Shop Local First

I took my daughters to the mall last night in search of some warmer clothes. While there, my five year old was excited to see that most of the store’s display windows were sparkling with holiday colors and adorned with decorations and “must have” gifts for the upcoming holiday season.

With holiday shopping on my mind, I wanted to remind everyone to shop local first. When you shop local, you keep local people employed and generate revenue that many businesses give back to our community in forms of donations to local youth organizations, local shelters, schools, religious organization and more.

I know it sometimes seems easier to go online and shop instead of putting up with big crowds and long lines. But remember that many of our local shops also have on-line stores and offer the same buying experience as the big department stores. There are also many local artisans who sell their goods at craft fairs throughout the Hudson Valley, making for very unique gift giving ideas. Also consider local wineries, farm markets, church fairs, and more.

I’m not saying don’t shop at the mall…. I’m saying shop local first. Be it a gift certificate to a local farm market, hair supplies from a local beauty salon or a new car from Poughkeepsie Nissan (I just had to throw that in), please remember to support our local businesses this holiday season and shop local first.