Jackson Free Press

The Jackson Free Press urges our readers to shop at locally owned businesses and from Jackson artists and craftspeople as much as possible this holiday season. If you resist the urge to crowd into chain stores, you will get more unique and memorable gifts—and you will support the local economy. And remember that the city of Jackson needs our sales taxes, so even if you have to go to Target (and honestly, who doesn't for something?, please choose the one in the city.

And in case haven't you heard, today is Buy Nothing Day. You may not follow the lead, but there's always great to stuff to think about at Adbusters. Enjoy.

Previous Commentsshow

Hey, we should start a list of our favorite local gift-shopping places here: New Vibrations - all kinds of cool affordable stuff Fondren Traders - arty stuff, affordable; some great kid stuff Rainbow (natural beauty products especially, or give someone a membership card) Museum gift shops - Natural History, MMA Orange Peel - handbags and jewelry, especially, or gift certificate Incense - for the chicks O' Susanna - Juice beauty product (affordable) MAX furniture - very cool home accessories (do they still have that pink velvet Buddha!?! I still want it.) CUPS - the greatest coffee mugs and travel mugs Others? Please add as you think of them, as will I.

DonnaLadd

Nov 23 2007

NUTS - I love to give and get funky used stuff. Lemuria - Always my last stop to fill out my list. Too often on Christmas Eve. Everyday Gardener - very neat stuff for the moms and aunts on your list, and everyone else.

DonnaLadd

Nov 23 2007

Organizers in Highland Village. I *love* this place. I always buys several gifts there. Turkoyz in Highland Village - affordable fashion accessories, great for sisters and nieces.

DonnaLadd

Nov 23 2007

Also, see Jackpedia to read (or add) a variety of local shopping options. We'll be pulling shops from Jackpedia to list in our gift guides in upcoming weeks, so make sure your favorite spot is there. And list good ideas from those places, too!

DonnaLadd

Nov 23 2007

BeBop is a nice alternative to the huge, er, big, box stores. They're really useful if you need an import or hard to find album. Can't say I go there much thanks to artists selling their own wares and iTunes. Still... Everyday Gourmet is also a great place for cookbooks and chef-related goods (located in Jackson but off County Line). The Zoo even has some interesting gifts (especially for kids). I'd say the planetarium may also have quite a few gifts, but I haven't been in a while. Love the museum suggestion. Great idea! I will say that all my "friend-girls" love Wendy Eddleman's jewelry. I don't think you can go wrong with hand-blown glass jewelry when it comes to budget and giving a unique gift. I think most people in my life will get some form of hand-made gift this year. Plastic and landfill-ready consumer goods don't carry the same value... Maybe a painting, some fresh herbs in my own organic compost, some homemade baked goods or foods (vegan, veggie, and meat because I'm all over the place with eating meat at the moment), or something similar. Lawd... I sound like I'm a hippie. ;-)

kaust

Nov 23 2007

I shop every year at the art museum's gift shop. Also at Smith Robertson Museum on Bloom Street. Talk about fabulous bargains on ethnic jewelry and small art pieces. I love Wendy's jewelry, too. Where do you buy her these days -- Pearl River Glass? Treehouse, of couse, is a girl's dream. And women can go there and "register" so that your guy can then go shop from your wish list. Love that. I personally *love* handmade gifts. (Hint, hint.) I used to make more stuff myself, but little time to recently. Oh, and don't forget the Little Big Store down south with the vinyl and other groovy gifts. I'll be honest: Other than for a few items, I can't imagine why people put themselves through big-box hell to buy gifts. Of course—caution: Clarion-Ledger jab—our daily newspaper considers big chains a way to "Shop Local." Oh, and did you notice that they did NOT list McDade's on their front page sidebar of open grocery stores yesterday? Truly amazing that they would leave out the local grocery-store chain that is opening where other supermarkets are leaving. Grrr. Speaking of McDade's, I love to give those mixed six-packs of import beers you can get there.

DonnaLadd

Nov 23 2007

"Speaking of McDade's, I love to give those mixed six-packs of import beers you can get there." -ladd Don't forget their liquor store! Or, Kat's for that matter! Most everyone loves a nice bottle of wine or high-dollar bourbon or scotch. ;-)

kaust

Nov 23 2007

This is sheer absurdity. Sleeping in line to get into a chain store. Good Lord. Imagine if people cared half as much about voting.

DonnaLadd

Nov 23 2007

The Oriental Shoppe. It's like Jackson's Gump's (cept many more one of a kind things). It's been there since the early 70's and before that was on Lamar in DT. But Mike Storey has really cool classy stuff. budget. I've brought friends from Atlanta in there and they go wild. And Donna the chain store thing....like waiting in this weather over here at 7:00pm the night before.....Like....I live in the same town with these goombas......OK OK i won't be judgmental it's christmas...I won't be judgmental it's Christmas.....Peace on earth....peace on.....man talk about "bein" away in a friggin manger......away out of their friggin minds.......Man......

ATLExile

Nov 23 2007

Sleeping in line to get into a chain store. Good Lord. Imagine if people cared half as much about voting. I don't understand that one at all. The fact that a lady camped out at the Best Buy in Flowood shows that no community is immune to such lunacy. It's just like some Star Wars fans who will stand in line for days on end just to get tickets to the movie. It's not that serious. There isn't a single gift out there worth camping out all night for, or waking up to be at Kohl's at 4am, unless they're giving away a bunch of cash. Plus, I'd probably find it cheaper on overstock.com.

golden eagle

Nov 23 2007

Donna writes: "I shop every year at the art museum's gift shop. Also at Smith Robertson Museum on Bloom Street. Talk about fabulous bargains on ethnic jewelry and small art pieces". That is a fabulous Idea........one of a kind stuff that is handmade is always a great gift. What's the status of the Old Capitol gift shop? They had cool stuff as well. Also Guys....its's good to hunt up a lady or guy who makes the neat new bead jewelry. Those things always make the best gifts for the ladies in our lives.....(even us gay guys have ladies in our lives ; )........). I have this associate over here who has taken to making necklaces and earrings and she is very talented. I have had her turn out some really neat things the last three years.

ATLExile

Nov 25 2007

ATL, the Old Capitol Shop has changed its name to the Mississippi History Store and is having an open house Saturday. I always shop there for Christmas, too. Love it. BTW, our new online events system has a page for Shopping and Sales. That list is already turning into a great resource for ways to shop local and creative without ever (or often) stepping foot into a big-box corporate joint. And check out the holiday listings while you're at it, all. (Can you tell I'm proud of this thing?! )

DonnaLadd

Nov 26 2007

Shameless self-promotion: Reason to Live It's not a brick-and-mortar store, but if you buy something, you're supporting a local - me. :-)

LatashaWillis

Nov 26 2007