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Editor’s Note: The Holiday Issue

Our December print issue is out now at locations throughout the region! Go grab your copy at these locations:

In uptown Waterloo at Lost Vessel Vintage, Princess Cinemas, Vincenzo’s, Gifted, Princess Cafe and Cowboys and Angels. In DTK at Smile Tiger, Encore Records, TWB, Green Room, Matter of Taste, City Hall, Full Circle Foods, Workhaus, The Kitchener Market, and Legacy Greens. In Cambridge at Monigram Coffee.

This month the Community Edition is all about supporting local businesses and makers.

As the holiday season approaches and you start to buy gifts for your loved ones,  it’s easy to forget sometimes that our region has an ever-expanding scene of unique independent craftspeople and makers. 

This year we may be going out less, and doing more virtual shopping instead. Many local businesses have both in-store and online shopping options this season, and are gearing up to welcome holiday shoppers.

Take a look at the Community Edition’s Local Maker Marketplace ­­— we’ve partnered with local artisans to help, because these things make fantastic presents and because the people who make them could really use your support right now. All proceeds go to to the creators.

The 2020 holiday season is going to be different than anything we have yet to experience. Celebrating with family and close friends seems more important than ever in our changing world. Giving handmade gifts with a personal touch, feels like the right thing to do this year. 

In the spirit of giving, if you’re in a position to give something back this month, go to Jenna Aquino’s article to see which local charities are in need.  Our region is experiencing a “… 307 per cent increase in emergency food assistance referrals, compared to the same time last year,”  according to Kim Wilhelm, director of development at the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

If you are not in a position to donate funds, donating your time is another way to help out.

We are in some hard times folks, and many people are just trying to get by. Hopefully the December issue brings you a feeling of collectiveness with our community. 

We’ve also designed some pretty hilarious pandemic-themed wrapping paper for you to use and delight your loved ones with. 

Things are weird, but we are all in this together! 

If you have an idea, a story to be told, or a voice that needs to be heard, reach out to me at editor@communityedition.ca.

mm

Melissa is the former editor in chief of the Community Edition. You may have seen her around town asking people what excites them locally. When not writing, she's usually obsessively listening to music while hanging with her grumpy cat Hansel. A mental health advocate, you'll find her meditating or playing outdoors — climbing rocks and trees, hiking local trails, freediving and surfing in the ocean. "There’s something so healing about water. Water, trees, sunshine and fresh air are what we all need." Follow on IG or Twitter @melissaembury