Last Minute Local Groceries & Gifts….
Tag: gifts
DIY Thoughtful and Unique Advent Calendar
National News has been dropping hints that merchandise may run out before Christmas. Only time will tell if that comes to pass. If commercial items become scarce, perhaps shopping local can help a bit.
Regardless, you can still put together your own Advent calendar with local treats and experiences. It doesn’t even have to be fancy, but if you are creatively-inclined, go for it! It can be as simple as 24 envelopes or small wrapped boxes labeled 1-24, each containing a treat, trinket, or experiences.
Although Advent this year technically started on November 27 and goes through December 24, many people use their Advent Calendars by opening the first box or window on December 1.
Southern Illinois is filled with many beautiful Christmas displays, experiences, and unique gifts. Although this post is about Advent calendars, there are many local items that would also make wonderful Hanukkah and Christmas presents.
You and your family or friends will open a box/envelope for each day of December leading up to Christmas Day, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Of course, one person will need to assume the role of “Advent Calendar Admin” and fill the Little boxes or envelopes the daily surprises. If it is a small trinket, such as a Christmas ornament or bit of candy, it may fit in the box. If it is something larger, such as the experience of visiting a local Christmas Light Display or tree farm, it goes on a little note. Many also include a Bible verse each day leading up to the birth of Christ.
There are many Christmas events throughout our region. Some of these are listed in the “Events” section of this website and the ASOSI app. I’m sure there are many more wonderful ones, such as church and school Christmas programs and dance recitals.
If you are stumped for gift ideas, L.E.A.F. Food Hub, the online Farmer’s Market, as well as the Carbondale Community Farmer’s Market have more than just wonderful food. You can find great gifts like items like lotions, soaps, and even natural loofah sponges and dish scrubbers are great. Gift certificates for locally owned restaurants are also an option. Be creative. Have fun. More importantly, make some wonderful memories with those you love as you celebrate Christ’s birth.
A Few Resources to Aid in Creating Your Unique Advent Calendar:
Bible Verses for Advent https://happyhomefairy.com/bible-verse-advent-cards-free-printables/
Christmas Lights, Sights, & Sounds: http://asliceofsouthernillinois.com/2020/12/04/christmas-lights-sights-sounds/
Events: http://asliceofsouthernillinois.com/events/
Local Artisans and Crafters: http://asliceofsouthernillinois.com/local-artisans-crafters/
Southern Illinois Eats-2021 Christmas Gift Ideas https://southernillinoiseats.com/2020/11/28/2021-christmas-gift-ideas/
Tastes of Southern Illinois: http://asliceofsouthernillinois.com/tastes/
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Fill Those Baskets
Spring has finally made its appearance, and Easter is fast-approaching. We’ve all heard that as one door closes, another opens. This also holds true for Carbondale Farmer’s markets. There are TWO happening this Saturday. March 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday is also the last Carbondale Community Farmer’s Market of the winter/indoor market season at University Mall. Saturday is also opening day for the Carbondale Farmer’s Market in the Westown Shopping Center (“Murdale”) parking lot from 8:00 a.m. to noom.
Farmer’s markets offer a unique shopping experience that allows a person to interact with the farmer, cook, or artist that is selling a product. They can answer most questions you might have about preparing an ingredient or even growing one of the live plants. This doesn’t always happen online or at a larger chain store. Whether you need to fill a basket to gift to a loved one or a basket of ingredients for Easter Brunch, there are many wonderful Southern Illinois products from which to choose. Many can be found at local farmer’s markets.
There are often baked goods and treats that may even be tastier than some of the traditional commercially-packaged bunny, chick, and egg-shaped treats. If you arrive in time, you might find homemade brownies, cookies, fresh and candied pecans, and more.
Shopping for the foodie or someone who likes to cook is easy at the markets. The hardest part will likely be decision-making between organic herbs, spices, unique seasonings, gourmet sauces, and even drinking shrubs.
Coffee and tea lovers can usually find a great assortment from which to choose. Some local honey would also be a nice addition. For those who create and make drinks, non-alcoholic ingredients like locally-made shrubs, cordials, and bitters are perfect.
There are usually treats for fur babies for purchase so that they won’t be left out of the fun. Although each week may vary a bit, you can often find jewelry, art, plants, and more.
Grocery shopping at farmer’s markets is about as fresh as it can get without picking it yourself. Luscious greens, beautiful gourmet mushrooms, microgreens, and a variety of meats can usually be found. Opportunity to combine these into unique and tasty menus is unlimited. For those with Link, an added benefit of Farmer’s Market shopping is the ability to get matching free produce up to $25.
