Shop Locally with 5 Festive Ideas

shop locally

When you shop locally for the holidays, it helps support the local economy of Cape Cod and keeps small local businesses afloat in the off-season. With an abundance of local craftsmen and artists on the Cape and Islands, you are sure to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list in one of the many small shops on the Cape. Shopping locally can also get you into the Christmas spirit! The decorated downtown and Main Streets of the Cape are decked out with festive décor for shoppers to enjoy.

Enjoy Festive Decor while you Shop Locally

Shop Locally for the Holidays

A perfect place to start is Sandwich, where the entire village is awash in lights. This time of year, the glass museum has a brilliant display of Christmas trees all decorated with unique hand-blown glass ornaments.  You can enjoy the Glassblowers Christmas display while choosing your own gorgeous handblown glass ornaments or unique pieces to gift for loved ones.  After browsing in their gift shop, you may be lucky enough to catch a live demonstration of the glass-blower’s craft.

You can follow the trail of lights from the Sandwich Glass Museum to find all of the Giants of Sandwich which are lit up for the holidays throughout the town.  Treat yourself by pair your shopping with a festive lunch or dinner at a local restaurant to enjoy the holiday spirit.

Support Local Art Collaboratives and Galleries

Check out local art studios for pottery, paintings, and sculptures. Many artists open their studios for holiday sales.  Look for handmade jewelry or textiles created by Cape Cod crafters.

Mashpee Commons is home to a fabulous collaboration of local artists, the Art Shop Locally for the HolidaysCoddage. You are sure to find the perfect gift among the fabulous creations of 14 local Cape Cod artists under one roof. The shop is filled with unique, one-of-a-kind gifts like this charcuterie board by Coastal Vibes Woodworking.

This quaint shop is brimming with handcrafted displays of pottery, jewelry, clothing, original artwork and candles with scents inspired by the sea and nature.  Since the shop operates as a co-operative, on most days you will find at least one of the resident artists in house to discuss their work with you and assist in finding the perfect gift.

Support Local Food & Beverage

Perishable gifts are a great idea for the minimalist on your holiday giving list.  You can select yummy treats from local bakeries, or pick up gift cards so they can select treats their own treats.

Visit Cape Cod breweries, wineries, or distilleries for unique beverages to gift or enjoy at your holiday gatherings. This is also a great excuse to stop by the local breweries during the holiday season to sample the festive brews for yourself!

Gift Experiences

There are a wide range of experience gifts for the students on your list that may be looking for exciting things to do over winter break, such as a gift certificate to an escape room, laser tag, bowling or indoor skating.  You may also want to consider memberships or gift certificates for local attractions, like the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History or other museums that the recipient can enjoy after the holiday season.

Reduce your Plastic Footprint

Further down Cape in Brewster, you will find Green Road Refill, a shop that not only supports local artists and craftsmen but exclusively stocks products that are environmentally-friendly and sustainable. This earth-friendly shop, supporting local as well as fair-trade artisans, has plenty of great ideas to help reduce our plastic footprint.  For more conscious-giving this season, you can select gifts that are made from recycled materials or can actually be refilled when they are used, like these locally-made soy candles or re-purposed mittens.Green Road Gifts 1 1

Some of the most passionate believers in the shop locally movement, the founders of the LoveLiveLocal Fests on Cape Cod, show us how it matters if you shop locally. When you buy from a locally owned business $.57 stays on the Cape to recirculate in our local economy, as opposed to $.024 when you shop locally at one of the local big box stores or $.0 when you shop online.

LoveLiveLocal has now opened their own retail store in Hyannis. Their storefront on South Street showcases the artwork and products of over 100 local artisans. They are now open 5 days a week or you can shop with them online at your convenience.

Shopping Local Tips

Many Cape Cod businesses post holiday promotions and events online. If you want to avoid the last minute crowds, check with your local stores to arrange online order pick-ups or drop-offs.

Shopping locally strengthens the Cape Cod community and ensures you find thoughtful, meaningful gifts for your loved ones.  Be sure to shop locally on the Cape this season to support our community of artists and creators while finding the best gifts the Cape has to offer!  Happy holidays!

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