Well, it happened. This Monday (Oct. 17) I was minding my own business and cooking with the television on in the background, when I noticed the snow, tinsel and red ornaments on the screen. It was a holiday commercial… in October. To be fair, it was for Avon, where you must place orders now to have product by Christmas. 
But still, isn’t it awfully early to be thinking about buying gifts? Or maybe I’m just behind the eight-ball as the only person who hasn’t started thinking about it??
Either way, I did some research on holiday spending forecasts, and according to the National Retail Federation’s 2011 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, holiday shoppers will be buying more gifts online this year than ever before: 46.7% will be purchasing online, up from 43.9% last year.
It is interesting to me that while movements are springing up across the country to encourage support of small businesses—including the Chamber’s Think Local initiative—more Americans are shopping from the comfort of their homes.
No one would argue the convenience of slipping into pajamas and surfing the web at midnight to complete a shopping list. However, I challenge you to Think Local as you embark on your holiday shopping journey. As technological opportunities advance, you will find that many Lancaster-based businesses have an online store presence, and by placing an order with these folks, instead of a vendor hundreds of miles away, you will keep money in the community, which leads to increased prosperity and sustainability.
Check out the Chamber’s membership directory to see if your favorite shops are members, and make a point out of spending your holiday budget locally. When we Think Local, we invest back into the community we love, and—simply stated—there’s no better gift for the long-term than a thriving, successful Lancaster County.
Dana Bowman
Tom Baldrige
Cheryl Irwin
Greg Freedland
Kristy Reel
Samantha Seifried
Dan Arnold
Allison Bucher
Maureen Ward
Jessica Sparkes
michellelandis22
