Feel Good Holiday Gifts

​The holidays are a stressful time for many. And sadly, we create much of that stress ourselves. Over-thinking, over-spending, fighting traffic then the crowds just to stand in line... We're running ourselves ragged in pursuit of "the perfect gift" but our carts are filled with a bunch of plastic crapola that will soon be forgotten, broken, recalled for potential health threats, discarded in landfills or worse, set adrift at sea. 

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:​

​Support Local Art!
We always find awesome handmade gifts at The Winter Fantasy Art Show. If you missed the show, you can still find the Winter Fantasy Artists here. Or check out your local art councils for holiday shopping events. We're members of the Jordan River Arts Council & participate in JRAC's Holiday Gift Market every year. JRAC's Gift Market is filled with affordable art & gifts created by JRAC members with 30% of sales supporting JRAC. The Gift Market is open daily 1:00-4:00 until December 21st.

​If you have creative friends (artists, writers, musicians, actors, dancers) match their talents to the interests of those on your holiday shopping list. Artwork, books, music/CDs, concert & theatre tickets all make wonderful gifts and help your artist friends earn a living & grow their audience.

We are fortunate enough to count two published authors as friends. (I was even given a nod by author Laura Alden in the acknowledgments of her first two books in her PTA Mystery series. How cool is that?!!) Of course, we purchased their books for gifts and asked our author friends to sign them. History & military buffs will enjoy Joseph R. Clark's "Not Quite A Hero: Fighting the Migs with Gabreski, Mahurin and Adams."

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

We love Harwood Gold Maple Syrup products from Parsons Farm. Select from a huge variety of delicious maple syrup based products or choose one of their handcrafted gift crates full of yummy maple treats. We purchase direct from the farm but you can also find them in Downtown Charlevoix or order online and they will pack & ship for you. 

​Maple candies, miniature jugs & tiny glass leaves filled with maple syrup make great stocking stuffers for kids of all ages. So do gourmet caramel apples from Royal Farms. Yum!

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.

And best of all, EVERYONE is FUL!

Happy Holidays!