Think Globally, shop locally
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Overwhelmed by your holiday shopping list? In the hustle and bustle to get everything done, you might not think as much about where you shop as what to get.
Give an extra gift this year—to your community—by shopping with locally owned stores and companies. According to The 3/50 Project, for every $100 spent at independent stores, $68 returns to your community, providing jobs and supporting public services, schools and charities. It’s also eco-friendly. Local businesses have smaller infrastructures and source many of their products and services nearby. So this year, we’re getting in the spending spirit with our favorite gift ideas from locally owned stores in six different yet equally fabulous cities. Unique, thoughtful gifts that support the community and the environment? Shopping doesn’t get better than that!
| WASHINGTON, DC | |
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This chic meditation cushion, found at Tranquil Space Yoga’s Tranquility Boutique, is a perfect gift for those seeking to deepen their practice. For an extra touch of serenity, pair the cushion with one of the boutique’s 100-hour burning candles. A portion of the boutique’s proceeds benefit My Sister’s Place, a local non-profit supporting victims of domestic violence.
Meditation Cushion, $80; 100-Hour Candle, $32 |
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If you plan to give your favorite fashionista the gift of style this year, then head over to Pink November for this unique handbag. Designer Ilanit Neutra handcrafts each one out of recycled tire inner tubes.
Neutra Tire Bag, $272 |
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Looking for an educational and safe Christmas toy? Surprise a budding green thumb with Green Toys’ indoor gardening kit. Available at Greater Goods, the kit is made from recycled milk jugs and contains soil pods and organic seed packets to jump-start a child’s first gardening activity. Grown-ups also can get in on the educational fun by attending one of Greater Goods’ free Green Living classes (registration is required and accessible through their website).
Indoor Gardening Kit by Green Toys, $19.50 |
| CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | |
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Thank those who’ve been generous to you by sending a note on one of these beautiful cards, printed with non-toxic paint on recycled paper by Charlottesville artist Lotta Helleberg. They’re also a thoughtful gesture for the paper junkie on your list (some of us can never have enough stationery).
Note Cards (set of 4), $14 |
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Have a big or little bear in your life? Made from recycled Polartec fleece in nearby Earlysville, these hats keep heads warm and make everyone who sees them smile.
Fleece Bear Hat, $23 |
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Artist Diana Branscome scours Charlottesville landfills and recycling bins for interesting bottles and fires them twice in her thousand-degree kiln. Makes a stunning centerpiece for a green-minded hostess.
Recycled Glass Bowl, $45 |
| RICHMOND, VA | |
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Perfect for the gym, a weekend jaunt or as a stylish diaper bag, the Puddle Jumper has compartments for everything you need, from small accessories to running shoes and laptops. Available at LaDiff, who promotes other local businesses on their website and shares local, eco-friendly exploits (including their own) on the “green screen” in their store.
Puddle Jumper Bag, $75 |
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Completely waterproof up to 15 feet, your adventurer won’t miss another moment, underwater or on the slopes. Retailer Blue Ridge Mountain Sports is dedicated to local charities; in May, they hosted the Run Like a Girl 8K at Pocahontas State Park and raised over $9,000 for the HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation.
Aquapac Compact Camera Case, $39.99 |
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Encourage your favorite type-A personality to stop and smell the suds with these handmade organic soaps. The Flower Peddler will donate $1 to the Central Virginia Food Bank for each festive set sold.
