My Shopping Rules this Holiday

Candles and candle sticks and cookbooks arranged on a table in Scout of Marion

I don’t know about you, but my mailbox and inbox are out of control.

I can’t deal with it. Everything seems so frantic. So chaotic. These big businesses don’t know me, yet they’re screaming my name and demanding I come by (or shop online) for a doorbuster. Heck, they were throwing me doorbusters back in October.

It’s too much.

With the inspiration of @91magazine , we created our Holiday Rules. 🥰

When we moved back to CR/Marion in 2011, we decided to support small whenever we could. We had just moved from Kansas City, where they have these vibrant little neighborhoods and where local businesses are thriving and supported. We’d walk to our favorite coffee shop, restaurant, boutique…it was lovely. Plus, we got to know the owners and workers at these small, locally owned businesses and felt the love & appreciation when we stopped by. It was those neighborhoods that sparked my desire to do something that could bring that neighborly feel to this community. Marion was a no-brainer. I felt there was something special here, and I knew it could become a lot like those neighborhoods I missed in KC. But here’s the deal: creating a great destination (or, in the case of Uptown, bringing it back to the hub and heart of the city) can’t happen without the support of all of us. ESPECIALLY this Holiday Season as it’s a critical time for a lot of retailers and restaurants…

So here's an idea....ignore those emails, and shop LOCAL and with INTENT this holiday. Support the growth and vibrancy of the neighborhoods and small businesses around you (and beyond). If we don’t, they will go away. It’s as simple (and sad) as that.

Shop intentionally
Schedule in some time to sit down and really think about what your loved ones might like rather than reacting to special offers and deals that want you to buy NOW. Do you really need it?
Here’s my current requirement for gift-giving this season: Will it promote togetherness? Or self-awareness/self-care? Is it highly useful, and will it fill a need? (mittens, please!) Is it delicious (food items ALWAYS bring joy!)
And what about the brand behind the product? Do you agree and embrace what they stand for and their business practices? These things matter.
Think quality over quantity.
What would YOU prefer? One really special meaningful gift or a load of cheap items that you won’t use or enjoy? It’s likely your friends & family will feel the same. And we hear you. There’s definitely a movement to downsize and focus on removing the clutter from our lives…to hang on to the things that truly matter and provide us joy. Less is more. Our planet (and your head and heart) will thank you for adopting this mantra.
Shop Small
Jeff Bezos’s net worth is nearly $170 billion. BILLION. He won’t miss your Amazon orders, and he certainly won’t do a ‘happy dance’ when you stop in the shop.
I mean Amazon is good for paper towels and toilet bowl cleaner, I won’t lie, but when it comes to giving your hard-earned dollars to someone who will really appreciate it, hug you when you need it, and love on your grandkids, or ask to see that photo of your new puppy or kitten (or better yet, love up said grandkids, puppies, and kittens when you bring them to the shop!), or give to your high school student’s football poster…
Jeff isn’t gonna do that. But a small business will. We’re right here. We love you. We really do. And to “the other guys,” you’re just a credit card number.