There’s a lot to love about the holidays — amazing food, beautiful lights and decorations and of course, the presents! Finding the perfect gift for someone you love is high on the list of things that just make you feel good.
When you do your holiday shopping this year, consider shopping locally. Now, more than ever, local businesses need our support, and this holiday season is the perfect time to start giving back to the local businesses that make our communities great.
Here are just a few of the many reasons to do your holiday shopping with the local businesses near you.
3 big reasons to shop local this holiday season
#1. Local businesses make their communities special
If every city and town across the country had the same, few big-box stores and no local businesses, there really wouldn’t be a whole lot of distinction between communities. But, thanks to many amazing local businesses, there are one-of-kind communities across the country.
Small business owners are very much a part of the communities they serve, they share the same concerns and they understand what their communities value. In other words, they are uniquely equipped to help define and reinforce the personality of their communities.
#2. Local businesses give back
Small, local businesses help to keep their communities great in many different ways, notably by keeping their money within their community, supporting other local businesses and donating to local charities and nonprofits.
When you choose to shop with and support the local businesses in your community, you’ll know that your money isn’t going to shareholders who have no interest in your community, but back into the community itself.
#3. Local businesses create jobs
Did you know that small businesses in the United States employ more than 59 million people? That’s about 47% of the country’s workforce (Small Business Trends).
Small businesses give back to their communities in a lot of different ways, but one of the most proud and impactful ways is the amount of jobs they create. Best of all, those jobs are largely local.
Whether through automation or outsourcing, a lot of major corporations have sacrificed their American workforce in order to save money. But luckily, local businesses provide reliable jobs for their friends and neighbors in their communities.
We know how easy it would be to order your gifts this holiday season from online retailers and just be done with it, and with the pandemic in full swing, that idea is even more tempting to many people. However, there are a lot of things you can do to keep yourself safe while still supporting the local businesses you love.
5 tips for staying safe while shopping local
#1. Take advantage of curbside
A lot of local businesses have opened supplemental online stores or websites, and while not all of them are able to offer delivery (particularly the free delivery you might enjoy from some bigger retailers) many are able to offer curbside delivery.
If you don’t feel comfortable shopping in person, visit your favorite local stores online to see if they offer curbside. Even if they don’t advertise it on their website, some may be willing to bring your purchase out to you if you simply ask!
#2. Buy gift cards
Still looking for great gift ideas for the people you care about? Consider giving them gift cards to some of your favorite local spots around town!
This is the perfect way to give your friends, family and loved ones a gift that they can really use, and it comes with the added benefit of supporting your go-to local businesses. Best of all, oftentimes, gift cards can be completely digital, so you won’t even have to leave your home!
#3. Avoid shopping during peak hours
A crowded small business is hardly the ideal place to be during a pandemic, but sometimes, you have no option but to shop in person if you want to support the local businesses you care about. In cases like these, your best bet is to shop when it’s least busy.
In general, evenings and weekends are probably the worst times to shop if you want to avoid big crowds. Most places are less busy if you shop in the mornings or afternoons during the week.
If you’re unsure about when a specific local business is busiest, you can often find peak hours on Google Maps. Or, you can always call and ask about the best times to shop to avoid a crowd.
#4. Make a list (and check it twice)
Have you ever gone to the grocery store without a list? If you’re anything like me, it takes at least twice as much time and you come home with a lot of chips and cookies but not a lot of vegetables or actual meal ingredients.
Shopping around can be a fun way to find holiday gifts for your loved ones, but it also means spending a lot more time among the crowds of holiday shoppers. That’s why it’s best to have a list and some idea of what you’re looking for before you go.
If you want to shop around and you don’t know exactly what you want, consider shopping with your favorite local businesses online.
#5. Follow safety protocols and guidelines
Whether you’re shopping for milk and eggs, toilet paper or holiday gifts, it’s always important to follow safety protocols and guidelines when you’re out and about.
These guidelines include not going out if you feel sick, wearing a mask when required, staying at least six feet away from other shoppers, refraining from touching things you aren’t going to buy and washing your hands frequently.
Find great local businesses near you, read reviews and compare the local businesses in your area side by side with Top Rated Local®. Plus, learn more about why we love and support local businesses at Top Rated Local and how to stay safe while you’re out shopping today.
