Pie for breakfast and we are ready to shop! Before you run out to the crowds, sit with me; finish your coffee. Discover ways we can bring our thanksgiving spirit into our holiday shopping.
I mused over this same concept a few years ago, so if you are a longtime reader, some of this may sound familiar to you. As a proud member of the Waltham community, I think it is still important to read.
Small Business Saturday: an opportunity for communities to celebrate their local shopping gems, enhance neighbourhood relationships, encourage entrepreneurs and artists, and gain the joy that comes with thoughtful gifting.
Find out what's happening in Walthamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A regional paper featured a front-page article about shopping locally. It proclaimed that Waltham had "lots of small businesses" to shop at. Throughout the article, it listed FIVE.
I have no ill will towards these five businesses. Three of them have seen me as a customer. One of them has received positive reviews from me on social media. I bore umbrage with the fact that the two page article extolling the virtues of shopping local waxed poetic on the politics of patronizing small businesses, without offering a larger variety of options for would-be customers.
Find out what's happening in Walthamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Over Thanksgiving dinner, my small group of townies discussed the issue of Black Friday, the local economy, and the small business options available. Our city is blessed with a diverse culture, artists, tradespeople, and entrepreneurs. Finding them is not as easy as strolling down Moody Street though. Gift cards for local restaurants? Delicious and a special treat, plus it boosts business for hard-working restaurateurs. Salons and spas? A gift card packaged with exotic lotion is a lovely token for someone who could use some pampering. You could get everyone on your list a different gift card for a unique small business. It could make for a fun walking tour as you traverse storefront to storefront.
My table mates at Thanksgiving were gung-ho about shopping local. They expounded the importance of supporting local businesses, and strengthening our community by building up the store owners in it. Stories of holidays past were shared: Dad as a boy taking the trolley downtown to buy a TV lamp for his mother and finagling a way to get it home without breaking it; Grandma taking the girls to Cronin's department store as the boy trudged along with the promise of Brigham's ice cream. The latest and greatest child indulgences at Mr. Big Toyland, puzzles and records at A.T. Ball, and pretty writing instruments and stationary at Faulkners rounded out generations of gracious gifting.
Driving through those removed and morphed scenes now, we witness the change not just in our shopping habits, but also our culture. We do not walk along store to store, take trolleys and busses, carry bags and boxes brandished with bows. The storefronts are different, the names are chains, and we are too busy and anxious to browse and chat. Through the time travel of Thanksgiving conversation, we reminisce about the good old days, knowing full well we are satisfied with our faster paced less friendly lifestyles.
It makes me wonder though. Where are the book stores? The artists? Designers? Distillers of trinkets? My investigation has turned up few brick-and-mortar such establishments of the independent sort, but online? Online is local! All the wondrous, magical, warm, sweet, thoughtful, impressive, funny, simple, and perfect gifts you are looking for are in fact available locally, from small businesses, and you do not even have to be local to shop local!
Thanksgiving family reminiscence brought on conversation about how our city has changed physically: the passing and rising of stores and other businesses changing the landscape. In the retelling of infamous shopping stories (Uncle Tony scoring the last Cabbage Patch Kid at Mr. Big Toyland, Grandma loading her gal-pals into the station wagon for a day at Grover Cronin’s the year Aunt Marie fell in love with the soda jerk at Woolworth’s), it was the people, not just the places that stood out. The glow of emotion spreading across the table of generations was from the warmth of the small businesses and local retailers who made these memorable stories worth telling.
Here, I will offer suggestions on purveyors of gifts which will make you feel good about shopping small, and shopping local. Together, we are stronger! Top off your coffee; the chain stores are already disasters anyway.
“Small Business Saturday” is a modern opportunity for communities to recognize the vitality of local merchants. Walking into a store that is run by someone who lives in and cares about the city makes the shopping experience more familial, like touching memories with each item added to your bundle.
Marcou Jewlers has been a family-owned Waltham landmark for generations. This year marks their 57th year. Charms for bracelets, heirloom brooches, elegant earrings; shining displays and people you can depend on make today an ideal jewelry shopping experience.
Head across the street to The Tea Leaf. This cozy shoppe is offering myriad options for gifts that are both quirky and elegant. Tea connoisseurs will delight in samples of hand picked selections. Local artisans are included in the Tea Leaf boutique, with unique candles, soaps, purses, hats, books, and original art prints ready for easy and delightful gifting.
For additional exceptional local shopping head to More than Words at 56 Felton Street. Local young people who are making empowering choices in their lives run this award winning non-profit book store. They are also running a special cyber-deal to increase the holiday gifting spirit.
These are just a few ideas of places to shop local in our city today.
Turkey sandwiches for lunch with mixed mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce will finish off Thanksgiving’s feast. Sunshine, raking leaves, shaking out the attic’s trees; it’s a good day to be out and about.
Of course the newspaper rustles and whispers of summoning sales, time is pressing against the calendar corner, and a chill tingles up goose-bumped arms. So much to do. So many expectations. So, so, little one person can do.
