Special Christmas Gifting

Yep, it's official... the Christmas shopping season is well underway.  Right now there isn't a single major chain out there that isn't COMPLETELY decked out in Christmas cheer, but while they are all gearing up for their holiday profiting, I'm reminded that supporting our small business folks is probably the greatest gift we can actually give to our struggling economy this Christmas.  I believe it is the greatest gift we can give OURSELVES!!!

And the Institute For Local Self-Reliance agrees with me.  As published in their December 24th article from LAST Christmas, Top 10 Reasons To Support Locally Owned Businesses, they site some pretty great reasons that benefit us all!  My favorites on the list are building community prosperity and creating competition to ensure innovation and lower pricing over the long term.  I also feel pretty good about supporting someone's kid going to school rather than supporting some no-name "CEO purchase a 3rd vacation home" as I heard it put on facebook.  The other benefit that I'm JUST NOW understanding is the quality you get from someone who puts their love and care into a business they NEED to survive.  If it's one thing that drives me crazy about putting hard-earned dollars back into the economy is the lack of service and quality I receive for those dollars.  Small business owners are trying to survive and typically give you far better service and quality at far better pricing.

So, in the spirit of supporting my own local small business owners, I want to give a shout out to a couple of local East Valley businesses (in Chandler, AZ) who have given me AWESOME products and services this week:

First up I would like to thank Kevin and Christy of Baldwin Brother's Automotive who saved me THOUSANDS on my car repair.  My car dealership quoted me $3000 to repair my car, Baldwin Brothers did it for $750 and had my car back to me the same day.  They also inspected my whole car, finding a couple of issues the dealership didn't include in their $3000 estimate.  I have WAY more confidence in my mechanic (Kevin) and am SO MUCH happier with my service.  If you live in the area, I HIGHLY recommend Baldwin Brothers Automotive!!!  Click HERE to check them out.... not to mention I think they have the COOLEST website I've ever seen with the COOLEST logo!!!  Seriously, check them out just for that!!!

NOW.... I SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST!!!  CHECK OUT MY NEW BLING!!!

Aren't they GORGEOUS!!!  I just bought them from my crafty friend Patty who, by the way, just opened a new Etsy shop!!!  She makes incredible jewelry (be sure to check out her soldered pendants) and is selling it at an incredible price!!!  Honestly, I've been eyeballing jewelry JUST LIKE THIS at the mall for 10 x's the price AND she customized it for ME!!!  I am so thrilled with this set.  RUN, don't walk, to Patty's Etsy store HERE!  Bling just doesn't get any better!!!

Really everyone, in both of these cases, not only did I support a local business, I ended up making out "like a bandit"!!!  I got SOOOO much more for my money and from people I call friends.  Could shopping this holiday season be any better than that?!?