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An Editorial Opinion of The Greenville Advocate

As Christmas Day approaches holiday shoppers are wrapping up their presents and checking their gift-buying lists twice to ensure everyone will get something special. 

But with Christmas just one week away, shipping companies are seeing longer-than-usually delivery times. Some rural communities, like those in Butler County, can expect up to a week’s wait for delivery of purchases from online retailers, like Amazon, or more for international purchases.

Fortunately, local businesses can help shoppers avoid shipping delays by offering sought-after items ready for pickup immediately.

The Shoppes on Main in Greenville is offering Big Buck unscented soap, sure to please the hunters on everyone’s Christmas list. True South Outfitters has holiday-themed embroidered sweatshirts, and the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce has ornaments and postcards created by A Color Affair.

In Fort Deposit, Priester’s Pecans is offering gift boxes of their famous hand-made candies and other goodies. Ladies’ vests are trending this year, and Priester’s is offering them in an array of popular fabrics and colors. And for the shopper in need of gifts handy around the home, there’s no better place to shop than Ace Hardware in Hayneville.

Highland Home Hardware is fully stocked with gifts for the furry or feathered family members and also offers 100% American Soybean Was candles by Swan Creek Candle Co. in holiday scents. Just in at Plum Crazy Boutique in Luverne are lightweight ladies’ vests in sizes up to 2XL. And the Chicken Shack is fully stocked on all sizes and colors of their shirts designed by DSA Graphics and Gifts.

In addition to these offerings and more available close to home, most of our resident’s favorite eateries and service providers offer gift certificates. So, whether we’re looking for Alabama’s best fried chicken or a new hairstyle, local gift cards never disappoint.

Remember that shopping locally helps to avoid shipping delays, but spending money close to home is an injection into the local economy and something that benefits everyone. That’s a benefit which helps ensure jobs and municipal services while taking the worry out of wrapping up our gift-giving efforts.