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 fulfill 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.

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 the 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 to choose from … and gift cards are such an easy purchase, require very little skill when wrapping, and are a fun way to support our local businesses.

As we begin to re-open and emerge from the effects of the global pandemic, 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. Let’s make it a habit to shop local first. Patronize the boutiques and specialty shops right here in our hometown. Eat at local restaurants owned by local people. Spend your money locally as often as possible. Enjoy all things local.

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. It’s a trend worth starting.

Upcoming events:

Tuesday, Dec. 14: The CDCC Holiday Party, Roma Italian Restaurant/Sul Tempo Cocktail Lounge, 5-7 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 6: Kent County Open for Business, Kent County Levy Court – Room 220, 8:30-10 a.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 11: Young Professionals’ Social, location TBA, noon-1 p.m.