Page 2 - Small Shops of Sonoma County 2017

Dear Readers,
Small Shops of Sonoma County is an annual TRADITION that goes back 15 years. Like all traditions, we like to be consistent - that’s part of what makes it a real tradition. The consistency here is supporting locally-owned businesses who support our local economy by keeping your money right here at home.
This year, the last few months have a been a serious challenge for small business owners. The fires kept customers away long enough to impact owners’ ability to pay rent, purchase products, etc. People also gave a lot of money away...first to hurricane victims, then to fire victims right here at home.
That means that shoppers are especially reluctant to spend more money they don’t have. Many people couldn’t go to work, some lost jobs along with the businesses they worked for. That fire did more damage then just burning land, homes and buildings. There are no funds for lost business from natural disasters, so we will do our best to make this holiday the best it can be, and look forward to repairing the damage and moving on.
Please look at the CENTER MAP to find your way across the county to the small businesses who are on the same mission we are...keeping our local economy strong. They read the Gazete, so they know exactly why we publish this guide to holiday shopping. We don’t just tell you to go buy stuff - we provide inspiration on gifting in ways that support our home and families. Please see our Holiday Craft Fair Guide on pages 14 & 15, and our Great Holiday Events Calendar in the December Gazette and online at SonomaCountyGazette.com for FUN Holiday events.
Our preference is to inspire you with ideas on how you can contribute to people’s lives, our community, and still find a gift for someone you care about. People love presents wrapped in pretty paper and ribbons. But it doesn’t have to be something to dust and figure out where to place. It can be an experience.
With that in mind, Aleta Parseghian and Amy Calhoun researched ways to spend time with people, offer them a gift of something they don’t normally do or can’t normally afford, teach someone a new skill, etc.
And we always encourage you to find gifts that are locally made. Sonoma County is home to amazingly creative people, from musicians to fine artists. Our co-op galleries are the best places to find unique gifts you will never find in a chain store. Please look online for the Gazette’s Art Galleries of Sonoma County created by Su McMurtry for our October edition - and online under LOCAL GUIDES at SonomaCountyGazette.com. And while you are on our website, please see our LOCAL GUIDES to Jewelers, Flower
Shops, Bike Stores, Garden Businesses and more.
We want to be your resource for shopping where our
community benefits the most.
Holiday Shipping Deadlines:
United Parcel Service: ups.com/holiday Dec 18 – Deadline for 3 Day Select shipments. Dec 20 – Deadline for 2nd Day Air shipments. Dec 22 – Deadline for Next Day Air shipments. International infor @ ups.com
United State Postal Service: usps.com/holiday/holiday-shipping-dates Dec 14 – Deadline for Standard Parcel Post (Mail) shipments & Christmas Cards Dec 19 – Deadline for First Class Mail
Dec 20 – Deadline for Priority Mail shipments.
Dec 22 – Deadline for Priority Express Mail shipments.
FedEx: fedex.com/us/service-guide/holiday-service-schedule
Dec 18 – Deadline for Home Delivery and Ground Delivery shipments.
Dec 22 – Deadline for 2-Day and 2-Day A.M. shipments.
Dec 23 – Deadline for Standard Overnight, Priority Overnight, First Overnight
International info: fedex.com
DHL International Courier: www.dhl-usa.com
Military Mail: APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs:
ZIP
ZIP 090-092
ZIP 093
ZIPs 094-098
ZIP 340
ZIPs 962-966
INFO: http://militarybenefits.info/holiday-shipping-mailing- dates/#ixzz4PufpBPWj
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