It shouldn’t come as a surprise that I advocate shopping locally, sustainably and with character for the holidays.
That is, if I advocate for shopping at all. I really am not a shopper, especially as my current situation doesn’t provide the excess cash or storage space such a pastime requires.
In all honesty though, I do give Christmas gifts, and in recent years I’ve striven to make that practice fit with my year ’round attempts to be a responsible consumer.
Happily, this year, that ideal is going to be quite a bit easier.
I have a lovely friend named Shawna who runs a seasonal gift store called Country Roads. She’s reopened, for the first time, her late mother-in-law’s ceramics shop location, and there offers a fabulously eclectic selection of goods – all handmade by local artisans, including herself. Last Wednesday, I gathered some of my best ladies and headed out there.
Cozy, welcoming, enchanting and tempting to the senses – these were my first impressions. Shawna sat behind a counter, knitting away and smiling as we entered. Holiday music played softly, and the smell of fresh wreaths lingered in the air. The shelves held everything from jewelry to doll clothes to baked goods to soap. Everywhere I looked there was some useful or unique item that would make a great gift for someone.
My initial round of purchases included a set of ladybug ribbon barrettes for Iris (fashioned by the same Sopheap Hettinga who made my wedding dress!), a blue stone ring for me, “Movie Time Bark” (chocolate, pretzels and other goodness) for hubby, natural vanilla lip balm and a peppermint stick brownie. Other things on my wish list? A gold fish figurine, a mushroom candle, soap and more edibles.
The great thing about this store – outside of the local and handmade aspect – is that there really is something for everyone. Country Roads does not cater to any one taste, gender or age. Seriously, they’ve got stuffed animals, aftershave, scarves, ceramics, breastfeeding necklaces and this awesome spaceship thing that goes over a ceiling light fixture.
Oh, and taxidermy. Did I mention that the store is eclectic?
Shawna’s father is a biology professor, and it’s not uncommon for her to come by memorialized goat heads, ducks or a dic dic. While these pieces are the only things in the store not necessarily handmade, the money made from their purchase will benefit the Card Wildlife Education Center.
If, like me, you want to support local small businesses and the handiwork of regional artisans, check out Country Roads. Shawna will be waiting for you seven (7!) days a week from 10am to 7pm, now through Christmas Eve. Here’s a map. Go to there.
End Cap Duck will be happy to see you:
