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Upswing in buy local movement for holiday shopping

Dec 12, 2013 | 12:41 PM

An increasing number of people in Saskatchewan are buying local this holiday season.

SaskMade is one of the retailers that is seeing an upswing in business because of it.

“I think it is quite a big trend and we were kind of a little bit slower on the uptake but it has definitely been doing really well over the last three years,” Amanda Wilkins, retail specialist and business development for SaskMade, said.

“Lots of families are actually kind of doing local Christmases so everyone has to buy a local gift from a local artist or farmer. They are also kind of ‘theme-ing’ their dinners.”

Haskap jams, syrups and tea have been a sought after item this season. The Haskap berry, which is also known as the Honeyberry, is hard to grow in the region. It is also touted as a superberry which Wilkins likens to a mix between a blueberry and cherry taste.

The store, which has a location on Eighth Street in Saskatoon and a market set up in the Cornwall Centre in Regina, carries pottery, art, books and publications. It has holiday treats like chocolate, fudge, nuts, popcorn, jams, jellies.

“We’ve got the Jewel and Deviled hot sauce. We carry Gravelbourg mustard. We’ve got Garlic Gru hummus and we’ve got some of the peppered jellies. We also carry the Three Farmers camelina oil.

SaskMade has already-made gift baskets but also offers custom gift baskets, something Wilkins said is perfect for under the tree, host gifts or corporate gifts.

A plethora of local items can also be found at the Saskatoon Farmer’s Market. For the first time ever, the market is hosting a night market Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The evening will include wine, beer, and spirits for enjoying on-site and for taking home. The butter tart competition will be at 7 p.m.

As you browse the local vendors, carolers will be singing and appetizers will be served. Saskatoon Blades will be there to sign autographs and sell merchandise.

Saskatoon offers options for local clothing items as well, according to Candace Fox, entrepreneur, freelance writer, fashion blogger. A lot of those items can be found downtown or on Broadway, she said.

It is something like that is also creative and a little bit more meaningful,” Fox said.

“I think those are a fabulous alternative than going to a regular box store.”

She said Schmatta and Hardpressed Print Studio offer great locally-printed shirts.

“I know that Luna and Hill, Tonic with Banjo clothing, Flashback, Schmatta—all those places are really hot spots for local designers like C.J. Ellis, her line of earrings. I know that Elizabeth Lyn, all of her jewelry can be found at Luna and Hill,” Fox said, adding it depends on the person you are buying for.

“If you’ve got a little bit of a rock star at home, then Alchemy downtown is where you are going to want to go for a little bit more of an edgier look.”

As far as vintage-inspired or hand-made items, Hidden Stitch is another option, she said.  

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