🎁 Intentional Christmas Collective

This is a test…

Can you remember one gift you received for Christmas last year?

Now, ask your children if they remember one gift they received for Christmas last year?

In my experience of celebrating Christmas over the years, and in raising two boys, I've found that gifts are often forgotten not long after the wrapping paper is tossed away.

Last year, after many years of dreaming, we celebrated our first Christmas with zero presents under the tree. Yes, it felt strange at first— as new ideas often do—but we all lived through it and, more importantly, we had a truly wonderful time creating memories and experiences together. [I will also do stockings though, that truly is one of my favorite things about Christmas!]

Choosing not to buy things we didn’t need freed up resources to focus on things that truly matter. This year, we're continuing that tradition by purchasing toys—not for ourselves—but for the animals at the Maricopa County Animal Shelter. We’ll also be participating in the Adopt-A-Senior program. Both of those programs are discussed under the “For the Love of Dogs” & “Community Heartbeat” sections in today’s Buckeye Buzz (Issue #12).

This year, I encourage you to consider items that will be used, consumed, or bring lasting joy & purpose. Let’s shift the focus this season to:

• Thoughtful, meaningful, gifts;

• Experiences that bring us closer together; and

• Sharing with those who need it most.

With this in mind, I encourage you to shop this year for gifts with intention. Hopefully, this guide will help you select gifts you can feel really good about giving and making purchases that will keep your dollars in Buckeye! And, support local vendors who have chosen to put purpose first in their lives.

Making A List

Luckily, we have so many options for wonderful gifts, right here (and near) Buckeye! I’ve spent the last few weekends visiting the local farmers markets and downtown to bring you this simplified shopping guide!

I wish I could share about everyone I met, but I picked a few of my favorites and encourage you to get out and explore our local shopping options too!

And, you don’t have to wait for the Farmer’s Markets to purchase goods, either. You can contact every business via their linked page and order directly from them.

As we all know, the shopping frenzy kicks off, pretty much now so let’s get into it, 🐝 cause, the more you know, the more you go!

BLACK FRIDAY

To really get your Black Friday buzzing, head down to Gelato Tavern in downtown Buckeye first thing in the morning! I suggest you start off with dessert for breakfast and have yourself an affogato, which is espresso & gelato (try it with vanilla gelato)! Black Friday calls for more than an ordinary cup of coffee!

Once you’re properly caffeinated, mosey up the block to Screws & Sparkles for their Black Friday sale and save up to 25% off the entire store! When I was there the other day, I got the cutest hand-painted ceramic Christmas ornament that I plan on gifting, otherwise I’d share a picture here. The sale extends to Small Business Saturday too!

And besides all the wonderful gift options and the variety of vendors, a visit alone to Screws & Sparkles is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit - the decor, the ambiance, the music - Sophia has the best taste and is soooo talented! And, her shop is… well… SPARKLING!

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

Kick off Small Business Saturday this weekend at 10 AM in downtown Buckeye and look for The Mainstreet Coalition at Benbow Park (413 Monroe Avenue) where they will be handing out shopping bags filled with goodies & coupons. Get there early though - these bags are first come, first served, and quantities are limited.

Did you know? Small Business Saturday is an annual event held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving all over the United States. It was created in 2010 by American Express to encourage people to support small, locally owned businesses during the busy holiday shopping season.

The day highlights the importance of small businesses to local economies, emphasizing that every purchase made at a local shop helps support business owners & their families, provide jobs, foster community, and keep money circulating locally.

FARMER’S MARKET SUNDAYS

I was surprised to see how much larger the Verrado Farmer’s Market has grown since the last time I attended. There are tons of vendors, fresh produce, food, live plants, and music! The day I visited the tunes were provided by Big Zuzu Mobile DJ and it sounded soooo good that I just had to share them here! Plus, I love their logo!

Here are some vendors I met with and loved:

• Happy Hermit Farm - Tonya makes all handmade, crocheted items like hats, ear warmers, shawls and cat toys (as pictured in the Guide photo above). She also sells fresh bread, jams, herbs and local, organic, free-range eggs laid by her happy hens!

• Sonoran Scavengers - Meet Karen and you’ll get a quick and very informative education about our desert plants and how everything Karen uses in her creations is wild harvested & local. Her goods - jellies, syrups, spices, infused honey and baked goods - are only sweetened with honey and everything is gluten-free and made with wild flour that she mills herself. Her price-points of $6, $8 & $12, make them really affordable!

• State 48 Wood Designs - I had a lovely chat with John & Gina Imming while they showed me around their booth and explained how their products are made. They offer a variety of cutting boards in all different sizes, charcuterie boards, wine holders (that come with glasses!) all handmade by Gina! Everything is totally customizable and they offer engraving! It just so happens that after I met them, I realized I needed just what they offer and placed a custom order for a gift! Their tag-line is “Pretty, Functional Kitchen Art,” with their products designed to look good on display but to also be used for years to come! This is definitely a gift you will feel really good about giving and quality that you cannot find in a big-box store!

