A Peek Into Amish Mail-Order Shopping
As we experienced a warmer-than-usual week here in our local community, we hope this newsletter finds you well and in good spirits. Here in the Heartland, the Amish community is bustling with the activities that mark the beginning of Fall. From harvesting the last summer crops to preparing for the cooler months ahead, there's a sense of both completion and anticipation in the air, knowing that the weather will soon change.
This week, we delve into the fascinating world of mail-order shopping within our Amish community. While it might seem surprising to some, mail-order catalogs play a significant role in the lives of many Amish families. These catalogs, often discovered through ads in magazines and newspapers tailored for plain communities, offer a variety of practical and delightful products.
Amish families typically turn to mail-order catalogs for items not readily available in local stores. Popular purchases include kitchenware like food choppers and tea sets and unique gifts such as toy bow sets and slingshots. Practical items like battery-powered touch lights and garden seeds are also commonly ordered. The process is straightforward: families fill out an order form, include a check for payment, and mail it off, patiently awaiting their packages.
Choosing the right catalog is a matter of finding the best combination of price, quality, and reliability. Some catalogs have earned a special place in the hearts of the Amish due to their prompt service and dependable products. Shelter's Wholesale, GVS, A.C. Sales, and Greenthumb Seeds are among the favorites. These catalogs are trusted not only for their product offerings but also for their efficient handling of orders and returns.
Mail-order shopping is not a daily activity but rather a seasonal one, with most families placing orders a couple of times a year. Springtime sees a flurry of orders for gardening supplies, while the late Fall is dedicated to purchasing Christmas presents. This tradition of planning and anticipation adds a layer of excitement to the otherwise simple and routine life.
One memorable story shared by a local Amish family involved a long-awaited order that arrived with several items on backorder. Despite the delay, the joy of finally receiving the much-anticipated goods was palpable. Such experiences highlight the patience and resilience that are hallmarks of the Amish way of life.
In recent years, some catalogs have adapted to modern conveniences by offering message phones for placing orders, though the payment still follows the traditional method of sending a check. This blend of old and new ensures that the Amish can enjoy the benefits of mail-order shopping while staying true to their values.
Children in Amish households often participate in the process, eagerly flipping through the pages of catalogs and helping to fill out order forms. This involvement teaches them practical skills and instills a sense of excitement and responsibility.
Here are a few happenings the families dedicated to weaving the beautiful baskets featured on AmishBaskets.com have shared with us this week.
The Mast Family
One of the Mast family's dogs has a peculiar pastime: chasing traffic. Motorcycles and vehicles without mufflers are its favorite targets, but it especially loves to bark at the mail carrier's vehicle. On Thursday, something unusual happened during mail time. The dog began whimpering and howling so intensely that the other dogs started to shake and quiver. Concerned for their pet's well-being, the Mast family rushed to her side. They discovered that the dog had a bruise on her forehead and a swollen nose. It seems she might have been scraped or hit by the wheel of the mail carrier's vehicle. The family cared for her, ensuring she was comfortable and well-attended. They hope this incident will finally cure her of her traffic-chasing habit, but most importantly, they are relieved that she is on the mend.
The Yoder Family
The Yoder family shared a heartwarming story about their daughter from when she was very young. When she was just four years old, she went missing for a few hours. As evening approached and the family grew increasingly worried, they called the sheriff's department for help. One deputy drove down a dead-end road and found her calmly leaning against a tree, "waiting for Daddy to come get her." She hadn't been crying or distressed; instead, she immediately jumped up into the sheriff's car, thinking her daddy had come to take her home. The Yoders believe that her decision to stay in one place and by the road was the best thing she could have done, and she did it because she trusted her daddy to find her.
The Gingerich Family
The Gingerich family welcomed a new member—a stray orange cat. The cat showed up at their neighbor's farm this week, causing quite a stir. Their neighbor's two-year-old son had a night of nightmares the night the cat arrived, likely due to the cat's loud and continuous yowling despite being given a bowl of milk. The youngster's eyes grew wide with fear, and he didn't want to go to bed that night. The neighbors finally caught the cat and put it in a pet carrier, bringing it to the Gingeriches, who graciously offered to adopt it. The new addition has brought a mix of excitement and a bit of chaos to their household, but they are happy to give the cat a new home.
"No one is useless in this world who lightens the load of another."
— Amish Wisdom
