Holiday Tab 2015:Holiday
11/25/15
10:28 AM
Page 14
4.
1.
Go Unique
3.
Slow Down
‘Tis the season to be jolly, not stressed,
frenzied, or road-raged. Trade in the hustle and bus-
tle of long car rides and over-packed malls for a relax-
ing stroll through your favorite downtown business.
The benefits of slowing things down over the holi-
days can improve your health, well-being, and overall
mood, especially when schedules are at their fullest.
The less time you spend traveling great dis-
tances and drudging through hordes of shop-
pers, the more time you will be able to
enjoy with your family around the fire-
place.
2.
Give a gift to
the local economy
While you’re making your list and checking it twice this
holiday season, don’t forget to include your local independ-
ent business owners. They’re not asking for much this year,
just a little support. And you’d be smart to give it.
A substantially larger percentage of your hard-earned
money stays in your community when you choose to shop
locally for Christmas instead of leaving the area.
Recent studies have shown that as much as $75 of
every $100 you spend at a locally owned busi-
nesses remains in your area, versus $40 at
non-locally owned establishments.
This number, in most cases, drops
to zero dollars when you buy
online.
Save Money
Shopping locally, you tend to buy just what
you need. This helps cut down on the clutter –
and the wrapping – once you get home, but
also lessens the impact on your wallet.
Keeping local owners in business also fos-
ters a competitive entrepreneurial landscape
that will in the long run improve quality
while decreasing costs.
5 Reasons to
Local businesses are hotbeds for the
unique and eclectic items that are sure to
make a lasting impression on that
hard-to-buy-for person in your life.
Pottery, paintings, garden supplies
and more can be found just a few
blocks away at your downtown
establishment.
5.
Go green
while saving green
Shopping locally not only saves you money in the long
run, but it also helps lessen your carbon footprint by reduc-
ing the amount of gas and packaging required to complete
the cycle of product development to purchase.
The connection between smart shopping and sustain-
ability is strong, especially over the holiday season when
massive amounts of shoppers are visiting stores across
the world.
While you’re focusing on the perfect gift for
that special someone, don’t forget the health
of the environment and the shape you
want to leave it for future
generations.
Shop Downtown Astoria
14 • Home for the Holidays 2015 • www.dailyastorian.com