Supporting local business and community organizations makes good “cents” for all Kiwis not only at the holiday season but throughout the year. “Centsible” suggestions follow:
- Give an Activity - allow a kid from your neighbourhood the chance to participate in The First Tee golf and lifeskills programme during the holidays or after school (www.thefirstteenz.org)
- Give Recreation - a card at the local driving range, a game of golf
- Give Groceries - your local supermarket or produce store will sell you a gift certificate that can be redeemed later.
- Give Your Labour - mow someone’s lawn, hang out your neighbour’s washing, clean their house or garage
- Give a Haircut - everyone, yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut, so how about gift certificates from your local hair salon or barber?
- Give an Outing - a voucher for breakfast or dinner, even coffee and a muffin at one of the hundreds of cafes near you.
- Give a Gym Membership
- Give a dinner out - a voucher from a local restaurant
- Give a Petrol Voucher from your local gas station
- Give a Car Wash - a voucher for a full service grooming at a local detailer or car wash – or do it yourself
- Give Services - who do you know who could use an oil change or tune-up for their car at a local garage?
- Give a Cleaner for a day (or an ironer)
- Give Baking - Homemade Christmas cakes or sweets make wonderful gifts and you can use the money you save for something else
- Give a computer tune-up - your mobile PC mechanic will appreciate one more customer for his business
- Give a gift from the local craft market, a homespun scarf or hand turned wooden box, pottery or jewellery
- Give books from the local book exchange or hospice shop
- Give Christmas Puddings from your local Rotary Club. They donate the proceeds to the community
- Give a random gift of kindness to someone who doesn’t expect it - the rubbish man, the postie, the lady at the bank, the grumpy neighbour next door
- Give tickets to a play at your local community theatre. Go see it yourself.
- Buy raffle tickets at community fundraiser events and give as gifts
- Give a living gift - a plant or voucher to a local garden centre
As you think about what you’ll do and how much you’ll spend this Christmas, consider the benefits of buying local to keep small New Zealand businesses and charities afloat to encourage them to keep plugging away in difficult times. It certainly will get better if everyone focuses efforts locally.
Hope this positive message brings happy holidays to each and every one.
