greenspace

This year, forget the mall. Ditch those chain stores (which most likely follow the unsustainable practice of importing products from China) and go local. Support your fellow neighbor rather than some CEO who you’ll never meet.

In Cleveland and other cities you can check out Bazaar Bizarre, a craft fair of locally-made, DIY goods for sale. Vendors sell hip, artsy crafts–not your typical doilie and crocheted watermelon craft fair goods.

According to Bazaar Bizarre Cleveland, the festival began in Boston in 2001 as just a group of friends pushing their DIY goods and listening to music. Now the fair has spread to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and my beloved Cleveland.

Think outside the big box and buy something unique. Support your local starving artist (or knitter…) and get your goods made in the USA, right in your own backyard. Top that, China.