As you make your Christmas list and check it twice, be sure to remember to shop local whenever you can. There are many good reasons to shop locally including: 

 

• Money spent local stays local;

 

• Local businesses contribute to the community;  

 

• Local businesses provide jobs;

 

• Supporting local business supports your neighbors; 

 

• Local businesses maintain Becker’s uniqueness;

 

• Small businesses offer unique choices;

 

• Shoppers receive extra attention and quality service;

 

• Shopping local saves you money; 

 

• Lower environmental impact;

 

• Entrepreneurship. 

 

Remember, the whole community benefits when we shop Becker and area communities. By supporting local business people, you help your neighbors who in turn help you by spending their money at your place of business.

 

The BCC has family fitness memberships, punch cards and gift certificates. The punch cards are used for daily fees (youth $9.50 or adults $58.50), fitness classes ($24 to $63), lap swimming (10 punches for $45) and beverages while the certificates are good for pre-school camps, personal training ($36 to $222 depending on number of sessions), swim accessories, concession items, rock wall and Teddy Bear Junction child care ($25 or $50).

 

Jubilee Liquor in Becker is a great place to get that special someone just what they need and desire.

 

Jubilee Liquors has a four-bottle wine tote for juts $1.99. Pick up a great Budweiser beer stein for just $16.99.

 

They also have gift packs starting at $16.99, wine four-packs starting at $4.99 and twisted shotz four-packs starting at $4.99!

 

After the holidays, many people start looking to change their eating habits and start exercising. Give those resoluters some great stocking stuffer and card offers from Anytime Fitness in Becker.

 

How about a 30-day fitness experience (membership, training, t-shirt) for just $87. Pick up a tanning lotion gift pack (lotion, peeps, three samples) for just only $39 or a gym member starter pack (protein, shaker, bag) for just $57. A three-month membership with tanning is just $150 and other items like t-shirts, key lanyards and protein cookies are only $15!

 

Resident Doris Prom makes hats, mittens, coats by hand and her items are unique and practically priceless. Give her a  call!

 

Deb Anderson has tons of great gift ideas for the hard-to-shop-for individual. She makes Christmas signs, general signs and dozens of other craft items. She would love to hand make just about any craft idea you have for that very special person on your shopping list.

 

Jim Hyrkas is known for being a very active 70-year-old man and he specializes in unique wood projects. Jim’s specialty and craftiness with a saw means your gift-receiver will have a one-of-a-kind present handmade by one of Becker’s top artisans.

 

Phyllis Steckelberg of Becker makes extraordinary hand-made cashmere mittens. All the proceeds she makes from her sales goes to missions.

 

Phyllis’s mittens contain no wool and are non-allergic and beautifully crafted. She sells the mittens for $30 a pair or $25 a pair when bought in bulk.

 

Scheideman Chiropractic and Body Shop is a great resource for that one-of-a-kind gift this holiday season.

 

How about getting some great stocking stuffers like massage gift certificates (1/2-hour, $30 now through Dec. 23 at noon), or a bottle or two of essential oils?

 

A nice footbath (detoxification) would be a great gift or how about custom orthotics, Vionic footwear, standard process supplements, lumbar support and lots, lots more!

 

The Friends of Sherburne invite you to their Eagle’s Nest Nature Store located at the Oak Savannah Learning Center in Zimmerman. They will be holding three sales Dec. 3, 10 and 17.

 

The nature store offers a diversity of items appropriate for a wife range of ages and interests. Gifts for kids such as a kit to make butterfly magnets or a paint by number kit. They also have cuddly stuffed animals and nature-themed children’s books.

 

It’s not just for kids though. For adults, there are umbrellas, jewelry, field guides, clothing and much more! The hours are 10 a.m. to noon each day of the sale. Call for more details!

 

So, get out and enjoy the snow and the holiday season by shopping your local vendors and shops. Remember the reason for the season and share a smile or a word of good cheer.

 

Merry Christmas!