A Homemade Holiday

As long as I can remember, I've loved buying from smaller businesses. My mom was a saint at this. I hardly remember going to big department stores or places like Wal-Mart. She actually NEVER went to Wal-Mart, unless forced. She was dedicated to shopping from local stores and getting to know the people she shopped from. Like farmers at the local farmers market. Or the girls at her favorite clothes boutique. And this wasn't just when she lived in big cities and had lots of options, this was even when she lived in Eastern North Carolina. Sometimes it cost a little more (ok, sometimes it cost a lot more - she could go a bit overboard) but to her, it was always worth it.

Now, I'm not gonna sit here and tell you, that you can't go to Target for your stocking stuffers, because let's face it, I can't commit to that. But it has made me sad to see the decline in buying from people, to buying more from huge stores that mass produce. So I do want to try to have more of a Homemade Holiday. I've been wanting to commit to support people who create, and not machines, and the Nester just happened to be in the same mindset this year. So, when I heard about her Homemade Holiday party, I knew that I would have to participate. In the hopes that I would sell some of my homemade wares this holiday, but also, just to encourage those of you who read this blog to shop more homemade and/or locally this year. Etsy is a fabulous place to shop online for handmade goods, and has so many things to choose from. Or your local gift shops, that are more family run. Or farmers markets. Or craft shows. But also, check out all the talented and creative gurus over at the Nester's party. It's amazing to see what people do!

To celebrate the beginning of the gift-giving season, I'm going to be giving away either a potpourarrie...

or a stroller blanket

(of your choice) to one of you.

So stop by the our website or my etsy shop, and see if there's anything I can help you with for the holidays. And just comment here to enter, and then check back to see if you're the lucky one on Saturday!

Usually at Christmas time, I try to see how much I can get for the least amount of money. I think this year, I'm going to try to see how much I can bless people with one of a kind items that come from other people wanting to let creative juices flow out of them into the world around them. Talk about a gift to our economy - supporting each other...that in itself is a gift!