Support your local businesses this holiday season

The elections are over with the next big event of the year coming next week — Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends over a holiday meal and be thankful for all that we have.

But despite that lofty ideal, we all know what else Thanksgiving means. It is the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. We say traditional because each year the Christmas sales come earlier and earlier. The Halloween pumpkins had barely been put away when the Christmas decorations went up. In fact, in some stores, Halloween and Christmas items were displayed side-by-side.

In many ways it seems that Thanksgiving is all but forgotten.

Some stores will be open all or part of next Thursday but the real activity begins on Black Friday when all the big box stores and online retailers will have sales and marked down prices. There will be deals to be had on Black Friday, that is a given.

But why not take a step back and consider doing all, or some, of your holiday shopping locally on Small Business Saturday. Always held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, it is a great way to support the small business owners in our communities.

Especially in this time of financial uncertainty with news of inflation, higher heating costs, more expensive groceries, many individuals and families are re-evaluating their spending. Many families have already decided that this holiday season they will spend less on gifts and celebrations.

That makes it even more important to consider shopping at local businesses.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce offers a number of reasons why it is important to shop local in small businesses:

Shopping small is investing in your local economy. When you support a local business you are also supporting your town, city, and neighborhood through the sales taxes you pay. That sales tax money is used to support public schools, parks, roads, and sidewalks and fund public service workers, like firefighters and police officers the folks who keep the roads clear in the winter.

Small businesses are essential to the U.S. economy. Small businesses, according to the Chamber, account for more than 99% of all U.S. companies and employ just under 47% of private sector employees.

Small businesses give back to their communities. New data suggests that 70% of small business owners have encouraged their own employees to shop at other small businesses in the community. Nearly all small business owners, the Chamber says, agree that community engagement is important for their business and they are actively engaged in giving back in a variety of ways including hosting and sponsoring community events, donating to local charities and forming partnerships with other local businesses.

Many small businesses are now online.

Shopping small is now easier than ever as many small businesses increased their online presence during the pandemic. More and more entrepreneurs are starting or moving their businesses online.

It was critical to have an online presence when traditional brick and motor stores were closed and many of those businesses are still online even as the physical stores have reopened.

And, of course, many of the items found in small businesses are made by hand in small batches, resulting in one-of-a-kind items. They may also be able to offer customized products, hands-on services, and other personal touches the big box stores cannot. Many small businesses consider their employees and customers like family, the Chamber reports, and during this time of pandemic impacts and economic uncertainty, it is a perfect time to visit your favorite local businesses and thank them for all they do for the community.

So this year, and every year, it makes sense to do at least some, or perhaps all, of your holiday shopping locally.

Saturday, November 26, is Small Business Saturday. Do yourself and your community a favor and shop locally.