5 Reasons Clevelanders Should Shop Locally For Jewelry This Holiday Season

***Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own, and have not been influenced in any way.***

Well, Thanksgiving is over, and if you're anything like my family, you just might be existing on creative dishes utilizing heaps and heaps of leftovers. (Cheesy Bacon Mashed Potato Pancakes, anyone?) 

Now that the food comas have worn off, many of us are in a panic to finish shopping for those perfect gifts for loved ones. Here in the Cleveland, Ohio area, this can be a bit daunting. Shoppers have to deal with things like potholes, lack of parking, and even some pretty crazy weather. (Knock on wood....So far, we've had no real "winter weather". It's coming, though. It always does!) 

Kids are fairly easy to shop for. Toys, video games, books....They're a dime a dozen, and available pretty much everywhere. Guys are equally simple. Follow the rules for the kids and just add an extra 0 to the price tag, and you're sure to get it right. (This is expert advice from my 38 year old man-child.) 

​What about those special ladies in your life? Mothers, wives, sisters, or maybe even a soon-to-be fiance? The Holiday season is the perfect time to pop that all important question, after all! 

You get where I'm going with this, right? Yep. One fail proof way to make the holidays brighter than ever for the ladies in your life is to get them something that sparkles and shines. You can NEVER go wrong with the gift of jewelry! 

If you're here in the Cleveland area like I am, there are loads of great businesses to shop for jewelry. My favorite is Howard's Jewelry Center. They have convenient locations, high quality jewelry, and of course, tons of experience in customer satisfaction. 

Here are 5 reasons why Clevelanders should buy their jewelry from a well-established local jeweler such as Howard's Jewelry Center. 

1. When you choose a smaller, local chain, you get more personalized attention. 

Have you ever walked into an independently owned store and noticed that the staff greets each customer by name? Maybe they stop and chat for awhile about family happenings, how badly the Browns were beaten, or even local weather. There's just a certain ambience that comes with patronizing small businesses that you just don't find at big-box stores and chains. I have found that people who shop at local businesses often become repeat customers. and after awhile, they become like "family" to the store owners. This is something I love, and a big part of the reason I choose to shop locally owned businesses whenever possible. 

2. You get YEARS of expertise right in your own neighborhood! 

Sometimes you want to know that staff is experienced. What good is buying a piece of jewelry if you can't be sure that it's a good value? This is something Howard's Jewelry Centers are known for! He is part of the largest diamond buying group nationally—which means more ways to get you a great deal. His staff is certified—and they are willing to negotiate on price and have a friendly, local/independent vibe. They also offer jewelry repairs, too! 

3. Better Products at Better Prices 

Howard's has every day low pricing on his genuine and unique products (30-50% off all jewelry.) He also sells refurbished, renewed, one-of-a-kind pre-owned jewelry which automatically gives you a better deal than a competitor would give you. The best deals can usually be found at local shops like Howard's. National chains don't offer unique pieces like Howard's does! 

4. Unlike internet shops, what you see is what you get. 

Have you ever ordered jewelry online? Unfortunately, I have. I ordered what should have been a stunning, Tanzanite ring. Online, it was a deep, vibrant purple. Almost like Grape Kool-Aid on a sunny day. Perfection. Well, when my ring arrived, it was nothing like the advertisement. My stone was pale, washed out, and nothing like the rich shade of purple depicted online. I learned my lesson after that experience, and I no longer shop for fine jewelry online.

Shopping at Howard's gives me the ability to see what I'm getting before I make a purchase. I can get up close and personal with the jewelry, and even look at the stones through a jeweler's loupe. Shopping for jewelry online, especially when considering diamonds, just isn't worth the risk of disappointment. At Howard's, what you see is exactly what you get. As it should be! 

5. When you shop at Howard's, you help give back.

One thing I care a lot about when choosing where to shop is what a company does to help others. I am all about helping people, and when a business has a heart, they often gain a customer for life in me. Howard's definitely fits the bill here!
Since 2000, Howard's Jewelry Center has been an active supporter of the Jewelers for Children charity fund. Howard has personally served as a board member, and our company proudly donates a minimum of $10,000 on an annual basis to the charity. Howard’s Jewelry Center also hosts an annual ‘Make a Wish Day’, where they donate a portion of that day’s sales towards our local chapter. 
Through these efforts, the lives of thousands of children and their families are touched and benefited by Howard's commitment to them. 

Howard's also contributes to the following causes:

• CASA
• Autism Speaks
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
• Make A Wish Foundation
• Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation

How cool is that?! 

So great deals, a certified, expert staff, jewelry repairs, and a business that gives back?! There's really no reason NOT to head over to Howard's if you're in the Cleveland, Ohio area! 

While you're there, feel free to pick me up something nice for Christmas, since I know my husband won't. (Diamonds. I love diamonds!) 

Connect with howard's jewelry center :

You can check out all of the awesomeness that Howard's Jewelry Center has to offer on their website.

You can also connect with them on Facebook and on Pinterest for some gifting inspiration and to stay on top of their latest deals and promotions!