It’s no secret that those who value quality and customer service usually prefer local family businesses. After all, people who are closely related to business success will do their best to maintain your loyalty.
But holiday shopping? Is buying local really that important? And is it complicated-especially during a pandemic?
The answers to these questions are, in order, yes, big, yes, and very positive. In fact, thanks to the City of Makers, this may be your most relaxing holiday shopping ever!
At the end of a challenging year, for many reasons, purchasing holiday gifts locally is your best option. Your gift, just like your recipient, will be unique.
No one else on the gift list (no one anywhere else) will use the redesigned antique button necklace, as you have chosen from “Sunshine Design” for your jewellery fanatic cousin. Or a beautiful handmade belt, “born for the road”, and buy it from Roam Goods for your adventure brother.
These are all the care items from creation to creation to display to final sale. Laurie Kay of “Monsters Made with Love” said: “Every manufacturer has confidence in what they do. You are actually buying things made with love, not just overseas Mass-produced stuff.” Kay provides workshops and sewing kits for anyone interested in creating their own personalized but charming companions.
Most importantly, by purchasing holiday gifts locally, you can provide support to local manufacturers, their families and their suppliers. “Money stays in the community,” Kay said.
“There are too many choices for manufacturers,” said Maranda Vandergriff, creative director of The Maker City. “People say,’I don’t know how to shop locally-I’m trying to shop for these specific people, and I don’t know how to find what I want.’ With the 2020 Holiday Gift Guide, we have simplified this process for you— It removes barriers and makes local shopping easy. And you can spend time and peruse.”
So grab a cup of ginger black loose leaf tea (Jackson Street Tea Company) or craft beer (Printshop Beer Co.), order an apple cinnamon candle (K candle), sit down, carry your lover list with you, and-explain the old ” Yellow Pages “Ads-”Let the mouse click to complete the search.” Holiday shopping can be fun, relaxing, and possibly even satisfying.
If you want to be more excited when shopping online, check out the Holiday Monday Market. This is a fun weekly event, as mentioned above, it also provides the same rewards in terms of gifts.
The holiday Monday market runs on Instagram from 8 am to 8 pm every Monday and showcases locally made gift opportunities. Anyone can bid for items throughout the day, and the manufacturer will retain 100% of the winning bid price. Come early, come late, bidding can help your neighbors and friends. Moreover, you may be able to obtain the achievements of this century through the perfect gift!
Have fun, take part in some friendly competitions, and complete the maker’s day in real time. There are collections of different manufacturers every Monday. Check it out on Instagram @themakercity #MondayMarketplace.
there’s one more thing. The best gift you can give your loved ones is continued health. During the ongoing pandemic, online shopping will be as safe as possible.
All the Makers mentioned in this article can be found in the Maker City Directory at themakercity.org. happy shopping!
Maker City is a larger community formed by the Knoxville area. These communities include manufacturers, artists, creatives, small manufacturers and supporting entities. Under the leadership of the Mayor’s Creators Committee, we promoted partnerships, programming and opportunities to build a sustainable creative community. For more information, please visit http://themakercity.org/.