A Joyous Holiday Season to All!

Well here we are, a few days until Christmas and about ten to the New Year. At Monkitree we have recently marked our seventh month in business. We have come a long way in seven months and have big plans for the coming year- great shows, new products, an updated website. I want to thank everyone who has been a part of our growth- the artists and craftspeople who allow us to represent them, our neighboring businesses, our families who have supported us in countless ways, and of course our customers. It has been a great year but like many of you, I am hoping 2011 brings with it a new confidence and prosperity.

For those of you with shopping still left to do, Monkitree will be open 10am-6pm through Christmas Eve. We have great jewelry, pottery, cutting boards, textiles and fine art in every price range. Hope to see you before Christmas but if not Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Let's make it a good one.

Who is Ready for Christmas?

Monkitree is well stocked with all sorts of fun gift items and great art. I love this time of year. There are the confident gift givers who know exactly what each person on their list will want. But there are also those who aren't confident in their gift giving and know they will need help. Some people are reluctant to ask for help, as if not knowing what their new daughter in-law would like is somehow a failing. I like helping these people. I start with simple questions like, "What color is her hair?" They know the answer to that one and they feel good! Then I start with options, "Would you describe her as contemporary or more traditional?" This is also good. Black and white. They can pick one. Again they feel good. And at the same time I am getting valuable information and am eliminating whole categories. Then we can get into suggesting items. Any hesitation and I move on, the key is finding a great gift not settling on something they are unsure about. Once we have found a great gift, we can move onto the co-worker or great-aunt or a more significant gift because once a reluctant shopper finds someone they can work with why go anywhere else?

Your Christmas Gift to Your Community

I found out today that Sportman's Bows, Arrows, Rods and Reels is closing. For months they have had a sign out front asking people to support local business. They didn't get the support they needed. These are difficult times for everyone. People are spending less. The costs of food and fuel are rising. People are feeling the strain. But there is something you can do to support your community- support your local independant stores. If you want to get a cup of coffee stop in to Sweet Love or A1 To Go instead of Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks. If you want to eat out go to the
A1 Diner or the Mad Dog instead of the Olive Garden. If you need a gift come into Monkitree instead of Target of Pier 1. When you support your local businesses you support your community. Your money stays in your community.

When someone buys something from me the money I make goes right back to the community. I will hire McFarland Electric and Ladd Plumbing to work on our building. I will buy from Harvey's Hardware for the projects I can complete myself. I will buy products for the store from local businesses who in turn put their money back into the community. It is important that we understand that the choices we make have a huge impact on our neighbors and our communities. I think it is important that we stop driving all over chasing the bargain and think about what we have in our own communities.

I fear for what is still to come in this terrible economy if we don't take it upon ourselves to support our local businesses. Let's make this Holiday Season a joyous one for our communities and our neighbors by supporting the businesses in our hometowns.