Santa’s sleigh may experience some delays this holiday season. Shipping has been a significant source of concern as freight and labor issues affect online purchases. We asked our readers if they plan to shop locally this holiday season or have an out-of-the-box idea for gift-giving this year. Here are some of their answers.

Q. This holiday season, shipping delays are anticipated, especially for toys. Will you be shopping locally or do you have another plan for holiday gifts?

I plan to purchase everything locally. Besides gifts for children, I will be making gift baskets for all adults. I feel it's important to help our local businesses. - Wanda Bakich

Try to do local/smaller shops for gifts. Keep Bakersfield working! - Sandi Ellington

This year we will be shopping locally, looking for gifts that have been handcrafted by some of the talented people we have living among us ❤. - Lindsay Mcelrath-Driscoll

I plan to shop locally to make sure I get everything on time. I plan to buy one small toy for each of my kids and take them to Disneyland instead of buying a ton of gifts as usual. - Daisy Fernandez

Our family believes that being alive, healthy, and getting to enjoy one another is the most priceless gift. Being that I was raised in a home where my Mom is always ahead of the game, I too picked up that trait and I'm happy to say most of our Christmas shopping is done. If other gifts are needed and won't be here in time, locally is definitely our choice. - Trinity Macedo

I try to shop local as much as possible, always. Growing up in Bakersfield, I’ve met so many people who own their own business, especially those who do it so they are able to spend as much time with their children as possible. - Noelle Barfield

I am only doing one gift and stockings this year. I’m confident I can get all those items locally. We will go on a trailer trip as a family and enjoy some of the local Christmas festivities like CALM and driving around looking at lights.- Rachel Welch

We'll be taking a trip and making memories instead. - Leeann Avila

I buy gift cards to local record and bookstores, restaurants, Smith’s Bakery, museums, zoos and theaters. That way, the gifts I give can be enjoyed all season long. - Diane Baker

We are keeping it very minimal this year, due to the rising costs of everything we’ve been experiencing all year long. I plan to shop locally as much as I can, to support other families who are experiencing the same hardships. Communities prosper when we stick together and support each other. - Sheila Lemburg

I try to shop locally as much as possible. I don’t typically purchase a lot of toys for my grandchildren because I prefer to contribute to their savings accounts for their futures, as well as purchase more practical gifts, allowing their parents to gift them with the “fun” toys. My plan is to spend time with them and give them “experience” gifts when possible. - Dawn Miller

To avoid crowds, I will continue to shop online being aware of shipping dates or curbside pick up. - Dominica Dominguez

The holidays are not about gifts for us. There is a reason for the season. Yes, it is nice to enjoy happiness in gift giving but time spent with our families is the most important. - Jennifer Quick

I was just telling my roommate that I’ve been wanting to do a simple sock exchange and roast marshmallows outside on a fire pit and just sing Christmas carols this holiday season. Making homemade gifts is the best for quality time. It reminds me of my childhood. We’re also making hot cocoa bombs and decorating them with everybody’s favorite candy. - Silvia Carter

My kids are a little older, so a trip to the mountains is in our holiday forecast, to just enjoy quality family time. - Taylor Timberlake

With the shipping problem we are encountering I will be making gifts this year per Hobby Lobby and Michaels. - Sherry Pierce

I will be shopping locally here in our sweet town of Bakersfield! - Susana Martinez

I am not stressing about it. The holidays are about being with family, friends, enjoying good food and conversation. At this point, we realize there are more important things like our health. If we give or get a gift after the holidays, it will be a nice surprise. Good things come to those who wait. - Lynda Hernandez

Shopping locally and baking, baking, baking! - Susan Holland

This year, I am only shopping locally, giving gifts cards and small shop items in hopes to help out our local business that struggled over covid! We need to help our community survive! - Mariyah Flores

Honestly, I’m trying not to put too much stress on gifts. We are blessed and material stuff is not needed. Maybe doing a family getaway. - Lorraine Reza

As a grandparent to 13+ grandchildren with individual needs and likes, we plan a different way of celebrating to be able to fit into a one day, typically three-to-five hours, so gifts are not our primary focus. We usually have a family game or activity, where everyone is able and expected to participate. Last year, we could not all be in the same place, so we provided each family group with gingerbread house ingredients & put them together via Zoom with a photo contest of finished houses and prizes for the efforts and the winners. We share a prayer and a meal and fellowship and individual stockings are passed out which contain many small and practical items for everyone. We have done a variety of ways of doing gifts, such as white elephant, name drawing, petite gifts exchanges, reverse drawings, age-specific gift exchanges, etc. It’s not going to be an issue to plan for our celebration, even if we have no toys. The idea is to engage, exchange love and celebrate fellowship.and not about the toys and things that we won’t remember as fondly. - Karen Coughenour

Local shopping, in store shopping and gift cards will be my go-to gifts this holiday season. - Valerie Gonzalez

For Christmas gifts this year, I plan to buy a variety of gift cards to local restaurants, works from local artists, and concert tickets. - Jennifer Resolme

There is a saying "Somebody's trash is someone else's treasure.” If I can't find items available online as the stores are running out, I'm going to be looking at yard sales, Facebook and apps where people might have some items in good condition or that I can restore and make a wonderful holiday gift. - Brenda Moore

I will be going to Tejon Outlets to do my shopping. - Perla Ponce

We shop locally for almost everything! I start buying early and hit a lot of the pop- up shops from the small businesses! We love it! - Krista Padgett

I enjoy making gifts when I can. I can sew and like crafting so that maybe an alternative option if I'm unable to get gifts on time due to shipping delays or IOUs are another option. - Dianna Coryell