{"id":4510,"date":"2021-12-16T14:12:36","date_gmt":"2021-12-16T14:12:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adirondack.org\/2021-last-minute-support-local-holiday-gift-guide\/"},"modified":"2022-06-18T00:23:07","modified_gmt":"2022-06-18T00:23:07","slug":"2021-last-minute-support-local-holiday-gift-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adirondack.org\/north-blog\/2021-last-minute-support-local-holiday-gift-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"2021 Last-minute Support Local Holiday Gift Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nothing says true love like a year\u2019s worth of garbage pickup.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This may end up being my favorite gift this year. The rest are sitting wrapped, tidy and pretty, under the tree.<\/p>\n

My garage, on the other hand, is neither tidy nor pretty. It is bursting with trash bags, busted gear and crammed recycling bins \u2014 quietly waiting (and waiting) for us to make a trip (or two) to the transfer station. Our cars, in the meantime, are relegated to the cold and snow just outside the garage doors.<\/p>\n

When I told my husband I had scheduled our first trash and recycling pickup for Christmas Eve, tears sprung to his eyes. \u201cReally?,\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s my gift to you,\u201d I said. \u201cBecause I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is the kind of gift we both can get behind. Maybe it\u2019s our age (gulp) \u2014 or our penchant for the practical. Maybe it\u2019s because we\u2019ve been actively de-cluttering (hence, the garage) and don\u2019t need so many gadgets and toys in our house.<\/p>\n

We know that for our busy household, garbage pickup is a real gift. We also know we can feel good about supporting a local business.<\/p>\n

* * * * *<\/p>\n

What are local businesses you can\u2019t live without?\u00a0<\/strong>How can you show them your appreciation? It’s not too late. There are lots of ways you can\u00a0support local and support small\u00a0this holiday season. Here are a few ideas:<\/p>\n

Shop local:<\/strong><\/u>\u00a0<\/strong>Make some time to shop on Main Street. You may be surprised by the variety and quality of gifts available in your own community or the town down the road.<\/p>\n

Local shopkeepers are\u00a0invested in their communities<\/strong>\u00a0and offer personal connection and responsiveness that is hard to get from big box retailers. Local shops curate their inventory to the needs and preferences of their customers and often carry local goods, produced by entrepreneurs who are growing their own businesses.<\/p>\n

Small business owners and employees give back to their local communities<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 by purchasing supplies and services locally, supporting programs for local families, volunteering at neighborhood events, paying local taxes, and more.<\/p>\n

If it’s hard to find time\u00a0for a shopping trip,\u00a0or you just don\u2019t feel comfortable in brick-and-mortar stores, many local shops offer call-in or online ordering with convenient mailing or pickup services.<\/p>\n

For businesses who were on the fence about e-commerce two years ago, the COVID-19 crisis spurred many to step up their digital marketing game. Some \u2014 with\u00a0training and service support<\/a>\u00a0from ANCA, CBIT and partners like Clarkson University\u2019s Shipley Center for Innovation and the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce \u2014 have significantly improved their e-commerce capacity.<\/p>\n

Give your local shops a visit, a call or a\u00a0click<\/a>, and see how they can support you with your holiday shopping. They are\u00a0dedicated to their communities<\/strong>\u00a0and are happy to help.
\nEat local:<\/strong><\/u>\u00a0Whether it\u2019s a lunch stop or coffee break during your shopping excursion or a food-related gift, there are a lot of great options to support North Country specialty shops, farms\u00a0and eateries: restaurant gift certificates, CSA shares and gift baskets \u2014 cured meats, farmstead cheeses and cinnamon buns \u2014 maple products, chocolate and pickles.<\/p>\n

Local brews \u2014 both coffee and beer \u2014 make great gifts this time of year. And local spirits and wine pair well with any holiday meal.<\/p>\n

When planning for meals, there\u2019s still time to stock up your pantry, refrigerator and wine rack with local food and drink\u00a0from\u00a0farmers markets<\/a>, farm stores, food hubs or grocers.
\nSupport local:<\/strong><\/u> There are thousands of North Country businesses and nonprofits who provide services, entertainment, cultural opportunities, education,\u00a0community support and more. These groups bring vibrancy, diversity and efficiency to our towns and villages.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Make a direct purchase\u00a0or give a subscription or gift certificate to your favorite local business or community organization including:<\/p>\n