When giving & receiving gifts, it's the thought that counts, right? What if I told you that finding the perfect holiday gift is easy once you start thinking outside of the "Big Box" store? You don't have to fight traffic or crowds. "Feel Good" holiday gifts are made & sold in your own community by your friends & neighbors. When you realize that, your holiday shopping experience will become much less stressful. You may even start to enjoy it. We do!

We make a few gifts ourselves each year and purchase the rest from local artists, artisans and small mom & pop shops within our community. Since we started this tradition our gifts have always been hits. What's our secret? We look for locally made items that are FUL - thoughtful, useful or beautiful. Gift recipients are always thankful and those we purchased our gifts from are grateful. When everyone is FUL there's no room for stress. Here's a few of our favorite feel good gift sources:​

​Send Local Specialty Goods to Friends & Family Out of State!

Support Local Artisans - Buy Handcrafted Goods Made Locally!
We love handmade soaps by Latter Rain Soaps and soaps, lotions & balms by SAP Soap & Beyond. We have gifted pottery, local honey, beeswax candles, 10 toxin-free nail polish by Northern Nail Polish, I could go on. All of these items were hits with our family & friends. 

Our area happens to be filled with orchards, wineries, breweries, artisans & craftsman of all sorts. Local wine, beer, cheese, pastries & such all make great hostess gifts and tasty dishes to pass. And don't forget to visit your local farmer! Our friends at Providence Farm & CSA still have plenty of healthy organic veggies, meats & berries. They offer gift shares & gift certificates and they can help you donate fresh, healthy food gifts to our local food pantries.

Out of Wrap? Still Need A Toy? Or a Last Minute Gift? Or a ???
For everything else I head to Bachmanns Store in Central Lake. Since 1942, this 5 & dime variety store has been a family run business, now in it's third generation. Their motto is "If we don't have it, you don't need it" and that's the truth! We love their old-fashioned candy counter and it's a great place for the kid-clueless (like me!) to find cool toys. Plus, they gift wrap! A trip to Bachmanns Store is always a step back in time to the good ol' days.

And just like that I've checked everything off my holiday shopping list. No malls, crowds or stress. We're keeping our hard earned money in our own community. Visiting our neighbors, supporting small businesses, making new friends.

If you missed this year's Winter Fantasy Art Show you still have plenty of time to shop the Winter Fantasy Artists! Please visit our Winter Fantasy Web Page for a preview of the artwork & specialty goods handcrafted by this wonderful group of Michigan artisans. You will also find the artist's name & website available below. If you would like to contact an artist who does not list a website, please feel free to contact us and we'll be happy to put you in touch!