WEST LEBANON – In years past, Candace Matheson typically started holiday shopping after Thanksgiving.

But this year, the Sharon resident started in early November and is also changing her buying strategy.

“I kind of decided to shop a little more local,” said Matheson, who was visiting the Lebanon Art & Crafts Association’s annual Christmas show and sale in western Lebanon on Monday. There she would choose a birthday present for her husband’s grandmother and Christmas bows for her daughters. “(I’m trying) to make things a little more meaningful this year and not rely on big box stores.”

Matheson focuses on buying handmade gifts from local artisans and visiting resale stores. She “tries to keep things a little greener this year,” acknowledging the amount of materials used for shipping.

Due to supply chain issues, shipping delays, and a desire to support businesses in the region still recovering from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, some Upper Valley residents are starting shopping earlier and closer to home. While the region has generally shown strong support for supporting small businesses, this year looks different.

As part of this change, organizations in the region are offering more opportunities to connect with artisans in the region, including the Hanover Parks and Recreation Department, which runs every Wednesday until December 22, except November 24, at the RW Black Community Center. In some ways, it’s an extension of the Hanover Farmer’s Market, which the department took over this year.

“We wanted to do something that was inside and still supported our community that just wasn’t our fitness and exercise classes,” said Camille Richards, program manager at the community center. While supply chain issues are not the only reason for the market, “part of the reason we decided to move forward is because everything is local and we know there is a supply shortage and people are stressed out by holiday gifts. While chatting with the sellers, they also got the same idea that it was a good idea to sell some of their products as there is such a shortage on some things right now.

It has spread to many types of businesses. AnnMarie Smith, who helps run the family business, WA Smith Auctionhouse in Plainfield, said that since the company added online auctions to its repertoire, its clientele has rejuvenated, with over 25 to 45 years old.

“Plus, the supply chain issues got us a lot of people because you can’t order a sofa that quickly and have it show up to your door in 6-8 weeks,” Smith said. “People can buy them and take them home instead of continually getting emails saying orders are late. ”

Smith herself started shopping earlier and more locally. After learning that Stella’s in Lyme had pottery from Georgia Donnelly, the Norwich resident went out to buy some pieces as a gift a few weeks ago.

“It was something that I had been seeing on her Instagram for a while and thought I might as well take a walk in there and buy now,” Smith said. “I just think about it very differently this year. I intentionally try to go shopping, a small local business.

Smith is also changing the types of gifts she purchases, opting for more individualized, non-mass-produced items.

“I will definitely buy less ‘stuff’ than more meaningful quotes and personal gifts,” she said.

Small business shopping isn’t always easy, especially when shopping for kids. Mary Kelleher, from Lebanon, shopped online early for her three grandchildren.

“There were certain things they wanted,” she said, citing Star Wars-themed Lego sets and LOL surprise dolls. The presents are already wrapped and await her grandchildren, whom she will see on Thanksgiving.

While Kelleher typically starts her vacation shopping the first week of November and ends before December – “I’m not a Black Friday girl,” she said – this year she’s been more proactive. It’s not free.

“Really so far I haven’t been able to find what I want,” Kelleher said when shopping Monday at the Christmas Show and Sale for prizes for the family’s Thanksgiving Bunco games. “I only have a few latecomers left, my own children. »All the odds and ends will probably be purchased from businesses in the Haute Vallée.

This is welcome information for Linda Runnion, executive director of the Randolph-based White River Valley Chamber of Commerce, who is hoping the supply shortage will send people back to city centers after the disappointing holiday season of the city. ‘last year.

“Unfortunately, retail has succumbed to Amazon, especially during times of COVID,” she said.

While some businesses have closed, others have opened as a vintage clothing store and jewelry store in downtown Randolph.

“We anticipate that people will want to buy local,” Runnion said.

Liz Sauchelli can be reached at [email protected] or 603-727-3221.