There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays

During the Holidays my thoughts quickly turn into checklists....meals to prepare (and wine to buy!), cards to send, a tree to trim, presents to wrap and of course gifts to purchase. But in the midst of all this holiday list-making, there is still a palpable feeling of excitement that hovers in the

air like a light fog rolling in off the Sound on a classic

Pacific Northwest morning. Needless to say, I LOVE Christmas.

There are so many reasons why this really is the best time of the year. Many of these reason

s are personal and involve my family, others are closely held and involve my faith, and some are just downright unique to life on Whidbey Island and the wonderful experience that comes from calling Oak Harbor home.

Shopping the downtown streets of Oak Harbor is one of those things. I love the lighted snowflakes that hang off the street lamps, the holiday displays in the windows, the scented candles burning in the shops, and I get a thrill when I run into people I know and we quickly peek into each others shopping bags to show off our new purchases with whispered promises that we will keep the item a secret!

So when it comes times to shop for the holidays...shopping locally in Oak Harbor is the place for me.

This year, shopping local takes on even more meaning. In addition to the ambiance, the personalized service, and the chance to connect with my neighbors, I know that the purchases I make are doing a lot to improve the quality of life for many people I care about and for a community I love.

Today's economy has taken its toll on many, and if I had a choice (which I do) of spending my money with large faceless corporation, or with one of the local stores in my community, I am choosing my hometown.

It's not that going to the mall is bad. In fact, it can be fun. But th

e holidays are more than just pure capitalism; they are a time to give generously, and a time to take stock of our values. By doing my holiday shopping locally I am supporting local shopkeepers and helping preserve jobs in my community. My shopping decisions create jobs, and those jobs support families. It makes me feel good to know that just by changing where and how I shop; I can have this type of impact.

Local gift-buying supports the local tax-base and funds other thing I value, like parks, roads, and public transit.

Shopping in Oak Harbor preserves our choices, and preserves our community. I read recently that local businesses donate to community

charities and causes at twice the rate of national chains. That means that the money I spend with a local merchant will have twice the effect....and I feel good about that.

I can't give to every great cause, but my shopping can support merchants in our community and give them a chance to give where I can't. It's all about paying it forward. Just doing what you can to care for the people and the places that you love.

So this holiday season remember, there's really "No place Like Home for the Holidays" and that anyone can HO! HO! HO, but the best Holiday's begin with OH! OH! OH!