The scent of peppermint and pine needle, the warmth of the crackling fires, and our wallets beginning to feel light — these are all signs of the holiday season charging toward us, full-speed ahead.
Even if you are waiting for good deals, Black Friday isn’t the only chance to find affordable gifts for your loved ones. If you are one of the few who has managed to hold off on your holiday shopping, I’m here to offer a few helpful things to make this Christmas thrifty, unique, and handmade.
Now don’t let the whole "handmade idea" scare you. Crafty or not, with web sites like Etsy and 1000 Markets, and boutiques like The Boulevard in NoDa, you can give the gift of handmade without actually getting any glue on your fingers. And for you folks who don’t mind getting your hands a little dirty, it’s not too late to start making this Christmas more personal. Here is a quick guide to getting most originality for your money.
Shopping local doesn’t always mean shopping in store. With the influx of people taking their hobbies to a business level, crafty Charlotteans are popping up all over the Web. East Coast Fight Club offers high quality T-shirts with designs for the hippest guy or girl, all courtesy of local designers. Paper Whistle is the place to buy affordable, engaging fine art prints by local artist Brandi Strickland. For one-of-a-kind photo prints, jewelry, and knit wear, Heather Bryan’s Etsy shop, handmade lady, is a go-to that won’t empty out your wallet. And locally based Wolfie and the Sneak have $4 coloring books that any kid (big or small) could enjoy.
If all of this handmade shopping gets your creative juices flowing, stop by Cheap Joe’s or your local arts and craft store for some supplies to unleash your inner artist. Strathmore produces a line of DIY card sets that include pre-folded cards and matching envelopes. They are available in watercolor paper, regular Bristol, and even with pre-attached photo corners if you’re more the photography buff.
There are really no boundaries when you delve into the world of handmade, and the sky is the limit. Stretching your creativity to give gifts that mean way more than mass produced bric-a-brac and knick knacks is something that is often over-looked but tremendously appreciated, not to mention it saves a lot of dough. For more things local and handmade, head over to Etsy’s Shop Local search or Indie NC.
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