Supporting Local Businesses For Easter and Passover

I love hosting Easter dinner. This photo is from an Easter Dinner in our Jersey City Condo (before our daughter was born)

Once we realized staying at home and being isolated from people outside our household was going to be lasting longer, we knew we weren't going to be getting out to do anything Easter or visiting with friends for their Passover Seder. Although we couldn't have family and friends to our house for Easter dinner or host a small Easter egg hunt, we knew we still had to plan a low key, but special, Easter for our daughter.

Community is one of our core values at DBK Home. It’s more than a business decision to shop locally, supporting as many businesses in Jersey City and the neighboring communities as I can on every project, it’s a personal value too. Here in Jersey City, many of our local retailers are offering local pickup or free delivery as an option while their doors are closed. We decided to do what we could to support local small businesses to fill our daughter’s Easter Basket and some eggs for her to hunt for in the backyard. I strongly encourage you to do the same. There’s still time to order the items you want before the holidays.

My Easter shopping started with a trip to the Word Jersey City website. We love reading and I'll use any excuse to add a few beautiful new books to our collection. I ordered a few great children's books for her basket.

For my daughter’s Easter basket (because we are talking lots about our feelings these days)

Next, I saw that our local kids boutique, Hazel Baby, had the fillable eggs I wanted for our family egg hunt. I contacted them to see what else they had that might be appealing for kids in my daughter’s age range and help give us something new to do to fill all this time at home. I opted for a few small items that are activity based with a fun feeling to them.

If you have a little one, I highly recommend contacting your local toy stores or kids boutiques. The staff will walk you through what they have and what could be a good fit for your child and then help get it to you. It's an incredible concierge level service and you can feel good about getting a little something new and helping to support a local business in the process.

One of my favorite stores here in Jersey City is Kanibal & Co. I purchase many home accessories—for myself and my clients—there. I messaged the owner to see if they had any small mugs. My daughter loves to have tea with mommy or have a special cup of hot chocolate after a walk. I wanted to include a special mug for her to use for these occasions. They sent me many wonderful options for her. I I chose one with a pretty flower and bee on it. I also ordered some decaffeinated teas and other goodies for myself and my husband. These holidays don't have to be all about the kids!

Unicorn chalk. A fun way to chalk your walk.

There are plenty of ways you can support your local retailers and restaurants when you are doing your Easter and Passover planning. It can be as simple as calling a local florist to make up a special arrangement for your holiday table Now more than ever local small businesses need our support and the holidays are as good a time as any to treat yourself and your loved ones to a little something special.

This goes for the holiday meal as well. If you want to have a special dinner but can't deal with cooking one more thing, ordering your holiday meal for takeout or delivery is a great way to go. Many restaurants are still offering this option—some of them are even offering drink kits or wine to go too—and according to our research, it seems safe. We got takeout the other night and followed a suggestion to reheat the food before consuming. (We are not doctors or scientists—don't take our word for this—do your research and go with what feels safest to you. Here is an article we read to feel more comfortable with this option for our family.)

Wherever you are, whatever holiday you observe (or don’t) we are all in this together. Supporting local retailers and restaurants during this crisis is one way to help the people in our communities.