Now that we’ve encouraged employing moderation in the buying of Christmas presents (see Saturday’s editorial), allow us to encourage in a different direction. For those presents you are going to buy, consider doing some of that locally.
Gone are the days when one grabbed one’s coat, drove to Main Street and scurried from one business to another to fill one’s Christmas present-buying needs. For the young, yes, that actually happened. Watch an old movie if you are not inclined to believe us.
That said, there are still Christmas present needs and there is still the requirement to do some “shopping,” no matter if that is done while sitting in PJs and on a device and sipping hot cocoa or actually walking into stores. So you have work ahead of you, whichever way you go.
Because the internet is a wild thing, there will undoubtedly be items that are only found in the almost limitless repository of businesses and websites found there. Want some organic maple syrup for that picky pancake eater? You might have to let your fingers travel to Vermont for that.
But for a lot of other items, consider thinking first about what you can find right here in Pine Bluff or in White Hall. There are lots and lots of boutiques where wonderfully unique presents can be found and restaurants where, we are guessing, the owner or manager would be happy to provide you with a gift certificate for your favorite someone.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Why all the fuss?
Think helping local businesses and think tax dollars.
First, there is the mom-and-pop locally owned business that is always there when you need them. Christmas season, for many of them, is a make-or-break time.
They also keep tons of local people working. And those employees walk out the door on a Friday afternoon and they go out to eat and buy gas and make a house payment and otherwise keep the wheels of the local economy turning.
Then there’s the local contribution to the tax base. Buying something local assures you that the sales tax will stay here and stay in the state of Arkansas.
The businesses also pay other fees and such, all of which goes to help pay for the city’s police and fire departments, its street department and myriad other entities that make life more efficient and enjoyable. With the sales tax dollar, those departments have a better chance of flourishing.
So there you go. Thanksgiving is just days away and then the frenzy begins. As we encourage you not to get swept away in the buying maelstrom, we do recommend spreading some of that hard-earned cash around where you live. As we’ve said before, doing so makes the Christmas lights shine a little brighter for everyone.