Shopping the Vineyard Way

One young girl will be unwrapping a pair of socks soon. Did we hear a “ho-hum,” instead of a “ho ho ho hurrah?” The socks will be the first of her Hanukkah gifts; the Jewish holiday celebrating the miracle of the oil lasts eight days, as did the saving oil, and it has become tradition not only to light a candle on the menorah each night but also to exchange a gift. Now, the inside scoop is that this little girl will get something she really, really, really wants before the holiday is through, but her parents really, really want to curb the acquisitiveness that these winter holidays engender — many parents who celebrate Christmas feel the same.

Another little girl’s friends and teachers can expect mittens; the family car has given up just as the holiday consumer drive revs up, but Mom has yarn already and, well, she doesn’t have time but she’ll make some. Truth is, the teachers will love the mittens, which may prove more useful than the candles and Chilmark Chocolates they’re likely to find wrapped up on the last day of school for the calendar year. And there’s something about anything handmade that reminds us that giving is more than spending.

It’s never more apparent than this time of year that the Vineyard is a perfect place for unshoppers. Really, there’s a term for us these days (fashionable trends and tags must be found, even in a recession). Unshopping and freecycling are vogue in the national media, but the practices are unremarkable on the Island, where the Dumptique has thrived in freecycling since times B.C. (Before Craigslist). Here we are reminded every day that once you have a bike and some rain boots, sneakers and maybe ice skates, you can have quite a lot of fun, no Wii required.

And though we have some of the savviest small retailers in the country, it’s still quite possible on this Island to get more or less to now before it hits you that presents might be expected somewhere soon. Without strip malls or box stores, you can avoid piped in carols with minimal effort. Then, finally you can wander the boutiques in your own town, where you might encounter the Minnesingers performing, and boxes for the Island Food Pantry. You may find some free cider, eggnog or cookies, and better than that, you will likely find something that your aunt in Philly would not find at her local shops, if they exist at all since Wal-Mart came to town.

If you find yourself giving over to acquistiveness, though, there are some unbelievably soft cashmere socks at the Green Room, and there’s nothing ho-hum about those on your feet on a cold holiday morning.