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With the onset of the silly season, it’s easy to get sucked into thinking that shopping for presents can only be done in crowded city malls or via endless online scrolling.
While that’s a great way to max out your stress levels, for anyone who prefers to stay a little more sane and relaxed as Christmas approaches, shopping locally makes much more sense.
These days, there’s not much you can’t find in the Mahurangi area, whether it’s from big box retailers like those in Warkworth’s Kowhai Falls or the many independent shops and artisan food or craft markets.
It doesn’t have to be more expensive, either – by the time you’ve paid for petrol to get to Auckland or a raft of online delivery fees, big brand buying is often not the bargain it seems.
Unsurprisingly, One Mahurangi manager Murray Chapman says shopping local makes more sense on every level, but he speaks from personal experience as well that of business association members.
“Last year, I made the mistake of being in Sylvia Park during Christmas shopping and didn’t see one person with a smile on their face, only stress, unhappiness
and worry,” he says.
“I believe that keeping your Christmas shopping local is not only easier on your stress levels, but you are also contributing to the success of the town, and it helps with youth unemployment, as those are the businesses who offer part time work to our youth.”
Matakana Village marketing and communications manager Tom Klockseth agrees, saying Christmas shopping doesn’t have to be a chore.
“I remember when Christmas shopping was something to look forward to. It was a day out, a bit of a mission, but also a chance to bump into friends, find unexpected treasures and treat yourself to a cheeky wine or two once the hard mahi was done,” he says. “Somewhere along the way, the fun got sucked out of it.”
He says the advent of flash sales and packages purchased online “arriving from who-knows-where, wrapped in plastic and promises” was soulless, stressful and could lead to disappointment, non-delivery or even being duped.
“While it might seem like a good deal, the reality is often anything but,” he says. “The truth is, you might save a few dollars buying online – but low-quality, throwaway shopping often costs more in the long run.”
Klockseth cites the recent example of a scam website pretending to be a Matakana boutique, luring people in with discounts and too-good-to-be-true online deals for poor-quality imitations.
He says bricks-and-mortar shops such as those in Matakana village are the real deal, with quality products chosen with care by real people, not algorithms.
“Shopping local means supporting local jobs, families and futures. It means less waste, less carbon and a whole lot more heart.”
Chapman agrees.
“Having the ability to buy local makes shopping both safer and more convenient, as you don’t have to worry about being scammed,” he says, adding that exchanging gifts after the big day is much easier to do locally, rather than having to drive into Auckland or the hassle of posting them.
“If we buy local, we keep our local businesses going and we keep that money in our community.”
Special Christmas shopping events
Christmas Night Market
Matakana Country Park
Friday, December 19, 5-9pm
Food trucks, drinks, Christmas gifts and live entertainment
Christmas Market
Matakana Country Park
Sunday, December 21 from 9am – 2pm
Live music, Santa Claus and stalls selling festive treats and gifts
Sip, Savour & Shop
Matakana Village Farmer’s Market
Sunday, December 21, 12–3pm
Gourmet food stalls, Matakana wines, cocktails and live music from the Pipi Pickers
And don’t forget the tree … real Christmas trees are being sold daily from Warkworth Volunteer Fire Brigade and Hammer Hardware, Wellsford (in aid of Wellsford St John). Prices from around $50.
