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DEL.ICIO.USBuying local for the holidays
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta’s bricks-and-mortar merchants want you to buy local instead of online. But have you considered buying truly local goods, such as jewelry by Atlanta artisans, artworks by local artists or ceramics made by hand right here? (The Freestripe Bud Vases pictured above were designed and handmade by Atlanta’s Cara Gilbert and range from $30 to $50 at Beehive Co-Op in Midtown.)
Spruill Art Gallery in Dunwoody has a holiday artist market that runs until December 24 and promises handcrafted gifts for all pocketbooks. ShopSCAD Atlanta, the retail outlet for students, faculty, alumni and staff of the Savannah College of Art & Design in Atlanta, has its annual “Small Works” art sale featuring small paintings, photographs, collages and other works priced at $500 and under. Of course, you can always buy local art in galleries or in some cases from the artists themselves. One of my most treasured possessions is a tiny 4x6-inch “commission” by an artist friend — it was what we could afford at the time.
Do you plan to buy local this year? If so, where will you shop?
More of ATL Arts blog can be found here.
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By GSU alum
November 28, 2007 8:14 AM | Link to this
When I was a student/employee at GSU a long time ago, the art department had a student pottery sale every year. I think it was at some point in advance of Christmas, but I can’t remember for sure. Anyway, it was a great place to buy one-of-a-kind pieces as gifts. It’s also convenient to many Atlantans, being right downtown.
By steve
November 28, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this
I try to do a lot of my shopping in Stone Mountain Village to support the store owners there and because there are a lot of great things to buy. This year, I have made myself a vow to not buy ANYTHING made in China.
By Racebaiter
November 28, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this
I guess you mean buying local for Christmas, since it doesn’t really apply to Kwanzaa (a made up holiday from the 60s by the way) or Ramadan. And there are very few gifts purchased for Hanukkah. Only whiners and cowards say “Holidays” after Thanksgiving. We all know what Holiday we’re talking about—the only one for which there’s a Federal Holiday.
By WTF
November 28, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this
such ignorance!!
By CTU Director
November 28, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this
That’s right, it’s Christmas.
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, what a wonderful HOLIDAY!!
Yay!!!
By GSU Alum
November 28, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
Racebaiter is just trying to make somebody mad for his own amusement. There was once a time when “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” and “Season’s Greetings” were all just alternate ways to say the same thing without sounding like a broken record. Nobody interpreted it as an assault on Christianity, which it is not. I use all three, but the one I like to say the most is “Have a Cool Yule!” Now let’s talk about buying local gifts some more…
By Meg
November 28, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
I only shop at stores that use the word Christmas. It doesn’t matter if they’re local or online, that’s my deal breaker.
By Racebaiter
November 28, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
Ah, fellow GSU Alum, but the intent has changed, hasn’t it? Can you tell me why Fort Collins, CO tried to ban all public signs of Christmas? Can you tell me why Christmas trees are called “Holiday trees” or even “Family Trees” (see Lowe’s) these days? Can you tell me why Christmas trees are no longer allowed in public schools? Can you explain why the ACLU files a new lawsuit everyday about some new public display of Christmas? Can you tell me why Nordstrom no longer says anything regarding Christmas? Can you tell my why last year (haven’t check this year) Cumberland Mall actually told their Santa Claus that he couldn’t wish Merry Christmas and there was only a Happy Holidays over the Santa setup? Oh yeah, I’m just making this up.
By Allen
November 28, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
I can answer your questions Racebaiter: Fort Collins is the world headquarters for the War Against Jesus. The ACLU is a bunch of Christ-killers in the thrall of George Soros. Nordtsrom is really a cabal of Satan worship, Lowe’s hates the United States and Cumberland Mall is an Al Quaeda front. Now I’m off to buy a loofah.
By GSU Alum
November 28, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
I will not waste my time debunking what are just a bunch of isolated incidents- if they are true at all. I say let’s reclaim ALL well-meaning forms of December and late November greeting. Just because a VERY few may have a warped sense of political correctness and a LARGE contingent of hyper-sensitive evangelical reactionaries who are looking for something to protest take offense does not make these lovely phrases something demonic and anti-Christian. I will continue to use them. Now that I’ve said my piece I refuse to continue to discuss this on a list that is supposed to be about SHOPPING…
Now…If you’re willing to go to the N.Georgia Mountains, the Rabun County flea market has an abundance of cool, quirky, one-of-a-kind gift ideas (many of them “recycled” of course) at bargain basement prices. It’s a lot of fun but you have to go earlier in the year. I think they’re closed during the winter. I was up there as recently as late September.
Season’s Greetings, y’all…
By Aquagirl
November 28, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
Decatur has “Mallternative” Thursdays. Most of the shops offer good deals and I think they stay open late. You can find plenty of stuff not made in China.
By Racebaiter
November 28, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
Isolated incidents? I laugh. I see it every day in every store, the public schools, the public square, and so on. If you don’t want to admit it’s happening, of course you’re going to deny it exists. I could give hundreds of examples if I had the time and the space. Of course, if you were interested in the knowing the truth, you’d do the research yourself. You could start at www.saychristmas.org, which is an organization that fights the ACLU in such cases. But we all know you don’t really want to know what’s happening. You just want to pretend there’s no War on Christmas. Doesn’t mean it’s true.
By Racebaiter
November 28, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
Heck, look at the AJC’s website. Any mention of the word Christmas? Why do you think that is? That’s part of the reason I don’t buy the AJC of course, and hardly anyone else does either. Racist, leftwing nut Cynthia Tucker is the other major reason.
By Racebaiter
November 28, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
Heck, what’s made local? Are you talking about crafts and such? There’s a local artist’s party/display (whatever you call it) where you can purchase local watercolors, sculptures and such at Chastain Park Arts Center starting this Friday. Free food and wine on that first night. Sweet.
By Allen
November 28, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this
Racebaiter— Scroll up and look in the lefthand column. Just on this same page you’ll find “Christmas.” “If you were interested in the knowing the truth, you’d do the research yourself” and likely find “the word Christmas” elsewehere on the AJC site as well. “You just want to pretend there’s no … Christmas. Doesn’t mean it’s true.”
By Anne
November 28, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this
Why does everything have to be a political/religious/race issue? Being new to Atlanta, I appreciate all the tips on where I can purchase locally made items for my friends and family. And to GSU Alum….you have a cool Yule, too! (I love that one!
By MrLiberty
November 28, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this
The best gifts are always the most personal. The wonderful thing about local artists is the care, time, and love that they put into their art. Passing such wonderful items onto others helps spread that special gift. I am really glad to see Stone Mountain Village mentioned. Southern Artistry is a very special shop that everyone should check out. Main street at the light.
But its also important to realize that the internet is no evil either. Being able to save money and still provide nice presents to loved ones allows for more savings, money for homeschooling costs, setting aside funds for home maintenance, and the like. The important thing to remember is that lowest cost doesn’t always mean best value. That is the beauty of the free market.
Now get out there and shop!
By Together for 12
November 29, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this
Sorry to burst your bubble, Racebaiter, but right on the front page of Lowe’s website they advertise “Fresh-cut Christmas Trees”. Not “family trees” or “holiday trees”, etc. CHRISTMAS trees. Nice try and thanks for playing.
As for local gifts, you might want to try the shops around downtown Kennesaw. There are a number of shops that sell gifts handmade by people right here in the area. Please also check out the Christmas tree decorating contest at the Depot as well. There’s a great turnout this year of organizations decorating trees for the contest. As I recall, there was even a Jewish group that decorated a tree last year. Come and enjoy!