With just a week remaining until Christmas Eve, the holiday shopping season is in full swing and only expects to get busier.
Driving around, it’s hard not to see the large volume of delivery drivers dropping off packages at homes across the region, but in downtown Peterborough local shops have seen a strong start to the gift purchasing season and the expectation is for it to continue over the next week.
At Hobbs Jewelers, Curtis Hobbs said things started off on the right note with a big shop local push on Plaid Friday and has been on par with what they’ve seen in year’s past.
Hobbs said they’ve worked with a number of people to create a one-of-a-kind piece, more so than in previous years.
“I don’t know why, but it’s just one of those years where people want specific gifts made,” Hobbs said.
Jen Fox, who also works at Hobbs, said she has come across quite a few people who have voiced their intention to shop locally.
“We’ve had a few people that said they dropped the big box stores and wanted to come here for their needs,” Fox said.
“People are staying down here and not going to Nashua or Manchester,” Hobbs added.
For Laura Clayton, owner of the Knitty Gritty Yarn Shop, the holiday shopping season actually begins months in advance. Since a lot of her customers make gifts for people on their list, the planning starts in the fall, which means October and November are busy with people buying supplies. Right now, it’s more of customers looking for the right gift for the knitter or crocheter in their life. That’s where Clayton’s expertise comes in for those who need a little guidance – something that’s hard to come by on a website.
“Someone just came in yesterday and I was able to pick out something that a crocheter would love,” Clayton said on Monday.
But while many other shops will see a busier operation over the next week, Clayton expects things to slow down a bit. There will be people going in for specific gifts, but with all those projects taken care of, there won’t be as much going out the door in terms of supplies.
Eric Gagne of The Toadstool Bookshop said things have been busy since before Thanksgiving and that it’s typical to see a big holiday season rush.
“I’d say this is one of the hubs of downtown,” Gagne said. “It’s a special place and we tend to have a clientele of dedicated customers.”
With crunch time coming, Gagne said he expects to see even more people looking for that all-important perfect gift. And that’s where his expertise and knowledge will come in.
“We literally have people who come in and say pick out these things for me,” Gagne said. “And we’re very adept at being able to help people that way.”
For a business that has been around since 1972, it’s still nice to see that people look to the store for their holiday purchases.
“I think people can see the importance of supporting your community,” Gagne said.
For Underneath It All owner Tammy Woodard, Christmas season actually takes a back seat to the summer time, but it’s still one of her best stretches of the year. While customers could go online and order an undergarment, Woodard said there is no substitute for going into her store and getting that personal fitting.
Just prior to last year’s holiday season, Woodard added small gift options and clothing that she said made a big difference.
“What I’m trying to do is make it a one-stop-shop,” she said.
While a lot of business comes from referrals, there are many times that her store has been mentioned by other downtown establishments.
“It’s good to know what’s in other stores so we can send people there,” Woodard said.
And with a week to go before Christmas Eve, Woodard has been pleasantly surprised by one demographic so far this year.
“Usually, the guys are out on the 24th scrambling, but this year I’ve seen more guys doing their shopping early,” she said.