Shop Small Hawaii - Christmas is coming

[Rob Tucker]

Saw an ad on TV about Shop Small Monday or something like that. I think that with Christmas coming I'd like to suggest Punawebbers shop small too.

Personally before I even think of shopping at a big box like Walmart or Macy's I always check out the local small shops first. And I often don't make it into the crowded Walmart parking lot.

I always find nice things at Puna Style in Pahoa for instance. Maku`u Market will be jammed with local crafts. Some of our PW members will be selling there. I have also had good fortune shopping at the Hilo Bayfront's small locally own shops..... a lot of them carry quality merchandise from local artists and crafts.

So I will invite Punawebbers to make suggestions on local small businesses they enjoy and recommend for Christmas shopping.

Shop local first! And if you possibly can buy and extra nice toy or two to donate to local charities.

Aloha

[janeadams]

We completely agree! Local is the best...

Along that same line, I would like to do my annual plea for people to buy holiday trees of the local ilk. Every year the influx of firs from the mainland come infested with non-native species -- wasps, hornets, garter snakes, etc. They are hugely expensive, plus, they are carriers for Phytopthera Ramorum, AKA Sudden Oak Death, that has decimated the oaks in the hills of California. None of these trees are certified free or it, and the owners/shippers are allowed to self-monitor, unlike certified nurseries. Our native trees, specifically the Ohia, are susceptible to this disease. It would be a true tragedy to get it here. At this time, SOD is not known to exist in Hawaii, which gives us and enormous advantage!

Besides, I just love the fact that our Norfolk Island Pine trees display our ornaments beautifully! We don't need to mimic the mainland trees -- just make it Hawaii this year!

Jane

[hawaiideborah]

YES, support the vendors at the markets. Not just the Maku'u Sunday market.
There are so many vendors who make wonderful gifts.

Support the local handmade arts and crafts at the Hilo Farmers Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays

The BIG Volcano Studio Artists Tour and vendors at the Volcano Cooper Center all set up on on Friday, Sat. Sun of Thanksgiving weekend. this is only handmade items by the people selling, no imports

Na Maku Invitational Christmas Fair at the Stadium. this is the one on the cover of this month's Paradise Post. this show is totally handmade by the artist selling at the booth and is a juried show so real quality crafts, no imports.

If you want to combine a trip to the Kona side with supporting local artists, then the Kona Stroll which is this coming sunday. It happens from 1pm to 6 pm once a month on the thrid Sunday. They shut down 5 blocks of Ali'i Dr. and have 3 stages of music and lots of quality crafts.

[missydog1]

Thanks for all that info, Deborah. Lots of beautiful things made here, for sure! []

I personally did away with buying Christmas gifts some years back (except one or two for grandson), for those of you who do ... I hope the artists and artisans do well this year.

If I had money I would have a field day at this invitational. It looks amazing.

Jane, you are right that the Norfolks display ornaments very well. They are downright sparse, at least mine are. And they are ruthless on hands and arms decorating them.

Still, there is that good feeling of having an island grown tree.
Here are some shots of ornaments on my Norfolk:

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/287...2048DmuizT

The poor things tend to bow at the top and it really shows because there isn't a lot of foliage to hide it.

Anyone have some special tips for decorating them?

"And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody, outside of a small circle of friends ~ Phil Ochs

[whalesong]

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[dwedeking]

I'm doing an anti-corporate christmas. no big box stores at all. Care packages of dried fruits and stuff from local vendors for Xmas gifts this year.

[Whitey]

Thanks for the reminder Rob. We all need to take care of each other so that all may prosper. Do the holidays with true Aloha, buy Local!

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex... It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." - Albert Einstein

[Kapohocat]

Another thing you can do for older people is make them a "gift certificate" to spend time with them - take them for lunch after the holidays somewhere in town, or do some grocery shopping for them, or whatever you can think of that isn't about a "physical gift". My mom told us this past week she doesnt need one more "thing" so she said don't buy her any Christmas presents, not even a plant.

[sistersue]

I usually cut 2 or 3 Norfolk Pine trees (about the top 5 feet) and tie them together all the way down, which makes one thick, bushy "tree" (the tops of the trees that I cut grow back). I also tie the tops together and stick a tree-top ornament on. Then I trim the tree's branch tips to make it in a Christmas tree shape. It makes a dark green and thick Christmas tree and doesn't dry out or die. I've also seen Ohia trees sprayed silver and decorated with red ornaments and they were beautiful though they were not shaped like traditional pine trees. Aloha~

[Kapohocat]

We decorated a 6' arica one time. Only took one string of lights and you have to use light weight ornaments.