Hello,

Here in Western New York, as small businesses get back on their feet, we encourage everyone to support them by shopping locally when possible, whether in person or online. Wherever you may be, consider purchasing gift certificates for local restaurants, bakeries, galleries, massage therapists, pilates instructors, golf or tennis pros, florists, and farmers markets.

For book lovers shopping online, try bookshop.org, whose mission is to financially support local, independent bookstores. Look for Simply Tradition by Kierste Wade of Old Salt Farm in East Aurora, who we’ve featured before in the blog. Her book is full of wonderful holiday ideas for the family. And of course we can’t resist letting you know that our own book, Little Ideas for Living Life Well, is available on bookshop.org as well. 

If you are looking for embroidered gifts, Stitch Buffalo continues to provide a place for refugee and immigrant women to create handcrafted goods and find economic empowerment. We love that their products also sustain the environment through the use of recycled textiles.

Beekman 1802, in Sharon Springs, NY, not only has a Rose Apothecary collection for all Schitt’s Creek fans, but also supports the community by offering a whole range of products from local artisans: beekeepers, ceramists, chefs, glass blowers, perfumers, soap makers and textile makers.

Finally, we have some serious chocolate lovers in our family. So for online shoppers and our readers on the other side of the US, we have to mention jcoco, part of the Seattle Chocolate Company. With every chocolate purchase, jcoco provides servings of fresh food for those suffering from hunger and food insecurity, via partnerships with food banks in California, Washington and here in New York.

Which brings us back to a taste of Little Ideas for Living Life Well – and a quote from Charles Schultz:

We wish you happy shopping! And when you take a break, a little chocolate treat or two.

Sam and Claire