Holiday Calendar
The Human Touch
While your computer vendor may remember your name and your charge card information , only a small store owner will remember who you are and who you are shopping for . If you ’ re a regular at Amoretto Boutique on Monterey and Martin Streets in Gilroy , owner Sandra Castaneda certainly will . “ In my boutique , people receive a personalized customer service experience ,” Castaneda said . Amoretto offers a carefully curated mix of apparel , accessories and home decor . Castaneda loves to match shoppers with the perfect products based on their style and personality . That ’ s the reason she got into the fashion business in the first place . Local businesses are typically run by people who have pursued their dreams — and it shows in their interactions with customers .
And not only is the experience personal , but the products are more unique . Local businesses often feature local products , handmade products , or carefully curated products that can ’ t be found online or in chain stores , such as the cheeky , quirky gifts and décor at the Nimble Thimble . The moral of the story ? Shop local , and you won ’ t be the third person to bring a Snuggie to the office Christmas gift exchange .
# GirlBoss
According to the National Association of Women Business Owners , 20 percent of all businesses worth a million dollars or more are owned by women . That number is rising , thankfully , but it can ’ t hold a candle to the ratio of women-owned businesses in downtown Gilroy . In downtown alone , there are at least 21 women-owned small businesses , which is about half of the businesses in downtown . A few examples are Shag Salon , Shag Beauty Bar , the Nimble Thimble , dabble Art Studio , Green Glaze Pottery Studio , Bikram Yoga , Ashford ’ s Heirlooms , Gilroy Bowl , and itty bitty Beauty Boutique . By shopping local , you are empowering women in business and supporting a community that has become an incubator for women taking charge of their dreams .
Economy of Choice
Shopping local ensures that you will have more options to shop local in the future . You may not think your $ 25 purchase makes a huge difference , but add those little purchases up over the span of a year , and you ’ ve made a difference . Brad Jones of Booksmart said when people shop too much online , they are actually contributing to the paring down of amenities and options in their local community , forcing themselves to shop online even more . “ I don ’ t think people want to have a town where there ’ s nothing but houses and UPS trucks . If they always just say ‘ it ’ s easier to click and forget it ,’ then your community starts to weaken and you don ’ t have all the amenities that you would in places where people support local retail ,” Jones said .
Holiday Calendar
Holiday Library Wine Tasting at Solis Winery . Offering their award-winning , vintage wines — a great way to entertain out-of-town guests . soliswinery . com Weekends November 24th to December 31st .
8th Annual Holiday Tea presented by the Morgan Hill Historical Society at Villa Mira Monte . Festive Victorian tea . December 1st & 2nd . Seating is at 11:30am . morganhillhistoricalsociety . org
Holiday @ Night . Return to Gilroy Gardens for the magic of the season ! Enjoy festive strings of twinkling lights , Santa , ice skating and live shows while ushering the holiday season . December weekend nights 4pm- 9pm and 4pm-midnight on New Year ’ s Eve .
Morgan Hill Kiwanis Holiday Lights Parade . An annual tradition that delights families and children of all ages as the community welcomes in the winter holiday season . The festive holiday parade starts at 5:30pm followed by the official lighting of the City Tree on December 2nd . morganhillkiwanis . org
Downtown Gilroy Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting It ’ s the most wonderful time of the year to be in Gilroy ! The Gilroy Downtown Business Association presents this annual event December 2nd , beginning at 2:30pm , with the parade at 5pm .
Guglielmo Winery ’ s 29th Annual Christmas at the winery . Browse a huge selection of beautiful holiday décor and unique Christmas items while you enjoy award-winning wines , gourmet food , hot mulled wine , holiday carolers , and musicians . December 2nd-3rd , & 9th-10th from 10am to 5pm guglielmowinery . com
Holiday Boutiques at Fortino Winery . Shop a unique holiday boutique with many local crafts people and enjoy award winning wines December 9th - 10th from11am to 5pm . fortinowinery . com
South Valley Symphony : “ Peace Around the World ” The orchestra will perform Howard Hanson ’ s Symphony No . 2 , “ Behind Me Dips Eternity ” by Henry Mollicone , and “ Stille Nacht ” ( Silent Night ) based on the mesmerizing version by Mannheim Steamroller . December 9th , 7:30pm at the Gavilan College Theater . southvalleysymphony . org
Holiday Boutique at Gilroy Center for the Arts . Explore the Center exibhits and shop for unique , handmade gifts by local artisans ! From December 15th to December 17th . GilroyCenterForTheArts . com
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