Eco-LOCAL Living is joining the national “Shift Your Shopping” campaign to help people choose local and independent merchants this Holiday Season.  Instead of the big box shops and malls, try instead to find unique and valuable gifts from one Capital Region local downtown merchants. Travel to another town you haven’t been to in awhile and find discover something new. We have a lot of options in the region, and downtown is where it’s at.  Within a short drive,  we’ve got five eclectic and unique downtowns to explore - Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, Troy & Glens Falls – each with their own vibe and cool buy-local scene. There are also lots of small towns out in the countryside where you’ll find unique shops and food crafters that will be thrilled to have you come visit. Take pictures and tell us about your experience on twitter at #ecolocal and on Facebook at EcoLocalLiving.  If we like your post, we'll give you a gift certificate for a pint of Rascher's Sugarhouse Maple Syrup!  So go local, and be creative...

Learn about the collaborfative effort at: www.shiftyourshopping.org/

Bank Locally - Support Community Banks and Credit Unions

Learn why and how to easily move your money from big banks to community banks and credit unions. Check out www.moveyourmoneyproject.org

Local Holiday Campaign Ideas – Pick and Choose
The Shift Your Shopping collaborative is about bringing together ideas from across North America so that local communities can pick and customize the ones that suit them… or just “steal” outright! See if your local community wants to participate in any of the following proven campaigns:

Plaid Friday – November 25
Background, press, ideas, and downloadable files to participate in Plaid Friday: the creative, diverse, and joyful independent alternative to big box Black Friday.
http://plaidfriday.com/

America Unchained! & Canada Unchained! – Kicks off Sat., November 19
AMIBA’s annual Unchained! campaign provides tools to help you spread awareness that we collectively determine the future of our own communities and economy through action as citizens as well as consumers. Get a free campaign guide, downloadable graphics, templates for ads, banners, local proclamations and more!
http://www.amiba.net/members/national-campaigns/unchained

Buy Local Week – Nov 25 – Dec 4, 2011
Started by BALLE, Buy Local week is a reminder that we should all take a moment to think first about whether we can buy those gifts at local, independent businesses before heading to the malls and big box stores. Support these critical economic and community institutions first!! Get event ideas, downloadable files and more.

Occupy Main Street – any day of the week. The 99% will appreciate it!