HOW TO
KENTMAS
HOW TO
SHOP LOCAL
EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF INDEPENDENT CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN KENT . FROM FESTIVE FOOD FOR FEASTING TO GORGEOUS GIFTS FOR GIVING , SHOP KNOWING YOUR PURCHASES WILL TRULY MAKE A DIFFERENCE .
© Anton Ivanchenko / Unsplash
© Ellen Tanner / Unsplash
The benefits of shopping locally are infinite . From stimulating the local economy , creating jobs and fostering a sense of community to being more environmentally friendly and providing one-of-akind products , the positives are truly endless . As we come to the final days of a year that has hit the global economy hard and seen the rise of stomach-churning phrases such as ‘ cost of living crisis ’ and ‘ postpandemic recovery ’, we face a brand new year that we must take on headfirst to make things that little bit better and leave those irritating phrases in the midsts of the past .
But , before we sign and seal 2023 off with an alleviating rendition of Auld Lang Syne , there is one joyous way we can already contribute towards a better new year , and a much merrier Christmas . By making a commitment to shop local and support small businesses this festive season , you cycle money back into your community , reduce your Christmas carbon footprint and help support local people and their jobs , all the while ensuring that whatever you ’ re buying is almost always a whole lot better quality than something you purchase at a big chain or supermarket . This not only includes gifts both made and sold by local creatives , but also encompasses the glorious Garden of England ’ s delicious fresh produce itself .
In a world that is striving to be more sustainable , green and eco-friendly , never before has eating local been so important – especially at this annual time of great feasting . With a growing population that shows no signs of slowing down , sustainable agriculture and being able to track the supply chain back to the point of origin to evaluate ecological processes has become increasingly more crucial in a world where such practices so greatly benefit the planet . If you need any more persuading , lessening the mileage that food travels before it arrives on your plate is a largely contributing factor when it comes to helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and plastic packaging , as well as contributing towards improving our carbon footprint as a whole .
And where , we might ask , is better to be a locavore ( person that eats locally grown food ) than the good old Garden of England itself ? All year round , us Kentish folk are spoiled for choice by the bountiful array of marvellous fruit , veggies , fish , meat and other crops all carefully grown and reared by the seasoned farming extraordinaires that call this county home .
That ’ s why we at insideKENT know that Christmas shopping can be kept entirely local and this means that you will have the tastiest , most wholesome Christmas with the most thoughtful and cherished gifts to give . From sourcing your entire Christmas dinner – from canapes through to after-dinner chocs – to your New Year ’ s party outfit and special presents for all the family , here is our guide to keeping it Kentish this Christmas .
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