Tis the season to shop local

Now that the holiday festivities have begun, you may be thinking about gifts, and shopping for them. If you want to give something that's more unique, more creative, and more original than what you will typically find in big box stores, then you're going to want to shop locally.

I stopped in four of our local businesses, in Rockton and Roscoe, to ask what holiday product is their favorite gift of the season.

Last week our editor Michael McGinnis presented photos of several different Rockton shops.

To help fuel you on your holiday hunt for the perfect gifts, your first stop should be DeeDee’s Main Street Coffee & Decor, for a Deelicious drink and a warm, friendly atmosphere.

Don’t forget to bring the kids’ annual letters to Santa. (DeeDee confirms that Santa even writes back.) All the letters are sent straight to the North Pole and a mailbox will be at the cozy coffee shop beginning December 4.

DeeDee’s favorite gifts are the ones you'll find in her homemade corner, with items such as hand towels, T-shirts, cups, mugs, and postcards.

To satisfy your sweet tooth during the holidays, you're going to need to stop into Sugar Britches Old Fashioned Candy, where they are fully stocked with sweet treats and homemade gourmet goodies.

They're most excited about their hot cocoa mugs, (which I was honored to get a sneak peek of) that come in both white or milk chocolate, with a choice of vanilla marshmallows or peppermint marshmallows, for $12.

Just around the corner at Frosted Farmhouse, every hall is fully decked with far more than just boughs of holly.

Each step inside the vintage antique store brings more and more holiday joy, as this shop is filled to the brim with one-of-a-kind gifts and decor.

The personal shop favorite? These darling Santa mugs, that range in price from $12-$32.

Since we can't leave out our favorite four-legged companions, and of course, Santa Paws said they’ve made the nice list, I stopped by Meyer’s Canine Colony in Roscoe, to find the best gift for pets (and pet owners). It was easily agreed that this advent calendar for dogs was a favored gift this holiday season.

Be sure to take a look inside their Vintage Hut while you're there. It’s stocked full of holiday decor and treasures.

I think everyone can agree that there’s no place like home for the holidays, and when we shop locally, we’re not just finding the perfect gift for those that we care for, we’re getting the best customer care and service, all while giving back to our community- and that’s the best gift of all.

Let us know where we should visit next!