I'm usually not ready to begin Christmas shopping until after the holiday decorations have been brought out of storage at my house. The more holidays that pass, the more I enjoy the decorating and gathering of friends for holiday cheer-and less the gift buying. Impulse and desperation shopping are the result of my lack of planning.

Local chambers of commerce are again encouraging us to shop at local businesses. As they say, use it or lose it, and that applies to retail as well. As we travel our city roads to shopping malls and centers in the area, smile when traffic is backed up at the intersection. Take a cup of coffee and put some soothing holiday music in the car stereo as you begin your shopping trip. Be thankful these businesses are here only because we support them.

Shopping online may be convenient, it but doesn't provide the same satisfaction as being able to see, touch, and, in some instances, try on the item about to be purchased. It's all about the experience. A brisk morning, snow softly falling, The Salvation Army bell ringers, and the greetings of friends and acquaintances make for a pleasurable shopping experience here in central Illinois. Occasionally, the retail organization donates a portion of the receipts to a local charity, providing a bonus warm, fuzzy holiday feeling. An impersonal delivery service can't compare with waiting in line to hear, "Next!" But many local businesses have developed their own Web sites and online shopping, so if you must shop online, search for those local listings first. Many retailers will happily special order something not in their current inventory.

In recent years, we've seen some quaint thriving communities turn into "bedroom communities" of Peoria, having lost local retail and grocery stores to a couple of big box discount stores and chain restaurants. I remember bragging about living in a small village, complete with fine dining choices, upscale shopping, and quality public and private educational choices. Times have changed in the past 15 years. I'm guilty, along with other residents who took for granted the businesses that depended on our support.

I was surprised a few months ago to read this headline in a Chicago business publication: "Chicago is not understored. It is undershopped." Chicago? "The city loses revenue, businesses lose sales and eventually, residents will lose their neighborhood stores, along with the vitality that makes us proud of the places we live," continued the article.

So, each community struggles to maintain its family-owned businesses. As a small, independent business owner, I encourage everyone to share our Peoria area pride this season. Shop local. Happy holidays. TPW