It’s that time of year again! All books and journals by The Girl with the Tree Tattoo are 15% off in my Ko-Fi shop with code DANCE. If you’re new to this blog and my works, please peruse the shop at your leisure. The books there were written to help you along your dance journey and grow confidence in yourself as a dancer. The ultimate goal is more joy in your dancing.

Fair warning – there is only ONE Whole Dance Journey journal left, which means there is also only ONE Champion Dancer book bundle available.

While you decide which book or journal to order, read on for some honest thoughts about this time of year.

I have a weird relationship with this shopping season. Every year, it’s the same. In between cheesy made-for-TV holiday movies, we’re bombarded with advertisements urging us to “buy now” because something is on sale “for a limited time only!” “Don’t miss our Black Friday sale, happening the entire month of November!” “Get your Christmas shopping done early and buy our stuff!”

I am resistant to join the chorus and market my own creations to the dancing masses, and yet, I know this is the time of year when the most people will be online shopping. Therefore, it’s the best opportunity to reach the most dancers. I love connecting with new dancers and at the same time, I wish we were all offline on the dance floor instead of in front of our screens. But the screen is where I connect with all of you…*sigh*…do you see my dilemma?

Holiday shopping will be minimal for me personally because we just started a kitchen remodel and that takes $$$$. Since moving to Maine and discovering so many amazing local businesses, I’ve strived to shop local and small as much as possible and support groups or organizations that in turn support the local communities. When I’m shopping online, I look for small businesses that are giving back to their communities, sustainable/environmentally conscious, women-owned, black-owned, indigenous-owned, or LGBTQ+-owned. So even if (or when) I give in to the holiday shopping madness, I will try to stay conscientious about where my money is going.

Speaking of conscientious shopping, if you’re looking for dancewear to go with your new dance journal or Solo Practice Guide, I encourage you to check out Dance Dress Couture, a woman-owned small ballroom business. For your tax-deductible charitable contributions, please support Rx Ballroom Dance and the amazing work they’re doing to support people with neurodegenerative conditions through dance.

Thank you for your support and I hope we have many more happy dances into the new year!