However, I had a moment recently that was kind of similar to one of those “It’s a Wonderful Life” moments when George Bailey has a change in heart. In my case, imagine the Scrooge of Shopping showing up to a Centerville Hallmark-like Christmas scene which included carriage rides, Santa’s ho-ho’s and unlimited shared smiles despite the bone-chilling cold.
I attended the Heart of Centerville Holiday Walk on a Sunday afternoon; a local business sponsored event created to celebrate the inauguration of the Holiday season. Local shop owners and community organizers work for months to plan the pre-December event which culminates in a tree-lighting ceremony. It’s always a day steeped in smiles and inclusive celebration, but this year’s frigid temperatures made the early afternoon gathering even more special.
Santa welcomed those who showed up. Centerville City School buses shuttled families from remote parking lots to the heart of activity. Raffle tickets were sold to support local outreach, and many enjoyed horse drawn carriage rides. The atmosphere, despite the cold, was warmed by the brilliant sun. It became quite evident that the energy of the event came from the local business owners who braved the early morning cold with donuts in tow to set up for the festive event.
Because I was so touched by the effort these local shop owners displayed for the sake of their greater community, I felt my way of showing gratitude was to simply go shopping. And so I did. I meandered the streets, walking in store after store hearing the jingle bells on the door announcing my arrival. Without fail, I was met by the shop owner with a smile, a welcome, and in many cases, a tray full of sweet treats. I was encouraged to take my time looking at the various inventories all the while chit chatting about this or that. I got to know them and they got to know me. The experience was personal and full of connection regardless of whether or not I purchased anything. And every time I exited a shop, I was thanked for stopping in.
Since then, my attitude about in person shopping has taken a full turn. After spending part of my Sunday afternoon with local business owners, I realize that shopping in their small shops creates an experience of connection and friendliness that is nowhere to be found while scrolling online shopping sites. Shopping, I discovered, can actually be fun.
My guess is, as I move forward in Holiday preparation, there’s a slim chance you’ll find me at the mall. However, I just might put on my blingy Christmas earrings, grab a gingerbread latte and take a stroll or two again along the main streets just around the corner from my neighborhood. I hear the Christmas Spirit is alive and well while shopping local. The welcome bell and warm shop-owner smiles await.