Impactful Shopping

Written By Linda Wang
Dancer silhouette wearing cut-out turkey hat holding two plaid shopping bags

Cutting drumsticks to make a roast turkey hat was not on my to-do list, but here we are.

Here in the US, November is notable for two phenomenons:

  • Thanksgiving gluttony

  • The official start of the holiday gift season

So much shopping happens during the last two months of the year. While big box stores are super convenient, the overwhelm of choice is real. This season, consider alternatives that offer curation to mitigate decision fatigue. As an added bonus, your dollars will go far to support businesses and organizations that really can use all of the help right now.

Lighthouse storefront with red awnings

You’ll have to visit Lighthouse in Placerville, California to see what they have to offer. The store’s a rare gem with no online presences!

11/29
Small Business Saturday (SBS)

Did you know that 99% of all businesses in the US are small businesses? It’s no joke how we are the meat and bones of this nation’s economy. First observed in 2010, Small Business Saturday has grown to become a nationally recognized day where we support local mom and pop shops with our wallets. The following are a few of our partners who will be offering specials on SBS:

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Circare in St. Clair Shores, Michigan

  • 15% Off total purchase both Black Friday and Small Business Saturday

Kook’s Eye Gallery in Pentwater Township, Michigan

  • Free felt tote ($30 value) with $100 or more store purchase

Lighthouse in Placerville, California

  • 10% off all purchases of 3+ items

Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Wisconsin

  • Prize drawing for a SBS tote bag that contains a gift card to another one of our shops and restaurants in the Monroe Street Merchants Association

••••••••••••••

Display of children's gifts at the Columbus Museum of Art Store

An artfully curated assortment of gift options at Columbus Museum of Art store

11/30
Museum Store Sunday (MSS)

"I always start with the museum store," Tomlinson said while shopping for holiday gifts at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. "How else are you supposed to know what to pay attention to once you're in the museum? I want to know the inspiration behind the magnets, postcards, T-shirts and books. Knowing that I'm supporting local artists, small businesses and the museum itself makes the entire shopping experience even better." - Taylor Tomlinson

Museum stores are always filled with the coolest stuff, and that’s something that happens by design. I recently got the chance to spend a few days with museum nerds at a Museum Store Association chapter meeting, and it’s obvious how much thought and care goes into deciding what to offer at each store. Some museum stores are all about scarves. Others focus on prints. Museum Store Sunday is a global initiative to remind shoppers how our local institutions provide some of the best shopping experiences. Make a day out of it. Soak in some education AND tackle your to-do list while contributing to organizations that appreciate funding support. The following are a few of our institution partners that will be offering pretty amazing specials on Museum Store Sunday:

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The Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas

Columbus Museum of Art in Columbus, Ohio

  • 10% off the whole store for all shoppers and 20% off for Museum Members

  • Some additional BoGo discounts on select items

Frist Museum in Nashville, Tennessee

  • TBD (will update once announced)

Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Virginia

  • 10% discount (PLUS additional 10% for Taubman members)

  • Free gift with purchase

••••••••••••••

Tag and share with us if you happen to spot any Elements2 products while doing your holiday shopping! It’s my dream to visit every single one of these places.

Linda Wang
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