• Chews 4 Paws - Loved meeting Randy at the dog treat shop and having him explain all the different varieties of organic dog chews & treats they offer. I grabbed a bag of salmon treats for Maggie & Tony’s pooches and they went wild for them! It is really important to not feed your dogs rawhide - it is filled with chemicals, doesn’t digest and can often cause blockages. All Chews 4 Paws treats & chews are organic & rawhide free!

The Waddell Farmer’s Market surprised me! What a fun gathering of vendors and activities for the kids - petting zoo & really cute dinosaur scooter rides by Dino Mania AZ! This Market totally reminds me of the old Orange County Marketplace that used to be held at the Costa Mesa Fairgrounds in California. Vendors, live music, food and just an overall good vibe!

Here are some vendors I met with and loved:

• Twigz & Stitches by SJ Woodworks - Custom Woodworking - Hand-knit home decor & plushies - Kids Educational Toys. Absolutely gorgeous knit items - so soft & unique! I really liked the knitted bees! Naturally! 😉 

• My Dad’s Favorite Cookies - Est. in 2003 - Joan makes the most delicious treats, including gluten-free goodies. My husband tried the brownie and said “that’s the best brownie I’ve ever had in my life.” He isn’t GF and couldn’t tell the difference. Excellent short-bread treat plates and ready-made teacher gifts. I love that these gifts are wrapped and ready to be gifted. Plus, be sure to read about Joan and the story behind her company on her website. You know how much I love a business with heart from the start!

• Crispy AZ Treats - Freeze Dried Candy - I hear this stuff is all the rage and can’t wait to gift a bag (their most-popular flavor, Spicy Tajin)! These would make excellent stocking stuffers for the big kids in your life!

• No Trace - Buckeye’s 1st sustainable market & refill store. Great gift ideas - like eucalyptus shower steamers, soaps, shampoo bars, lip butter, Swedish dishcloths, eco cleaning tabs made with baking soda and essential oils, and so much more! Visit Gayla and get educated on the zero-waste, no plastic, lifestyle.

Finally made my way to the Tartesso Farmer’s Market last Sunday, and to those who told me, you’re right it isn’t that far away! I love that I was able to park within feet of the vendors and, because it’s a smaller market, it’s easy to navigate!

Here are some vendors I met with and loved:

Saguaro Sweet Tooth - Briaunna at Saguaro Sweet Tooth was one of the very first people to email me after I launched The Buckeye Buzz back on September 12, 2024, so it was really great to finally meet her in person! Plus, I had my eye on some cinnamon rolls for my lil’ turkey who was coming home for Thanksgiving, so I was happy I was able to pick up a 4 pack of those too! The rolls are dense and packed with flavor and are best when warmed slightly before eating. She also sells her treats in downtown Buckeye at Gelato Tavern.

Alysia Bakes - Lucky for me, Alysia shares space with Saguara Sweet Tooth and I had my eye on that cookie tray (pictured above) the entire time I was chatting with Briaunna. I was almost afraid to ask if they were gluten free because I was going to probably eat them no matter what. I’m a very bad girl when it comes to my food cravings. I couldn’t believe they were, in fact, gluten free! Those cookies - “Brown Butter Espresso Chocolate Chip” (pictured above, top left) are truly one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in my life! The taste, the texture - sweet & salty - everything my cookie dreams are made of! Sadly, Alysia wasn’t there that day so I didn’t get to meet her but let me tell ya, I will tackle that girl when I find her! And, lucky me, I have one last cookie in my fridge that is calling my name at 10:00 AM!!! Coffee & cookies, is there anything better?!

The Makery - Loved meeting Laura at The Makery and learning about all the different things they create, including 3D prints! I loved the Mystery Baby Dragon Eggs! She also sells her goods at Screws & Sparkles and will be a vendor at the upcoming Cotton Fest. In perusing their Facebook Page I am loving the Articulated Turkeys too! And, a variety of handmade, laser-cut Christmas ornaments! Price points start at $5!

Chef Infused - Just as I was making my way out of the market, I ran into Fajaun at Chef Infused and had a wonderful conversation with him! Read all about him and his background on his linked website! This fella has a heart of gold and a love for serving his community. He says he “sells flavor” in the form of what he calls “grilling dust” which comes in a bottle for $5 (not including tax) and offers FREE SHIPPING! Plus, he doesn’t use any GMO’s or any artificial preservatives either! These would make excellent stocking stuffers for the chef or griller in your life!

That’s a Wrap!

Hopefully, I’ve given you some good ideas to make checking off your Christmas list a little easier - and a lot more fun & meaningful!

And, thank you for choosing to keep your hard-earned BUCKS in Buckeye! ❤️ 

Do you have a favorite person, place or thing you’d like to see featured here? Email me the details @ [email protected]