Why are we channeling our inner Grinch? Easy: it’s holiday shopping time, a time when expectations, angst (and credit card bills) are high–for both the giver — and the receiver.
Ready to do things differently this year? Interested in a more relaxed shopping experience that’s out of the box (as in big box store)?
Why not give a gift that’s creative, supports the local economy, lessens the carbon footprint and delivers a bonus of good exercise out in the brrrrisk December air?
Think beyond the same-old, last-ditch-effort gift card and make it a unique holiday for someone with a special gift from your local farmers’ market.
Here is a list of fabulous and (most of them) ship-able goodies to give.
n Hand-crafted indoor and outdoor furniture. If a beautiful chair, music stand or end table are out of your price range, look at more cost-effective wooden crafts such salmon planks and cutting boards for the foodie on your list and carved holiday ornaments and whimsical wind-catchers for everyone else.
n Charming toys, from wooden pull-toy animals to hand-stitched rag dolls.
n Funky metal art: picnic tables, wall hangings, bottle trees, sculpture, garden art–all made from salvaged material and all fun.
n Cheerful hand-made rag rugs.
n Hand-woven baskets–both useful and artful.
n Knitted scarf, shawl, hat and gloves (or a glorious skein or two of right-off-the-farm, hand-loomed yarn for do-it-yourselfers).
n Scrumptious cheeses — both jarred goat cheese with layers of spice and pesto and hand-made feta and Asiago hard cheeses.
n Colorful and kicky jarred chow-chow, pickled veggies and jams.
n Luxurious soaps, in a variety of fragrances and shapes–from simple squares to fanciful animals.
n Golden honey and opulent beeswax lotions and candles.
n Luscious bon-bons and truffles.
n Sweet potatoes, a hardy and delicious vegetable that ships well and keeps well.
n Holiday spirits in the form of festive, locally produced wines.
n Hand-thrown and built pottery — from dishware to wine glasses, tiles to vases.
n Vibrant, hand-made quilts and potholders.
n Fragrant holiday wreathes and centerpieces.
n Beautiful live plants, such as a camellias.
Don’t need to mail your gift? If you’re hand-delivering your present this year, consider presenting the lucky (carnivorous) recipient with humanely raised and processed meats such as succulent wursts, bacon, sausage and other beef, pork, lamb and fowl products.
Or, prepare a festive bread basket full of tempting, fresh-baked breads and rolls.
And, of course, you can’t go wrong with dessert — from doughnuts to coconut cake, pecan pie to cinnamon buns, there are many toothsome treats to share.
Happy shopping!
Melanie Raskin is one of 35 volunteers at the Carrboro Farmers Market, which has been bringing local foods to the community for more than 30 years. Open year-round, 60 farmers and artisans sell vegetables, fruit, meats and fowl, canned and baked goods, dried flowers and greenery, cheese, art and crafts at the Carrboro Town Common on winter Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon. For more information go to carrborofarmersmarket.com.
