'Shop Local This Christmas!'

I always think that at Christmas time it is a good time to try and 'whip back in time' to a period like the 1980's when trips to your local The Town Centre or to Kings Road (if you are from Hastings) were all the rage as far as Christmas shopping was concerned.  Back then we all mainly 'shopped local' aside from the odd day trip to somewhere like Brighton or London and as a result probably knew most of our local shop keepers and traders. While online shopping is much more convenient it lacks that 'personal touch' and you really do feel good when you spend money in a local shop and see how happy your custom and support makes the owners!

This said, I do have to admit that there are some items these days that due to the loss of a lot of our High Street shops it is virtually impossible to buy 'the old fashioned way' now. One of the exceptions though are Christmas cards and in many cases (as you see here) if you take a walk around your local area you will find a good many fascinating and great value craft shops!

Take a look at these wonderful, beautifully made Christmas cards I picked up in Bexhill the other day, for example! Hand made out of really sturdy card they each feature really traditional, heartwarming Christmassy designs and have plenty of room for you to write a few words to loved ones in as well as a simple festive message inside. You won't get cards as nice nor anywhere near as good value (these were just 60p each!) in any of the 'chain' card shops you know and certainly not online!

The shop I bought them from is called 'Thingamjigz' and is run by two nice ladies who always greet you with a smile. It is in The Mall in Western Road and features a whole host of other cards, craft items and potential gift ideas so why not pop along, get yourself a bargain or two AND save yourself some money!

And yes, I do know that many of you no longer send 'proper' Christmas cards! You 'go digital' and see  one of those amazing 'Jacquie Lawson' animated cards instead. Well, I must admit they are fantastic and always nice to receive but in my experience you don't get the same 'festive feel' that you pick up when 'sorting out' who to send which one to that you definitely get when you interact with real people in a real life scenario! Postage costs are a 'passion killer' these days I grant you but you must admit surely that it is always special when you receive a hand written Christmas card from family or friends from afar rather than just an animated one in your inbox.

As I am very definitely 'old school' I will never give up on sending our real cards - even if the postage costs do make me wince! The next time you begrudge sending someone a real card or buying them a present just think for a moment about how your life would be if that person was not there anymore? Christmas is always a 'double edged sword' as far as thinking of people is concerned so make sure you do all you can while you can to let those in your life you care about that you love them is my motto!

I will understand though if you try not to befriend any new people who live in the U.S, Canada or Australia! (lol)