4.
Go Unique
1.
3.
Slow Down
‘Tis the season to be jolly, not stressed,
frenzied, or road-raged. Trade in the hustle and
bustle of long car rides and over-packed malls for
a relaxing stroll through your favorite downtown
business.The benefits of slowing things down over
the holidays can improve your health, well-being, and
overall mood, especially when schedules are at their
fullest. The less time you spend traveling great
distances and drudging through hordes of
shoppers, the more time you will be able to
enjoy with your family around
the fireplace.
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.
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
independent 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
businesses remains in your area, versus $40 at
non-locally owned establishments.
This number, in most cases, drops
to zero dollars when you
buy online.
2.
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
fosters a competitive entrepreneurial
landscape that will in the long run
improve quality while
decreasing costs.
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
reducing the amount of gas and packaging required to
complete the cycle of product development to purchase.
The connection between smart shopping and
sustainability 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 Wallowa County
16 • Home for the Holidays 2015 • www.wallowa.com