Shop Locally This Holiday Season!

We already know that supporting locally-owned businesses helps the economy. Now, it can help you too! You could win a fabulous getaway at a Michigan establishment!

Here's the scoop from Michigan Main Street Center:
What is the "ShopMIDowntown Holiday Challenge"?
It is a campaign challenging Michigan's residents to spend 75% of their holiday shopping dollars in Michigan’s downtowns and Michigan Main Street districts. We have created a Facebook page for the campaign where we are asking people to post pictures and video of their favorite downtown stores. Please review the ShopMIDowntown contest rules. People who post pictures or video will be automatically entered into a random drawing to win an overnight stay at one of the following establishments:

The Ramsdell Inn in downtown Manistee The Doherty Hotel in downtown Clare
The National House Inn in downtown Marshall
The Water Street Inn in downtown Boyne City
The Courtland Carriage House Bed & Breakfast in downtown Hart.

Back From Vacation

Well, I know I've been bad about posting lately. My only excuse is the fab trip to St. Lucia that I have just returned from. This is a blog about Michigan, so I won't go on about the trip, but it was a great time and now that I have returned be on the look out for some great posts!

In the meantime, go take a look at Buy Michigan Now's holiday gift guide. There are some wonderful ideas!

Favorite Michigan Holiday Activity?

OK, now it's your turn! Leave a comment and tell everyone about your favorite holiday activity in Michigan.
Do you love the cider mills? Christmas at Crossroads? The light display on Hines Drive? What are the folks up north doing this season? Or over on the west side of the state?

One lucky commenter will be chosen to receive a Michigan Mitten ornament with their choice of colors and "hearted" city!! So, let everyone know where you'll be heading this season!

A winner will be chosen on Sunday, November 29th! Blog, Tweet, Facebook or link this post and let me know in the comments for an extra entry!

Having a Handmade (and Local!) Holiday

It's getting to be that time of year. The winter holidays are getting close and that means folks are going to be shopping for gifts! Let me suggest that you support the local economy, as well as hard-working local artists, by making the commitment to have a handmade holiday.

 It's not hard to find handmade gifts from right here in Michigan. Here are several ways to find them:
1) Visit a local craft show. Many schools and churches have them this time of year. There is probably at least one near you!
2) Check out Artfire's Michigan Artists Guild.
3) Check out Etsy and do a search for "Michigan Trolls". It's a group of Michigan artists. Or just search "Michigan".
4) Check out local boutiques and craft malls that bring together many handmade artists for convienent shopping. Try The Town Peddler in Livonia or Countryside Craft Mall in Sterling Heights.

If you're anything like me you're tired of buying a bunch of mass-produced items for holiday giving. This year, concentrate on spending the same money that you would've spent at the local department store at a craft fair, craft mall or an online artist venue. You may not be able to get as many items for each person for the same money, but I guarantee that the items you get will be of better quality and more cherished than anything you could find on a shelf full of identical, mass-produced "stuff". You will also be supporting the Michigan economy on the most basic level.

So get out there and start shopping!