Business Beat: Your Local Gift Giving Guide

After visiting a number of local markets, partaking in midnight madness downtown and seeing all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals posted everywhere , we're focusing on how we can support local this holiday season while checking off that holiday list. Below is our top 25 list of local suggestions for this Christmas shopping season:

1. Have a unique custom wall print or Christmas card created by one of our graphic designers and printed locally.
2. Create a one of a kind custom photo book or calendar at our local businesses.
3. Have unique prints, photos or memorabilia custom framed at the Framing and Art Centre downtown.
4. Order a custom shirt or made to order gift at one of our local custom gift and design stores.
5. Stop by the Medicine Hat Feeding Company to browse their treasure trove of items for your western gift giving needs.
6. Connect with Deerview Meats, Premium Sausage, Douglas Meats, Nutter’s or Co-op, Sobeys or Save-on-Foods to get a food basket or tray sourced from local suppliers.
7. Purchase that favourite bevy from our locals Brewers and Distillery and add in a little Lucky’s Speed Sauce or a unique item from a local liquor store to round out that perfect liquor basket.
8. A gift card tree with some local restaurants and coffee shops would be perfect for the foodie on your list.
9. Browse our convenience stores and pharmacies for that perfect gift basket or stocking stuffer item.
10. Purchase the latest fashions, cool shades and eyewear, jewelry, art supplies, books, electronics, floral and botanicals, fruit creations, tea, unique gifts, home décor, furniture and more from our local retailers.
11. Pick up some beautiful artwork from places like Medalta, Inspire Café or Eisenbarth Art Studio.
12. Give the gift of health with a gym membership, punch cards or yoga session.
13. Find something for that car/truck/bike enthusiast at one of our automotive dealers, Harley shop, detailers or custom car/truck accessory stores.
14. Pick up a gift certificate that is sure to please from one of our salons, spas, cosmetic studio or aesthetic centres.
15. Work with one of our many amazing metal or construction companies for that custom metal art gift, custom cabinet or home décor creation.
16. Connect with one of our landscapers for the gift of a beautiful outdoor space. You can even throw in some worm poop fertilizer for something unique.
17. Your teenage driver can always use gas cards, so stop by South Country Co-op and Carry Drive gas bar to help you out.
18. Give the gift of education with a photography or art class, music or dance lessons or another personal development class for a break from the everyday.
19. For that special hobbyist or remote control vehicle enthusiast, you can stop by Avalon Hobbies for a unique gift.
20. Give the gift of entertainment with shows from the Esplanade, Canalta Centre, the Stampede, JazzFest or the Folk Music Festival. Perhaps it’s family entertainment you’re looking for with passes from SixOneSix Entertainment, Panorama Lanes or Dunmore Dugouts and I’m sure that sports enthusiast would love some game day tickets from the Mavericks or Tigers.
21. Outfit your avid golfer with something from our golf courses and pro shops in town.
22. Give the gift of a staycation from Elkwater Lake Lodge, Guesthouse 71 or one of our many hotels. Many even offer a ‘stay and play’ package in partnership with the Medicine Hat Accommodation Association. If you prefer a get-away, we have travel agents in our list that can help you out too.
23. To find that one of a kind locally hand-crafted or locally sourced gift, check out the many local craft markets with the Something for Everyone market coming up November 30 to December 1 and the Old Thyme Christmas Market on December 5.
24. If you have a furry friend, don’t forget to stop at PetValu for your pet’s perfect gift or holiday sweater.
25. Some of our local banks offer Prepaid Visa/MasterCard gift cards or you can get Downtown dollars, a Medicine Hat Mall gift card or a gift card from any of our local businesses for that impossible to buy for person. Then that special someone can pick out their own local treasure.

Of course, there are all the other things that go along with the holiday season.

If you are looking to spruce up your home with some new window coverings, paint or flooring or perhaps want someone to consult with on your interior design options, we have members who can help.

Let McBride's Bakery, Redcliff Bakery or Sweet Obsession Custom Cakes help you out with your Christmas baking needs that you just don’t have time for this year and then stop by our local member grocery stores for all your holiday food needs. While you’re at it, remember to get your carving knives sharpened by the Mobile Sharpener to prevent those holiday dinner carving frustrations.

You may want to alleviate your holiday stress by getting your party or event catered this year. You can even have your house cleaned by one of our amazing cleaning services. Then you can take the time to enjoy the company of your guests and not stress about all the preparations.

Most importantly, don’t forget to give the gift of time this year. Whether it’s spending it with your friends and family or helping out one of our many amazing not for profit and charitable organizations, the gift of time is truly the most valuable gift of all.

Remember, when you support local, you are giving a gift back to our community by keeping the money here. The multiplier effect of that investment is truly the gift that keeps on giving and it fuels our business community. If you would like some tips and tricks on where to invest this holiday season, check out our local Business Directory at https://business.medicinehatchamber.com/list or give us a call.  We would be happy to refer you to one of our local members to help you with your local and truly customized gift giving experience. If you want to make sure your business is on our gift giving list, connect with us and give us a call.