stress-reduction shopping

Top Tips for Shopping Season Hits 2021

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The joy of giving is pretty universal, but its precursor - the season of shopping - calls up different reactions from different people.

To help shoppers out we’re sharing an original series 'Top Tips for Shopping Season Hits'with posts from a wide variety of shopping types, and many wonderful ways to buy, eat and experience local.  

Next up is Amanda Russell.  This millennial is a fan of reducing stress by making it easy and choosing local.

As a mom of three children, daughter, aunt, and friend the gift-giving season is always very busy for me. My family and I try to give gifts that have meaning to the person, something that they will use and enjoy.  It's a lot to manage! 

In previous years I would brave the malls, the box stores and a local market here and there just to see what was there. But in recent years, especially since working with Guide to the Good, I find myself looking at the local choices first for lots of reasons - as buying local in turn helps the community to flourish! 

Here are some of my Top Tips for SHOPPING HITS.

easy online shopping

Shopping has never been so easy and you don’t have to go into the stores if you don’t like the crowds like me. Ordering online or picking up curbside is amazing and has reduced time and stress.

loving the local

So now I tend to look at our talented local vendors for most of my holiday shopping. I attend many more local markets and fairs than in the past and I really enjoy the selection of items available to match my Christmas list demands.  (Click the link to check out upcoming markets.  I'm the one who updates the Hubs!) I still shop at the mall or Walmart but for a much smaller portion of my gifts.

There are so many wonderful locally-owned stores that offer amazing products they make, or bring in.

• The Freak Lunchbox and Underground snax offers a large selection of items that I enjoyed as a kid and I love sharing these items with my kids and my friends.
• Alex of All Art Trades is amazing and has so many items that my kids love. They love the stickers and the 3D printed characters that he has made. He has artwork, lapel pins, keychains, and stickers just to name a few.
• Heroes and Hobbies is another favourite because one of my close friends, who is also my girl's Godfather, is a huge superhero/comic/character collector and fan. I am always on the hunt for something new for him every year. As well my kids are into a number of things that I can find here such as pokemon and games.

practical gifts

Shopping locally has helped my gift-giving season go much smoother, with less stress and worry about if things will arrive in time. Now I can check out and order directly from their websites or just drop into their location to find what I need.  For more great ways to shop local check out the GoLo Infographic.

• I have many friends that are no longer on the George Street scene and are always looking for different things to do, which is why Jack Axes and Bernard Stanley Gastropub made it to my top 10. These are simple but great options for a night out.
• My mom and step-dad are harder to shop for as they always say “we don’t need anything, don’t spend any money on us”. I try to get practical gifts for them and I always add some items from local businesses. Mudder's Soap had such a selection of homemade soaps in many smells and it is easy to find one either of my parents would like. Landwash Brewery is also another choice as my dad likes to drink a beer here and there and I want him to try some locally made craft beer.
  
  

Next Up: Check back on Sunday for Hits from Kelly Bavis - this Newfoundlander away likes sharing a bit of home for Christmas.