Thanksgiving is upon the nation, and with it, the official start of the holiday season. Namely, the intense Christmas shopping push including such savings events as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. However, in all the stress of preparing for the season, you might have forgotten about Small Business Saturday, November 28 and Giving Tuesday, December 2. Instead of heading over to Guymon or Liberal to spend your dollars in another county, stay right here in Hugoton and enjoy some great deals at local shops.
Contrary to popular belief, Black Friday initially referred to the day after Thanksgiving when employers would receive countless calls from workers claiming illness to gain a four-day weekend. Philadelphia, Pa. police officers began using the term “Black Friday” in 1961 to refer to the awful traffic conditions due to off-duty workers beginning their Christmas shopping. This year, be thankful you live in a rural community where traffic jams are extremely uncommon. Avoid the crowds and head to Flatlanders Farm & Home for countless specials on cookbooks, kitchen accessories, tools, and even furniture – the Real Tree Camo Relaxer Chair and patio table and chair set are the definition of “steals”! The store also offers ten percent off all guns and boots. Doors open at 7:00 a.m. for Black Friday. You can also stop at the Dollar General store on Eleventh Street where you can find discounts for everything from electronics and kitchen gadgets to bedding and clothes. And if you haven’t put up your Christmas tree yet, Dollar General offers half-price trees, ornaments and tree toppers. Hugoton’s Dollar General will be open Thanksgiving Day, November 26, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Black Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
In case you haven’t found the perfect gift for everyone on your list, don’t fret! Small Business Saturday is November 28, and Hugoton has plenty of small businesses to support. Looking for a unique but tasteful gift? Yardmaster, Janet’s Bridal & Boutique, Country Garden, Creative Specialties, Lolli & Dauts, Importaciones Valles and Relentless Boutique have got you covered. Does Dad or Grandpa love to tinker? Head over to NAPA Auto Parts, CarQuest, Bultman Inc., or Hi-Plains Lumber for all your favorite DIY enthusiasts! Everyone loves a good home-cooked meal – a gift card for White’s Foodliner or Thrifty King might be just the ticket for the aspiring chef in your life. You could also treat them to dinner at several local restaurants, like China, Dominoes Mexican Grill, Jet Drive-In, Nieto’s Cafe, Pigs R Us, Ranchito Tex Mex Cafe, The Steakhouse or Antlers Bar and Grill. Still have no idea what to get for that hard-to-shop-for individual? Think outside the box with a gift certificate to Inspiring Massage, Custom Signs & Designs, Showplace Video or Kates Pet Grooming. A gift subscription to the Hermes guarantees a year of news for the recipient. Scratching your head about Mom or Grandma’s present? A set of new family pictures from Greenwood Photography, Lynnie’s Nest Photography or K&K Photography would be just the ticket for a proud matriarch. If you’re still stumped, a Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce gift certificate ensures they can pick out their own gift, at any number of local businesses!
Small Business Saturday was first organized five years ago, in 2010. Last year, shoppers spent $14.3 billion at small independent businesses in honor of the day. To learn more, visit SmallBusi nessSaturday.com, “like” them on Facebook at Facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday, or search #SmallBizSat or #ShopSmall on Twitter.
For Giving Tuesday, make sure your charitable donations do some good for local residents. You can donate to several local charities, and ensure your dollars make it to those who need it most right here at home. Pheasant Heaven Charities, Inc. helps countless southwest Kansas residents with medical bills and other hardships, as well as several locally-awarded scholarships. You can donate by mail to PO Box 308, Hugoton, Ks. 67951 or contact Secretary/Treasurer Brad Musgrove at 620-544-4388 or ghost@pld.com, Benevolent Committee Chair Sharon Concannon at 620-544-9277 or sharonc@pld.com or Scholarship Committee Chair Theresa Gerrond at 620-544-2282 or tgerrond@hotmail.com. You can also visit pheasantheav encharities.com to find out more. Peace House Ministries focuses on the women and children in desperate need of shelter and items many take for granted, such as clothes and toys. Peace House states their mission is “Every Christian is obligated to extend God’s mercy to those who need to experience the forgiving love of Jesus Christ and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Just as we have been shown mercy by God, so must we show mercy to others. Just as Christ came to us and acted on our behalf, so must we go to those in need and actively intervene on their behalf.” Call 620-428-2046, visit peacehouseministries.com or email pattybphm@gmail.com to find out how you can help. Project Hope provides food for those in the community who need a little extra help with groceries. You can donate to Project Hope Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at 1042 S. Jackson, Suite C, in Hugoton. Other charitable organizations in the community include the Dust Bowl Riders, Relay For Life, Hugoton Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Masonic Lodge and Pollyannas. Contact information for these groups is as follows: Dust Bowl Riders – Neil Olivier 620-428-3089; Relay for Life – Lisa Nelson 620-544-6349; Hugoton Rotary – 620-544-2473; Kiwanis – President Richard Clinesmith 620-544-6861; Lions Club – President Charlie Wagner 620-544-8680; Pollyannas – Lynda Prine 620-544-7297. In the rush of celebrating the holiday season, please don’t forget the true spirit of Christmas, and make sure to give to those who need it most during Giving Tuesday, December 2.
This weekend will mark one of the busiest of the year concerning retailers. Consider sticking around your community and ensuring your spending helps out your neighbor – and yourself – by shopping Stevens County first!
