Shop Local This Holiday Season

Living a sustainable life means living within your means.  It means looking at your budget and only spending what you can afford after you pay for your household necessities.  A sustainable system sustains life within the system.  The Buy Local movement is about sustainability and sustaining the local economy and community.  Sustainability and Buy Local (widespread buzz words) go hand-in-hand.

The viral Craigslist/ Facebook article from a few weeks ago was emailed to me at least a dozen times.  The article highlights awesome Buy Local suggestions as a way to combat the Asian invasion of cheap, plastic, non-necessary crap that floods store shelves this time of year.  Suggestions include computer tune-ups from a local guys, a cleaning lady for mom, gift certificates for local restaurants and many other local service industry ideas. 

In large box stores, before October 31st, Halloween was whisked away and Christmas began its nauseating permeation into every crevice, crook, and cranny...carols blasting from speakers, goofy dancing, singing figurines, tinsel, lights, outfits, hoopla, and it was still October.  Information I found on the internet suggested small businesses plan for the holidays early on and take advantage of the Wall Street Protests.  Even Wal*Mart is buying into the Shop Local campaign.  Avoid the pressure from advertisers, plan a Holiday Budget, and look at your local sources first this Holiday Season.

Only spend what you can afford.  In my family, we have been guilty of over-doing it at Christmas for many, many years.  My husband and I are trying so hard to spend smart this holiday season...I started shopping early.  I'm planning my craft/ art project gifts.  We love to give, and we are trying extra-hard to make sure that our gifts come from the heart and close to home. 

The Greater Ruby Valley Chamber of Commerce (GRVCCA) Buy Local committee has produced a Ruby Valley Buy Local Gift Guide.  Inside are some suggestions for Gifts under $20 as well as Creative Ruby Valley Gift Ideas.  While shopping with a local retailer, look for a copy of the Gift Guide by the cash register or online at Ruby Valley Chamber and print the pdf version.