This year, you may be thinking about the holidays a bit differently. Like many, you may be wondering what plans you’ll commit to and who you’ll spend the big days with. And you may be thinking about how you’ll approach gift-giving.
For many folks, the pandemic situation has hit home, which means gifts may be less extravagant in 2020. For others, gifts may be more important because we won’t get to see family and friends in person.
When you are ready to buy, we want you to think about the power your purchase has to make a difference for a small business owner this holiday season. We are sharing over 100 small businesses you can shop from with our Festively Holiday Events and Gift Guide! And we want to give you 5 big reasons why you should shop small this holiday season.
5. Because the Macys pajama gift set isn’t very personal.
When you buy from big-box retailers, they’ve conveniently packaged boxed gift sets that they want you to buy every year. I mean, how many pajamas does your sister really need? But these gift sets are strategically placed in tall piles along the aisles because they know you’ll grab a pair for someone, and since you’re buying one thing, you may as well get a few more things. You’re not going to stand in line for just one item! No, you’re going to buy all your gifts there…like those slippers for dad…and wallet for your niece.
But what do they really want? Especially after a year like we’ve had, we think people more than ever want to know that you’ve thought of them. We care less about the quantity and more about the quality. According to our informal poll, dads, moms and sisters alike love custom gifts. Something that is in their favorite color, a fun saying they’d love, their favorite scent, something unique with their name on it. Something that says, I saw this and I really thought of you. Small businesses can bring that personal touch to all your gifts.
4. Because you want to be a more conscious buyer
In the past, we were way too busy to research who we were buying from. We were all about convenience! In fact nearly 50 percent of U.S. online transactions take place on Amazon. And even when we go to Amazon, 70 percent of Amazon customers never click past the first page of search results.
But that was the old us! COVID taught us a few things…once Amazon stopped being ridiculously convenient, we had to get creative to source our items. And we learned, it’s not horrible to wait a couple more days for something to arrive. It’s going to sit in a box by the door for a while anyway!
Now that you’ve decided not to put all your cash in Jeff Bezo’s pockets and spread the wealth a bit, you’re able to discover wonderful new small businesses who would never make it to the top search in Amazon. And they do have well-made, hand crafted, quality gifts and items that you can feel good about buying.
3. Because last year, your nephew got 3 Call of Duty games for Christmas
This happened to me one year! My nephew put only a few things on his Christmas list and several of us ended up getting him the same thing. Electronics are notoriously hard to return so he was stuck having to find a way to get rid of two of them.
Let’s face it, it’s hard to find gifts for friends and family that are hard to shop for. But when you shop small, there’s a story behind the purchase. There’s a cool hat that someone designed that matches his style. Some unique jewelry that you can’t find anywhere else. Or some delicious homemade treats from a local baker that are irresistible and gorgeous. You won’t find anyone trying to return these thoughtful gifts.
2. Because small businesses have way better customer service
Big businesses and small businesses alike are stocking up now on supplies and inventory to fulfill holiday orders. But once they’re sold out, that’s it! In both cases this year, supplies are much more limited than they have been in the past and there’s no easy way to restock.
Small businesses are ready and willing to help you find what you need. Right now, stores have all the colors, all the sizes, and all the options you want. The longer you wait, the less likely you’ll have what you’re looking for.
Small businesses can often help you find an alternate product, may be able to place a special order, or help you find something else for your special someone. They often add special touches like gift wrapping, stickers, and hand written notes. But don’t wait too long or you’ll be stuck shopping the gift card aisle at Vons
1. Because every dollar you spend on small business goes back into your own community
When you support a local business, you’re also supporting your town, city, and neighborhood. That’s because businesses pay sales taxes to the city and county the business is located in.
For every $100 spent at a small businesses, $68 stays in the community. That’s more than twice the amount chains reinvest. Also, the Small Business Administration reports that local businesses added 8 million jobs to the American economy since 1990 while the expansion of large chains reduced jobs by 4 million.
And on an even smaller level, when you buy from a small business, a real person, a real family, a real community celebrates because someone believed in their dream. And that encouragement does wonders to fuel a vibrant local economy.
Check out over 100 small businesses to buy and book from in Festively’s Holiday Events and Gift Guide!
