It's been a long, difficult year for many locally owned retailers.
And that's why we're not apologetic about feeding that typically annoying trend of obsessing about Christmas earlier and earlier each year.
It's only a few days after Election Day, three weeks before Thanksgiving, and already The Register Citizen is working on its schedule of "Holiday Gift Guides."
This year, we will publish a "Black Friday Gift Guide" on Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving.
A "Buy Local Gift Guide" will appear in the paper on Thursday, Dec. 11.
An "Affordable Gift Giving Guide" will appear in the paper on Wednesday, Dec. 17, featuring gifts categorized by "under $100," "under $75," "under $50" and "under $25" headings.
And a "Last Minute Gift Guide" will appear in the paper on Monday, Dec. 22.
If you want to support locally owned businesses, check out the ads in these sections before trekking out to the big box stores this Christmas season.
You'll be surprised at the quality and affordability of products offered right in our downtown shops.