Don't have a mid-week meltdown,
here's something to do tonight to forget about how rough your hump day was:
Chambanamoms.com 3rd Annual Birthday Bash! Tonight, 7-9pm, Indi Go Artist Co-Op - 9 E University Ave/Champaign
$10 Tickets at the door, food and drinks from Michaels' Catering, entertainment, door prizes from local retailers, and more All of proceeds go to Champaign County YMCA
Mike N Molly's - 105 N Market Street/Champaign Trivia Night, 8-10p, Free
Okay, so the hardest part of the holidays is when you end up buying for people you don't know that well. Or, perhaps you know them well but are just stumped on where to start shopping. I've come up with a list of my most encountered people categories and some stores that they would love!
Dudes can be difficult to shop for because they always shrug their shoulders and are like "uuhhh I don't know.." or throw out a $300 gaming system that you can't afford. So here's my advice:
(ps: i'm not really much of a "pinner" but i have a pretty sweet "Dude" board that could possibly inspire gift ideas)
Girls are tough because they always say "Oh, you don't have to get me anything...." but you know you do and that it shouldn't be the typical Bath & Body Works gift basket (trust me, don't even try it). Here's my advice:
The Lady
--likes: crafting, wine, a good scarf, and probably fire.. in candle form Where to shop in Chambana? Needleworks(needle-working supplies, and other crafts)
*Update 12/21: You can also check out Klose Knit for yarn! I.D.E.A. Store (all kinds of fun random stuff you could use for crafting + benefits local education) Art Mart (good for stylish housewares, cute gifts, jewelry, gourmet foods & wine, and treat yo' self type items) Findings (high quality clothing and jewelry) Circles (high quality clothing, shoes, accessories) Checkered Moon (unique gifts, quality clothing, nice accessories) Jane Addams Bookstore (books, greeting cards)
*Update 12/21: Check out Corkscrew for wine and liquor as well!
People with kids know everything to get another person's child. If they're 3, they probably wear this size of clothing and can play with this type of toy and can eat this type of food. If you don't have a kid, all of those things are a mystery and, frankly, are a little terrifying to try to figure out. Here's my advice on where to start, and remember: one awesome thing about shopping local is that the people at these stores will actually help you.
Ahhhh, the ?? category. The people you get roped into shopping for that you hardly know. Co-worker gift exchanges, the in-laws, etc. With this category, you don't want to get anything too specific, but you want it to feel like you really thought about it. Here's my advice: The People You Hardly Know
--likes: .... no idea. Where to shop in Chambana?
Art Mart and Checkered Moon both have great gifts for all types of people. Almost anyone would appreciate one of the hilarious Fred & Friends household products (e.g. mustache corkscrew) and both of these stores sell them!
I hope this helps! I've linked each referenced store so you can get to know a little about them or find them if you're not sure of their location.
I'd also advise you go ahead and click the Treat Yo' Self link I tagged above because, well, its awesome. And watch the Big Lebowski video again, just to ENSURE your day is amazing.
Finally, many of these stores are offering Shop Small Saturday discounts. Learn more about those in my previous post. PS: Feel free to comment with any other stores you think would be a good addition to this list!
Okay so I'm typing up some shopping recommendations, but until that is post-worthy here is an awesome round-up by Chambanamoms.com about Black Friday/Shop Small Saturday deals at local businesses!
You can also download the Center City Perks App put out by Champaign Center Partnership. It is FREE and has all kinds of specials/discounts for local businesses!
Other deals I've found (and am super excited about!) are:
Recently Added: Circles Boutique: Nov 24 get 20% off coats and jackets, as well as Deana Rose Jewelry.
Checkered Moon: Purchases up to $100 = 10% off / $100-$300 = 15% off / over $300 = 20% off!
C.V. Lloyde: Spend $50, get $10 back in C.V. Lloyde Gift Cert (for each $50 spent) 11/24-12/29
Furniture Lounge: This Nov 23-25 get 20% off clothing &
smalls (furniture not included). Also, Every $25 spent gets you an entry
to win either a Bertoia Chair OR a Saarinen Side Chair (shown wrapped
in their front window) now through Dec 23. (drawing on Christmas Eve
the 24th).
Exile on Main Street: Buy 2 items, get 3rd free. Also, 50% off used DVDs/Blu-Ray Now-?
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. Any products or stores mentioned are based off my personal experience.
Today, I will address more common concerns with shopping local...
“I worry that shopping local is out of my budget.” - Sometimes, shopping local is seen as more expensive and sometimes it is true.
