As a Canadian, tomorrow’s “Black Friday” isn’t quite the impressive event as it seems to be for many of my southern neighbours. Nonetheless, Christmas season is upon us and so is the tendency towards rampant consumerism that plagues most people this time of year. Last year, I focused on shopping secondhand for the holiday season and it was a very Merry Thriftmas indeed! I gave secondhand gifts to everyone from the kids’ teachers to my husband and it was awesome. This year, I will of course shop secondhand for some gifts but I’m also focusing on shopping small and local! I want to support small business and local designers, avoid contributing to the fast fashion (or fast consumerism) industry in any way and continue in my pursuit of mindfulness throughout what will likely be the biggest challenge thus far – Christmas. However, I am 100% confident I can find everything off my Christmas shopping list through small and local avenues. That’s pretty confident for a gal who hasn’t even started my Christmas shopping, eh?!! It’s okay, because I am spending most of the upcoming weekend with my talented sister She Does Create at Edmonton’s Make It, the “handmade revolution” of Edmonton – a craft show and party all in one!
Make It is at the Edmonton Expo Centre at Northlands and runs Thursday to Sunday with a special event happening on Saturday: SHOP LOCAL SATURDAY – “Shop the Neighbour’s Hood”! Doesn’t that sound like fun?! I can’t wait to score myself some handmade things… I mean to score some handmade things for gifts, yeah, gifts.
Meanwhile, I put together a small and local outfit today to prime my attitude!
I want to encourage you to shop small and shop local this Christmas season! That might mean shopping at handmade craft shows like Make It, or small business toy shops, or local boutiques, or handmade online shopping or little local thrift stores. Be mindful! Be generous! Be open to a different shopping experience than the typical black Friday mall experience. Be open to a different giving experience and maybe just maybe you’ll find more magic in the Christmas season than ever before!
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Thank you for the Merry Thriftmas inspiration.
We went last night and it was great!!
You’re welcome! What kind of local craft fairs do you have?!
I went to a local weavers craft show last weekend. Everything was gorgeous, but out of my price range. I definitely am planning on shopping small & local this Christmas. I haven’t done much Thriftmas-ing besides the purchasing of white elephant gifts.
http://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmingtonvoice.com%2Fcity-gallery-hosts-weavers-trunk-sale-exhibit-000500&h=lAQH2ZSlV&enc=AZO6IVE3mdMZkD5u2XFU2sJ3sp4lQTXWxiounlKv6oP_cnhMBqWLM9b1ocTOMh-T6jjdp8skHqq5bXwkQqaxd-d8CWhtHLmsLY8SNjLzI9wGsR1uprGW4VtPhCDGV09cc-MYvcVaWMW6BEYH1qQSbJ2i&s=1
It was a wonderful first day! Can’t wait to see you!
Hoping to hit it up on the weekend!!
Pipp McCowan yes sometimes the local fairs can be pricier but it usually reflects the time put into the items, so usually fair (even when out of the budget, which I get!). I am hoping the secondhand things will balance out with the other small and local purchases.