Letter from the editor
Believe it or not, the holiday season is upon us as we approach late November….and with it comes one of my favorite things about this time of year — shopping!
As I begin making my lists and planning the gifts for my family and friends, I want to make shopping local a priority. They offer something you simply can’t find in the aisles of a big-box store or on Amazon: personal touches, unique gifts, and the satisfaction of knowing your purchase is making a difference close to home.
This issue of Shore Local highlights some wonderful opportunities to get an early start on holiday shopping. The Egg Harbor Township Holiday Bazaar at the Community Center features local vendors, handmade creations and holiday decorations. Ocean City’s Winterfest by the Sea, this Saturday at the Civic Center, is another opportunity to browse, discover something unexpected and cross a few names off your list.
And the shopping doesn’t end there. On Friday, Nov. 20, the Charity League will host its 79th annual Christmas Mart at Linwood Country Club, featuring local vendors, gifts and baked goods. Motivated Mommies is hosting a Sip and Shop event Thursday, Nov. 19 at Renault Winery. Look for these and more in our Events and Happenings on pages14-16.
Check out the feature on page 8 about Makers Market Co-op, where independent merchants have come together to showcase their work. The Shoppes at Staintons offers a similar concept. Both are wonderful reminders of how much creativity and entrepreneurial spirit we have close to home.
When we shop locally, our dollars do more than purchase presents. They help pay employees, keep storefronts open and support the businesses that sponsor youth sports, contribute to school fundraisers and step up for local nonprofits.
Small businesses need us. I don’t want our communities to become places where every shopping trip looks exactly the same. Too often, we realize how much we loved a place only after its doors have closed.
Of course, shopping isn’t the only sign that the holidays are arriving. Storybook Land’s Fantasy With Lights celebration begins this Saturday, Nov. 14, offering families another way to make memories. Sometimes an experience together is the best gift of all.
Then there’s the annual debate: When is it too early to decorate for Christmas?
When our kids were growing up, the day after Thanksgiving was the big day in our house. We’d spend Black Friday dragging boxes out of storage, untangling lights and turning the whole house upside down. It was chaotic, exciting and one of my favorite traditions. My husband Bob may not agree!
These days, I understand the early decorators. It takes me weeks to put everything up, and after all that work, I’d like more than a few weeks to enjoy it!
So decorate whenever you like. But when it’s time to shop, visit a craft fair, explore a holiday market, stop into a neighborhood store or buy a gift certificate from a local restaurant.
The stores and businesses we love don’t stay open by accident. They need our support. This holiday season, let’s show them just how much they matter to us.
Peace & Love, Cindy
