Being raised in a large city, I grew up with Target only two miles away at all times. That made moving to a small town–20 miles aways from Target–a little challenging. There are so many things I love about Princeton, but I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t been an adjustment.
One adjustment that I’m working on is being a better supporter of our local shops. Since we began renovating the hotel and now have a business, my eyes have been opened to the importance of supporting our own. Small town store-owners have to put in so much more time and effort to compete with big box stores and online retailers, and local purchases keep the money right here in the community. So, this year I’m choosing to shop small whenever I can! I hope you’ll join me.
Below you’ll find four reasons why I’m choosing to shop small this Christmas and four tips to help (even if you live in a big city).
REASONS WHY I’M SHOPPING SMALL THIS CHRISTMAS
Not only am I supporting my town by shopping small, there are other benefits. In the world of Amazon shopping and “add to cart” buttons, I’ve found it so refreshing to actually see what I’m buying in person. I know I can’t be the only one who has ever purchased something online and then been disappointed on delivery day (which may or may not be a result of misreading the dimensions). And lastly, there are no concerns for shipping delays! Hallelujah! You can actually physically add it to your cart or bag and take it home that day, no stress and no hassle! What a crazy concept!
HOW TO SHOP SMALL SUCCESSFULLY
Alright, even though I’m a little late to the party, I still wanted to share some of my tips for shopping small this season. If you’re a last-minute shopper, here you go! And if you’re ahead of the game, then maybe these will help for next year.
1. CREATE A LIST (AND CHECK IT TWICE)
They say organization is the key to success, and I have found that to be true when it comes to shopping small. This year I made a list of all the different people I had to shop for, and then pulled up a list of local shops in town. I went through and wrote down the shops that I could potentially find gifts next to each person.
Side note: If there aren’t a lot of mom and pop shops in your area, this may require a little extra digging and thinking outside the box. For example, you could order a beautiful Christmas centerpiece from the local florist – a little different, but very thoughtful gift!
2. CREATE A GAME PLAN
Now that you have your list, I recommend making a game plan. Small shops tend to have different hours than larger stores, and some stores close early or stay open late on certain days. Usually, there are a few days around the holidays when a lot of local stores stay open late for holiday shopping.
For me personally, a lot of local stores close around 4 p.m., so by the time I get home it’s too late. This year I scheduled a Saturday shopping day and knew what stores were open when.
GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE
Knox Hotel gift certificates make a great gift, year ’round! They can be used towards overnight stays, escape room experiences, and private events.
3. SPEAK WITH THE OWNERS
One of the best parts of shopping small is meeting the friendly owners and workers! Unlike big chain stores, these smaller shops are known for their customer service and personal touch, just like a Hallmark movie!
I had the joy of experiencing this personal service in town this year. I went to purchase something for our boys and the local kid’s store was sold out. I was able to ask the owner, and they placed an order for more and took my name to save one for me. Then, the day they arrived, I got a phone call telling me they were in and that I could come pick it up anytime.
If you are shopping small this season and aren’t finding what you need, remember to speak with the workers! You may be surprised what they can do to help with whatever you need!
4. REMEMBER YOUR “WHY”
My last tip for shopping small this season, and probably the most important one, is to remember why you’re shopping small! This is important because at the end of the day, you can probably find the same or similar items for less at a larger store, but if you’re truly wanting to support your town and the families running the businesses, then remember why you’re willing to spend the extra couple of bucks to support your own.
HAPPY SHOPPING
I hope you join me in supporting local stores this year, and I hope these tips help make it a successful shopping season! Just remember, if everyone makes a conscious effort to shop small, it can make a world of difference for your community!
Kelsey is a Christian, mom to two little boys, and oh yeah, hotel renovator! She loves all things vintage and creating welcoming spaces for people to enjoy.