2020. It’s been a weird ride, right?! The Holidays are definitely different this year. No large gatherings, no Christmas parties… if you were planning to lick someone’s turkey, don’t do that either. Online shopping has hit an all time high this year AND especially this Holiday season. It’s just over a week until Christmas (my kids have informed me it’s precisely 9 days until the big day), so it’s finally the time for all that fun (read: frantic) last minute shopping that sneaks up on us every. single. year.
Shopping local is ALWAYS important. But it’s been a particularly hot topic since March because it shifted in a hurry (practically overnight)! Supporting local from home hasn’t been an easy task to navigate and our small local business have struggled in the wake of the big C-word. But have no fear! Okazon is here!
Reasons to Shop Local:
You’re keeping money in the community.
People who own and operate their businesses here, live here IN the Okanagan. They are our neighbours and our friends. Why wouldn’t we support them, especially if they get to do something they are really good at and love?! Yes, the big box outlets employ local people but their profits are spent in other places. Local business owners tend to be some of the biggest supporters of other local products and services (and local charities), which supports and strenghtens our community. They spend their money locally. They employee local people and pay fair wages. It’s a win, win, win win, win….should I keep going?
2. You’re giving unique and quality gifts.
Do we really all want to end up with the exact same stuff in our homes? Isn’t it much more fun to have unique pieces that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else in the world? The Okanagan is filled with creative makers and small boutiques loaded with things that are DIFFERENT and beautiful.
3. It’s better for the environment.
Let’s face it. The plastic stuff you get at the big box stores is not amazing quality. It has also likely been created somewhere far away by poorly treated workers, sent over on a huge boat that guzzles fuel and emits all sorts of toxins into our environment. Not to mention the endless packaging that isn’t necessary - I can’t be the only one who hates having to get into a box just so you can cut through hard plastic (which slices up your hand like a cheese grater) and unwrap 15 individual pieces. So. Much. Garbage. And then those 15 individual things break and fade in a hurry so we get to contribue those to the garbage crisis too in a short period of time.
Buying local means that your product has hardly traveled, used minimal packaging and is of a higher quality. Not only will local makers and owners thank you, the environment will thank you.
4. Supporting people doing what they love to do.
Local makers and boutique owners (+their employees) are usually masters of their craft. They do what they do because they love it. Isn’t that the dream? People who love what they do 40+ hours a week tend to be happier and have a deeper sense of fulfillment. Wouldn’t you rather share the road and grocery store line up with happy people?
Stay Home and Shop Local
Maybe you don’t want to venture out much this year, and that’s totally understandable. Masks are itchy. Luckily the Do The Okanagan team has found an amazing way to help you SUPPORT LOCAL and stay home (and let’s face it, avoid the crowds, which are never fun anyway, even at the best of times).
Dun, dun, daaaaaaa…..
Okazon Marketplace!
Okazon was born out of the desire to keep people shopping local in a simple and centralized way. Shopping on Okazon means that you can peruse a variety of products all being sold by local makers and boutique owners. You build one cart and go through one checkout. That’s right, you can choose from a variety of products offered by different LOCAL vendors and it all arrives to your door in one box!
We work with a local courier service which means… your package is delivered with extra care, by another local business, and quickly. PSSSST, get your gift orders in by midnight December 20th and we will get them to you before Christmas (within the Okanagan Valley).
Also, Okazon offers curated gift boxes. All you have to do is let us know who it’s going to, what they like or dislike (or that you have no flipin clue), and we will build the gift box for you and have it sent straight to the recipient! SO EASY.
Or if you just don’t know what they want or like AT ALL (we all know someone who is SO hard to buy for), purchase an Okazon gift card so they can order themselves something really cool. And this way, you’ve also given them the gift of something to do (aka shop from home for THEMSELVES) in January.
Whoop, whoop!
Last minute Christmas shopping just got wayyyy easier.
Merry Christmas from the team at Do The Okanagan and Okazon Market.
