The holiday shopping season is upon us. It is time to make lists, look for deals, cut coupons, and get busy buying gifts that our family members and friends will love.

Are you aware that everything you could possibly need to fulfil the requests on your list can be found right here in central Delaware? Our community is home to some of the finest artisans and retailers around. Our area merchants are stocked up and ready to provide you with the most unique and original items that meet all your holiday shopping needs.

Now that December is upon us, we know that local shoppers everywhere are planning their strategies for purchasing the best, most special holiday presents for the best, most special people in their lives. Be sure that your preparation includes plans for a visit to central Delaware’s downtown areas and other local places that are home to some of finest shops and boutiques around — and don’t forget that many of central Delaware’s local businesses now offer online shopping experiences as well. You will be sure to find plenty of interesting and intriguing opportunities for stretching your shopping dollars while supporting our local businesses. As we all know and appreciate, the charm and personality of hometown merchants cannot be duplicated.

Don’t forget that gift certificates and gift cards to local eateries make wonderful presents as well. We have such wonderful locally owned restaurants, bakeries, and other food and beverage businesses from which to choose… and gift cards are such an easy purchase, require very little skill when wrapping, and are a fun way to support our local businesses.

And remember, shopping locally gives customers a way to connect and to make a difference, not only for the person receiving the items purchased, but also for the shop owners and workers. Local shopping means more dollars added to the local economy. Local shopping means unique items that not every person already has. Local shopping means personal experiences and real conversations with real people. Local shopping means making an investment in the place where you live… Local shopping is a sign of real community. One could actually consider local shopping as an act of community service.

We understand that the big box stores and online shopping venues promise to make shopping easy. Their methods of easy payment and lightning-speed delivery go a long way to ease our minds (and sometime wallets) when making sure that the perfect gift can and will arrive right on time. These kinds of experiences have a definite place in society and in our lives – and they bring a service to consumers that is wanted and needed. We are not asking or suggesting that you give them up.

What the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce is suggesting is simple: shop locally first. Go to the small businesses, seek out original and innovative ideas for gifts, experience the connections… first. If, after that, you find yourself needing a few more items or suddenly need a gift at the last minute, then do whatever you need to do and turn to big box and online options. Just don’t go there first.

As this shopping season reaches its climax, it is more important than ever to re-discover the small businesses right in our area and explore all they have to offer. They are, after all, the backbone of our state’s economy.
For more information about local shopping opportunities, please call the CDCC Office at 302-734-7513 or visit our website at www.cdcc.net. We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with you as we support all things local.

Upcoming Events:

Thursday, Jan. 5: Kent County Open for Business, Kent County Levy Court – Room 220, 8:30 – 10 a.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 25: CDCC Showcase/Member 2 Member Expo/Sunset Business Mixer, Delaware Agriculture Museum, 4 – 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 31: 9th Annual Economic Forecast Breakfast, Maple Dale Country Club, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.