It’s Share 4 Somethings with Jenn day so here I am!

ONE

I plan to shop locally at small businesses when possible. In past years I have relied a lot on online shopping because of time limitations with my job, but this year I want to shop in person at locally owned small businesses first. I have noticed so many restaurants and shops go out of business in my area in just the last two months. It’s shocking and sad! I might even go out today for “Small Business Saturday”.

If you are local:

Work the Metal, Red Tree, Revelry, Darling State of Mind, Tunie’s, Brownsboro Hardware, Marine Sales and Service, Haymarket, Paul’s Fruit Market (lots of gifts here!), Dolfinger’s, Quest, Swag’s Shoes, Playthings are some of my favorites.

TWO

I try to encourage friends and maybe family to spend time together rather than exchange gifts – “hey, let’s just make a reservation this year and enjoy each other’s company” or better yet, “let’s put something on the calendar for January when we need something to look forward to”. Would this idea help you? You could even go ahead and buy gift cards for the local restaurant that you plan to visit in January. Did you know Costco has really good deals on local restaurant gift cards? Tom’s work Christmas party has permanently been moved to January, and I think that’s so smart. My friend might change her Christmas party to a January winter wonderland theme.

THREE

I have already put so many community events on my calendar and attended some. These are so fun! They really help me to get in the spirit. I invite friends sometimes and that also makes it a fun friend outing!

Last year, we attended a couple of cute little markets…

FOUR

I try to see my holiday errands as fun I get to do these things rather than I have to. So, first you have to think about your values and what is important to you. You might need a conversation with your spouse, kids, and family. I got dressed for my errands and made them fun last year. This is the time to pull out my festive attire and my red and green! Why not?

I recently listened to a podcast about adult friendship, and they made the point to invite people to do things that you might not normally think about as a friend activity – “hey, do you want to go stocking stuffer shopping at a couple of places with me?” or “hey, do you want to get a coffee and bring our shopping lists and maybe we can bounce ideas off of each other?”

By the way, I don’t like impractical stocking stuffers that just fill a big sock! As my kids have gotten older, they have gotten more consumables – toiletries, food items, phone chargers – think outside the box. Go to hardware stores, Auto Zone, sports equipment stores, music stores (guitar picks), etc. Think about their hobbies and go to specialty stores (locally owned small businesses!) that fit them. I think food gift cards to their faves can be really good in a stocking, too!

I have a gift idea post coming next week!

What would you share today?

Amy