Lisa Mayoh: How to shop with heart and be the pride of our nation
Small businesses are struggling so this Christmas I challenge you to throw your locals a lifeline with your gift-giving, writes Lisa Mayoh.
I have a challenge for you. With Christmas around the corner and Black Friday sales being drip fed to shoppers holding our breath in anxious anticipation, I wonder if you could tick off your wish list with only Aussie-made products.
In the age of Amazon, is it even possible? Affordable? Attainable? Attractive enough?
I would say not. And not because we don’t want to. We do. But consumers are led by what’s in front of us, and latest figures show manufacturing today is less than a quarter of what it was in Australia back in the ’60s. Even the PM says it’s dire – and Santa isn’t happy.
I don’t want to buy my kids things from overseas. The latest trends that will disappear as fast as the prawns on Christmas Day are overpriced, underwhelming and take weeks to arrive, track and then go missing in the Australia Post chaos that haunts us every festive season.
I want to support local. Visit the local bookstore, kids store, toy shop, and know while my kids are getting a treat, the people who need it are too.
Buy From The Bush is a tip-top example, and Sunrise host turned country gal Edwina Bartholomew is a great champion of that – everything on the site is gorgeous, unique, and lovingly hand crafted, designed and executed by regional entrepreneurs making the most of what this beautiful country offers, coupled with the perfect amount of creativity, talent and drive.
Because out in the real world, just how easy is it to know what we’re buying? Unless you look for the green and gold, it’s hard to know. If you see the bouncing kangaroo we all know and love, we’re safe and it’s happy days. If you don’t, just ask. Most shopkeepers want to do their best just like we do, so chances are they’ll be able to point you in the right direction.
In that vein, if you can, shop direct. Walk up the road and visit the book shop to get your teen the new Aussie author that’s having a go. Flip through the pages and talk to the staff.
Ask for suggestions and remind yourself why shopping IRL can be a beautiful experience, not a frustrating one.
Small businesses are struggling and, man, it’s a tough slog out there.
Book the new local restaurant for your work Christmas party.
The little guy throwing his hat in a ring full of big names and tiny margins. And if you have a great experience, tell them.
Write a Google review and tell the world – a few good words from a few good people can turn the tables like nothing else.
So this year, Santa’s staying put. Just like News Corp and its very clever Back Australia campaign, I’m proudly waving the Aussie flag and stuffing it in Christmas stockings.
We need to back ourselves and our people, and that change starts with us at home. My hard-earned Aussie buck stops here.
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Originally published as Lisa Mayoh: How to shop with heart and be the pride of our nation
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