The Zen of Shopping Local & Last Minute

I was chatting with a friend on Saturday who mentioned she had not yet begun her holiday shopping! [Insert sharp intake of breath here.] This is a mom. With three kids. And a large extended family.

I blinked, then stared at her wide-eyed searching her face for signs of stress — or jest. ”Are you planning on taking a trip instead?” I asked. “Or making edible gifts this year?”

“Nope,” she said cheerily. “I shop the week before Christmas every year. I stick to a few of my favorite stores, shop local, and I’m always happy with what I buy.”

Wow. This was a revelation to a person like me, with my meticulous lists and a designated “gift cabinet” for squirreling away holiday purchases I’ve picked up throughout the year. To think of someone shopping last minute by design was a total “Aha!” moment for me.

It makes complete sense, really, to stay within your community to find truly unique and inspired gifts for family, friends, teachers and colleagues. Local independent shops go the extra mile to make last minute shopping a pleasant experience.

At Barrington Books and The Studio, for instance, you can listen to live holiday music while you shop for bestsellers, cookbooks, toys, puzzles, Alex & Ani, holiday candles, tableware, stocking stuffers and more! Pop into Grasmere and smell the delicious spicy scents of complimentary hot cider to sip while you browse their greenery and gifts. At Hollies and Daisy Diggins, you will frequently find local artisans featuring fine lines of jewelry, or hear carolers sing while you shop.

And most important for last minute holiday shoppers: Local shops WRAP YOUR GIFTS…for free.

Compare these personal touches to the chaos and long lines of big box stores, and suddenly last minute holiday shopping is dare I say…FUN? So whether you are practicing the “Zen" of last minute shopping, or checking your list and realizing, “Holy sugar-cookies, I forgot to buy a gift for Grandma!” consider finishing up that list at an independently owned shop in town. 

And from all of us at Barrington Books and The Studio, we wish you a peaceful, safe, and joyous holiday.