When doing your Christmas shopping consider shopping locally. Shopping locally helps your community in many ways.
Looking for Thanksgiving weekend sales, including small business sales? Check out the Thanksgiving Weekend Sales page for great deals and coupon codes.
Research showed that Americans are planning to spend an average of $983 this year for Christmas. That’s up from $929 last year. That’s a lot of money and that money could be doing more good for our communities.
Shopping locally can make a big impact in your community. Even if you only shift part of your budget you can make a difference. Here are eight reasons you should shop locally this holiday season.
9 Reasons to Shop Locally This Holiday Season
- Keeps More Money in Your Community– Sales tax helps fund vital services in our communities, when we shop locally we help keep these services funded. Local businesses also are more likely to spend money locally, keeping, even more, money in your community.
- Creates More Jobs– If every American spent $64 on something made in America, we could create 200,000 jobs.
- Creates a Diverse Community– Shopping locally encourages people to start businesses that are unique and provide alternatives to national chain stores.
- Better for the Environment- Buying locally made products at local stores cuts down on transportation and packaging.
- Connect with Your Community- When you shop locally you can connect with people in your community and learn about events and other local happenings.
- Support for Non-Profits– Studies have shown that non-profits receive 250 percent more support from small businesses than larger businesses.
- Better Customer Service – Local businesses owners are passionate about their businesses and services. This often contributes to better and more personal customer service.
- Helps Your Community Grow – Keeping tax dollars in your community and creating demand will help encourage new businesses and help your city grow. It can also encourage people to move to your community.
- You Can Find Unique Gifts– Find a local store that carries unique products for artisans and you can get gifts that are unique and not mass produced.
Pledging to just spend $100 locally can help keep more money in your community. When ordering online consider buying made in the USA products and handmade items from places like Etsy and Amazon Handmade. This can help local communities as well.
Did you know I also have a shop? Check it out and consider helping support Retro Housewife Goes Green this holiday season.
Lindsay says
Oh I love this idea and appreciate you spreading the message to support your local shops.
Deanna says
I need to do better about this. I hate shopping (actually I hate leaving my house this time of year) so I tend to do most of my shopping on Amazon.
Linda says
Yes! I love this! For me, shopping local is also a chance to get one-of-a-kind gifts. I love that I can give someone a gift that isn’t also being received by hundreds of people all over the country. Makes it more special 🙂
Shann says
I love all the information you shared about how local shopping can impact our community. I’m definitely doing some for Christmas.
Akram Taghavi-Burris says
To quote Charlie Brown, ” Christmas has gotten to Commercial”, especially with all these Black Fridays sales and everything. Like you I would much rather spend my money where it supports local shops keeping the money in the community. That’s why I stayed home on Friday and participated in Small Business Saturday instead. Glad to hear you feel the same way.
Lisa Sharp says
So true! Great quote. 🙂