It’s a twofer in Carbondale this Saturday for farmer’s markets. If you can get there, visit both. Hit the last winter market and the first spring market. Talk with the winter market vendors to find out how to find their products after the last market of the indoor season. Many products from both markets and others have participated in the online Carbondale Community Farmer’s Market through and/or the LEAF Food Hub, a local online ordering service that allows weekly pickup at the Neighborhood Grocery Coop in Carbondale. Other options might be available for delivery. Set your alarm and grab your face mask to hop down that bunny trail to The Dale for some wonderful farmer’s market finds. You might want to bring sunscreen and an umbrella too. After all, you know what they say about the weather in Southern Illinois…
Links:
Carbondale Community Farmer’s Market http://www.carbondalemarket.com/
Carbondale Farmer’s Market https://www.farmersmarketcarbondale.com/
LEAF Food Hub https://www.leaffoodhub.com/
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12 Gifts of Christmas from Little Egypt
If you are a fan of Hallmark Christmas movies, you may have watched “The Twelve Dates of Christmas.” Although it was reportedly filmed in Canada this past summer, the movie highlighted real and some fictional locations and experiences in Chicago.
Guess what. Southern Illinois, a.k.a. Little Egypt, also has many wonderful experiences! Originally, I wanted to write about experiences similar to the ones in the movie that could be found here. However, in the midst of a pandemic when we seem to be moving toward tighter restrictions for the upcoming holidays, that might be difficult.
I do think we can still help each other support and highlight many wonderful Southern Illinois products, services, and experiences. Small Business Saturday is right around the corner. That would be a perfect time to grab some local items to gift or perhaps make a basket full of things to enjoy now and gift certificates for things to do when COVID-19 restrictions lift a bit. Purchasing gift certificates from small businesses is one way to also help them get through this difficult period.
Here are some suggestions to get you started…
A Partridge in Pear Tree:
Southern Illinois wine with aroma of pear
Two Turtle Doves:
Chocolate Turtles or baked items
Turtle candy flavored coffee or scented candles
Three French Hens:
Gift certificate to eat chicken at a local restaurant
Poultry from a local farm
Four Calling Birds:
Gift certificate to a pet store
Five Golden Rings:
Gold or goldtone stack rings from a local jeweler or boutique
Local seasonings and ingredients with a recipe for onion rings
Gift certificate to a restaurant with delicious onion rings
Six Geese a Laying:
Gift certificates for food and a gas card or lodging certificate for a trip to see the geese at areas near Rend Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, Carlyle Lake , etc.
Seven Swans Swimming:
Gas card or passes/ tickets to go to areas with migrating Trumpeter Swans, such as West Alton and Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge
A membership or pass to a local indoor swimming pool
Eight Maids Milking:
Products from or a gift certificate to a local dairy, creamery, ice cream, etc.
Nine Ladies Dancing:
Dance class lessons
Tickets to a ballet, ethnic dance event, or other dance performance at a location like Shryock Auditorium or a even a local school production.
Ten Lords Leaping:
Gymnastic or martial arts lessons
Fitness center or gym membership
Bowling Alley gift certificates
Eleven Piping Pipers:
A gift certificate to a local music shop
Tickets to a local performance
A digital download or CD of a local music group or from a local music shop
Twelve Drummers Drumming:
A gift certificate to a local music store or local performance
A digital download or CD of a local music group or from a local music shop
Consider cookies or cupcakes from a local baker to depict each of the twelve days or the ones that stump you. You could also get local artisan made Christmas ornaments or even jewelry to match the twelve days or part of them. Have fun and be creative. Do what fits your budget.
Another possibility is to gift a night or weekend at a Southern Illinois cabin, inn, or lodge with a scavenger hunt list of items to take photos of things corresponding to the twelve days.
The ASOSI app is still free as well as the links on the A Slice of Southern Illinois website to help you find restaurants, artisans, places to see and more from I-70 to the southern state line. The links tend to be categorized by town. It is a continually updating list. Please message or email any that you think if that could be added.
You may also comment with gift suggestions on the Facebook page post of this article. We would love to know about Southern Illinois small businesses that have product available through national sites like Amazon and Etsy. Locally owned services offering gift certificates are another welcome suggestion.
To make it easier to see what is shared, please use the hashtag #12SIGiftsofChristmas and maybe which Days of Christmas/Gifts of Christmas correspond to the suggestion, such as #11PipersPiping
Be safe, have fun, and support local small businesses. Merry Christmas!
