Can We Count on You to Shop Local? Our Gift Guide to Make it Easy

We have all kinds of goodies to make shopping local this season even easier!

We have all kinds of goodies to make shopping local this season even easier!

We had big plans for this day, before the Covid-19 pandemic. Any other year and it would have been our annual Moonbow Christmas Fair. You can see a recap of the 2019 Fair here, which tells a little bit about the history of this day and how we bring together some of the most amazing artists and crafters from around the region. The short version is that it is an annual event full of fellowships, hundreds of folks, and great live music. It is a chance to meet some of the people behind the items that we sell and learn more about their work. Clearly these are all wonderful things that are terrible at a time when we don’t want to spread germs.

Covid-19 has brought new awareness to the plight small businesses face. It is hard for small businesses to survive shutdowns and restrictions, and we can’t compete with Walmart or Amazon when shopping is so often driven by convenience. But, long before 2020, many of you were already very aware of the importance of shopping local. People like yourself kept our Main Streets alive and our small farmers working their land. What I loved about the Moonbow Christmas Fair is that it made it simple to live up to our values. You could come to one place and see all these fantastic artists and find something for everyone on your gift list. The quality of the items was fantastic, and you immediately knew that you were building the local economy.

We may not be able to come together physically this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t hope for the same outcome. I believe we can accomplish this same goal, even if it means we make it virtual. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a little online shopping? It is even better if you can pick out items knowing that they can’t be found in any big box store or Amazon. Instead, these are special items that build our local economy.  To make it even easier, I have broken it down into a gift guide. All you have to do is click a button to add it to your cart.

Teachers & Co-Workers

Here are some fun and simple ideas for folks who deserve our appreciation. These are simple, thoughtful gifts that are also fantastic when combined in a basket.

Wax Melts Handmade by a young female entrepreneur

An indulgent sugar scrub that comes in single-use cubes

Kentucky Chrismtas Sipper Cup

Teacher Thank You Card

Sticky notes that bring more joy

The sticker that makes any item a Christmas gift

Handmade soap shaped like the Bluegrass State

A fun & interactive nod to the smart folks you know

Family & Friends

We can all be a little bit edgier with our family and friends, right? These gifts add some fun and excitement — the gift that will be talked about over Christmas dinner (or Christmas Zoom).

The gift basket full of local goodies

The tea towel that says it all

The pencil pack for introverts

Woven Kentucky stocking

The perfect flavor addition featuring lavender grown on a family farm in Pulaski County

Socks that celebrate bourbon for Christmas

Classic "No Hate in My Holler"

A luxurious solution to "mascne"

Little & Big Kids

No matter how old kids get, they still want presents under the tree. As the mother of a younger kid and a tween, I spent countless hours curating presents from small makers that both feel good to give and wil be…you know, actually liked by the kid. These are all guaranteed winners.

The polymer brain that grows to full size

A leather necklace they can decorate with their own nature finds

A toy banjo

A kit to make their own bubblegum

An ornament that rates 2020

A kit to make any spot a fishing spot

For the Dudes

You want something that shows you care, but isn’t too sappy. Sometimes guys are the hardest to shop for. Well, not anymore.

Because you believe in him!

Christmas Socks

Bourbon flask

Jeep bottle opener

A festive tie

A tongue-and-cheek mug for our times

The perfect lounge pants

His favorite gift basket. Ever.

This is a great year to shop with our intentions, and we certainly appreciate you! It is our community that keeps us going through all the good times and the hard. And every purchase you make not only supports Moonbow, but all the small makers and artisans that we work with to source our goods. What better way to feel the true spirit of giving?

Get to Know Us

Sky and Geoff Marietta are passionate about rebuilding Main Street businesses in Appalachian Kentucky. Look for some of our blog posts below, or find out more about our start here.

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