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Looking great for the holidays

Alex Smith, barbier, Local Barbier/Barbershop

With the holidays fast approaching, many of us are gearing up for gatherings with friends, colleagues and family. Typically, at the barbershop, the holiday season is our busiest time of the year. The ugly Christmas sweater has become a bit of a trend recently, but thankfully, terrible haircuts have yet to catch on.

Many men, myself included, are last-minute creatures when it comes to shopping for gifts. We like to kid ourselves that we work well under pressure but in the end, we’ll find ourselves at the pharmacy on Christmas Eve, reduced to buying a pair of oversized gloves and box of Turtle chocolates for that special someone in our lives.

Gifts aside, if you’d rather not receive awkward comments from your partner or family about your appearance, make an appointment with your barber in advance. Most shops will prioritize appointments over walk-ins, and with a little foresight, you can avoid adding stress to an already stressful time of year.

Casual conversations at the shop this year have revealed that most patrons will be spending the holidays close to home. Work parties are making a comeback as well. After a few difficult years, this will be welcome news to local shops and restaurants, many of whom rely on this holiday season to keep their doors open throughout the year. Let us not forget the value these places bring to our community. Let us also think of those with less and show our gratitude by giving what we can to those in need.

Pro tip: Look good and do good.

Sit back, relax, and see you next time!