Luckily our city is blessed with strong and talented professionals who can make the holiday season easier for us. Providing helping hands, stress relief, courteous service, and opportunities to share the resources as thoughtful gifts.
This season, allow yourself a break. Implement the tools of local professionals to enhance your holiday giving, to yourself and others.
Can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Your fur-baby need to learn some holiday manners? Interested in challenging your brilliant pal in specialized training? Janice Ritter at A Better Way Dog Training can be a lifechanger! A Better Way Dog Training: UMass Agriculture/Waltham Fields Community Farms facility, 240 Beaver Street. Web: http://janiceritter.vpweb.com
Holidays often mean moving things in and out of storage, particularly as people downsize or upsize their homes or guest list. Charles River Movers take prideful care of making sure your belongings are safe and treated well. Stop in 71 Felton St. Waltham, or call 781-899-6683.
Blondie Salon is a boost to anybody's self esteem! Go there for yourself, to give yourself a polished look during the most flustered time of year. While you’re there, you can also purchase a gift card or gift for cherished people in your life who could use a touch of caring and pampering. Walk into 401 Main Street, Waltham, or call 781-464-0064.
Chained Evolution is the epicenter of healthy living! From high-tech to low-key, this wellness center is the perfect place to partner up for a jump start on New Year goals, or to experience fun new ways to stay fit, healthy, and happy.
Keep your mind open to other local services!
Now, to feature small businesses we can patronize locally via e-commerce.
Local businesses may be hard to find, not just because they are small, but because they may or may not exist physically. Even small storefronts depend on their internet orders to keep business thriving. To celebrate our local small businesses, let's check out some deals and offers from our fave cyborg bizzes. I surfed the internet to find these great local deals for you. Just follow this link to Groupon and search the business listed. Cyber shopping, local style!
Restaurants are an important part of our local business stratosphere. Aromas from multi-cultural specialties, scents of baked goods, and eye-opening coffee steam drifts on the air throughout our hungry city.
During our celebrations and gift exchanges this season, we can treat ourselves and friends to newly discovered faves, as well as establishments that have satiated us for years. Most restaurants will offer a gift certificate, which is a prized present among teachers, caregivers, and others who deserve a tasty break after spending their days taking care of other people.
Following are some noteworthy selections from our city. My readers chose diverse eateries for me to share. I am looking forward to visiting each one this holiday season!
Depasquale's at Night Caps Corner
The toughest people to find the perfect gift for will be delighted by a thoughtful token from someone's hand and mind. One of a kind, unique, personalized: all ways to say special. Throughout our city's history, we have been known for fine art. Modern painters, crafters, artisans, and writers are keeping up that fine tradition. Have someone on your Christmas list who deserves something exquisite? Look to our art community. Have a family member who loves music? Wrap up a CD of a local band! A friend with a flair for fashion? How about a hand knit eternity scarf or personally designed bracelets? New homeowners: choose a piece of artwork to match the style. An artist in your life would be overjoyed with a gift basket of supplies!
Here is a small selection of local artists recommended to me by my readers.
Gourmet Pottery
Pottery
365 Moody St.
Monique Rancourt Artisan Gallery
Jewelry
289 Moody St.
Fiamma
Glass Studio
86 Maple St.
We may choose to enlighten ourselves and our loved ones with live events. Joining in on events can make your season feel celebratory, and gift-worthy.
December 15, 10AM-4PM Dickens Holiday Fest at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation, $5-$10
December 7-15, "Christmas Time" from Reagle Music Theatre.
December 31, 6PM-1AM New Years Dance with "Dances by Laurie," at French American Victory Club $30
The gift of time, and experiences, doesn't have to be expensive. Your loved ones, and your wallet, will cherish the moments you spend making memories.
We've celebrated a day to be thankful for what we have. Following is a three day weekend to indulge in deals. "Giving Tuesday," a welcome break from consumerism and a chance to open our eyes to the dedicated organizations in our community that give back every day. But we don't have to wait until Tuesday to make a difference.
Here is a short list of local non-profit businesses dedicated to enriching our community.
More Than Words provides life-changing tools and experiences for young people, and offers warm holiday shopping experiences. "Empowering youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business." www.mtwyouth.org
The Waltham Museum offers fascinating tours and has Waltham themed gifts.
The Telephone Museum is a non-profit teaching museum in the heart of Lincoln Studios. In addition to the many tours and workshops offered, right now they have the perfect gift for all people of Waltham: Waltham Business Discount Cards!
Shopping local can become a festive journey through our industrious city. Small Business Saturday introduces us to new friends, and provides a fresh look at some familiar faces. Our city has a population of hard working, reliable, and talented tradespeople. Many of our small businesses exist solely or mostly online. I know "one" local author who relies sales of her books, and is even offering free gifts with each purchase.
I would like to wrap up our local holiday shopping excursion by remembering it is our time, talent, and treasure, the makes the season special. If you are short on talent and treasure, honestly, time is always the most generous and appreciated gift.
Thank you for indulging me on our Waltham holiday shopping tour together. Please say hi when you see me around. Happy holidays!