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Start in Cranbrook for Black Friday
Tis the season for local cheer
By Brenda Ann Babinski
A few years ago my family decided to try something new at Christmas. Instead of the flurry of electronic i-things, gift cards and useless gadgets being exchanged Christmas morning, we agreed to only exchange homemade gifts.
No rules, dollar limits or parameters other than the gift had to be created by a human person. We preferred the gift to be created by the one doing the giving but were okay if it was made by somebody else… as long as we could point that person out on the street and say, “Hey… that guy there made the pan flute I gave you.” Get the picture?
Excited about the new approach to the holiday, I eagerly began my projects, staying up late working in the dark of night, covertly knitting a Hogwarts scarf for my daughter (10 points for GRIFFINDOR) and a sweater for my American husband (which would have been perfect if his arms were proportioned like a gorilla). We worked hard, were inspired and come Christmas morning we thoroughly enjoyed the effort of each other’s creations and discoveries.
And the added bonus was that we didn’t go broke trying to maintain some crazy consumer standard. We kept is simple, had fun and let the stress go. And keeping it simple became our new normal.
In the years that have followed we have not made it a strict rule that we only exchange handmade gifts, but we have tried very hard to keep the simplicity, thoughtfulness and artistry of that year we fondly refer to as our ‘Walton’s Family Christmas.’ Goodnight John Boy.
And it is that time again. Black Friday is upon us: that American creation we Canadians have adopted. November 27, the day following U.S. Thanksgiving, is the day many U.S. citizens burn off their turkey, pumpkin pie and stuffing by shop, shop, shopping. Traditionally a lot of stores hold great big sales on this Friday. “Black Friday” is so named because it has typically been the day when most big retailers begin to make a profit. Those in the bookkeeping world get it. Black ink profit, red ink debt. It’s a thing.
Keeping in the theme of making our own gifts to exchange – keeping it local, as it were – there is another way to keep the Christmas spirit as close to home as possible – shopping locally.
Cranbrook businesses are enthusiastically participating in Black Friday today (Nov. 27), which is great news for all of the holiday shoppers out there.
I for one plan to get my creative gift giving mojo going by trying to find the best local products and services. I am a huge fan of shopping locally, knowing that by supporting small business owners, artists, artisans and craftspeople, I will be injecting my support back into the local economy.
Did you know that by shopping locally we can enhance economic growth for each other? And that by supporting business owners in our own community we reduce the environmental impact (less transport of goods), we create more jobs, get awesome service and create a unique place to live. Encouraging local prosperity is good for everyone.
Here are a few great ideas:
– For the bookworm in your life: Lotus Books carries a huge selection of books by local Kootenay authors. They also have a great selection of works by local artists, musicians and artisans.
– Cranbrook’s own Fisher Peak Brewing Co. offers a wide selection of locally brewed Growlers that are a unique alternative host/hostess gift.
– Key City Theatre has a fantastic season of concerts, plays and entertainment with something to please everyone on your list. Giving a memorable experience of world-class entertainment instead of a pair of socks? I think, yes.
– Local musicians Julian Bueckert (Split Dream), Dawson Rutledge, the Bison Brothers, just to name a few, have newly released CDs available for purchase in various locations around town.
– The Cranbrook and District Arts Council has a selection of works by local artists and crafters for sale in their gift shop. The level of talent in this area is truly astounding.
– Kootenay Roasting Company features locally roasted beans for the coffee lover in your life.
– Cranbrook Community Theatre has tickets available for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, playing in January, and the New Year’s Eve Gala Fundraiser, Young Frankenstein the Musical…. All featuring local talent. Perfect for the theatre lover.
– The Winter Market (Nov. 27 to 29), put on by the Cranbrook Farmers Market, will feature all varieties of goods from local manufacturers, artists, chefs, bakers, and artisans.
– And how about some Kootenay ICE tickets in those stockings this year? Taking the family to cheer on the local team makes for a night to remember.
– Support local ski hills by purchasing lift tickets for ski/snowboarders in the family or among your friends.
– If someone wishes for their Christmas gift to be one of giving back, there are many local causes to support; many with Christmas at their core: The Cranbrook Food Bank; The Salvation Army; the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce’s Turkey Drive; the East Kootenay SPCA; minor hockey or figure skating clubs, the arts … you get the picture.
For more ideas check out our events calendar.
However you choose to spend your Black Friday and the coming weeks preparing for the holidays, remember to start in Cranbrook. There really is no place like home for the holidays.
Consider the strain and potential for things going wrong by driving to Alberta or south into Montana or Idaho. Road conditions can change in a blink of an eye. And consider the exchange on the Canadian dollar to the American at this time. It doesn’t matter what you are shopping for, the exchange rate ($1.34 Cdn. Equals $1 US) alone makes it more affordable to shop at home this year.
And Cranbrook has all you need. Give a gift to your home, to your neighbours and friends and family and support our local economy this Christmas.
For more on Black Friday specials in Cranbrook, go HERE. For more on Cranbrook, check out Start in Cranbrook.
And don’t forget that tonight is JCI Kootenay’s Santa Claus Parade in downtown Cranbrook. The parade starts at 7 p.m. on Baker Street. Remember to check out the Winter Farmers’ Market, too, for great gift giving ideas.
Please feel free to give a shout out to your favorite local place to shop in the comments section below.
