Last night I bought enough homemade cookies to fill up my cookie jar, which has been empty for quite some time.
Students were selling the sweets at a high school fund-raising volleyball tournament for $1 a bag. My son, one of the athletes, asked me why I bought so many cookies as he dug his hand into our family jar after the event.
I explained that our container was empty, the money went to a good cause, and the club members baked the treats themselves. Another nudge for me to buy was the personal service. The sellers were polite and friendly. They highly recommended the snickerdoodles and let me know which batches of brownies, oatmeal and sugar cookies they made in their kitchens. The teen-aged pride and enthusiasm was refreshing.
Lately, my mailbox has been inundated with catalogs and flyers advertising different sales and merchandise to order on-line. The local drug store recently installed self-checkout lanes, eliminating the need for most of the cashiers. And please don’t invite me to another gift card exchange, which forces a friend or loved one to buy their own gift at any ole store.
When did shopping and gift-giving become so impersonal? No wonder people hate to shop. But alternatives to the humbug do exist.
My friend and I spent last Saturday browsing at a local craft fair. The atmosphere was festive. People were chatty. And I enjoyed speaking with the artists and crafters who took pride in their work. A community college student selling hand-painted ornaments also was taking orders to paint portraits of people’s pets. A retired couple took time to explain the techniques they used in decorating a variety of glass salt shakers and vases swirled with beautiful flowers, lemons, and flip flops. A woman selling cutting boards offered washing suggestions and free wrapping.
Some vendors worked their crochet needles as people touched the blankets they displayed for sale. Others were personalizing ornaments with calligraphy. A woman selling salsa gave out free samples. The community college gym overflowed with creativity and personal service.
Independent gift shops also provide a pleasant place to browse for meaningful presents. The shop owners and vendors weed out the ordinary to offer distinctive items usually not found in big department stores. I highly recommend visiting my sister’s shop The Orange Blossom in Hampstead, NC. She and her vendors go the extra mile in seeking appealing home décor, jewelry, furniture, and vintage items that make wonderful gifts for family, friends, teachers, and pets.
Setting aside an afternoon or day to shop local anywhere can be fun and rewarding. Many small shops keep up with current trends, represent the style of the community, and care about quality and customers. They offer more than merchandise. They provide a positive shopping experience for those who browse and buy nothing as well as those who shop ‘til they drop.
The Orange Blossom is sponsoring an open house on Saturday, Nov. 23, so please stop by anytime from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 15201 US Highway 17 N in Hampstead, NC. My sister and her staff of vendors are a joy! They have a variety of sales going on, free food and prizes. And don’t forget to check out the ChatterboxBeach section. We have a selection of vases, lamps, mugs, dishtowels, luminaries, artwork, cards, stencils, hand-painted tables, doll furniture, and more.
For book clubs and enthusiasts, I also recommend Bay to Ocean 2018, a collection of poetry, essays and fiction from writers along the Eastern Shore. The essay “Soggy Tomato Sandwiches” is included.
–cawk
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChatterboxBeach
https://www.facebook.com/The-Orange-Blossom-1664077727139942/
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