Efforts to focus shoppers’ attention close to home have created some delightful seasonal treats for residents and visitors.

In 2002, 10 Mathews County artists opened their studios for the first Made in Mathews tour. Now an established attraction, the open studio tour draws local and out of town visitors alike.

Larry Ashe of Captain’s Cove Art, who has participated in the tour since its inception, believes some people come to Mathews for the sole reason of visiting the studios. Others are in town visiting relatives and welcome the three-day jaunt through the countryside. Many shoppers are residents taking in a different place each year.

Made in Mathews has established itself as a great reason to shop at home for the holidays.

New on Main Street in Gloucester this year was the effort by the Walter Reed Garden Club and the Garden Club of Gloucester to take in donations and to decorate Main Street with beautiful swags and greenery.

This was an expansion of earlier C...