With the holiday season upon us, you have a big decision to make –– face the crowded malls or try it from home. If Internet shopping wins out as the easier alternative, it is ever important to remember you can continue to support local businesses via the web.

Thanks to some Shelby County retailers, you can do both all from the comforts of your couch. I scoured the Web to find some local retailers who have gone global and are the perfect solution to your holiday dilemma. Sit back and click away.

Cheeky Maiden Cheekymaidensoap.com

With the addition of the Cheeky Maiden Holiday Shoppe, you can shop for those hard-to-buy-for names on your list. Fun scents like Three Kings Soap made of gold, frankincense and myrrh and Comfort and Joy scented soap are sure to be a useful item that is impressively handmade in Calera.

Chelsea Lane Chelsealane.com

One of the most popular gift shops in Shelby County allows you to shop online through their online catalog. With items ranging from wine bottle stoppers to Mandy Bagwell dinnerware, their website has a little bit of everything just like the store.

English Ivy Englishivygifts.com

If you don’t get your shopping fill from one of their two locations in the new Publix shopping center in Pelham or on 280 in Chelsea, you can also find English Ivy items online. With posh items from vendors like Beatrice Ball, Franz Fine and Arthur Court you may be able to check a few people off your list on this website.

The Monkey Basket Sisterstwo.com

Helena’s favorite gift source, the Monkey Basket, also has a Web site that allows you to pick out individual items or arranged baskets for anyone. Baskets include a pet basket filled with pet appropriate items like treats and room spray or a Truly Southern basket filled with southern gourmet foods. The Monkey Basket also sells the popular Tyler candles and Wind and Willow cheeseball mixes.

Sweet Bobby Sweetbobby.com

Sweet Bobby’s online store offers goodies for children, mommies, and everyone in between. There are gorgeous monogrammed jewelry options, sorority gifts, and debossed money clips for dad. There is also a great selection of monogrammed shoes that are sure to satisfy any lady on your list.

So if you want to avoid the crowds and fighting for a parking spot, just pull up a chair to the computer and support some of the best retailers Shelby County has to offer without ever having to get dressed.

Jessica Vance can be reached by e–mail at jvance86@hotmail.com.