Small Shops of Sonoma County - 2017
Small Shops of Sonoma County is an annual TRADITION that goes back 15 years. Like all traditions, we like to be consistent - that’s part of what makes it areal tradition. The consistency here is supporting locally-owned businesses who support our local economy by keeping your money right here at home.
This year, the last few months have a been a serious challenge for small business owners. The fires kept customers away long enough to impact owners’ ability to pay rent, purchase products, etc. People also gave a lot of money away...first to hurricane victims, then to fire victims right here at home.
That means that shoppers are especially reluctant to spend more money they don’t have. Many people couldn’t go to work, some lost jobs along with the businesses they worked for. That fire did more damage then just burning land, homes, and buildings. There are no funds for lost business from natural disasters, so we will do our best to make this holiday the best it can be, and look forward to repairing the damage and moving on.
Please look at the CENTER MAP (below) to find your way across the county to the small businesses who are on the same mission we are…keeping our local economy strong. They read the Gazette, so they know exactly why we publish this guide to holiday shopping. We don’t just tell you to go buy stuff - we provide inspiration on gifting in ways that support our home and families. Please see our Holiday Craft Fair Guide on pages 14 & 15, and our Great Holiday Events Calendar in the December Gazette and online at SonomaCountyGazette.com for FUN Holiday events.
Our preference is to inspire you with ideas on how you can contribute to people’s lives, our community, and still find a gift for someone you care about. People love presents wrapped in pretty paper and ribbons. But it doesn’t have to be something to dust and figure out where to place. It can be an experience.
With that in mind, Aleta Parseghian and Amy Calhoun researched ways to spend time with people, offer them a gift of something they don’t normally do or can’t normally afford, teach someone a new skill, etc.
And we always encourage you to find gifts that are locally made. Sonoma County is home to amazingly creative people, from musicians to fine artists. Our co-op galleries are the best places to find unique gifts you will never find in a chain store. Please look online for the Gazette’s Art Galleries of Sonoma County created by Su McMurtry for our October edition - and online under LOCAL GUIDES at SonomaCountyGazette.com. And while you are on our website, please see our LOCAL GUIDES to Jewelers, Flower Shops, Bike Stores, Garden Businesses and more.
We want to be your resource for shopping where our community benefits the most.
Please see links(below) to all our 2017 articles on ideas for giving gifts this year...experiences top the list!
Here's the full Small Shops 2017 Holiday Guide in the Flip the Pages version of our print edition: http://online.flipbuilder.com/opcf/slag/mobile/index.html
Holiday Shipping Deadlines:
United Parcel Service: ups.com/holiday
Dec 18 – Deadline for 3 Day Select shipments. Dec 20 – Deadline for 2nd Day Air shipments. Dec 22 – Deadline for Next Day Air shipments. International info@ups.com
United State Postal Service:usps.com/holiday/
FedEx: fedex.com/us/holiday/holiday-service-schedule.html
Dec 18 – Deadline for Home Delivery and Ground Delivery shipments. Dec 22 – Deadline for 2-Day and 2-Day A.M. shipments. Dec 23 – Deadline for Standard Overnight, Priority Overnight, First Overnight International info: fedex.com
DHL International Courier: www.dhl-usa.com
Military Mail: APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs: ZIP Express 1st Cls Priority Airlift Spc Avail Grnd ZIP 090-092 Dec. 16 Dec. 11 Dec. 11 Dec. 4 Nov. 27 Nov. 6 ZIP 093 N/A Dec. 2 Dec. 4 Dec. 4 Nov. 27 Nov. 6= ZIPs 094-098 Dec. 16 Dec. 9 Dec. 11 Dec. 4 Nov. 27 Nov. 6 ZIP 340 Dec. 16 Dec. 9 Dec. 11 Dec. 4 Nov. 27 Nov. 6 ZIPs 962-966 Dec. 16 Dec. 9 Dec. 11 Dec. 2 Nov. 25 Nov.6 INFO: militarybenefits.info/holiday-shipping-mailing-dates
In Love with the Earth
Every year for the last 8 years, Leslie Curchack has published a calendar of her photographs and donated the proceeds to Daily Acts, a nonprofit sustainability group started by Trathen Heckamn 17 years ago. The whole point of Daily Acts is to be conscious of the impact we have on our planet and on the lives of others. By living consciously and acting in accordance with the principles of supporting a sustainable life, every day we contribute to the health and well-being of everyone and our home. Read more...
LIVE Theater Tickets
Season & Performance Tickets make great holiday gifts. Slip them inside a glass with a bottle of wine, beer, cider, a box of locally made food, a jar of popcorn kernels, wrapped around candy bars, whatever creative way you care to dress up a small package with a large experience inside. Read more...