Social experiences during the Christmas season often feel like a whirlwind. I have trouble taking them all in because it’s like the speed is too fast—almost like the activities are a vinyl album played on a turntable at 45 instead of 33 ½. Every sound is higher pitched and too fast. It’s difficult to comprehend!
A few days after Christmas I reflected on the whirlwind. I found myself especially happy about Christmas Eve. I perceive that’s because the activities were highly personal and the right speed. My adult-age sons were home. In the morning, we briefly chatted before going our own ways for last-minute holiday preparations.
I had multiple errands. I was especially fortunate that I decided to purchase dinner rolls from Great Harvest Bread Company. Unbeknownst to me, it was their last day in business. Owner Julie Damschroder has decided to move on to ranching with her brother in Kansas after 17 years. Prior to owning the bread store, she was a corporate attorney. She is highly talented and a generous person. When I worked for McKee Wellness from 2014-2017, I visited her each year on the day before Thanksgiving. She gave the nonprofit organization hundreds of packages of bread, and pumpkin and apple pies as prizes for the healthcare foundation’s annual Turkey Trot fundraiser. The in-kind donations made the event a little more unique and extra special. After the race, participants beamed holding their cherished baked goods.
Back to Christmas Eve inside Julie’s bakery, there was tremendous emotion in the warm air. Two different sets of college students and their moms talked with Julie about how much the store meant to them. One young man was holding loaves like small babies. He had the sorriest look on his face! He told Julie that visiting her store was the first place he stopped whenever he returned home. Another young woman shyly told Julie that she worked there in high school. Julie enthusiastically responded, “Oh, do I have your photo? I have a photo wall with employees. Please, come back with me and I’ll take your picture! I want your picture.” I left the store with my arms full of baked goods. I was happy to be a small part of such a bittersweet day!
My next stop was a gift to myself. I calendared ice skating with my close friend Diane. For the last six years, we have been ice skating annually; it’s a highlight of my year. This time we met at the EPIC Ice Arena, a public rink that offers fitness skate. We weren’t going to be slowed down by children learning to skate. Instead, we found ourselves surrounded by athletes practicing their ice dance routines. We were able to avoid collisions, fit in a little exercise, and share good memories of skating together in the past.
Next, I needed to fulfill a promise to a friend at my church. I agreed to drop off small gift bags with cookies and battery-operated candles to older adults. They are members who are no longer able to attend church in person. I felt good helping three individuals know that they are seen and remembered. They could enjoy cookies and participate in that night’s Candlelight Service and group singing of Silent Night.
After visiting with the last person on my list, I stopped at the grocery store to find an empty wall cooler with a sign that read, “Eggnog SOLD OUT.” I complained aloud with the other shoppers. We laughed about waiting until the last minute. It was communal kvetching and a balm to not having eggnog this year.
I returned home to find packages from Amazon and Shutterfly on my porch. Even though shopping local is important to me, I buy some things online. A Drop-Shipping business, Oblero estimates that 41 percent of holiday shopping is completed online. Even though some online shopping is necessary, my husband and I are small business owners. We highly value local business and supporting local business owners. The in-person shopping that I did this year with local businesses was fulfilling. When shopping locally and interacting with others, we hear stories from neighbors and get to hug friends we haven’t seen in years. We connect with the actual people who benefit from our purchases. Our dollar goes further.
Sustainable Connections, a nonprofit organization in Washington state, summarizes why it’s economically important to shop local: “Small-scale, locally owned businesses create communities that are more prosperous, connected, and generally better-off across a wide range of metrics. When we buy from independent, locally owned businesses, rather than national chains, a significantly greater portion of our money is then cycled back through our local economy — to make purchases from our friends’ businesses, to aid our neighbors in need, and to support our local farms — ultimately strengthening the base of our whole community.” Strengthening our community is a gift that lasts long past the holiday season.
After my errands and shopping were done, my family and I went to my mom’s home for a cherished tradition of cheese fondue. With full bellies, my mom, husband, sons and I attended the Christmas Eve service together. We have differing faith practices and belief in God, yet we all left the First United Presbyterian Church service smiling and content. We shared a local experience. We shared support of a local business. Yes, even a church is a business. It employs people and definitely supports a city’s economy.
My 2024 Christmas Eve was memorable because it was local with family, friends, neighbors, and in-person shoppers. I plan to repeat it next year.