Inspired by Small Business Saturday, I decided to shop for locally-made gifts this holiday season. Christmas markets are a great place to go as they promote local businesses and artisans using ethically sourced items. At Shipyards Christmas Market in North Vancouver, rows of tiny wooden cabins and Christmas tunes got this elf into the shopping spirit. You should head to your local market and take in everything it offers!
Why Shop Local Christmas Markets?
Shopping at a local Christmas market is the ultimate holiday activity!
Edible Delights
A ‘Buy BC’ logo on a product means it was grown, raised or made in the province. This became my north star as I browsed. Find out if your region uses a unique “local” logo. Christmas markets are not farmer’s markets, so don’t expect fresh zucchini, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t local food products. I found liqueur made from locally grown cranberries produced in the Fraser Valley. There were tisanes sourced from herbs grown on Vancouver Island, local honey (which always supports the pollinators) and cider made from heirloom apples grown on a 100-year-old orchard in B.C’s Okanagan Valley – the largest fruit-producing region of the province.
A Botanical Treasure Trove
I was surprised to learn that a study by LOCO BC suggests a 10% shift in consumer spending towards independent businesses would generate 4.3 billion dollars annually for B.C.’s economy. The stats are similar everywhere, and a Christmas market is a treasure trove. Handmade candles were infused with calendula botanicals sourced from a local flower farm. I also found vendors selling essential oils distilled from local herbs and flowers that can be used as bath balms or in a diffuser.
Talking to Vendors
The holidays are the most lucrative time for local entrepreneurs eager to tell you about their goods. Talk to them and ask how they make and source products and what it takes to sell locally. Ask about their community support. SCORE fosters vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education. The organization reports that in the U.S., 75% of small business owners donate an average of 6% of their annual profits to local community charities. It’s so nice to make connections with artisans in your neighborhood!
Indeed, Christmas markets are generally more expensive than shopping at big box stores. Remember the craftsmanship and that every dollar spent locally has an economic impact up to 4.6 times higher than a dollar spent on non-local goods.
Help Promote Local
Many vendors at Christmas markets don’t have shops; be sure to ask for a business card or their social media information and follow them. I came home with a pile of business cards I will include with the gifts I bought and for future contact and purchases. It’s a great way to support them and the local economy.
Feel, Touch, Smell and Eat
Be ready for lots of hands-on experiences. I was invited to try on toques made from local lamb’s wool. I ate sugar cookies and candy and sipped mulled wine, liqueur, and tisanes. You don’t often have the chance to do these things in traditional stores! It was a wonderful social experience.
Festive Discoveries Await
Just as you would smell the flowers while walking through a garden, do the same at a Christmas market. You might be surprised at what you will discover. Who knew local cranberries could be made into a sweet, albeit tart and peppery-tasting, liqueur?
Happy Holidays!