The holidays are largely a magical time for children. In contrast, for adults, they can prompt bittersweet memories or a grueling to-do list for the increasingly short daylight hours of December.

I think that is why Dr. Suess’ classic tale, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” may not actually be a book for children. Adults all remember the Grinch’s famous revelation; “Maybe, Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” The cranky old hermit sums up our collective deep longing that comes with maturity for profound meaning, peace, and joy as we observe traditions and celebrations around the year’s end.

Menomonie Market Food Co-op stands all year round as the exception to the Grinch’s pronouncement. Our store sales represent something more than accumulation of more stuff or white elephant gifts. Consider:

• An African handmade basket filled with local soap, fair trade chocolate, and Wisconsin cheese

• A co-op cooler bag loaded with meats and sausages from rural area farmers

• Purchased quality ingredients for cookies and milk to set out for Santa and his elves

• A co-op gift card pressed into the hand or mailed to the ones you know need a lift

• A ready-to-go meal that helps make hospitality easy

• Warm mittens and quality socks that last

• Splurging and surprising a family with a coop membership

These shopping ideas are just a start to the many MMFC purchases that can be made to support farmers and craftspeople locally and abroad. Our dollars directly benefit the folks on the supply side, the employees in-store, and the larger Chippewa Valley community.

This Christmas, we may just prove the Grinch wrong! But then again, our co-op is no average store.