Holiday Soap Duo, $15 |
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The yogi in your life will love this stylish option for getting her gear to and from the studio. Charlottean Avi Woolman put a lot of thought into her eco-friendly design that’s made in the USA from pre-consumer T-shirt scraps. Yogoco Yoga Mat Bag in Nirvana Pink, $87 ASANA ACTIVEWEAR 3920 Sharon rd., charlotte, NC 28211 704.366.8020 asanaactivewear.com / yogoco.com |
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This woman-owned online store based in Charlotte offers “affordable eco-luxury” items for everyone on your list. We went ga-ga over their organic ginger cookies, which are baked fresh in small batches of sugary goodness. Their green shipping and packaging practices make for guilt-free gift giving across the country. Organica shows their local love by contributing to causes such as the Autism Foundation of the Carolinas. Organica Ginger Cookies, $20 organiCa deluxe 800.272.0546 organicadeluxe.com |
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EcoCuff creator Susan Hilger (aka GreenMarket Girl) utilizes the “wood waste” from her design firm by turning it into wearable works of art. In addition to EcoCuffs, Lark & Key in Charlotte’s NoDa district features works by a number of local designers and artists including the whimsically wonderful paintings of owner Duy Huynh and a jewelry line by co-owner Sandy Snead. EcoCuffs, $35-$40 LARK + KEY GALLERY and Boutique 453-B E. 36th st., charlotte, NC 28205 704.379.1826 larkandkey.com / greenmarketgirl.etsy.com |
| CHARLOTTE, NC | |
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Have a dog lover on your list? Look no further than these canine-inspired cards from Fire Hydrant Press. This pet project of InkSpot Workshop specializes in handcrafted, custom orders for that rare breed in your life (and her dog). Owner Stacy Altiery designs, prints and ships each order from her Atlanta home. Available exclusively online through Etsy, a portion of each sale goes to Last Chance For Animals. Design Your Own Dog Silhouette Stationery, Set of 20, $30 fire hydrant press firehydrantpress@gmail.com firehydrantpress.etsy.com |
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Artist Thomas Burns’ vintage travel prints are popping up in homes all over Atlanta. His nostalgic illustrations showcase historical sites and landmarks in Atlanta and its surrounding areas—perfect for those who have Georgia on their minds. Stone Mountain Print (available in three sizes), $15-$150 YOUNG BLOOD GALLERY + BOUTIQUE 636 n. highland ave., atlanta, gA 30306 404.254.4127 youngbloodgallery.com / atlantavintagetravel.com |
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These 99 percent natural sticks make the perfect co-worker gift or stocking stuffer for the gal on-the-go. Handmade in Woodstock, GA, you can moisturize anywhere without worrying about a lotion explosion in your purse, gym bag or carry-on. The new Fresh Fig scent really got under our skin. Sold at the Beehive Co-op in Buckhead, a store that supports emerging local designers and artists. Rinse Skin Stick, $8 beEhive co-op 1831-A peachtree rd., atlanta, gA 30309 404.351.1166 beehiveco-op.com / rinsesoap.com |
| ATLANTA, GA | |
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Chocolate fiends will flip over the selection of handmade chocolates and pastries found at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge. While cacao can’t grow in this climate, these chocolatiers get as many of their ingredients as possible from local sources. Their Buddha Collection, an incendiary assortment of vegan truffles, makes a great gift for those who don’t do dairy. 5-piece Buddha Truffle Collection, $10 french broad luscious chocolates 10 south lexington ave., asheville, NC 28801 828.252.4181 frenchbroadchocolates.com |
| ASHEVILLE, NC | |
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For that funky friend who thrives on unique thrift store-inspired finds, Buncombe Buckles provides the conversation piece to complete her look. Artist Celia Gray carefully crafts each belt buckle using scrap metal and repurposed vintage parts. Available at Wink, where they proudly showcase several talented regional designers. Fence Line Belt Buckle, $64 wink heads + Threads 18 brook st., asheville, NC 28803 828.277.4070 ilovewink.com / buncombebuckles.com |
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Festivarians, picnickers and beach bums will all love the Launch Pad from Eagles Nest Outfitters. You might not even be aware that ENO, known nationwide for their nylon hammocks, calls Asheville home. This blanket, one of the latest additions to their line of “hanging out” gear, boasts a durable, waterproof bottom and soft polar fleece top. Plus it folds away nicely into its own pocket-pouch, complete with a padded shoulder strap for the ultimate in concert-going convenience. Launch Pad Festival Blanket , $64.95 diamond brand outdoors 2623 hendersonville rd., arden, NC 28704 828.684.6262 diamondbrand.com / eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com |
LOCAL SHOPPING RESOURCES
The 3/50 Project – a website supporting our nation’s independently-owned brick and mortars. the350project.net
Etsy – features a “shop local” search to find handmade and vintage goods in your area. etsy.com
eat.shop guides – a series of guidebooks ($14.95 each) that recommends out-of-the-way, independently owned stores and restaurants in several cities including Atlanta and D.C. eatshopguides.com
Think. Shop. Buy. Local – a program created by the Retail Merchants Association to support local shopping in Richmond and surrounding cities. thinkshopbuylocal.com
Shop Charlottesville – a comprehensive online guide to stores in Charlottesville, VA. shopcharlottesville.org
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So excited to see that you know of The Barn Swallow in Charlottesville,Va…we are excited to feature so many types of craft,and Lotta and her textiles have been a staple of our gallery since day one(that was nine years ago!) See you at the barn when you come to town!
Janice & MaryAnn (owners)