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Holiday Gift Guide An Advertising Supplement to the Gwinnett
Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com • Wednesday, November 21, 2018
The origins of some beloved holiday traditions
The Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce, as well as country retailers, are encouraging shoppers to stay local with their holiday spending this year. (File Photo)
County, retailers encouraging people to shop local this holiday season From Staff Reports
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very year, it seems as if the holiday season creeps up without warning, prompting many to rush out last-minute looking for gifts for their loved ones. To get ahead of the post-Thanksgiving rush, the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce and county retailers are encouraging residents to get out now — and stay local. “We love to support local shops that make our communities strong,” said Vince DeSilva, the Chamber’s senior vice president of membership services. “The Gwinnett Chamber is committed to creating the right business climate to help our small businesses start, sustain and succeed.” While the Mall of Georgia and Sugarloaf Mills offer a number of department stores, as well as nationallyknown retailers, Gwinnett’s cities, especially those with recentlyrevamped downtowns, such as Duluth, also play host to many boutiques, which offer anything from clothing to jewelry to wines and gourmet groceries — something DeSilva called the “essence” of Gwinnett. “Our small businesses are the essence of our community,” he said. “Shopping local during
the holidays, on Small Business Saturday, and throughout the year is a way to help support the small business community not only succeed but thrive.” With more than 25,000 businesses in Gwinnett — of course, not all are retailers — there is something for everyone in the county. For those who prefer boutique-y outdoor shopping malls, Snellville offers The Shoppes at Webb Gin. Located off Scenic Highway, the mall offers everything from men, women and children’s apparel to jewelry and accessories to health, beauty and athletic stores, as well as the Cigar Bar, an upscale bar and cigar lounge that hasn’t yet opened but is nearing completion. The bar will add one more dining option to the mall – though it’s a lounge restaurant, the venue will offer tapas – which already has more than a dozen dining options. While many of The Shoppes at Webb Gin’s restaurants are known chains, one of the added benefits of shopping in cities’ downtowns are the local dining and snack options to satisfy the inevitably hungry shopper, DeSilva said. “We want to ensure our small businesses provide an atmosphere throughout Gwinnett County for a sustain-
able place to work, live and play,” he said. Downtown Duluth embodies that live, work, play atmosphere with its boutique stores, Town Green and Parsons Alley, which uses the city’s historic downtown to create a modern, upscale atmosphere. With the Alley’s restaurants carefully selected, the district is intended to be an “inviting plaza with festive lighting and public art.” For those who want to stay in the Duluth area but prefer indoor shopping, the Gwinnett Place Mall – which hosted filming for Netflix’s “Stranger Things” earlier this year – has a number of retail options, as well as many different restaurants, some chains while others are one-of-your-kind family restaurants. Outside of the physical mall, too, Pleasant Hill Road has a number of restaurants, ranging from Hibachi to Mexican to Creole/Cajun food. For those who want a little more upscale shopping and dining options but want to stay on the west side of Gwinnett, Peachtree Corners’ The Forum on Peachtree Corners offers just that. Similar to The Shoppes at Webb Gin, the Forum is an outdoor mall offering fashion and department stores, though it also offers shoppers a place to relax and beau-
tify, at places such as Eighteen Eight, which is more than just a men’s hair salon. At Eighteen Eight, stylists are trained men’s haircuts and styling, though are also experienced in straight-razor shaves, and grooming services, including coloring, face and scalp treatments, hair removal and nail grooming. For women, Luxury Nails Spa offers manicure/pedicure options as well as waxing and threading services, while Spa Sydell offers the often much-needed massages and facials, as well as fat reduction procedures, hair removal, body contouring, anti-aging and rejuvenation treatments, scar reduction, cellulite improvement and other options. Outdoor malls such as the Forum and The Shoppes at Webb Gin also frequently offer special deals and sales before and during the holidays, as well as holiday-themed events. As the holiday season continues approaching in full force, Historic Downtown Duluth, downtown Lawrenceville, Suwanee’s Town Center Park and Main Street and historic Buford are all embracing the Christmas cheer, too, decorating lampposts, trees and businesses to celebrate the most magical time of the year.
Christmastime is here. The presents are being purchased and wrapped. The stockings will soon be hung on the fireplace mantle. Mistletoe is pinned above the front entryway, and poinsettias add rich color to home decor. Tradition is integral come the holiday season. Throughout the month of December, traditions fill people’s days and comprise the many reasons why individuals decorate, celebrate and dine the way they do this time of year. But few may know the origins of some of the most beloved holiday traditions.
Christmas stockings The Christmas stockings of today may be a byproduct of various traditions. One such tradition dates back to a Dutch custom in which children would leave shoes full of food to feed St. Nicholas’ donkeys, and then St. Nicholas would leave small gifts in return.
homes and decorating them.
Santa Claus Santa Claus’ origin story can be traced to St. Nicholas, a Christian bishop who lived during the fourth century. St. Nicholas was very generous and gave away his fortune to help the needy. He also did various other good deeds. St. Nicholas became infamous and began to be known by various names around the world. The Dutch called him Sinter Klaas, which was eventually transformed to Santa Claus. The jolly persona came later when 20th century advertisers — especially the artists responsible for CocaCola ads — portrayed Santa in a red suit with a big smile.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe is hung in doorways, and couples who stand beneath are encouraged to share a kiss. The tradition of hanging it in the house goes back to the times of the ancient Druids. Mistletoe was thought to bring good luck Another origin story of Christmas stockings to a household and ward off evil spirits. can be traced to the The custom of kissing 12th century, when under mistletoe can nuns would leave be traced to England. socks full of nuts, Originally, a berry was fruit and tangerines picked from the sprig for the poor. This is of mistletoe before why some people the person could be still put tangerines in kissed. When all the Christmas stockings. berries had gone, Christmas tree there could be no more kissing. Christmas Trees are everywhere this Christmas bells time of year. The use Church bells ring of evergreen trees for many special predates Christmas services, including and is associated Christmas mass. with the pagan During Christmas festival of Saturnalia, midnight mass in the which celebrated Catholic Church, the the agricultural altar bells may be god Saturn with rung while the priest partying and giftsays the “Gloria.” Bells giving. During the are part of caroling, winter solstice, green and jingling bells are branches served as a associated with sleighs reminder that spring and Santa’s reindeer. would arrive anew. Germans are credited Christmas is rife with with first bringing traditions that date evergreens into their back ages.
www.gwinnettdailypost.com • HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2018 • 1