Frankenmuth

O ne of the biggest holidays of the year will nearly be here by the time you receive this magazine! The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season brings joy to all, but shopping to find the perfect gift can be a hassle. (By the way, have you finished your shopping yet?!) You likely saw the annual abundance of Black Friday sale ads this past November from large retailers and online merchants hosting doorbusters and wild sales to lure holiday shoppers during the most competitive shopping season. The cyber sales even have their own special day called Cyber Monday. Did you know, there is also a day to celebrate shopping local during the holidays? It's the Saturday after Thanksgiving (and that other big shopping day) and it's called Small Business Saturday. Frankenmuth is a community made up of small businesses, so it only makes sense for us to be involved in this National effort... but why shop locally only on a single day? While we might not always be able to find what we are looking for in Frankenmuth, we might also be surprised at what we can find in our own backyard if we take time to get to know our local stores. From handmade goods, to name brands like Brighton and Pandora, to delicious treat baskets, there are tons of items and gifts to be found among the local businesses in Frankenmuth. Your local shops and storefronts are changing products and updating inventory all the time, so make sure to check back often for new and exciting items. Consider supporting the businesses that support your local church, school and sporting events by shopping local, especially this holiday season. If you're still looking for that last minute gift, start by browsing the local stores to get to know them a bit better and find all the treasures they have inside. You never know, you might find your next favorite thing. CHRISTMAS SHOPPING OR ANY SHOPPING... Shop Local! Insider tip for those living or working in the area: shop mid- week when there's less visitor traffic. 8

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