As we enter the busy shopping season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we will all be making our lists and hunting for those perfect gifts for our favorite people. Amazon and other online options can make it easy to get gifts ordered and delivered to your home with minimal effort. Yet shopping online from giant corporations can make it hard to find those special items that really stand out and make your loved ones feel special. Another option is shopping at local small businesses where you may be able to find one-of-a-kind creations that Amazon could never deliver.
Locally sourced goods and services like those found in the area are crafted by local artisans and are exclusive to our region, making for memorable gift-giving during the holidays and beyond. Downtown shops in area small towns are a great place to look for these gift ideas. Alternatively, check out local newspapers to find ads for local businesses. Or ask your friends about the unique gifts that might be available in the area. We all know that word of mouth can be the best form of advertising in a small town.
If you prefer your gifts without a shiny bow, gift an “experience” to an outside concert, pick up a meal from the local family-run restaurant, or host an intimate party with friends and family. These memory makers are a great way to stay connected and continue to support small businesses that help sustain our local economy.
The option of shopping local has the potential to make you the favorite gift-giver at your gatherings with family and friends, but in addition, you’ll be giving a gift that keeps on giving—local economic prosperity. Did you know that for every $100 you spend at locally owned businesses, $48 out of every $100 is returned to the local economy compared to just $14 when you shop at a national chain? Or that the country’s 32.5 million small businesses create 62% of net new U.S. jobs annually? So when you shop locally, you’re not only putting your hard-earned dollars to work in your community; you’re supporting the engines that fuel our national economy.
You can encourage local shopping by posting a picture or video of your favorite locally sourced product and sharing it on social media as inspiration for others. And nothing says that the focus on shopping locally is only for the holiday. Making the choice to buy from local small businesses can extend beyond the holidays. Show support for entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the year by shopping locally and encouraging your neighbors to do the same. At Federated Bank, we provide lending products, merchant services, and a variety of business banking services. We know that local businesses are the lifeblood of our communities. We are happy to work with and support our local small businesses and hope that you will consider doing the same.
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