The holiday season is upon us and with only about 24 shopping days until Christmas the panic, at least for some, is setting in.
How about if this year you decided to shop locally? What would you find? Well, if you decided to check out some of the shops and stores in Sooke you would find plenty.
If you started at someplace like the museum gift shop you would find many items made locally, silver native-carved jewelry, pottery, books, candles, you name it. Cruise further up Sooke and you will find great prices items in the larger stores as well as the smaller ones. There are shops, galleries and inns that carry wonderful locally made items perfect for giving.
You just have to be creative in your selection of shopping venues. The crush and panic to buy things made in China at the big stores in Victoria is not a pleasant way to spend time. It’s impersonal and has no connection to anything or anyone local. There are other ways as well to give gifts. If you are stuck on what to get mom or dad, perhaps season’s tickets to the Sooke Philharmonic or a locally written book. Try purchasing a second hand collectible. How about locally ground coffee or a load of dry firewood? There are a number of spas where one can purchase a gift certificate, restaurants for a dinner out and hotels for a change of scene. You can even holiday in your own back yard.
All it takes is a little imagination to take your gift buying from the mundane to the sublime. Shop local, it creates employment and a wonderful sense of community.