I told Janine it was time for my “what to buy for Christmas” column. She observed that for most people it’s probably a bit late. Ha ha.
I informed her that there are more of us than them and this is when we need help.
I procrastinator, I don’t like shopping and I’m not good at making decisions. Add that I can’t get in the mood until the first good snowfall and you can see why Christmas shopping can be problematic.(However a silver lining of being an aging Boomer is that your adult children take away most of the guesswork).
And a silver lining of being in a pandemic could also be the taking away some of the guesswork.
Buying local has never been more important and when you buy local there’s less to choose from than when practically the whole world is at your fingertips.
That is not a bad thing. That is a good thing because it makes it easier to make decisions.
And buying local multiplies the spirit of giving. When you buy gifts from a local business you’re giving them the gift of support as well as giving to the recipient. It’s a win win. If you buy Newfoundland books, art, crafts, and locally produced products from a local store for someone on your gift list it’s a win win win.
If you’re like me and don’t shop much, visits to locally owned businesses will be an eye opener and make you appreciate what we have here. You don’t necessarily have to visit in person.
Many of our Newfoundland and Labrador businesses are offering online or even phone ordering as well as pick-up and delivery. The Facebook group Shop Local NL has lots of information and ideas.
Even so I think I’ll make a few in-person twacking expeditions around local shops. Twacking is not the same as shopping.
Twacking is just looking and seeing what’s out there and is quite enjoyable because you are under no pressure to find anything in particular.
This is the best way to find something before you desperately need it and are forced to go around to all the stores looking for it and quite possibly not finding it even though you are now desperate.
You know what I mean.
I like giving books by Newfoundland authors, but recognize that not everyone is a reader.
“The Dictionary of Newfoundland and Labrador” compiled by Ron Young is not a new book but it is one that you could give just about everyone on your list. With almost five thousand definitions of words and sayings and many articles and stories elucidating our culture and history it’s a timeless fun and interesting read.
When I say it would make a great bathroom book I’m not diminishing its worth but rather emphasizing its user friendliness and enjoyment quotient.
One thing we should remember when aiming to buy local is that some national chains are locally owned.
Home Hardware is a good example. If you buy something at Home Hardware instead of at Home Depot or Kent, you’re supporting local, and incidentally Home Hardware has great home décor items.
Then there’s shopping local for foodstuffs. (I would never give Galen Weston another five cents except that if Dominion were to close the stores here, its local people who would be out of work).
Janine and I think the gift of food and wine is a wonderful thing for Boomers.
Most of us don’t need more stuff and local winemakers, cheese makers, bakers, cooks and restaurants need support too.
You don’t have to order those come from away kits to come up with meals the recipient doesn’t have to prepare.
Check with local restaurants and caterers or even look for locally made meals at some grocery stores. Think about any busy person on your list.
Win win win.
Janice Wells lives in St. John’s
