Miracle on Main Street

Author: Andrea Glaessner

Attention Middlebury: the American economy is officially in a recession. Most of us do not need a reminder of the stark reality that the buying power of one dollar has diminished significantly. Even bargain shopping is now a risky endeavor - as Black Friday's tragic Wal-Mart incident revealed, holiday shopping has become an American version of the running of the bulls.

But shopping should never be a source of stress - America has enough on its plate already. This holiday season, your local news co-editors have devised a way to make holiday shopping easy and efficient, giving you more time for the things that matter, like getting tipsy on eggnog with your Aunt Suzanne or dominating your little brother in Battleship. Just follow our "to do list" (page 6) and you will be able to check everyone off your own list before break. The secret hits close to home - shop in Middlebury!

"Local" has become quite a buzzword around these parts, with the farmers' market extending into winter months and the local food and energy movement gaining ground in Addison County. Now that the local economy is stuck in a rut, the idea of keeping all your holiday shopping within the confines of downtown Middlebury starts to make sense. Even if a dollar will not get you very far, at least you know where it is going.

Plus, what could be more convenient than strolling downtown to do all your shopping? With the economy down and out, local businessmen and women have stepped up their game to make holiday shopping easier than ever. At Sweet Cecily, for example, the gift displays are conveniently organized into separate categories for the males and females on your list. Vermont's Own features gift baskets on display to give customers ideas about how to create their own unique gift, perfect for relatives or neighbors. You are bound to find something for everyone when you shop in Middlebury.

Holiday cheer is in the air all over, from the shops to the restaurants to the quaint bakeries and cafés. For quick and easy gifts to bring to holiday events, stop by Otter Creek and pick up an Otter Selection holiday four-pack, complete with three 22 oz. bottles and a World Tour collectors' glass for the host, or swing by Middlebury Market for a nice bottle of wine. Otter Creek Bakery also has a bevy of holiday treats ranging from bread shaped like a ginger-man to scrumptious truffles and decadent cakes.

In addition to fine food and libations, plants are another perennial favorite. Giving an interesting plant is the perfect way to thank your advisor for his or her diligent efforts on helping you graduate. The Blossom Basket is an obvious choice for unique flowers and potted plants (the cute pincushion plant and the Venus Fly Trap are editors' picks). But do not forget about Belladonna, adjacent to 51 Main, for a large selection of exotic plants and other gifts. We think their mittens are perfect for mom.

Which reminds us - seniors and Febs - here is a great way to leave your mark on the local community. We know that schoolwork keeps you busy, but if you feel you have not had enough involvement in the town over the years, the holidays are a great time start. As you shop, you can support the people and the businesses that make the town, and the College, thrive.