Shop Local This Holiday—Without Leaving the House

We all know the advantages of shopping locally: It's an investment in your community, an important way to keep money local during trying economic times, and a way to lessen your carbon footprint. But, what if you prefer to do your shopping from the sofa?

Never fear: there are still ways to shop close to home without actually leaving home. 

Etsy, a website for vintage and handmade wares, is a great resource for the online shopper. The site has sellers from all over the world, but includes an Etsy Local page where you can select your location and only shop close to home.

Check out the lists below for jewelry, soaps, scarves, dog treats, spices, art, clothing, journals and other holiday gift ideas—all made in the Marple Newtown Patch area and surrounding region.

• Amble Ergo, located in Broomall, specializes in beautiful handcrafted soap for $3 to $6 a bar, and also offers handcrafted hats and scarves that begin at $12.
• Signature Bonz, located in Broomall, offers edible treats for the pups and dog lovers in your life, like Christmas cannoli dog treats ($8).
• Sugared Spice Shop, located in Newtown Square, is perfect for the foodie in your life. Get treats like sundried tomato sea salt, poultry rubs or lavender sugar, for about $6 to $9. Sugars and spices are available in 4 oz. containers, or larger ones.
• Harmony And Grace, located in Newtown Square, is full of beautiful handcrafted jewelry, like this Labradorite Pendant Necklace with Drops of Moonstone, Labradorite and Aquamarine ($68). 
• Under The Umbrella Mom, located in Broomall, creates custom bridal hangers for the bride-to-be in your life. 

For gifts that are still local but not quite so close, check out some of our other favorites:

• Susan Elizabeth Jewels, located in Media, offers some stunning jewelry made with Swarovski crystals and other pretty additions, like this Champagne Crystal Necklace, $169.
• 111collegedesign, in Havertown, showcases the interesting mixed media pieces of artist Abby Sernoff. The pieces range in price from $3.50 for a 2.5x3.5, to $150 for a 9x12.
• Good Marvin, in Bala Cynwyd, which features handcrafted scarves, hats, totes and more. For chilly weather, peruse the knit scarves, hats and mittens section.
• Elana Rosa Design, in Bryn Mawr, creates adorable pillow friends, fabric wall art and more for babies, kids and adults. Check out this original pink owl wall art ($60) and this organic hippo pillow friend ($38).  
• Bijoux By Meg, located in Philadelphia, features beautiful wrapped wire, metal, and Swarovski crystal necklaces. The designs are targeted at brides and bridesmaids, but items like this gold initial necklace with wrapped wire and rose Swarovski crystal ($34) can be worn by anyone—and crystal color is customizable. 
• Cutesy But Not Cutesy, from Philadelphia, sells sweatshirts with a sense of humor for kids and adults, like this Little Monster Hoodie ($45), along with assorted monster accessories.
• BlueToad, located in Philadelphia, offers handbound journals in a number of sizes, styles and designs ($15 to $25) for the writer in your life.

For a non-Etsy gift, consider buying a gift certificate from Groupon, Living Social, or another similar site. Both offer great deals on local restaurants, spas and businesses that can be used for yourself or bought as a gift. Living Social also offers another incentive: buy the deal, get three friends to buy the deal from a special link, and then yours is free.