A trip through the shops of downtown or the stores at the mall and throughout the Miss-Lou is like a trip to Santa’s toy shop these days.

Gifts for all ages &045;&045; from toys to electronics to housewares &045;&045; are available everywhere.

Everyone enjoys out-of-town shopping trips or the convenience of browsing the Internet.

But did you realize that our local shops have the latest trends as well as unique gifts you can’t find anywhere? No other town has Darby’s fudge or Uncle Bud’s Rub or any of the numerous hometown products.

And did you know that several local businesses are on the Internet, like Cover to Cover Books or Classic Natchez? You can shop at home while shopping at home.

For those of us who live here, shopping at home &045;&045; and we don’t mean on the Internet &045;&045; is like a gift to ourselves.

The dollars we spend here stay here. And, just as important, they allow people to stay here. They help all of us to stay in this community and continue to make a living.

The shop owners are the people you see in the grocery store, next to whom you sit in church, with whom you coach on the soccer field.

Not only do they have good merchandise, most likely they know your family. They know how to provide good customer service.

And they will spend the dollars you spend at other businesses &045;&045; that most likely will come back to you.

Shopping with local merchants benefits all of us &045;&045; and ensures many more merry Christmases to come.