Small Business Saturday Gift Ideas

Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope everyone is enjoying time with their loved ones and indulging in some extra pie.  We're rushing through preparations here so we can relax and watch the parade before the crowd arrives.  My mom has already cooked & carved 2 smaller turkeys and is getting the BIG guy ready to go in the oven.  I look forward to the chaos of this day all year.  
And as you're browsing through the crazy amount of sale flyers that came with today's newspaper, please keep Small Business Saturday in mind.   


My car was in the shop this past week, and when I went to pick it up, I ended up in a conversation with the owner about how times have changed in the 30 years since he opened his business.  And it got me thinking.  


I had planned to support Small Business Saturday, but by "support" I meant shop at my favorite little gift boutiques in town.  I will still be doing this, but I am also thinking outside the box to include other small, local, family-run businesses in my community.  Gifts don't have to come from shops that traditionally cater to holiday shoppers (and my friend at the auto body shop would be ecstatic to set you up with a gift card! And no lines!)


Here are some ideas I came up with to satisfy my shopping list. Please add your own in the comments.

Gift certificates 
lessons (swimming, ballet, piano, baseball, painting, sewing, etc.)
barber
car wash or detailing
gym, stroller strides, or zumba classes
paintball or laser tag
local hardware store
computer repair or tune-up
salon or spa
cleaning service
local theater or art gallery
bed & breakfast or small inn
landscaper/snow shoveler
handyman/carpentry work
favorite diner or breakfast spot
carpet cleaning
pet grooming
florist
furniture or home decor


If you don't want to just hand somebody a gift card (I'm all about having something to unwrap.), most of these businesses sell something to pair up- fancy shampoo with the salon gift certificate, or a new flash drive with a computer tune-up.  


Shop for your treats at the local bakery instead of the super store, and remember the family-owned drug store when you need wrapping paper or a bottle of perfume. 


And if you're looking for something even more personal, ask around about local artists, craftspeople, and musicians.  Or search etsy. 


It may be more time consuming than ordering everything from Amazon, and I'm not looking forward to all of the in-and-out of the car with the boys, but I know this will make gift giving feel even better this year.

Wordless Wednesday: Puckering Up

(and a bonus walking video)

My 44th Week in Droid Pics

So I was bummed that I missed posting a Tuesday Tip idea I had for today and logged in tonight with the intention of making up for it by putting together a fun Wordless Wednesday. Then I realized I never even posted my week in pics from last week.  I'm a hot mess. What can I say?


So here's our week!

Monday

O and I had a lunch date on the High Line.

 Tuesday

And a playground date while JD was in school.

We've been having some awesome weather & a lot of picnics.

 Wednesday

I finally surrendered the infant carseat and set up the new big boy seat.  And he's pointing at ELMO on JD's PJ shorts.    But he also says ELMO at anything red.

 Thursday

We were trapped outside waiting for this guy to creep away from the handle.  This picture doesn't do him justice.  He was HUGE.  

Fun with the produce stickers.

I found my baby in the newspaper.

 Friday

JD can climb the rock wall by himself.

The only way I could get him to nap was to make a pile of pillows on the floor & stay with him.

We hosted a play doh playdate for our Moms Club.

Saturday 

We saw a Sesame Street puppet show at the library.

My best friend & I spent the night in Atlantic City finally celebrating our 30th birthdays.  We are now closer to 31.

Sunday

It was my very first night away from O, but it sure felt good to sleep in & spend the afternoon at the spa!

I'm linking up with Amy.  Head over there and check out everyone else's weeks!