You are often getting higher quality goods in comparison to big box stores. As a
person on a budget though, I’ve been able to make it work for a few different
reasons. Firstly, because the goods are higher quality you can get away with
giving less. Let’s say I’m giving someone a gift from Forever 21. I end up
feeling guilty for the undoubtedly poor quality of item and buy them a few more
last minute things which are usually impulse buys which are usually 1) not that
useful, 2) not that meaningful, and 3) more expensive. That’s why I like giving locally bought goods.
You will typically get a better product that you can feel great about giving.
Sorry, I had to.
I’d like to note, however, that local small shops have
clearance items and sales just like any other store. For example, I’ve gotten
some really cute Betsy Johnson tights from Circles at half the price because
they were on clearance. I’ve worn them multiple times for long nights out and
there are no visible tears unlike their big box store counterparts (which I
tend to destroy and then end up wearing them for derby). Or, as I mentioned in my previous post, Exile on Main Street will do promotional sales like "buy 3,
get 1 free". With as many music fans as I have in my family, this is a totally
worthwhile sale. So, go like some local stores on Facebook or follow them on
Twitter and keep an eye out for amazing sales! I know you secretly have
Facebook already open in another tab right now anyway, so get to it!
"I doubt any local stores will have anything Aunt Clara would like..." - I could see some concerns about your local offerings being
too limited. It is easy to visit one of the big box stores (should I just start
calling them BBS? Yeah, Imma do that) and pick out a random gift for each
person in your family. You may feel less satisfied than eating an overcooked
steak, but at least the chore of gift buying is done. Wait… we’re buying these
gifts to show our family and friends how much we love them, right? So let’s do a little research (or I’ll
do it for you) and figure out what unique and locally beneficial gifts we can
buy right here in stores owned by our neighbors. Chambana has something for everyone! There are stores like Gameday Spirit for the sports enthusiasts, Furniture Lounge for the cool cats you know (and yes, they have everything from $2 stocking stuffers to $300 dining tables, nearly unlimited options!) and places like CV Lloyde Music Center and Skins-N-Tins Drum Shop for the musicians in your life... But wait, wait! I'm getting ahead of myself. We will get to name dropping soon. What I'm trying to explain is that there are many beautiful people in your life and many unique gifts offered locally that you can get for them! With such a large number of locally owned stores in this area, you won't have any issues picking out a gift for each person on your list.
Up next... a couple store suggestions for diff types of people (think: buying for coworkers, your mom, and kiddos)
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. Any products or stores mentioned are based off my personal experience.
First off, let me overcome some common shop small
objections.
“I don’t know where to start, big box stores
have everything I need!” – Perhaps I’m a snob, but getting generic gifts
from a big box store does not feel nearly as amazing as getting something unique that
goes right back into our local economy.Giving a gift bought locally feels different, too. For example, I walk into Exile on Main Street
looking for the perfect gift for my bestie. (Wanda Jackson on vinyl, anyone?)
Talking about the new releases with owner Jeff (who knows everything about
everything) inspires me to pick out a gift for brother-in-law while I’m at it.
BAM! I walk outta there with all kinds of new goodies, had a good chat, and most likely took
advantage of a buy 3 get 1 free sale ;) It feels awesome to pick out something unique and personal, rather than grabbing the first CD I see on the "Popular" shelf. Bottom line is that big box stores will
only have what the general population wants. Your friends are better than that…
right?
“I just get everyone
gift cards, I don’t have time for picking out presents.”- Cool with me, you
know that most of our local stores offer store credit of some kind, right? You
can get really creative giving local gift cards. For example, I’d personally
LOVE some store credit at Art Mart in Lincoln Square Mall (Urbana) or Carrie’s
in Downtown Champaign.(I’m not begging
or anything…) Just pin down who you are shopping for and I’m certain there’s a
store for them in this area! (if you're not sure where, just hit subscribe now, because I'll be talking about that soon)
Okay so people get stressed about shopping local. I hear many
say that it sounds too difficult,too expensive, too limited, etc. I completely disagree and
want to give you my holiday shop small business guide for Champaign-Urbana that will help you
realize that shopping local is easy and exciting! Because there are so many
great places to shop and people to shop for, this will be a series of posts.
You’re welcome ;)
Also, no matter where you are, shopping local and small is of utmost importance! If you're feeling sassy, you can use my simple design shown below as your Facebook cover photo to remind yourself and your beautiful friends to stay committed!