Homegrown holidays: online locally-grown gifts for 2006.Last year, we Americans spent $681 per household on the holidays, and the largest portion of our spending went to discount stores such as Target animal-Mart. Even once-formidable niche retailers are struggling: Wal-Mart surpassed former Christmas giant Toys 'R Us in total toy sales in 1998, and the gap has grown since. More than eighty percent of the buying public now does at least some holiday shopping online, and the convenience of split-second, midnight price comparison from the comfort of home will continue to draw shoppers. Many of us, though, wish the holidays could be more like something from a Laura Ingalls book, our children smiling with delight as they each receive the single small figure that Pa whittled from a piece of oak. As a nation, we seem pulled by two opposing forces Those forces used in an enemy role during NATO exercises. See also force(s). : the desire for mass-market convenience and the yearning for the authenticity of handmade and homegrown goods. A perfect marriage of these two forces can be found when local producers tap into the growing e-commerce market. Many here in the southern Appalachians are doing just that. Here's a partial list. Some have online shopping capability, while others simply promote their products online and take orders by phone or email. Wrap it up--with online gifts! Apple gift boxes are available until December 20 from J.H. Stepp Farm's Hillcrest Orchard in Edneyville, N.C. All boxes have fresh, local apples, but can also include apple butter, barbecue sauce, mulling spices, dip, and more. steppapples.com/apple_gift_boxes.htm Fiber gifts including scarves, hats, virgin wool blankets, merino Merino Breed of medium-sized sheep originating in Spain that has become prominent worldwide. It has a white face, white legs, and crimped fine-wool fleece. Known as early as the 12th century, it may have been a Moorish importation. fleeces, shawls, leg warmers, tea cozies, mug rugs, hot mats, Christmas tree Christmas tree Evergreen tree, usually decorated with lights and ornaments, to celebrate the Christmas season. The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands as symbols of eternal life was common among the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. decorations, and more can be ordered from Sandra Bennett at Thistle Cove Farm in Tazewell, Virginia Originally named Jeffersonville, Tazewell is a town in Tazewell County, Virginia, USA. The population was 4,206 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bluefield WV-VA micropolitan area, which has a population of 107,578. . www.thistlecovefarm.com/products.html Wine enthusiasts may wish to sample something from close to home. Poke around at www.ncwine.org/wineries.html, where you'll find dozens of wineries including many in the Yadkin Valley, our state's first American First American may refer to:
Farm-made jams and apple butter, individually or in gift crates, are available from Fairview, NC farmers Wendy and Walter Harrill at www.imladrisfarm.com. Custom labeling of bulk quantities for wedding favors Wedding favors are small gifts given as a gesture of appreciation or gratitude to guests from the bride and groom during a wedding ceremony or a wedding reception. The tradition of distributing wedding favors is a very old one. or corporate gifts is available. Cheese is available from Karen Mickler and Bruce DeGroot of Yellow Branch in Robbinsville. They are also accomplished potters. Web browsers can view both product lines at www.yellowbranch.com. Two great mail order goat cheese sources are www.spinningspidercreamery.com and www.splitcreek.com Ostrich ostrich, common name for a large flightless bird (Struthio camelus) of Africa and parts of SW Asia, allied to the rhea, the emu and the extinct moa. It is the largest of living birds; some males reach a height of 8 ft (244 cm) and weigh from 200 to 300 lb meat products, eggshells (carved or plain), and ostrich-oil soaps and lotions are available from Birdbrain bird·brain n. Slang A person regarded as silly or stupid. bird  brained Ostrich Ranch at
www.birdbrainranch.com/products.htm.
Sunburst Trout ships a long line of products and gift packages. Choose something including their world-renowned trout caviar or the stunning cold smoked salmon trout. www.sunbursttrout.com Lavender and goat milk soap products are available from Yancey County producer Marilyn Cade at www.mountainfarm.net. At www.madisonfarms.org you'll find information about Madison County farmers, including their holiday gift boxes that combine farm-grown products with handcrafted hand·craft n. Variant of handicraft. tr.v. hand·craft·ed, hand·craft·ing, hand·crafts To fashion or make by hand. hand·craft items like pottery, candles, and soaps. Finally, if you're buying a Christmas tree, it's the one holiday item you may not wish to mail order online. You can choose and cut a certified organic tree from Rogue Harbor Farm (www.madisonfarms.org/-rogueharbor). Christmas trees are a major "crop" in the High Country of western NC. See www.ncchristmastrees.com for a great list of the farms that sell direct to customers. Peter Marks is Local Food and Farm Coordinator for Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP (chat) asap - As soon as possible. ). ASAP's Local Food Guide is available in area retailers or online at www.appalachiangrown.org. |
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