The Giving Tree: Shop Local For A Holiday Tree & Give Back to Your Community
Shop Local For A Holiday Tree & Give Back To Your Community
The warm smell of hot chocolate and the crisp scent of pine – a sure sign the holidays are here in Cherokee County! For many residents, this season is marked by frantic holiday shopping, sweet treats and the annual choosing of the evergreen holiday tree.
No matter how you celebrate this season of giving, your smallest decisions can have the greatest impact on our community. This holiday season, choose to shop local for all your wintery needs.
Not only do local vendors create the most unique holiday gifts on the market, but there is also more power in your purchase than if you buy from chain retail. According to Business Journal Daily, local businesses generate 70% more local economic activity per square foot than big box retail.
For every $100 you spend with local creators, the community receives $68 of local economic return; compare that with a $48 return with big box retailers and that’s $20 more for your community with just a few changes in your shopping habits.
Cherokee County is home to a strong community of artists, creators, makers, bakers – and growers. When you purchase your fresh holiday tree in Cherokee County, you are putting money back into your community.
“We’ve been doing this for 30-something years,” said Betty Hutson, part-owner of Deerwoods Christmas Tree Farm in Ball Ground. “My son and I bought this place from two retired nurses; it just grows and grows each year. When we got it, they only sold one variety of tree – it’s amazing what we’ve been able to do with the place.”
Deerwoods Christmas Tree farm has offered pre-cut and uncut Christmas trees, tractor rides, hot chocolate and more to generations of Cherokee residents – thanks to those who support local. “We have parents who came here when they were babies, and now they bring their own babies. There are lots of memories on this farm.”
When you’re giving back this season, don’t stop with the tree! If you’re itching for a sweet holiday treat or a toasty hot chocolate to get you through your holiday shopping, be sure to visit a locally owned bakery and coffee shop.
Try locally crafted holiday flavors, and the feeling of gratitude and the taste of some great coffee will be sure to keep you warm throughout your holiday errands.
After your peppermint treat of choice, Cherokee has many opportunities for you to browse locally crafted artisan gifts this holiday season.
The Cotton Mill Exchange at the Mill on Etowah offers a year-round unique shopping experience. Spanning 48,000 square feet in the heart of the mill, it hosts more than 150 designers, artisans & small businesses owners selling their antique and handmade merchandise.
To truly connect with this season’s spirit, Cherokee is home to holiday festivities where you can also shop from local vendors.
If you’re looking for a winter wonderland experience, check out the annual Merry Market in downtown Canton for local arts and crafts, food and artisan vendors, along with live music on Dec. 9. Stick around for the annual Canton Christmas parade beginning at 6 p.m.
The Ball Ground Christmas Market on Dec. 2 also celebrates local makers, bakers, artists, designers and purveyors all with exclusive holiday gifts.
Woodstock Arts will have its second annual Christkindl Market and Festival on Dec. 3. Shop locally crafted gifts from vendors among holiday food, activities, movies and the German Christkindl mugs.
Waleska also enjoys a German Christkindl Market. The Song Rock Wedding and Event Venue will host a variety of vendors on Dec. 21, 22 and 23 for some last-minute shopping. Take in live music, sip hot chocolate and try some glühwein spiced wine while you browse local makers.
While creating local wealth and circulating money through your community is an ambitious and fulfilling goal, the true reason to shop locally this holiday season is the people behind the product. Small businesses account for 99.7% of all U.S. employers.
Buying local is buying from your neighbors – it just means more. This holiday season, get the gift that keeps on giving – to you, to your loved ones and to your neighbors. Shop local, shop Cherokee!