The Gift of Giving September 19, 2018 13:51

Last August we experienced Hurricane Harvey and an onset of financial struggles followed.  To prepare for the holiday season, we decided to begin shopping for family in September, at our ART IS AN Outdoor Market.  From September to December we continued to purchase from local artists and artisans. 

Small businesses such as Brenda Grands Jewelry, State Line Designs, and Black Tea Cafe helped us to find unique gifts for our loved ones. 

We quickly realized the feeling we had purchasing these very special hand made products was an overwhelming amount of happiness, and even felt by the gift receiver.  For years we heard the phrase "the gift of giving", but never understood the concept until last December.  How had we never known about this wonderful feeling of gift giving? 

The answer is simple; we have become commercialized! Over the years shoppers are pulled away from small business purchases, and pushed towards the large retail centers to purchase what everyone else has. What is seen in commercials is what we look to fill in our lives.  We are separated from the unique and personalized gift giving experience. This year, Let us change the way we give gifts.  Rather than buying in bulk for your family, try to give a hand made gift from a small business or local art market. For an even more personalized gift try attending a local arts or crafts class to #makeityourown. The feeling is a very special amount of happiness when gifts are handmade. The experience will overwhelm you and the receiver, providing you both with a lifetime of happiness!