Dec 08 2008
Local Christmas Shopping
Today I checked out a new little market that’s opened up in Hanover, the area where I seem to spend most of my time these days (although I don’t live there).
Hanover, the place where I volunteer at the Breastfeeding Drop-In, and where many of my friends live, is up a rather impressive hill. It is also known as the ‘Muesli Mountain’, and the market is accordingly called ‘the Muesli Mountain Market’. It felt good to support local people and cut out the middleman as I spend far too much at Sainsbury’s lately, my consumer ethics having gone out the window in favour of budgeting.
I enjoyed eating my nice organic greens when I got home, and I think my ‘mother-in-law’ will like the little handcrafted hanging ornament I got her. We had agreed to only get the kids Christmas presents this year, but I couldn’t resist it.
I published an article yesterday on Suite 101 on how to manage stress at Christmas. I seem to have gone into denial myself about not having a Christmas budget, let alone trying to have a smaller one. I even found myself eating a very unnecessary muffin along with my hot chocolate at the ‘Coffee Shop We Shall Not Name’ today. Yes, my consumer ethics have fallen sadly to the wayside, when it comes to supporting cafes that are not local but certainly do have more buggy room and are more child-friendly.
The market sounds good. I am also on a strict budget for Christmas this year and have avoided going to Christmas markets and fairs as much as possible, as I know that they will weaken my resolve not to spend money on frivolous things!