Maryland is slowly beginning to open up from COVID-19 restrictions, and as it does, it is still so important to continue to support the small businesses of our friends and neighbors.
Under normal circumstances, heading to a big box saves on time and gas but as we keep hearing, these are times unlike any other so gas is cheap, time is aplenty and the crave for small adventures is strong!
As of the date this was written, we’ve had 64 days of three meals per day at our house and approximately 65,789 snacks.
Take this opportunity to take advantage of all the amazing carryout and make your own options from restaurants you may have not even tried during the “normal times.”
With school out, kids need to not only eat but also be moderately entertained every.single.day so see if your favorite pizzaria is selling their pizza dough.
That way, you skip the cumbersome part but also have the fun of creating your own pizzas, calzones, and other Pinterest creations.
Grab a dip at your ice cream shop window and take home some pints for a sundae night or to pair with cookies and make into ice cream sandwich combinations.
See if your local bakeries are offering decorate your own cookie or cupcake kits, where the colored icings are ready to decorate.
Let them help you on both fronts as you in turn support them!
On the same note, date nights seem more non-existent than ever, but with top-shelf carry out meals available you can create your own Hallmark movie moment and dress up, which can simply mean no sweatpants!
Take the time to set up a dinner for two with your nice plates instead of inhaling your food from the carryout container.
Eat al fresco to let the kids run, let them watch a movie or just let them occupy themselves for a bit. It’s not perfect and there will be dishes to wash afterwards but these days perfection isn’t attainable or maybe not even desirable.
For Father’s day or just a fun night, don’t forget your local breweries or wineries.
Grab a variety curbside and set up your own tasting.
Of course, don’t forget to order some of your favorite local cheese for pairings!
You can also choose to grow your own food while still supporting small businesses.
Visit local nurseries for vegetables and flower plants as many are offering order ahead services so you can pull up and be on your way.
Call and chat with them for suggestions and place an order, and spend some time outside tending to a garden even if you haven’t in years, or ever.
What doesn’t work out in your garden you can likely get from a local farmers’ market or roadside stand.
Visit marylandsbest.net for a farm that’s close and has what you need.
Birthdays and other events and celebrations were canceled left and right, but of course, the event don’t cease to exist.
Surprise the guest of honor with a weekend rental of a giant inflatable slide or bounce house just for them. Shore Party Rentals and others are renting out bounce houses, water slides, and everything in between.
And quarantine or no quarantine, you still need something to sing around.
While many places are not taking special orders, a pile or cookies, donuts, or other sweet treats with a candle is perfect.
There’s no reason not to make this one to remember many many birthdays from now, instead of the year they got cheated because of the virus.
With weddings and other big celebrations that are also sadly being postponed, leaving flowers in bloom missing their time to shine.
Decide to place beauty in the ordinary days of the un-ordinary times by getting a bucket of flowers from places like Seaberry Farm, Honeybee Flower Farm or other local grower and spending an afternoon taking in the colors and textures of creating your own bouquets.
Keep the cheer going in your own home and drop off on doorsteps of loved ones.
Annual community events can really “make” it summer and many of us find ourselves emptying our calendars. To soften the blow, think about what you love about the event.
Is it food like the strawberry shortcake at the Ridgely Strawberry Festival or seeing the beautiful gardens strolling the streets at Oxford Day?
Dice up the strawberries yourself or go for a walk down a favorite but different street to sightsee.
If you feel it appropriate, drop a small donation or letter of support to the non-profit or organizers. No doubt they are feeling the sadness of canceling their event as well.
For everyday activities, check in to see how organizations are adapting. Pickering Creek for example, has their naturalists teaching courses on birding where you can watch on your porch with a cup of coffee to look around your own yard. Adkins Arboretum is still offering their spring plant sale with online pre-orders and guidance on native plants. You can even still get artsy with the Caroline County Council of Arts offering a variety of art and nature inspired projects with live streams after materials are picked up while Kiln Borne Creations is offering pottery kits that can be shipped or delivered locally.
As local consignment shops are working on adjusting to take new items, many are offering a chance to prepare your wardrobe for when people will see you in real life. With inventory being posted online, check out your favorite shop for shipping, curb pickup or holding for re-opening. Need to clean up your closet? Dry cleaning such as Admiral Cleaners have even expanded their delivery services for those still needing essential uniforms cleaned or for those of you “quarancleaning.”
Lastly, be sure to show even more support by tagging businesses in your social media posts. Had the best experience with take out? Can’t believe the difference farm fresh butter made on your pancakes? Sharing positive reviews is a great way to bring more business their way.
Larger stores have always had the upper hand creating platforms to bring the world to your fingertips and doorsteps at a fast rate, but make a deliberate goal to shop small more often and you’ll be amazed with the quality and experiences you can create.
As we crawl to yet another new normal, be sure to keep some of the slower pace and simplicity of these times as well as support your local businesses.
(Editor’s Note: Leslie Milby writes from her 1886 farmhouse in Cordova where she resides with her three dirty yet delightful children, husband and smattering of animals.)